Jig Saw for 2x stock

[Pontiac787]

Hi All,

I'm looking for suggestions for a heavier duty jig saw for cutting long curves in 2x stock. I'm leaning towards corded but for cordless options I have the Milwaukee 18volt platform.

Thanks!

 

[mike93lx]

My corded Bosch has treated me well for years.

How many cuts are you doing? No access to a bandsaw?

 

[Pontiac787]

My corded Bosch has treated me well for years.

How many cuts are you doing? No access to a bandsaw?

I'm going to be using it for cuts up to 10'-12' long.

 

[lardy1]

Even the higher quality sabre saws are going to struggle with material that thick. The blade will wander away from square with the foot. It will depend a lot on what you're doing and what your expectations are.

 

[Pontiac787]

I'm building some mountain biking features. I'm not needing or expecting perfect radius' or absolutely square cuts.

 

[mike93lx]

I'm going to be using it for cuts up to 10'-12' long.

That length wouldn't necessarily preclude a bandsaw. If it is just a gentle curve, a bandsaw is perfect.

That said, just about any jigsaw will be fine for rough work. The blade will matter more

 

[jonshonda]

The Bosch JS572 is one of the best on the market, and outperforms the JS470 for a number of reasons, the most significant being the dual blade guides. There is a barrel grip and D handle grip.

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-7-2-Amp-Barrel-Grip-JS572EBK/dp/B01D4R1MLQ

With that being said a band saw would provide better results if you were focused on a super accurate (square) cut, but in this case I don't think that is required. My thought would be to screw your pieces to saw horses, then cut so you have both hand free instead of having to hold the work piece with one hand and saw with the other.

 

[RTM]

I worry about blade flex more than the saw, my Bosch flexes on short cuts enough that I have to fix them on fine work.

Maybe a sawzall blade wouldn’t flex. Little less comfortable, but depending on how much cutting, may be faster than a jigsaw, for your MTB needs, good enough.

Neighbor just built a course in backyard for kids dirt bikes.

 

[jgromada]

I really like Bosch for one particular reason. Here is a close up of the blade area. On the back of the blade there is a roller which ensures there is minimal blade deflection. There is especially important cutting through thick stock.

I'm not gonna talk you out of getting a band saw if you want, but for a couple of 10-12' cuts a jig saw will work and be waaay LESS expensive.

I have that same Bosch JS572 and I love it.

 

[ricleh]

Mafell P1cc jigsaw with Mafell W1 blade.

 

[Pontiac787]

Mafell P1cc jigsaw with Mafell W1 blade.

I’m sure it’s a fantastic saw but not in the budget. I’m thinking more like a used Milwaukee or PC worm drive.

 

[Pontiac787]

I'm not gonna talk you out of getting a band saw if you want, but for a couple of 10-12' cuts a jig saw will work and be waaay LESS expensive.

I have that same Bosch JS572 and I love it.

Agreed. Never mind trying to man handle a 10’ 2x10.

 

[PittsburghTim]

I have had a Bosch VS corded saw for 20+ years and with the proper blade, it has done almost anything I could ask of it. I also like the Bosch blades as they just seem to work better than any others I have used. The blades are still made in Switzerland. Other than the jigsaw and their 6" ROS, I do not own any other Bosch tools, but these two are gems.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

My barrel grip Bosch is one of the gamechanger tools, the design with the guide allows for square vertically cuts and the orbit action speeds it up on rough cuts. It has a CLIC blade clamp making for easy change. I find the barrel grip easier to control than the handles of the company's ones.

 

[mike93lx]

Mafell P1cc jigsaw with Mafell W1 blade.

Nothing says rough work like mafell!

That is the kind of brand that you don't ask if you need. You already know

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have a corded Bosch that has servedme well for well over 30 years.

 

[Fcvapor05]

Have you tried a Milwaukee cordless jigsaw yet? My fuel barrel grip jigsaw has been excellent, and I've cut LVL up to 2" with it without any problems.

 

[motoretro]

I have the Bosch JS572, just used it to cut 2-7/8" thick basswood for carving. It did a good job. That said, keep in mind you are cutting slow and blade speed is also slow, I noticed the saw was getting warm so pulled it out every 1-2" and ran at higher speed to allow the fan to cool things off. The dust blower on this saw is basically useless, I held a air nozzle nearby and blew the pencil line off. I have the barrel model although wish the saw was variable speed for starts. I've also owned the Bosch 1587 & 1590. I feel the JS572's quality is not at the same level although is still a nice saw.

 

[RKA]

If you lived closer, I would sell you my mint Bosch 1590. But if you can find a pawn shop (or one selling on eBay with free shipping), go for it. I think it’s Swiss made and it’s a little tank. Much as everyone prefers barrel grip saws, the variable speed trigger found on D handle saws have their own advantages.

I’m not sure I’d get an M18 for your uses without testing first. The difference between cutting 3/4” and 2x material in terms of battery drain is significant. It really depends how long and numerous those cuts get. You don’t want to be constantly changing batteries. But for me, if I can ditch the cord, that’s the route I usually goes if it’s practical.

Goes without saying, use a good course tooth Bosch wood cutting blade. Their blades are excellent and easily available in the box stores.

 

[Skiff Builder]

Hi All,

I'm looking for suggestions for a heavier duty jig saw for cutting long curves in 2x stock. I'm leaning towards corded but for cordless options I have the Milwaukee 18volt platform.

Thanks!

Pontiac, I cut all kinds of long curves in my boat building work. Lay out your lines and try a corded circular saw, with blade set just a bit deeper than the stock. You'd be surprised what you can do. you can also add more set to the saw blade by bending the teeth outwards a bit for tighter curves. Much more accurate and square than a jigsaw on your 10-12' stock.

Some pics below all cut with my circ saw.