Jigsaw

[bluecomputer]

I'm looking for a jig saw. Basic homeowner usage and corded. Problem is that my dad wants a laser guide. From my searches this looks like a gimick feature in low end ones but I'm hoping you all can prove me wrong. I had bad luck with a skill brand saw, the blade holder stopped working and that why I'm looking for another saw.

 

[Steevo]

On a jig-saw (hand-held type), I think a laser is a gimmick.
I have a Bosch orbital stroke jig saw, and it is an excellent tool. It replaced a Craftsman one I had for more than 25 years.

Like this:
http://www.expresstools.com/Bosch-1...th-Case.aspx?gclid=CPfp77yw2bsCFciIfgodQVoAJQ

 

[sasquatch12]

Yup, in my opinion anyway, all this laser stuff is just another selling gimmick.
Like,, can we not mark a line and FOLLOW it?---We always did!!

 

[jakemac]

+1 on the Bosch. I have the old barrel grip version and it cuts like butter every time.

 

[Zeke]

Every tool category has the one favorite and in jig saws it's Bosch. But Fine Homebuilding gives good reviews to DeWalt too.

 

[Highlux]

I have a dewalt jigsaw that has survived alot of work. Everyday for years.
Highly recommend it.

I dont like laser guides myself. You need to be able to cut a straight line without a laser guide.

 

[zkling]

Bosch and Dewalt, amazingly on the low end I have a cheapo black and decker that is really a nice little unit. Makes one heck of a racket, but will tear straight through 1/8" plate in little time.

 

[CWP1616L]

Bosch

 

[91bronc300]

Just get one that has a little air stream to blow the sawdust away. And yeah, Bosch.

 

[ishiboo]

Bosch is a fantastic jigsaw.

But based on "basic homeowner usage" I'd get the Black & Decker. I have two and they've been nearly flawless, one of the blade rollers was busted off but I have a feeling my guys were beating the **** out of it.

The reviews seem to follow my experiences.

 

[scaron]

i picked up a porter-cable from lowe's, my girlfriend and i handled all of them and we were most impressed by the P-C, it seemed to be the the sturdiest, most robust feeling of all of them. no laser or anything like that; that sort of thing is just a gimmick, imo. all in all its a nice, heavy, looks almost cast foot on it. its got my recommendation.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I too have a Bosch and absolutely love it. I have no laser aiming devices--on guns or tools. They are a silly gimmick.

 

[KnurledNut]

Are you sure your dad was talking about a laser and not a LED light?
I have a older Bosch and its great.
Makita also has this low priced one:
http://www.amazon.com/Makita-4329K-3-9-Variable-Speed-Top-Handle/dp/B000XULXEO/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hi_3

 

[Highlux]

I too have a Bosch and absolutely love it. I have no laser aiming devices--on guns or tools. They are a silly gimmick.

I do have one on my miter saw....makes it kinda easier to sneak up on a cut.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I do have one on my miter saw....makes it kinda easier to sneak up on a cut.

If it works for you, then by all means enjoy it. It's hard to describe, but I have a good eye for saw blades and making precise cuts. Radial arm, compound miter, etc. I can make boards fit. I'm sure others can with practice. If the laser reduces practice time, then that's a good thing.

 

[fury9]

This is a beast, or a gentile giant, this baby screams. I use one all the time, might be able to find a better deal http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...i_sku=399501&gclid=COrByPPU2bsCFQbl7AodD1oA7g The laser is a gimmick unless you can calibrate it ,its still iffy after that, good ol sharp pencil and experience is hard to beat. This is most definitely not a "sheetrock tool".

 

[rharman]

I have a Porter-Cable and I really like it.

Laser.... Waste of time and money as far as I'm concerned.

 

[rharman]

I too have a Bosch and absolutely love it. I have no laser aiming devices--on guns or tools. They are a silly gimmick.

I do have one on my miter saw....makes it kinda easier to sneak up on a cut.

I was going through some old articles the other day. Came across a good tip for lining up the miter saw cut.

Put a wide piece of masking tape over the slot and then cut through it. Instant lineup for either side of the blade.

 

[fury9]

A good carpenter knows where his tool will cut and how to "deflect" the blade by manipulating the saw while in use to get the desired cut.lasers are a total gimmic if you need accuracy. My .02

 

[Jswain]

I was going through some old articles the other day. Came across a good tip for lining up the miter saw cut.

Put a wide piece of masking tape over the slot and then cut through it. Instant lineup for either side of the blade.

Go on step further and take out the stock insert and replace it with a thin piece of wood the same thickness, then run the blade through it. It will pretty much eliminate tearout on the bottom of the cut as well.

To the OP I just bought Dewalts ~$100 model and it seems pretty stout...only used it for one project so far but no complaints.

 

[cburnscrx]

i have the DeWalt and I love it. Was used in a professional environment for awhile, and now it's used at the house. I would buy one again in an instant

 

[boiler7904]

Another vote for a Bosch and Bosch blades.

I've had the 1590 top handle saw for 7-8 years and have cut all kinds of materials with it - only two thing I would like is a LED worklight to light up the cut line and a barrel grip body - top handle starts to wear on the wrists after a couple of hours of use. Blade guides, orbital action, dust blower, and option to connect the saw to a vac are all pluses in my book.

 

[rlitman]

I have the Bosch 1590. I'd have preferred the 1591 barrel grip, but I got too good a deal on the top handle to pass up. Yeah, an LED worklight would be a great improvement.

I would not touch the PC or DeWalt, or pretty much anything else for that matter. The Bosch has the best blade clamp mechanism for the money.
If you've got money to throw away, the Festool Carvex is probably the only thing better out there. The stroboscopic work light looks like a neat feature.

Laser guides on saws are a total waste.

 

[rharman]

I was going through some old articles the other day. Came across a good tip for lining up the miter saw cut.

Put a wide piece of masking tape over the slot and then cut through it. Instant lineup for either side of the blade.

Go on step further and take out the stock insert and replace it with a thin piece of wood the same thickness, then run the blade through it. It will pretty much eliminate tearout on the bottom of the cut as well.

To the OP I just bought Dewalts ~$100 model and it seems pretty stout...only used it for one project so far but no complaints.

I've done zero clearance inserts for my table saw. Don't know why I haven't done the miter saw. Hmmmm......

 

[tshetter]

TBH, I have been looking into getting a new jig saw as well.

Deciding between:

Ridgid R3100:

And:
Bosch JS470EB

Anyone have experience with either of these? I have an OLD Black & Decker I've have for 10+ years that my father had for at least 15+ before that. Has a glitchy trigger switch and fraying cord.

 

[91bronc300]

As far as the Bosch JS470EB, I have the Bosch JS572EB and even though it is nearly twice as much money as the 470 I believe they are almost the exact same jigsaw with the only difference that the 572 has a tiny bit more power and a beefed up blade guide. The 572 I have is a very nice saw and I would buy it again.

 

[Jswain]

I've done zero clearance inserts for my table saw. Don't know why I haven't done the miter saw. Hmmmm......

Try it, you'll like it! If you stand a thin piece of hardboard up across the entire length of the fence and attach it with double sided tape, then cut through it and you'll have virtually no tearout on all 4 sides. If you have a 10-12" slider then maybe use something thicker but its hard to give up the cutting width on a stationary 10" or smaller

 

[tshetter]

As far as the Bosch JS470EB, I have the Bosch JS572EB and even though it is nearly twice as much money as the 470 I believe they are almost the exact same jigsaw with the only difference that the 572 has a tiny bit more power and a beefed up blade guide. The 572 I have is a very nice saw and I would buy it again.

I was looking at the 572 but at only .2A more for $100 and a larger heavier tool it seems silly.

The Ridgid being only 3A vs the 7A on the Bosch threw me for a bit but the Ridgid feels good. Haven't handled the Bosch but they are generally regarded as the best in jigsaws.

Decisions decisions.....

 

[flashman]

I bought a Bosch and haven't used it much but the jigsaw is one of those handy tools you don't realize you need until it's too late.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I was looking at the 572 but at only .2A more for $100 and a larger heavier tool it seems silly.

The Ridgid being only 3A vs the 7A on the Bosch threw me for a bit but the Ridgid feels good. Haven't handled the Bosch but they are generally regarded as the best in jigsaws.

Decisions decisions.....

One thing I found with the "larger heavier tool" is that makes it work MUCH better--and smoother. Weight is a good thing on a saw that works by reciprocating motion.

 

[lonestarky]

No one with any Hitachi love here? I have a Hitachi cj90vst. All my Hitachi stuff is tough as nails. The jig saw is more than good enough. Most people rag on the shcs to lock the work rest table, but I prefer it, because you know how tight and secure it is as opposed to a quick release. Variable speed, 5.5 amps I think.

Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk

 

[Holt]

Make sure you buy premium blades. Saw is only as good as its blades.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Dewalt as well, I have had it for 10 years and does me.

 

[rharman]

I've done zero clearance inserts for my table saw. Don't know why I haven't done the miter saw. Hmmmm......

Try it, you'll like it! If you stand a thin piece of hardboard up across the entire length of the fence and attach it with double sided tape, then cut through it and you'll have virtually no tearout on all 4 sides. If you have a 10-12" slider then maybe use something thicker but its hard to give up the cutting width on a stationary 10" or smaller

Just looked at the miter saw. It has no insert. Just a gap between the table halves. Now I know why I never made an insert.

 

[IlliniBone]

I have this jigsaw and it has been good for me so far...

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-2-in...p-00928223000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

Upgraded to a nice set of Bosch blades.

 

[bluecomputer]

Thanks guys look like I'll spend around $100 on a good one and call it done. Looks like all of the pro brands have a good reputation.

 

[andre_saltiva]

call me crazy, but i like makita better than " the mighty " bosch
i have both

 

[bcradio]

I too have a Bosch and absolutely love it. I have no laser aiming devices--on guns or tools. They are a silly gimmick.

They are great on miter saws... not silly/gimmicky at all. That's why one of the top end miters (Festool Kapex) has them on board. For knowing exactly where the edge of the cut will be (taking blade width into account), they can't be beat at the present time. And for those recommending tape and boards and whatnot, those don't do a thing for you when the board you're cutting covers it.

Other tools it does seem gimmicky though.

 

[Major Ramifications]

You could always just replace the blade holder on your Skil. It can't be too expensive.
ereplacementparts.com

Otherwise, Bosch.

 

[Tripp2012]

I have a bosch JS365 and I really like it.