Jigsaws Bosch vs Ryobi

[Mitchw123456]

I have quite a bit of aluminum work coming up for my buggy and need a good way to make nice clean cuts. I'm thinking a jig saw is going to be the way to go considering my budget and available space. The 2 saws I'm currently looking at is the Bosch 6.5amp JS365 and the Ryobi JS651L. Common sense almost tells me to run far and fast from the Ryobi but on HDs site it has excellent reviews. The Bosch looks nice and has very good reviews itself but figured I'd come to the experts first before throwing money around. Thanks in advance

 

[fred d]

Don't know much about ryobi, but have talked to people that love them

I am a big Bosch fan myself.
If it were my money, I would go Bosch

 

[CJM8515]

Bosch is going to be a professional tool and withstand much abuse, ryobi is for a home owner and will get the job done but is made cheaply vs the bosch

 

[bcradio]

Not sure you can even compare Bosch and Ryobi when talking about jigsaws.

Bosch is basically top of the line in that category and Ryobi is low to mid grade.

FYI: Bosch may have cheap models out now, but their nice ones are top notch.

 

[Mitchw123456]

What do you consider a cheap model? The particular one I'm looking at is a 6.5 amp orbital. Reviews are good but that's from HD. I want something reliable that is going to make good cuts because good cuts correlates to easier welding.


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[CobraRed]

I have a 15 year old two generation (at this point) Bosch jigsaw that's still fantastic.

 

[bcradio]

What do you consider a cheap model? The particular one I'm looking at is a 6.5 amp orbital. Reviews are good but that's from HD. I want something reliable that is going to make good cuts because good cuts correlates to easier welding.


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Not Cheap:
http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-JS470E-120-Volt-7-0-Amp-Top-Handle/dp/B004323NPK/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1410214103&sr=1-1&keywords=bosch+jigsaw

Cheap:
http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-JS260-120-Volt-Top-Handle-Jigsaw/dp/B004323NQY/ref=sr_1_8?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1410214103&sr=1-8&keywords=bosch+jigsaw

 

[GuyllFyre]

Jigsaws all ****.
The top three I've used so far;
Milwaulee
Bosch
Hitachi

Bottom three:
Rockwell
Craftsman
Skil

To be honest, the Hitachi I have now is just as good as the previous Bosch and since I picked it up on a killer sale, have been happy with it.

None of them will cut a straight line though. I use them for rough cuts and then clean up with a better tool.

 

[exmaxima1]

I have quite a bit of aluminum work coming up for my buggy and need a good way to make nice clean cuts.

Have you considered a cheap miter saw with a non-ferrous blade? I cut lots of aluminum extrusions with my DeWalt saw, and the cuts are like glass.

Tell us what you are cutting.

 

[theknurl]

Bosch and Bosch blades PERIOD

nobody makes blades like Bosch

there is no other jug saw in its class

 

[cashishift]

Bosch and Bosch blades PERIOD

nobody makes blades like Bosch

there is no other jig saw in its class

Ditto

 

[Mitchw123456]

Have you considered a cheap miter saw with a non-ferrous blade? I cut lots of aluminum extrusions with my DeWalt saw, and the cuts are like glass.



Tell us what you are cutting.

Miter cuts aren't going to so what I need to do. I'm tired of the lexan on the juggy and am planning on a one piece aluminum skin for the rear. Which snowballed into a whole lot of other plans

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[jjjrmx5]

Jigsaws all ****.
.

Uhhhh..no, they do not. Newb. LOLZ.

It's a tool for certain jobs.
Just like everything else.

Circular saws **** because they can't cut curves, right?
Or not?

Buy a good one, and a jig saw is more than capable. For a lifetime.

Ugh.

 

[justme-]

Bosch and don't look back.
I have 10 yr old bosch (1587avsp) from when I managed a tool retail store. It was our top selling jigsaw. Ryobi is homeowner grade at best no matter what reviews on HD say. Remember best case a homeowner is writing the review, worst case a shill is. No idea what Bosch saws are pro models now, but that's what you want. Skill and rockwell (less than 30 years old) are home owner brands too (with the exception of a Skill worm drive).

 

[Wamsutta]

There's really no comparison between Bosch and Ryobi. That's like comparing a Rolls-Royce to a moped.

 

[premierplayer]

Bosch, cuts like butter, runs smooth, lasts a long time with lots of use and little care.

 

[Chili]

Check out the Bosch barrel grip jigsaws, amazing amount of control. They cost a bit more, but completely worth it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004323NQ4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[fuzzytek]

I have always run Bosch. Check Craigslist for deals. I got mmine for $$75 with 8 brand new packs of bosch blades.

 

[bcradio]

Uhhhh..no, they do not. Newb. LOLZ.

It's a tool for certain jobs.
Just like everything else.

Circular saws **** because they can't cut curves, right?
Or not?

Buy a good one, and a jig saw is more than capable. For a lifetime.

Ugh.

Exactly!

 

[GSteg]

I have a cordless Bosch jigsaw and it's so much nicer to use than some of the lower end units I've had. Precision is spot on and the blade cuts like knife through butter. Well worth it if you plan on using it a lot.

 

[cgv69]

Not sure you can even compare Bosch and Ryobi when talking about jigsaws.

You can't, especially when talking jig saws. It's like comparing a Suzuki with a BMW

Jigsaws all ****.
....
None of them will cut a straight line though. I use them for rough cuts and then clean up with a better tool.

Your post displays ignorance of the subject.

1. Not all jigsaws ****
2. I find it hard to believe you have any real experience with a Bosch jigsaw and still say they **** unless you just don't know how to properly use them?
3. Jigsaws aren't meant to be used for straight cuts but that said, my Bosch jig saw with the correct blade and a straight edge will cut a straight line.
4. No saw leaves a completely smooth finished edge.

Check out the Bosch barrel grip jigsaws, amazing amount of control. They cost a bit more, but completely worth it.

I agree. I think the barrel grip models are the way to go. They have mush better control IMO. I have an older model (1584AVSK) and love it but I've read the newer ones (JS470EB) are even better.

 

[Monte]

For the amount of work you have to do and because you want to cut metal and not wood i would choose a professional grade model from Bosch.

 

[malibu101]

Check out the Bosch barrel grip jigsaws, amazing amount of control. They cost a bit more, but completely worth it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004323NQ4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I am another barrel grip lover.
I have a Milwaukee barrel grip and have used a Bosch barrel grip. I could take either.
I feel like a first time user if I use a handle type.

 

[GuyllFyre]

Uhhhh..no, they do not. Newb. LOLZ.
It's a tool for certain jobs.
Just like everything else.
Circular saws **** because they can't cut curves, right?
Or not?
Buy a good one, and a jig saw is more than capable. For a lifetime.
Ugh.

LOL, yea, I'm a newb!
Only been using tools for (hang on, have to get out a calculator) 36 years and have come into contact with more jigsaws than I would have cared to.
None of them will follow a line and cut square. Hours of tweaking and adjusting and the blade still won't cut square.

I'm not talking about pure, striaght lines. I build teardrop campers and I use a jigsaw to run the quick curve then get out the router and make it nice and square just because the jigsaw won't come anywhere near making a clean or accurate cut.

What I meant to say is that jigsaws are not precision tools. Get the best and most powerful Bosch or Milwaukee you can afford and handle and expect to have to have an array of other cutting tools to clean up afterward.

Oh, and you CAN cut curves with a circular saw. Not tight ones but definitely possible.

 

[PBCampbell]

For the amount of work you have to do and because you want to cut metal and not wood i would choose a professional grade model from Bosch.

I'd agree with this. Given what you want to do this isn't the place to cut corners. I've read good things about the ability to steer barrel grips, but this has been on long curved cuts. Barrel grips seem to be preferred for wood boat builds and repairs. The only time I've had problems getting good accurate cuts has been in all veneer plywoods where the cross grains confuse the blade as to direction. Stiff blades and good blade support along with practice (experience) are key to getting good accurate cuts.

 

[JoeMA]

The good bosch jigsaws are swiss made, the lower end are china.

 

[finn]

A good throatless shear seems to be a more appropriate cutting tool than a jigsaw for the cutting required for that buggy, depending on the material thickness.

 

[maxpower_hd]

Another vote for the Bosch. I have had two Crapsman and both sucked badly for ANY use. I have a cordless Ryobi which is better than the electric Crapsman for basic jobs but not ideal. I have used DeWalt and Bosch, the Bosch being and older version of the barrel one previously posted. The Bosch was VERY clearly better than all the others I used. And for what you are doing and if you have other uses I really don't think $160-170 is all that expensive for a tool you will likely have for life.

You might want to look into a pneumatic mini reciprocating saw too. HF has cheap ones you could try out. That's what I did. It worked well, just not for very long. Then I upgraded to a Porter Cable for somewhere around $80-90. It is much better. It's basically a mini Sawzall.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Hi there, a couple *key* points not mentioned:

1. Biggest thing about jigsaws is the Amperage. I have an older US made Skil that was built pretty well but had only about 3.5 amps. Could not cut worth a darn with a good new blade.

2. I've also got a Ryobi cordless, corded, Craftsman 6.5 amp corded from the 90's, and an older Bosch corded from the 80's. The Craftsman (not sure who made that one for Craftsman) at the higher amperage is quite nice indeed and way better than the older Skil.

3. The Ryobi has much more vibration than the Craftman 6.5 amp saw. It also has a harder time cutting straight than the Craftsman. I like Ryobi alot but don't really recommend their jigsaws at all.

4. I got the older Bosch for about $30 at a garage sale. It is also still good, but heavy compared to the newer Craftsman one. I like that Craftsman the best.

5. Bosch blades are of course good, but so are other brands. I like Morse made in the USA.

6. I don't like any jigsaw for trying to cut anything very fast. They are all pretty slow regardless. They are made to cut curves or little cutout shapes. A rough crosscut may be OK. Not for ripping at all or anything reasonably fast. Never cut a straight line well. I would use *anything* else if I had it for the job. Miter saws are best for crosscuts, circular or table saws for ripping. If you want a jigsaw, get one with the highest AMPS you can, regardless of brand first, and a better brand second if you want to. But the amps are key or it is just slow as molasses in winter to cut anything. - Paul

 

[Brian_WK]

I have the Bosch 12V cordless. With a new blade and and with the orbital action set 2 3 full speed i was able to cut MDF as fast as I could push it with very little vibration. My old junk corded jig saw bogged and shook like crazy. I'm sold on the Bosch.

Brian

 

[JerseyBoatBuilder]

If you are going going to be doing precision cuts and or clean cuts from underneath then I would 100% go with a barrel grip jigsaw like the Bosch model and wouldn't even consider anything else.
I hate to say it but if someone can not get a clean cut using a jigsaw then perhaps they need more practice or learn better cutting techniques using the right blade..
After 10+ years building multi million dollar yachts from scratch using jigsaws to cut already finished cherry, mahogany, maple and teak where you have to scribe everything to fit cleanly with no gaps a Barrel grip jigsaw is one of the main tools of the trade followed by a router and a sanding block.
The barrel grip will definitely give you the most options cutting wise..

 

[RichWentFishing]

I bought the Bosch for a project that required cutting 3/16" aluminum plates. Worked very well. For the odd jobs around the house it's overkill but I'm okay with that. It'll serve my needs until I die.


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[Furious Filipino]

I generally do not like using a jigsaw to cut straight lines against a guide, but if you must, take a close look at the design of the jigsaws. I've found that those with the shoe/sole only held with one bolt or cam have a much more difficult time cutting straight and/or binding when used against a guide.

Also, the further away the blade holder is at full plunge from the surface, the less square the cuts become. It's not a big variation between manufacturers, but it does make a difference.

I'll just throw this out there as well, but I've used a Dremel Sawmax to break down sheets of 16 ga stainless using a guide. Goes through it like butter, but you pay for it in blades. I've used it for 1/4" polycarbonate sheets also using the wood cutting blade, but you have to feed fairly quick or else you melt the plastic.

 

[Mitchw123456]

Wow this came back from the dead. 2 years later I'm still glad I bought the "professional" series Bosch barrel grip. Worked amazingly well on the alum. Two years later I still grab it over the plasma.


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[Empty Pockets]

I have a Bosch barrel grip saw, which i bought around 1985, after 5 years of daily use in the formica shop, It has since seen limited use, but is still going strong.

Get the right blade for the job you're doing (Bosch blades have always served me well), and the Bosch saw will give you YEARS of service

 

[PureLeaf]

We have a Ryobi at work, its a piece of junk. Not enough power, and sometimes difficult to get the blades into.

I have a Metabo at home, it's orbital adjustment knob constantly vibrates loose during use adjusts to full on. Definitely don't recommend it either for that reason.

Get the Bosch.

 

[DMAR]

I'll echo the consensus opinion, get the Bosch and don't look back... I've had mine for over ten years and it is a nice saw; smooth, powerful, and well made.

Mine is made in the USA, not sure if Bosch is still making them in USA/Switzerland, or if they've outsourced to China on the new ones? If USA/Swiss, I wouldn't hesitate to get one. Ryobi, to me, are homeowner/use a couple of times kind of tools.

 

[Monte]

Mine is made in the USA, not sure if Bosch is still making them in USA/Switzerland, or if they've outsourced to China on the new ones? If USA/Swiss, I wouldn't hesitate to get one. Ryobi, to me, are homeowner/use a couple of times kind of tools.

The new ones are made in Hungary.

 

[Jmonnty]

I use a jigsaw everyday, my primary is a mafele, nothing is in a class with it, but I leave that exact Bosch set up for jig, it blows the chips cleanly out of the way. Lenox makes good blades that you can get in 50 or 500 packs.

-Montgomery

 

[va.grouseman]

For your straight aluminum cuts, just use a skil-saw with a carbon tipped blade.---And for your circular cuts, get a multi-purpose tool, (Bosch, Dremel, Craftsman, Ryobi, Dewalt, etc.), with a metal blade.---You can cut stuff that is nearly impossible to make neat cuts on, with a multi-purpose tool.---Neatest thing to cut Plexiglas with you've ever seen.---cuts aluminum neater and faster than a jigsaw.---Just get the right blade for the material you're cutting.