Looking for a new Jig Saw

[M6erfan]

My 90's era Porter Cable jigsaw finally bit the dust so I'm looking for a replacement.

I'll be using it around the house, not professionally, but I want quality and durability. I'm looking at these two...

https://www.amazon.com/JS470E-120-Volt-7-0-Amp-Top-Handle-Jigsaw/dp/B004323NPK?tag=cutterweldermaestro-20

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW331K-6-5-Handle-Jig-Saw/dp/B0007XXHHI/ref=lp_552934_1_7?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1491263739&sr=1-7

They both look very similar performance wise but wanted to get any opinions from GJ'ers. Anything to look out for? Avoid? Maybe there's a better alternative? I'd like to keep the price blow $150.

 

[drink]

My 90's era Porter Cable jigsaw finally bit the dust so I'm looking for a replacement.

I'll be using it around the house, not professionally, but I want quality and durability. I'm looking at these two...

https://www.amazon.com/JS470E-120-Volt-7-0-Amp-Top-Handle-Jigsaw/dp/B004323NPK?tag=cutterweldermaestro-20

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW331K-6-5-Handle-Jig-Saw/dp/B0007XXHHI/ref=lp_552934_1_7?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1491263739&sr=1-7

They both look very similar performance wise but wanted to get any opinions from GJ'ers. Anything to look out for? Avoid? Maybe there's a better alternative? I'd like to keep the price blow $150.

First off I would like to say they don't make them like they used to. Anyway, I own a Porter Cable also like the one in the picture. One feature I like to have is the ability for the jig saw to cut angles in either direction. Not all jig saws have this capability and some people could care less about it. However, being able to cut angles in either direction is a big plus as far as I am concerned. I also like to have industrial grade power tools that will not pooter out after a few uses. My other jig saw is a Milwaukee and it will make angled cuts in either direction also. The Milwaukee also came with a 5 year warranty.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I am partial to "barrel grip" jig saws.

 

[4Kings]

I was in the same boat as you a couple of years ago. Had a top handle DeWalt for ever until I dropped it off the roof. Was gonna buy another but a friend turned me on to the Bosch barrel grip. Love at first use. Much better control, better balanced, all around better experience.

Sent from my XT1097 using Tapatalk

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have a Bosch 1582VS Barrel Grip Jig Saw. It is old, but has served me well for close to 30 years.

Like the old wiz, I, too, prefer a barrel grip saw

 

[M6erfan]

So how is one handed operation with the barrel type? The top handle type seems like it would give the operator a bit more control when using one handed, at least for straight cuts? But that's just my guess...

 

[WildwoodChuck]

I have the DeWalt it is really nice.

 

[Empty Pockets]

If you have average sized hands or larger, then you'll have no problem with a barrel grip. You won't be disappointed

 

[The Cobbler]

barrel grip bosch here too.I find them less "top heavy" good control. tang blade is by far superior to the set screw mounts. variable speed is a good option too.

 

[Greyhorse]

I have a Bosch JS572EK, it's a top handle model. Makes pretty nice cuts, has a dual roller guide for the blade, easy to change blades, variable speed, light, dust blower, etc.... really can't say anything bad about it. A little over your price range.

 

[ssdave]

I have a similar Dewalt, it has lasted well, but it runs really hot. If you use it for more than a few minutes on hard woods like oak, it smells like hot oil and the motor housing and fan discharge get almost hot enough to burn you. I've gone through a half dozen or so of them including B&D, Skil, Makita, Bosch, and Dewalt, and the Dewalt is about as good or better than any of the others. I may just use it harder than it should be, when it heats up.

 

[M6erfan]

Thanks for the great comments/suggestions so far. I'm leaning towards Bosch and it seems like the Barrel/D Handle debate really comes down to personal preference.

 

[PugetDude]

A Bosch jigsaw will never stab its owner in the back.

 

[dutchgray]

D Handle/ barrel handle is personal preference but the barrel can be used upside down easily, the D handle not so much.
Cant go wrong with Bosch, I also have a Makita which is fine, Dad had a Metabo which was good until the electronics blew up.

 

[gungatim]

I was contemplating between Milwaukee and Bosch when I needed to step up in quality a number of years ago. they both had excellent reviews and I went with Milwaukee and never regretted it. great saw and hasn't let me down...nice blower for the dust built in and orbital function is handy. I think the only reason I went Milwaukee was because it was on sale $20 cheaper at the time...

 

[mbshop]

I needed one for small projects. So I got an old black b&d at a second hand store, lubed and adjusted things, got a good set of blades and it works just fine. Total cost of about 10 bucks. Would I ptefered a fancy one ? Heck yea. But the one I have now is worth gold to me at what it cost me.

 

[cgrutt]

I have both older style PC and the newer DeWalt. They both work but whenever I need a jigsaw I always reach for the PC. That said, if I were looking for a new one I'd check out the Bosch first.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

The 1591 Bosch Barrel Handle Saw is the best I've used. Mine was Swiss made and ran like a fine Swiss watch. I've also had the 1590 D-handle although liked the control of the Barrel better. I liked the idea that the hand was closer to the work and felt more like a true extension of your hand. The 1591 is no longer built although you see them on the used market. Well worth a look IMO.
Motoretro

^^ X2, I too have both and like the barrel grip better as it gives you more leverage which is really nice when cutting 2x material.

 

[rlitman]

I am partial to "barrel grip" jig saws.

As am I.

So how is one handed operation with the barrel type? The top handle type seems like it would give the operator a bit more control when using one handed, at least for straight cuts? But that's just my guess...

No, the barrel gives you more control and gets your hands closer to the work, so they do not have to work as hard. As stated above, the barrel can also be used upside down easily. I have fairly short fingers, and have used the barrel grip since I had an all metal PC as a child.

The only place that a top handle wins is the fact that on a top handle you can use the trigger control to change speed while cutting. But that's not a really important feature anyway. Once you have the right speed dialed in, you shouldn't need to be messing with it.

The 1591 Bosch Barrel Handle Saw is the best I've used. Mine was Swiss made and ran like a fine Swiss watch. I've also had the 1590 D-handle although liked the control of the Barrel better. I liked the idea that the hand was closer to the work and felt more like a true extension of your hand. The 1591 is no longer built although you see them on the used market. Well worth a look IMO.
Motoretro

I have both. The 1591 is by far the finest jig saw I have ever used.

Bosch has had two lines of blue jigsaws. The 1590/1591 were from the better line (as opposed to the 1582). That got you two really nice features.
1) No-touch blade ejection. Flip the lever and the blade pops out. No need to touch a hot blade.
2) Secondary blade guidance. A pair of fingers stabilized the blade closer to the cut line.

The blade ejection seems to be in all of their current models, but I still highly recommend finding a machine with better blade guidance. The JS572EBK offers that, but at an insane price. If you're buying new, Festool's Carvex has the only saw on the market I've seen that beats Bosch, but it's price is even more insane.

 

[AP2TUDE]

I recently switched to a barrel grip jigsaw, and I love it.

To me, the most beneficial difference is the level of control. The D handle I feel is more controlled by your wrist, whereas the barrel grip is almost controlled by your entire arm. I made much smoother cuts and it was considerably more comfortable.

 

[MoonRise]

+99 on whatever the current top of the line Bosch jigsaw is.

And you really do want their top of the line blade ejection system and the 'Precision Cut' blade guidance.

For the blade ejection, it's not just a no-tools approach, but the mounted blade (which might be HOT after just being used) which you want/need to change out actually ejects out hands-free just by flipping the lever. I thought it was a gimmick and that I didn't 'need' it back when I was looking to get a 'decent' jigsaw. So I bought the then one-step-down from their top-line 1590 and took it home. Tried it and hated the blade change. Yes, it was 'tool-free', but you had to flip over a top cap and unscrew the dang thing like 427 times to get the old blade out. Turned around and went right back to the store and used the try-it-and-if-you-don't-like-it-return-it policy and returned it and bought the 1590. OMG, it was sooooo much nicer to use.

And the additional guide support roller (the Bosch PrecisionCut stuff) is absolutely worth it as well.

re: Top handle versus barrel grip Pick what feels good to you and your hands. I prefer the feel of the top handle, others prefer a barrel grip.

But either find a 1590/1591 (NOS or a refurb are out there) or get a current model J-whatever (JS-572 looks like it is the current one, comes in either top-handle or barrel grip).

https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/jig-saws-js572el-36046-p/


http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/bosch-jigsaws-now/

http://www.aaatool.net/Bosh_1590EVSK_REC_6_4_Amp_Top_Handle_Jigsaw_p/bo1590evsk-rec.htm

 

[Git]

Have you considered a cordless? They are going to be a little more money, but a cordless jigsaw can really come in handy

I recently picked up a Makita Cordless and I am very pleased with how it cuts. It has a 'variable speed' feature - it will start out slow when your first start the cut and then it will pick up speed.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K194J8E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

For comparison, I also have a Festool Jigsaw - the Trion barrel grip, but I think the Makita Cordless actually does a better job

I don't think you can go wrong with the Bosch corded though

 

[ritestuff]

Anyone that recommends anything but a Bosch barrel grip jigsaw has never used one. This is one of the rare instances with power tools where there is one single superior tool vs everything else.

 

[anndel]

Bosch Barrell Grip

 

[LB-1911]

Thanks for the great comments/suggestions so far. I'm leaning towards Bosch and it seems like the Barrel/D Handle debate really comes down to personal preference.

If you could find a place to do a side by side "Test Drive" of the Bosch JS470 E (top handle) and the JS470EB (barrel grip) it might make your decision easier.

Good Luck

 

[cashishift]

Bosch 1590EVS - no longer made though.

 

[engineer2]

I've got a Bosch 120 V jigsaw I want to sell. I'll have to look up the model, but it was popular with wordworkers.
I've since gone cordless Makita, so I don't need it.

 

[SantaAna12]

Another Bosch barrel grip owner.....with the tool-less blade changing. Outstanding case too. Metal hinges, and plenty of room for blades. Long cord. A great tool.

Amazon on the 25$ off on Bosch sale if u can wait. They run it fairly often.

 

[M6erfan]

Thanks everyone for chiming in with your thoughts/advice. Much appreciated.

So I went to check out both barrel and D handle saws this morning and the D handle feels much more natural to me.

I've pretty much decided on the Bosch JS572EK. The double roller blade control pretty much put me over the edge on it

https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/jig-saws-js572ek-140900-p/

 

[1990 Grand Wag]

I'm in the minority here, i HATE using a barrel grip jigsaw. Tried a Bosch once (long ago), didn't like it, felt awkward. I have an old Porter Cable 7549, and AEG that I got from Harbor Freight (back when they sold something other than Chicago Electric), and a Freud FJ85K (that was being closed out at Lowes). I've heard great things about the newer Bosch's, but again, I hate barrel grip jigsaws!

 

[rlitman]

...
I've pretty much decided on the Bosch JS572EK...

You can't really go wrong with any Bosch. Enjoy it!

 

[My Old Tools]

I have a Bosch 1582VS Barrel Grip Jig Saw. It is old, but has served me well for close to 30 years.

Like the old wiz, I, too, prefer a barrel grip saw

Bosch and only Bosch for my jigsaws. Barrel or top grip, your choice. I'm a top handle guy.

 

[rharman]

I have the Porter-Cable like you pictured. Also have the DeWalt 18V cordless. I've been happy with both and they have a good feel to them.

 

[M6erfan]

I've pretty much decided on the Bosch JS572EK. The double roller blade control pretty much put me over the edge on it

https://www.boschtools.com/us/en/boschtools-ocs/jig-saws-js572ek-140900-p/

Update: I got the saw today and am thoroughly impressed. I made a couple test cuts tonight and the difference between the new Bosch and my old PC is night and day. Quieter, smoother, more power, lighter...Just better in every way. My old PC was good to me and I have zero complaints about it, but this Bosch is very, very, nice. Even the case it comes in is well thought out.

I'll put to good use this weekend on a fireplace remodel I'm working on. I'm actually looking forward to using it...

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Oh, and the best part? $120 delivered through Amazon Warehouse deals

 

[rnscustom]

Have both barrel and d handle and their both nice , you won't believe how much faster they cut . I would suggest the aluminum base with the metal / plastic inserts . Holds its shape when it's dropped .

 

[LB-1911]

Update: I got the saw today and am thoroughly impressed. I made a couple test cuts tonight and the difference between the new Bosch and my old PC is night and day. Quieter, smoother, more power, lighter...Just better in every way. My old PC was good to me and I have zero complaints about it, but this Bosch is very, very, nice. Even the case it comes in is well thought out.

I'll put to good use this weekend on a fireplace remodel I'm working on. I'm actually looking forward to using it...

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Oh, and the best part? $120 delivered through Amazon Warehouse deals

$120.00 for a Bosch JS572EK...... You got a Deal!

 

[4Kings]

What's the deal with Amazon Warehouse, are the items usually just returns otherwise new ?

 

[M6erfan]

This one was sold as new but open box. Not sure what to read into that... It came with everything inside still in the original sealed packaging, even the cord wrap was intact. But the "Bosch" security tape on the factory box was opened.

I registered it with Bosch online no problem, so warranty is intact.

 

[Cope]

I have the DeWalt, but I would be happy with the Bosch.

 

[visedog]

I would recommend Bosch 150BCE (or equivalent model in the U.S.). It is lightweight but powerful (780W @220V in my Swiss built model) and cuts both wood and sheet metal with ease. Not very expensive. Makita 4350FCT is also good, although less powerful.