Recomend JigSaw

[exmaxima1]

That Craftsman is a vastly inferior tool.

+1
I bought my first jigsaw ("sabre saw") 49 years ago and still have it at work for laughs. Leaks oil and takes a ton of effort to cut hardwoods as it has no orbital feature. I'm now on my third Bosch after starting with their first generation almost 30 years ago---great saws!

 

[Jon_E]

I may be the only one to say I hate my Bosch jigsaw. It's relegated to a box for eternity or until I can find some sucker to buy it. It's a 1587, top handle. The base won't stay square to the blade, and even when it is square on occasion, it won't cut square. The blade release feature is an exercise in frustration. I have had to replace the cord and switch and now there's something wrong with it that only allows it to turn on if the cord is in a certain position. Probably need to replace the cord again. And finally the metal base leaves marks on the workpiece.

I replaced it a year ago with the Ryobi One+ cordless version. SO much better, faster, easier to change blade, has a nice base and LED light. Plus I can go anywhere with it.

 

[tarbellb]

Seems you are not the only one. Looks like a dud from Bosch...

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1587AVS-Top-Handle-Jig/product-reviews/B00004SUOW

I have a Metabo that has a very similar blade change mech, its the worst!

 

[notlob]

 

[knightmasks]

For now the machine is very good.

 

[Git]

I'll let my father know.

Hey, no offense, I agree with ez-duzit. I owned one of the 'auto scroller' jigsaws back in 1978 or so. (The scroller feature was the jigsaw blade could actually rotate 360 degrees if you 'unlocked' it)

Jigsaws have come a long way since then...

 

[tarbellb]

If you aren't scared to go the vintage route a Craftsman 315.17280 is a great saw. My father bought one back in the 70's and it's still going strong.

You can pick them up fairly cheap at garage sales or flea markets, or there are always some on ebay.

First, the dude lives in Europe, not likely he will be picking one up "at garage sales or flea markets".

Second, hand your grandpa a nicer barrel grip Bosch jig saw and ask him how it cuts. Unless he's a total Luddite he will likely want to take it home.

Can that vintage Craftsman cut a pretty good line, sure. It even has some nice features like "multi-speed" and "1in stroke", yeah, but I guarantee the higher end Bosch is a better machine that will likely last just as long.

 

[ez-duzit]

...Can that vintage Craftsman cut a pretty good line, sure...

Actually it can't. I had one of these POS's.

 

[555]

I may be the only one to say I hate my Bosch jigsaw. It's relegated to a box for eternity or until I can find some sucker to buy it. It's a 1587, top handle. The base won't stay square to the blade, and even when it is square on occasion, it won't cut square. The blade release feature is an exercise in frustration. I have had to replace the cord and switch and now there's something wrong with it that only allows it to turn on if the cord is in a certain position. Probably need to replace the cord again. And finally the metal base leaves marks on the workpiece.

I replaced it a year ago with the Ryobi One+ cordless version. SO much better, faster, easier to change blade, has a nice base and LED light. Plus I can go anywhere with it.

I also hate my Bosch for the exact same reasons. A friend of mine also had the same model with the same problems.

 

[royce]

I also hate my Bosch for the exact same reasons. A friend of mine also had the same model with the same problems.

You may want to look at Mafell, if you don't mind paying a big sum of money.
It has some great design and features.

Royce

 

[tarbellb]

You may want to look at Mafell, if you don't mind paying a big sum of money.
It has some great design and features.

Royce

I think Bosch has improved the design since then, now it has a "blade eject" feature and a much easier insert system iirc.

But yeah, Mafell just about anything is a nice tool... if you got the money honey.

 

[carbon]

I have a very nice barrel grip Bosch. I sort of wish I would've gone with the D handle Bosch because of its variable speed trigger, so you can ease into the cut. At least the older Bosch D grip models worked that way.

 

[gahrajmahal]

I was using my 20+ yr. old Bosch barel grip just today. A good selection of blades will increase your accuracy depending on the type of cut you are making. I was cutting oak veneer plywood good side up with a blade with no kerf and had almost no chipping. Surprising with today's super thin veneer on plywood. I would like it if it was a bit lighter, had a blower directing air on the cut and a nice LED light to see the line. Does the newer version Jack shows have these features?

 

[Coach James]

Seems you are not the only one. Looks like a dud from Bosch...

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1587AVS-Top-Handle-Jig/product-reviews/B00004SUOW

I have a Metabo that has a very similar blade change mech, its the worst!

When I replaced my B&D jig saw, I got the 1587 first and hated the blade change so I took it back the next day. I replaced it with the 1590 and never looked back.

Coach

 

[Major Ramifications]

Jigsaw? Bosch.
Next question please.

 

[PugetDude]

Bosch
Thread closed.

 

[Rod N]

Thread opened again. lol

Is this the one you are referring to?

 

[6PTsocket]

bosch barrel grip.

Ditto.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[LandofRath]

I have a corded Bosch and a Cordless Dewalt and both work equally well. But the general conciseness for about the last 10 years is that Bosch barrel is the best..

 

[6PTsocket]

Why barrel grip ?

Better control. I was at a woodworking show and the Bosch dealer had the barrel and top grip set up to try. I liked the feel of the barrel better but the top handle does sell better. The top handle has the variable speed trigger right under your finger while the barrel grip has a speed knob and a power switch.

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[Musicinabottle]

Jigsaw? Bosch.
Next question please.

That's me. I couldn't even tell you the model of my first one or my second, without walking out to the garage. It doesn't matter anyway. My only complaint about the Bosch I have now is that the variable portion of the trigger quit. It's all or nothing. Might try shooting some lubrication / contact cleaner into the trigger.

 

[6PTsocket]

Barrel grips tend to be a little easier to do the slalom race with. They also tend to get into a slightly tighter confine. Years ago in my reading I came across a Fine Home or Wood mag article that said the barrel design had it's roots in Europe and the D Handle came out of N.A. and as such had similar strong leanings depending on which of the two continents the buyers were buying. I guess I've followed suit with my parent's European lineage. I've got an old JigSaw 60-65 years old. It still works. It's not a Bosch but it gets in tighter than my Bosch or other couple saws I have.

Before the Bosch, I had a an old Ram that I bought as kid, MANY years ago. It was a cheaply made tool but it was a barrel grip. So there were US made barrel grips sold here in the 50's, along with the top handles.

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[exmaxima1]

Actually it can't. I had one of these POS's.

In all fairness, put a fresh blade in it and it will cut plywood and mdf pretty well. Essentially any sheetstock that doesn't require an orbital cut. I built at least 50 pairs of speakers with my vintage CM sabre saw many years ago, and had no issues cutting straight and curved lines. The orbital saws really excel on thicker material and rip cuts. If I was starting all over today, it would be a Bosch barrel.

 

[johnnyradiant]

Before the Bosch, I had a an old Ram that I bought as kid, MANY years ago. It was a cheaply made tool but it was a barrel grip. So there were US made barrel grips sold here in the 50's, along with the top handles.

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My first was a 50's Skil and a barrel. It still works and because it is smaller than my Bosch on a rare occasion I will still use it. Though not as a precise a cut, not as powerful and machine and more noisy really makes the desire to use limited more to necessity. There were indeed many barrels made on this side of the Atlantic. My understanding was that the Euro's stuck with that design when they first started with them and stuck to them where as N. Americans generally glummed onto the D-Handle.