HF Jigsaw with Laser/LED guide: fail
This review is for an HF orbital jigsaw with LED/laser illumination, item 68821, which apparently they are no longer selling. However, I am writing this review because the saw is almost identical to a current model, item 69077.
The main difference between the saws is that mine had a combination laser/LED light. The current model scraps the LED light and keeps the laser, which is too bad (details below).
I bought this to replace a $30 Skil saw that worked pretty well for several years but eventually the automatic blade holder would barely hold the blades, even after lubricating, and finally disintegrated into several pieces.
I've owned the HF saw a couple of months, and I really wanted to like it, but I don't. My comments:
Pluses:
--it's a pretty smooth, powerful motor (6.5 amps) but makes for a heavy saw (6.3 pounds).
--the LED light that shines on the blade is helpful (except that the newer model no longer has the LED light -- see below re the laser).
--the holder on the power cord for the hex bit used to adjust the sole plate is a good idea
--the no-tools blade holder seems heavy duty and well designed. (It uses T shank bits -- also sold by HF -- which are more expensive than the universal shank, but actually stay in the saw.)
--one-off button and speed control roller are convenient. Saw also can be locked "on."
Minuses:
--the laser guide would be great if it weren't totally inaccurate. As far as I can tell, it can't be adjusted.
--the cutting guide on the front of the metal sole plate is only somewhat accurate.
--three orbital settings seem like overkill, plus I doubt this number of choices enhances reliability.
--the sole plate is attached by one small hex bolt. While it can be infinitely adjusted to 45 degrees left or right, frequent adjustment will wear out the threads (a frequent achilles heel for the crapola pot metal underpinnings used in many HF tools).
--the clear front blade shield doesn't flip up quite right ... the dimensions are slightly off.
--you can only use the laser or the LED, not both at once. But since the laser is worthless, no biggie. Except that the new version of this saw doesn't have the LED light (!).
--you have to remember to turn the laser/LED on or off -- it doesn't switch on or off with the tool. Think rechargeable batteries.
--although this saw is billed (in the owner's manual) as part of the Chicago Electric "professional" series, the warranty is the same skimpy 90 days.
--I couldn't tell any difference with the blower turned on or off -- either way, the saw seemed to mostly blow the sawdust away. I didn't try plugging it into a vacuum cleaner.
So ... it seems strange that HF deleted the most useful part of this saw, the LED light, in view of the worthlessness of the laser.
The list price of this saw is $60 and of course there are many ways to get it cheaper. On the other hand, Home Depot is selling a Ryobit jigsaw, with LED light, for $30. It uses T bits, has adjustable orbital settings and comes with a three year warranty. The Home Depot saw is only 4.8 amps, vs the claimed 6.5 amps for the HF saw, but I strongly suspect the HF number is BS -- to get that power from DeWalt or Makita, you're talking $120 to $150.
In summary, I thought HF having a "pro" series of electric power tools would be a great idea -- better quality at a higher price. Instead, you're getting more power and features but the same ho-hum quality. When this thing fails, I'll go for a Ryobi, or maybe move up a step to the $100 range.
