Best all around Jigsaw

[Rich Johnson]

Ok my black and decker died. Time for a new jigsaw. Uses...just about everything from cutting hardiboard to curved cuts in hardwoods. Thought I would run it by the Creeker's for some good suggestions.

Thanks to all

[Dave Schwarzkopf]

I have never regretted my Bosch. Most reviews I've read have put it on par with the Festool in everything but dust collection.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1591EVSK-Barrel-Grip-Jigsaw/dp/B00067J3WS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1280282298&sr=8-2-catcorr

[Raymond Fries]

...and have been happy.

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW331K-Heavy-Duty-6-5-Handle/dp/B0007XXHHI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1280282491&sr=8-3

Good Luck with your choice...

[Will Overton]

Bosch 1590 or 1591 depending on whether you prefer top handle or barrel grip. They have the blade guides, similar to a bandsaw to hold the blade straighter. Bosch also makes excellent blades.

[Van Huskey]

Budget makes a big difference...

$150 Bosch
$300 Festool

Less than $150 has its own options but not so clear cut, depending on the price range.


For someone with a bandsaw and not in the habit of doing on-site installs the Bosch is probably as much saw as one will ever need and quite frankly probably more than they really need again if they have a bandsaw.

[Dan Karachio]

I have never regretted my Bosch. Most reviews I've read have put it on par with the Festool in everything but dust collection.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1591EVSK-Barrel-Grip-Jigsaw/dp/B00067J3WS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1280282298&sr=8-2-catcorr

I'll second this on the Bosch and I own other Festool stuff. No need for me to switch. Plus they have some nice new "chip free" blades.

[Eiji Fuller]

Im waiting for the new festool carvex jigsaw. looks genious!

[Van Huskey]

Im waiting for the new festool carvex jigsaw. looks genious!


That indeed looks like a gorgeous tool and as with all Festool products well thought out and ummm expensive.

[Eiji Fuller]

yep

not long ago there was a 24" scmi bandsaw that could have been had for the price of a new festool jigsaw. :rolleyes:

[Jim Fay]

I have the Bosch 1591 EVS (Barrel Grip) and absolutely love it. I did a lot of research before taking the plunge and couldn't be happier. As previously mentioned they also make a D handle version if you prefer.
Have fun!
Jim

[Rick Fisher]

$609.00

http://www.mafelltoolstore.com/p1ccjigsaw.html

[Dar Lounsbury]

Bosch !! Have had several in the last 30 years and all have worked great. One got dropped and one got stolen. No fault to Bosch for replacing units.

[Dick Bringhurst]

Bosch -- got three -- Love 'em. Dick B.

[Michael Simpson Virgina]

Until I got my Festool it was Bosch all the way. If you want the best jig saw get the Festool. With the blade guides properly adjusted and the zero clearence insert install you wont believe the cut.

Dont believe all the hype about dust collection on the Festool. If you install all the palstic covers it will pick up 90% of the dust but you wont be able to see the blade all that well.

[Don Dorn]

I have the older model DeWalt (D331) and don't care for it. I bought it for $100 refurbed quite a few years ago, but should have spent the extra and bought the Bosch.

[Robert Reece]

I gave my Dewalt away I hated it so much. Got the Bosch barrel grip and it is by far my favorite small tool. It might be my overall favorite tool, but I'd have to think about that. Definitely get some of the Bosch Progressor blades. They are definitely top shelf too. I cut hardwood veneer plywood with practically zero chipout.

[Dan Karachio]

yep

not long ago there was a 24" scmi bandsaw that could have been had for the price of a new festool jigsaw. :rolleyes:

Imagine the price if they ever build a bandsaw!

[Will Overton]

$609.00

http://www.mafelltoolstore.com/p1ccjigsaw.html

Rick,

Are you recommending this to the OP. If so, what makes it better and how long have you been using one? Or, did you just post it because of the price?

[Dave Houseal]

+1 one on the D331K

and

+1 on the bosch blades. Progressor blades are sweet.

I love my dewalt jigsaw. Definitely a great saw. Cuts nice and smooth with the blade set to stay straight up and down, and just destroys anything in its path in aggressive mode.

That all said, I have bosch tools too, and if I hadn't bought the dewalt or really wanted a barrel grip, I'd have bought the bosch in a heart beat.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

I have never regretted my Bosch. Most reviews I've read have put it on par with the Festool in everything but dust collection.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1591EVSK-Barrel-Grip-Jigsaw/dp/B00067J3WS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1280282298&sr=8-2-catcorr
I had a different model Bosch and I hated the way it changed blades. I gave it away. I purchased the 1590EVSK, very similar to the 1591EVSK, and I LOVE it.

[ian maybury]

:p To pose the awkward question. Does there actually exist a jigsaw that can maintain a vertical cut in something like say a worktop or thicker (1in plus) hardwood?

This surely is largely a function of blade stiffness???

PS Bosch make some very nice and very useful blades, but they still wander unpredictably on my De Walt jigsaw - unless that is it's a user problem....

ian

[Tom Esh]

:p To pose the awkward question. Does there actually exist a jigsaw that can maintain a vertical cut in something like say a worktop or thicker (1in plus) hardwood?

I found the barrel grip style really helps in that regard. Not sure I can describe it adequately but it puts your hand closer to the work and with the resulting shorter lever you get better feedback forces to help you keep things on track. For example when starting a cut it's much easier to feel when the shoe is flat to the workpiece.

[Tom Esh]

...
+1 on the bosch blades. Progressor blades are sweet...

+1.
Bosch pretty much has the blade category nailed cold. Just tried their 344DF (6" bi-metal beast) for breaking down some 8/4 rough stock. Awesome!

[glenn bradley]

Bosch 1591 here as I prefer the barrel grip. A 1590 if you prefer top handle. I have read a very few folks with some issue or another on these but assume those issues would only be greater on a lesser saw. I couldn't be happier unless the barrel-grip had the VS trigger versus the wheel at the rear.

[Lee Schierer]

I have never regretted my Bosch. Most reviews I've read have put it on par with the Festool in everything but dust collection.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1591EVSK-Barrel-Grip-Jigsaw/dp/B00067J3WS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1280282298&sr=8-2-catcorr

My only regret is that I didn't buy my Bosch sooner!!!!!!!!!

[John Nesmith]

Here is another option:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/VS-Jigsaw-President-s-Special-/G8994Z

I have it, and like it fine. I bought it when I read it was a knockoff of the Bosch. I have never used the Bosch so I can't confirm.

[Mike Reinholtz]

Another fan of the Bosch barrel grip here, I love mine! I picked it up during Rockler's Black Friday sale last year for a great price, been very happy with it ever since.

Any know when the new Festool model is coming out? This was the first I have heard of it.

[Jeremy Brant]

I've got the milwaukee top handle and it's exceptionally smooth as well, very similar to the bosch.

[Peter Stahl]

Bosch.............

[Victor Robinson]

+1 for the Bosch 1590 (top handle). One of the tools in my shop that makes me smile everytime I use it.

[Will Overton]

:p To pose the awkward question. Does there actually exist a jigsaw that can maintain a vertical cut in something like say a worktop or thicker (1in plus) hardwood?

This surely is largely a function of blade stiffness???

PS Bosch make some very nice and very useful blades, but they still wander unpredictably on my De Walt jigsaw - unless that is it's a user problem....

ian

The Bosch makes a good effort at it, although I haven't put it to the test. See page 7 of the owner's manual; "Precision Control"


http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=1590EVSK

[Chris Friesen]

Nobody has mentioned it yet, but the Makita 4351FCT looks really sweet if you're into barrel grip. The Bosch is a sweet machine and has side guides that go lower down but the barrel is pretty fat.

[george wilson]

Part of the blade wandering out of vertical has to do with operator skill. You have to be careful to never apply much forward pressure to the saw. Let the blade's feed back tell you how much to push. Plus,always use a sharp blade.

I have had a rebuilt Bosch barrel grip for many years. It is a very solid feeling saw when cutting. So much better than anything else I ever had.

I'm not plunking down the bucks for a Fesstool since a saber saw is an infrequently used tool for me. Only for stuff I can't get onto the bandsaw.

I prefer the barrel grip as it gets your hand down lower,closer to the cut,which I believe adds to the feel of what the blade is telling you.

[ian maybury]

Sounds like there may be some technique issues involved in my blade wandering, thanks guys...

ian

[Peter Quinn]

I have a Bosch an like it. I'd also consider festool if its in the budget and metabo makes a fine jig saw if they are available near you. All three have good blade guides to control wandering blades, chip blowers, controls to set the orbit from aggressive to very smooth. Very well thought out all of them.

[Derrell W Sloan]

I also have the Grizzly and like it. It was much more heavy duty than I expected. I don't use a jigsaw that much so it is just fine for me. If it had tool less blade changing I would like it better, and dust collection would be nice as well. But for just a plain old jig saw it is hard to beat. I remember it got a good review in either wood or popular woodworking.