jig saw/choices

[larry merlau]

am in the market for new jog saw the old one has died or at least breathng real heavy. the choices i have narrowed down to are

bosch-festool-metabo/ also which handle configuration barrel or dhandle. model preferd and why would be appreciatied thanks fo rthe replies in advance//larry

[Frank Pellow]

My Festool jig saw is an invaluable tool. I have the older PS2 model which was $160 at a close-out sale ($100 less than the PS300 which they are now selling). This is about the 8th jig saw that I have owned and the first one that I could absolutly rely upon to make accurate cuts.

It is also the first barell handle that I have ever owned and I find that this type of handle gives me more precise control of the cut.

[Ron Robinson]

Hello all, this is my first post. I'm glad to have found a forum that exchanges ideas and information about the hobby I love so much.

About jigsaws. I just bought the Bosch 6.4 Amp top handle model from Amazon on sale for $135. I got it in the shop and cut some 6/4 ash from my bone pile. WOW! Up until that point I had never used a "real" jigsaw. Power, power, power. I cut a smooth 1 -2" radius curve with no problem and the surface was very smooth. My advice would be consider the Bosch.

Merry Christmas,

Ron Robinson

[Frank Pellow]

Ron, let be the first to welcome you to Saw Mill Creek. The folks here are very congenial and generous with their time and knowledge.

For what you have said, it appears that maybe some other company is producing a jig saw that is at the same quality level as the Festool. Good!

[Tom Hintz]

Larry,
I have reviews of the Bosch offrerings at the link below (scroll down to Jig Saws).
I recently switched to the barrel grip (1590) and like it even more than the opt handled version, though there are folks who like them either way.
Very good saws, super tough, smooth and the new blade changing system is as fast as it is going to get!

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/index.html

[Steve Clardy]

My Bosch is a Cadallic. Whats that saying, you'll have to pry it out of my cold dead hands? Lol
I have the handle grip.

[Jerry Olexa]

They are an amazing saw. Never used a festool but love my Bosch

[Keith Starosta]

Here is yet another vote for the Bosch. I've got the top handle 1590, and LOVE IT!!! Wouldn't trade it.

Keith

[Steve Cox]

I've got the 18v cordless Bosch and absolutely love it. I've used both the barrel and top handled models and while I have a slight preference for the barrel model my current one is top handled and I have no problems with it.

[Jim Dunn]

One more vote for the Bosch. My wife saw Marth Stewart (before conviction) using one and decided my old Skil wouldn't cut it for her perfered use. She dragged me kicking and screaming :) down to Blue Box to by one. Not a single problem with it in 2yrs.

Having a small shop I use it to rip 4x8 plywood to a managable size. Find that's a less dusty method than a skill saw.

Jim

[Dino Makropoulos]

am in the market for new jog saw the old one has died or at least breathng real heavy. the choices i have narrowed down to are

bosch-festool-metabo/ also which handle configuration barrel or dhandle. model preferd and why would be appreciatied thanks fo rthe replies in advance//larry

The one that keeps the cut square and provides better antichip protection. With the price of lumber today...one bad cut can be the price of the zick saw.
If you're using the tool a lot, in the long run the second best it will cost you much more.
ycf dino

[Allen Grimes]

Bosch 1590 or 1591, I hear that barrel grip varies depending on hand size, bigger hands being more comfortable, but I have never used a barrel grip so I can't help you there.

Where I can help though is: The Bosch makes glass like, accurate cuts. Vibration is non-existent. Precision control is nothing more than a click of a button and it works wonders if you need it too, but I find that the jigsaw without it produces beautiful results. Blade changing is too easy. If you like to work at changing blades then this is not the saw for you. And the price is very good when comparing it to its only real (Festool) competition on the market though with the results I get from my bosch I can't see the other being good enough to warrent the cost.

Since I can resell tools in my area for more than I pay for them I will eventually buy the Festool and make a real comparison and just sell the loser off. The curiosity is killing me.

[Mike Tempel]

One vote here for the DeWalt. I was seriously looking at a Bosch until a friend told me that they must use the Bosch blades while the DeWalt could take not only the Bosch but all others as well. I had too many blades that I wouldn't/couldn't throw out so I went for the big yellow. Mine is a top handle, power galore, and cuts hardwood like butter. I expect mine will last for years as I have only had it a little over a year and use it on a limited basis.

Merry Christmas to all.
Mike

[Erin Stringer]

The orange borg near me had the "old" model Bosch on sale with a free Bosch ROS. If you can find the $135 deal mentioned above don't wait another minute, just buy it! Even the previous generation Bosch is light years ahead of my old heap. I haven't used the Festool so I can't compare but I doubt you will be sorry if you get the Bosch.

[Christian Aufreiter]

I'd like to second Frank's statement on the Festool. I own a PS 300 EQ which I like a lot. The CP blade guard and the well-thought anti-chip inserts are those features I like best.
You might be interested in a couple of reviews:
Review1 (http://benchmark.20m.com/reviews/FestoolTrion300/FestoolTrionPSD300eqReview.html)
Review2 (http://www.festool-usa.com/portando/artikel/artikel_weiterleiten.cfm?id=434)
Review3 (http://www.festool-usa.com/portando/images/PDF/JLC.PDF)
Review4 (http://www.festool-usa.com/portando/artikel/artikel_weiterleiten.cfm?id=369)
Review5 (http://sawsndust.com/r-ps300eq-page1.shtm)
Review6 (http://www.festool-usa.com/portando/images/PDF/Workbench2005_jigsaw.pdf)
Review7 (http://www.mv.com/users/besposito/woodworking/festool/index.html)

Hope this helps,

Christian

[Steve Evans]

I have the Festool and the Bosch, both in barrel grip, which is my preferred format.. The Festool is definitely a better saw than the Bosch, but for the price the Bosch is a better deal. Won't go wrong with either one.

Steve

[Allen Grimes]

Steve, if you don't mind I have a few questions for you.

1) What besides the pendulum feature makes the Festool a better tool?
2) When did you purchase these machines? Also which did you buy first?
3) What model # is your Bosch?
4) Do you consider, the Festool, price reasonable in comparison to the quality over the Bosch?

Larry,

I just want to point out that the Bosch 1590 also has a nice anti-chip feature. Though if you have no problem spending the extra cash, everybody seems happy with their Festools and I'm sure you would be too.

[Brian Buckley]

The Festool PS 300 barrel grip is the best jig saw I have ever owned. It is vibration free with no chipout. I find the barrel grip easy to control. In the past I seldom used a jigsaw because of the lousy cuts I was getting. I assumed my skill level was not up to snuff. The Festool makes me look like I know what I am doing. Beleive me, if a tool can make me look talented, I like it alot.


Brian

[mike lucas]

One vote here for the DeWalt. I was seriously looking at a Bosch until a friend told me that they must use the Bosch blades while the DeWalt could take not only the Bosch but all others as well. I had too many blades that I wouldn't/couldn't throw out so I went for the big yellow. Mine is a top handle, power galore, and cuts hardwood like butter. I expect mine will last for years as I have only had it a little over a year and use it on a limited basis.

Merry Christmas to all.
Mike The Bosch blades (There are copies from other companies now! ) are far better then the old style. I don't know why you would have used that as the reason for buying a jig saw that isn't worth half the Bosch. But it is your money, you can buy what you want.

I had never heard about, read about or even seen anyone that liked the DeWalt jig saw. I do hope it last for you. They make a very good router, but havn't learned how to build a good jig saw.:confused:
And I think that you are really missing out on how good a jig saw should be.:eek:

For the price of blades, I would gladly throw out the other type and get the 1590/1591 Bosch.:)

I want a new Bosch, but having the older style in both top handle and barrel grip, I can not justify a third jig saw.:mad: Maybe I could convince myself that I would save time and money on blade changes.;) After all, I have the one`s that uses a screwdriver to change blades. And if I would lose the screwdriver, I would be in trouble because I have yet too find one that will fit and reach all the way to the screw head.:o

[Walt Pater]

I sold my Bosch to create need for a Festool 300 PS. I've always sorta regretted doing that. The Festool is a nice saw, but with shipping came to $300.00. I'd probably be happier w/ the Festool if it had tooless bevel adjustment, but it doesn't. So, the Bosch is a better deal than the Festool is a better saw. You'll be pleased with either.

[Mark Singer]

The Bosch is great! It has been the standard for cabinet installers and finish carpenters for years....not that expensive either. Tremendous control and power.

[everett lowell]

one more vote for Bosch,I have two, top handle and barrel grip. I keep the top handle in my truck and the barrel grip in my shop.I guess i feel i have a little more control with the barrel grip.if i had the extral $$ i would get one for the bedroom just to look at!LOL:p just my 2 cents.

[Jim Becker]

Larry, your short list is a good one. The "new" Bosch has some very nice features, too. But I bought the Festool barrel grip (it was my very first Festool purchase) and have been very pleased with the machine. The barrel grip was more comfortable for me than the D-handle...you really need to try both to determine which is best for your own hands and work. I do have a review of the Festool on my site at http://sawsndust.com/index.shtm.

BTW, the Festool takes Bosch blades and Festool also has some heavier and much longer ones for scrolling in really thick material...

[John Miliunas]

Larry, kinda' hard for me to compare, as I've never had/used the Bosch. Most any Bosch tool I've used, has been nice. That said, though, I opted for the Festool. 1st test cut I made with it was in 8/4 Hard Maple and I made sure to give it a couple good squiggly lines! Took my little engineer's square out and checked the cut line throughout; Square all the way around!:) :cool:

[Ted Daigle]

Larry,
Never used the festool, but have heard only good things. I do have the Bosch and it is a very good tool for the money.

[Dan Mages]

I have the Festool D Handle jigsaw and so far it has done a nice job. I do wish I had the dust blower feature that is available on the bosch.

Dan

[Thomas Walker]

I hate my dewalt jigsaw. The blade deflects like crazy and the bevel adjustment is very easy to knock out of adjustment.

I love the blade stiffness of my Festool jigsaw. The dust collection is so-so because the plastic housing snap on piece makes it hard to see the cut line.

[larry merlau]

thanks to all that replied and i will see if i can find that deal at the orange store, and if not will try for the best deal elswhere on a bosch, cant come up with the extra b-fraklin for the green one now. if shipping wouldnt kill me i would help that feller out that needed a excuse to try festool. :D but it would have to be a deal with a warranty against bad cuts:D but i would feel good about supporting another great tool company. :D so where is the best deal at on the 1591 if the orange box doesnt have the deal mentioned?

[Erin Stringer]

I have bought a few tools from these guys, they have always been good to work with. I haven't been looking at the deals lately but they have had the lowest prices on what I have looked for in the past (router, ROS, router templates).

http://www.internationaltool.com/bosch1590.htm#1591 (http://www.internationaltool.com/bosch1590.htm#1591)

[Steve Evans]

Steve, if you don't mind I have a few questions for you.

1) What besides the pendulum feature makes the Festool a better tool?
2) When did you purchase these machines? Also which did you buy first?
3) What model # is your Bosch?
4) Do you consider, the Festool, price reasonable in comparison to the quality over the Bosch?

Allen, I have a Bosch 1584 that I've had for about 2 1/2 years. The Festool I've only had since around Sept of this year.
The Festool will make a square cut in much thicker/harder material than my Bosch will. This was compared using both the Festool blades on both machines, and the Bosch blades on both machines. As well, I've had a problem with bending the footplates on the Bosch cutting some hard woods, most notably Jatoba flooring. I know of two other shops who have had the same problem. One guy has gone through 4 footplates and will never buy another Bosch because of it. Whether the Festool is better in this respect remains to be seen, but I get the feeling that at least they'll stand behind it. Bosch has been indifferent to say the least, quite happy to collect the $35 Cdn each time it happens.
I do consider the price reasonable for the Festool. Including the extra footplates, I've spent close to the same amount for the Bosch. I think that under normal use the Bosch is an excellent machine, and I suspect the new Bosch would probably be very close or the same as the Festool with regards to the squareness of cut.

Steve

[mike lucas]

<O:p</O:p

How in the world do you guys use your Bosch jig saws? I have two a 1581 (That was the first generation of the 1580`s series jig saw, the one that use a very long narrow screw driver for blade changes.) and a newer 1584 barrel grip, (Tool less blade changes.) One is more then 12 years old, while the barrel grip is about 7 years old. And I have never had a single problem with the base shoe or anything else on or in the saw. And I would bet that I have at least 200-250 hours of use on the top handle jig saw.
<O:p</O:p
Most of my use is in hard maple, red and white oak, hickory, and sassafras. with a pinch of pine. I have gone through several packages of blades (The 5 packs!) that are it. I want the 1590 just for the much improved tool less blade changing, as well as the tool less base mitering adjustment. But since I have two very good band saws, I can not justify it.:(

[Steve Evans]

Mike

Putting in a Jatoba floor, I would probably go through a pack of 5 in about 2 days. It's real fun stuff to work with :D

[Allen Grimes]

Allen, I have a Bosch 1584 that I've had for about 2 1/2 years. The Festool I've only had since around Sept of this year.
The Festool will make a square cut in much thicker/harder material than my Bosch will. This was compared using both the Festool blades on both machines, and the Bosch blades on both machines. As well, I've had a problem with bending the footplates on the Bosch cutting some hard woods, most notably Jatoba flooring. I know of two other shops who have had the same problem. One guy has gone through 4 footplates and will never buy another Bosch because of it. Whether the Festool is better in this respect remains to be seen, but I get the feeling that at least they'll stand behind it. Bosch has been indifferent to say the least, quite happy to collect the $35 Cdn each time it happens.
I do consider the price reasonable for the Festool. Including the extra footplates, I've spent close to the same amount for the Bosch. I think that under normal use the Bosch is an excellent machine, and I suspect the new Bosch would probably be very close or the same as the Festool with regards to the squareness of cut.

Steve
Thanks, Steve,

You're review was interesting, but I really want to know how the 1590/1591 compares to the Festool models.