Another Jigsaw Question - Bosch

[Mark W Pugh]

Thinking of upgrading my pathetic jigsaw. Been looking at a Bosch JS572EL or JS572EBL. I haven't tried a barrel grip, but it looks like it would have better control and stability.

Any comments on this model? Positive or negative?

[Danny Hamsley]

I have a bosch jigsaw. Not sure of the model without walking down to the shop. It is a quality tool, for sure.

[Bill Orbine]

My Bosch saws are older so can't comment on the current models. Grips and barrels have pro and cons. I like the barrel because it brings my hand closers to the cutting surface and feel that I have better and more accurate control. The grip has spring release trigger... something the barrel doesn't have. By time I get done jig saw with a barrel, I can be in a pretty funky positions that it's difficult to manually turn off the saw.

[glenn bradley]

The barrel versus top grip is purely personal. I am not a large person at 180lbs and have medium sized hands. I prefer the barrel grip for the better control it gives me. Others find them awkward. I went with a Bosch 1591 years back and have never been sorry. With the right blade for the applications it is almost scary how clean and accurate you can cut with a jigsaw. My old Skil 'jumping jack' was a different story. Back then I wasn't even sure a jigsaw was a tool!?! A good jigsaw is a joy to use.

The 572's are touted as 159X enhanced saws. They did provide a lighter more powerful motor, more rubber to solve some complaints of the saw getting hot (I've never noticed this; warm yes, hot . . . maybe too much extension cord?). The dust collection has a clever twist in that it now pivots at the rear. I can say that their dust collection is a big plus but, the need to plan your path due to a stiff exit port being cured would be a plus.

[Judson Green]

I've used both, have the grip style one. I agree with Bill.

Both are very capable saws and in the end I don't think you'll regret your decision either way.

[Lee Schierer]

First of all you won't regret getting a Bosch whether you choose the handle grip or barrel grip version. I have an older version barrel grip and love it. With an edge guide and the T-234X blades, you can get a cut in plywood that rivals the best cut you can get on a TS. I've used it often to break down large sheets of plywood.

[Stan Calow]

Barrel grip only if you have big hands.

[Todd Willhoit]

The barrel versus top grip is purely personal. I am not a large person at 180lbs and have medium sized hands. I prefer the barrel grip for the better control it gives me. Others find them awkward. I went with a Bosch 1591 years back and have never been sorry. With the right blade for the applications it is almost scary how clean and accurate you can cut with a jigsaw. My old Skil 'jumping jack' was a different story. Back then I wasn't even sure a jigsaw was a tool!?! A good jigsaw is a joy to use.


+1 to everything that Glenn stated. I too had a Skil "tool" and now have a barrel grip 1591. My hands are small to medium and I have no problem with the barrel. It runs like a sewing machine and cuts straight and true. The barrel will get warm with continuous use, but I find that rare.

[Paul Girouard]

Barrel grips do not have triggers , so you can not vary the speed as you make the cut, you have to turn a dial on the side or end of the saw which takes two hands .

I don't see how they even sell barrel grip saws really.

But to each their own.


They keep changing the design , I think mine are 1591's , I don't like the newer models , they've made them bigger in the wrong places, so I'm not sure what the current models I'd want to own.

[John McClanahan]

+2 on what Glen said. I have a Bosch 1591 and like it. The lower blade guide helps keep the blade true. I don't find the lack of changing speeds while cutting to be an issue. Bosch blades with ground teeth really make clean cuts and make the saw seem like it has more power.

John

[Jim Matthews]

I'm in agreement that the new Bosch blades have turned my jigsaw into a workhorse.

Rather than by another corded version, I would suggest you buy a Jigsaw that uses
the same batteries you might already own for other cordless tools.

If the cordless jigsaw can be fitted with the new Bosch blades, they can be amazingly versatile.

[Mark W Pugh]

I'm in agreement that the new Bosch blades have turned my jigsaw into a workhorse.

Rather than by another corded version, I would suggest you buy a Jigsaw that uses
the same batteries you might already own for other cordless tools.

If the cordless jigsaw can be fitted with the new Bosch blades, they can be amazingly versatile.

Thanks. Cordless I don't need, everything in the shop. Explain new Bosch blades. Are there different series, is one series better than another, what do you specifically use?

Thanks

[Mark W Pugh]

Barrel grips do not have triggers , so you can not vary the speed as you make the cut, you have to turn a dial on the side or end of the saw which takes two hands .

Has anyone seen this as a problem?

[John M Wilson]

"you have to turn a dial on the side or end of the saw which takes two hands" -- Has anyone seen this as a problem?

I have the Bosch Barrel Grip Jigsaw, and have found it to be a well designed tool (and I don't have particularly well-endowed hands, either :rolleyes:).

I usually set the speed based on the material, and once set, I don't fiddle with it during a cut.

I suppose you could make a case for it, but with the soft start, low vibration, and generally excellent maneuverability of the saw, I've never felt the need to vary my speed while cutting.

[Paul Girouard]

Has anyone seen this as a problem?


I wouldn't own a jig saw that wasn't variable speed, trigger actuated.
I've used a few Bosch Barrel grips , they are clumsy to turn on and off, I didn't like them at all.
They where still better than any other brand I've used, but why limit ones self to one speed while making a cut?

You can engage the stock carefully at low RPM's , get a nice clean smooth start into the cut , then speed up thru the easy going parts of the cut, but be able slow down at the turns , curves , thin near the edge areas , etc.

Would you buy a car that you couldn't vary the speed on while driving it?

Does that make me a no body, due to not being a "anyone"?

To each their own I guess.

[Paul Girouard]

Thinking of upgrading my pathetic jigsaw. Been looking at a Bosch JS572EL or JS572EBL. I haven't tried a barrel grip, but it looks like it would have better control and stability.

Any comments on this model? Positive or negative?





Has anyone seen this as a problem?


I wouldn't own a jig saw that wasn't variable speed, trigger actuated.
I've used a few Bosch Barrel grips , they are clumsy to turn on and off, I didn't like them at all.
They where still better than any other brand I've used, but why limit ones self to one speed while making a cut?

You can engage the stock carefully at low RPM's , get a nice clean smooth start into the cut , then speed up thru the easy going parts of the cut, but be able slow down at the turns , curves , thin near the edge areas , etc.

Would you buy a car that you couldn't vary the speed on while driving it?

Does that make me a no body, due to not being a "anyone"?

To each their own I guess.

This should be a edited to add but I couldn't drag the other two posts along.

Mark asked for "comments? Positive or negative?" I gave my opinion based on 30 years , give or take as a professional carpenter.

My work generally speaks for itself , but on a Internet forum what you've done is seldom visible, lets adjust that some what.


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[Paul Girouard]

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All done with a Bosch 1591 variable speed, trigger activated jig saw in some shape or form.

[Mark W Pugh]

Very nice Paul, and your comments do make a lot of sense to me. Thanks.

[Sam Murdoch]

Thanks. Cordless I don't need, everything in the shop. Explain new Bosch blades. Are there different series, is one series better than another, what do you specifically use?

Thanks

In blue - my question too. What are you guys using that impresses you?

[Jim Matthews]

Explain new Bosch blades. Are there different series, is one series better than another, what do you specifically use?

Thanks

I use the Bosch T308B (http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Accessories/Pages/BoschAccessoryDetail.aspx?pid=T308B25#specs)in a cordless Makita that uses the same battery as my drill motors.
This makes very clean cuts in sheet goods, with little tear out on the top face (feed rate is important).

It's one of the longer, thicker blades which gives about 3.5" working cut depth.

That's deep enough to rough crosscut much of my raw lumber before milling.

While I will still fit joinery with mostly handtools, this blade behaves like a portable bandsaw.

FYI - I have used the Bosch T111c blade, and other finer blades but find that they dull quickly
in my applications. The heavier T308B is wickedly sharp and cuts straight.

While they're not cheap, they may cut faster than what you're using in your current motor.

295265

[Jim Matthews]

Please see my reply to Mark, above.

295266

[Jim Finn]

I had used a few barrel grip Bosch saws years ago and hated them because you needed a long skinny common screw driver to change out the blades. I borrowed a newer one from a friend that did not require any tools to change the blade. I returned the saw to him and purchased a JS470EB Bosch for $150 on line. It has a great blade changing system and I like this saw. The simple blade changing is a great surprise. Another surprise, to me, was that this great new saw is very heavy! (Not a plus)

[Jim Matthews]

Wow. I particularly like the "fish bench" which is much better than it had to be made.

Kudos