Barrel grip vs. D-handle jigsaw

[Tim Malyszko]

While its not super high on my priority list, I've been tossing around the idea of replacing my Dewalt jigsaw. Since purchasing it a year ago, I've been fighting the sole-plate staying locked in place and blade changes; therefore, I try and avoid using it as much as possible.

After reading of all the benefits of Festool, demoing them at Woodcraft and seeing them used by Tom Silva of This Old House and occassionally by David Marks, I've decided that the jigsaw will be my first Festool Purchase.

I am trying to decide between the barrel grip and the D-handle grip. Every other jigsaw I've used has the d-handle grip. However, it seems the barrel grip would be more comfortable and easier to control. Being that I've never really used one, I'd like to hear everyones' personal preference and any pro's or con's of each grip style.

As usual, thanks for the feedback. This is the best WW site on the internet.

[Tyler Howell]

I really like my Fes barrel grip. I have a lot of control over the machine and work piece when my hand and arm are in the position.
Powerful tool.:cool:

[Jerry White]

I have the Bosch barrel grip. To me, the barrel grip is a much more natural feel than the D handle.

[Peter Pedisich]

Tim,

I have a Festool barrel grip and find it to be the most comfortable jigsaw I've used due to a great shape and small size. The on/off switch is on the left which, as a right hander, is perfect. My friend used it recently and did NOT like it as he is left handed.
The Festool D-handle's trigger switch does not have the speed control built in, it's at the rear of the saw.
And the Festool does not have toolless bevel change.

Cuts, as expected, are as straight as your hands will allow!

good luck,

Pete

[Jim Becker]

My "old" jigsaw was a D-Handle. When I was investigating the Festool, I tried out both and as I thought I would, I preferred the barrel grip...I find I have better control.

As strange as it sounds, I also recommend you test out the latest Bosch jigsaw. It has similar features and some folks like it better.

[Don Bullock]

Tim, perhaps the best way to determine which handle fits your style of working the best would be to try out a barrel grip yourself. Hopefully you have a Festool supplier somewhere near you who will at least let you check out the grip or maybe at a woodworking show. It sounds like you have some time to investagate them for yourself.

[Dan Clark]

As others have said, try it first. I bought mine from a local dealer. Unlike most other Festools, the way the two jigsaws fit in your hand is radically different. I went in with the firm conviction that the barrel grip was the best choice for me. I walked out with the D handle grip because it fit my hand better.

Try it first.

Regards,

Dan.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

After reading of all the benefits of Festool, demoing them at Woodcraft and seeing them used by Tom Silva of This Old House and occassionally by David Marks, I've decided that the jigsaw will be my first Festool Purchase.[quote]

I was weighing the Bosch against the Festool.
I went Bosch because the Bosch is every bit as good as the Festool (I think it's a tad better), and it's $159.00 which you simply can not beat.

On the Festool side - If Dust Collection were an issue for me I'd have got the Festool. If I earned my living working in other people's homes I'd want very much to leave no dust trail - ever. ERGO: Festool would be my go to preference for sanders, saws, and routers.


[quote]I am trying to decide between the barrel grip and the D-handle grip. Every other jigsaw I've used has the d-handle grip. However, it seems the barrel grip would be more comfortable and easier to control.I have had both (both were Makitas). I liked the Barrel grip better - till I got the D handle Bosch. It's built so I can grab the body like a barrel or use the handle. Now I do both. The Bosch is so very vibration free it's a dream compared to my beast of a Makita.

[Dan Forman]

I own an older style Bosch D handle, saw a demo of the Festool barrel stlye just the other day, found it very interesting.

The main differece between the newer Bosch (with blade stabilization) and Festool is that the Bosch blows the dust away, while the Festool inhales it. However, with the dust collection gear in place, on the Festool, it's very difficult to see a line you are cutting along. When I pointed that out to the demo guy, he said that in europe, they hold the saw upside down and cut from the bottom of the board, and procede to do just that. This would not be practical with the D grip. It's very odd, but not so difficult as long as there is adequate clearance for the saw, and it's relatively close to the edge of the board.

The Festool has a GREAT zero clearance feature, you make the cut in the insert with the blade you are using, just like with a table saw; cuts with a very aggressive blade were very smooth on both upper and lower surface as a result. I believe the Bosch ZCI has a slot already cut, so doesnt precisely match the blade. i lost mine however, so can't check that out. Actually, I don't know what the newer model has for ZCI, might be similar to Festool's.

A jig saw is most handy when you have to make a cut away from the edge of a board, which could be problematic working european style, though in that case one could simply forego the dust collection gear and work from the top.

If DC is not of prime importance, the Bosch will probably perform just as well for half the cost.

But if you already have the Festool guard rail, it will work with their jigsaw for cutting straight lines, and you could leave the DC stuff on, as you won't have to see the line to follow it.

Dan

[Steve Rowe]

Tim - the choice of jigsaw type is soley personal preference and what feels best to you. I have had 2 D handled jigsaws in the past (B&D and PC) and now have the Festool barrel grip. I like the barrel grip better for two reasons:

The handle is lower which gives me better control (at least for me).
I can put my hand on the barrel in a number of different locations with comfort. With the D handle, there is only one position whether it is comfortable or not.That said, do what feels best to you.
Steve

[Gary Keedwell]

My Bosch is over 15 years old and works great. It consistantly garnishes 1st place in every review. Why go festool ? It never finishes that high in ratings. I like the barrel because I feel it gives me accurate control.
Gary K.

[Charles Wilson]

I prefer the barrel grip as I feel that I have more control over what I am cutting.

I have the Bosch that you are speaking of and am not sure how happy I am with it. I was using it to cut 1/4" ply and got some splintering with the insert in it. I was pleased with the blower that blew the dust away so you could see where you were cutting. Is dust in the line of cut really that big of a problem with the Festool?

So, anyone have a unbiased opinion as to the cut quality and DC of the Festool jigsaw? Since I work in my house (basement and living areas), I am always concerned about dust and to me is VERY IMPORTANT to have EXCELLENT DC.

Same with the ROM. I was doing some research on Fine WW.com and found reviews of ROS. The Bosch ROM was the editors pick but under the Festool sander but it said something about FES ROS being the equivalent to the Bosch except for the price. Again, my concern is DC. I don't sand anything with lead in it but would like to work in the house (basement). So, how is the DC?

Not trying to highjack the post so any comments about Festool jigsaw and ROS can be sent to me by PM.

Thanks,
Chuck

[glenn bradley]

Mine's a Bosch but I do prefer the barrel.

[mark page]

I have the Bosch barrel grip and I prefer it over the D-grip design. It just feels more natural as an extesion of your wrist and forearm. It seems like it takes a lot less torque or muscle power to move it with control.
hope this helps.

[Dan Forman]

Is dust in the line of cut really that big of a problem with the Festool?


Charles---It's not the dust that gets in the way, it's the pieces of extra plastic stuff that collects the dust that make it nearly impossible to see the line. I didn't try it without the dust collection equipment in place to see if the dust would also obscure the view. If you have a Woodcraft near you, you can try one out for yourself.

Dan

[Frank Martin]

and it is excellent. Just used it today and was amazed with its ergonomics and performance.

I do have quite a few Festools but in this case I went with Bosch (the latest version) and have no regrets.

[Corey Hallagan]

I would suggest trying both models out. While I did not buy a festool, I did buy a Bosch barrel grip but tried them both out to make my decision. Trying out any hand power tool for fit is the way to go... routers, sanders, jig saws etc.

Corey

[Tim Malyszko]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll demo both handles before I make the final decision. In addition, I will check out the Bosch. Fortunately, I don't need to make a decision anytime soon, so I have time to do research.

[Mark Singer]

I have the Bosch "D" handle and it is a very good saw! Friends of mine have the Festool and the biggest difference is with the Bosch you can conrol the speed as you saw....this is very important. The barrel grip is nice also...that is a matter of preference

[Randy Denby]

I bought the Bosch D handle...mainly because it was on sale at Home Depot. Its a great saw. I dont use it enough to have spent the extra 30$ or so buy the barrel grip , which wasnt on sale. One thing for sure...it blew my old 25 year old Crapsman away.

[Jason White]

I have a D-handle Bosch (the older model) and while it's a pretty good saw, I can't wait to replace it with a barrel-grip. I'm pretty sure I'll replace it with a Festool.

JW


While its not super high on my priority list, I've been tossing around the idea of replacing my Dewalt jigsaw. Since purchasing it a year ago, I've been fighting the sole-plate staying locked in place and blade changes; therefore, I try and avoid using it as much as possible.

After reading of all the benefits of Festool, demoing them at Woodcraft and seeing them used by Tom Silva of This Old House and occassionally by David Marks, I've decided that the jigsaw will be my first Festool Purchase.

I am trying to decide between the barrel grip and the D-handle grip. Every other jigsaw I've used has the d-handle grip. However, it seems the barrel grip would be more comfortable and easier to control. Being that I've never really used one, I'd like to hear everyones' personal preference and any pro's or con's of each grip style.

As usual, thanks for the feedback. This is the best WW site on the internet.

[john tomljenovic]

Charles---It's not the dust that gets in the way, it's the pieces of extra plastic stuff that collects the dust that make it nearly impossible to see the line. I didn't try it without the dust collection equipment in place to see if the dust would also obscure the view. If you have a Woodcraft near you, you can try one out for yourself.

Dan


seeing the cut line is easy when you hold the saw right side up...or is that upside down?...anyway, with the blade pointing up, and keeping the saw underneath the work. your dust collection improves immensely to boot, and the plastic dust cover (whether festool or bosch) starts making alot of sense.

This is the euro way to handle a jig saw, this may be the reason there is no handle to have on your barrel grip. and also your forearm cramping....

I still have to convince myself to approach a cut this way, but most of the time I surprise myself.

I have a bosch late model barrel grip, and it just seems to be the poor mans festool trion. the magic seems to be in the festool blades, they seem thicker and track well. somehow festool goofed and made their blades to a common standard, so it works in my bosch....crazy.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

the demo guy, he said that in europe, they hold the saw upside down and cut from the bottom of the board, and procede to do just that. This would not be practical with the D grip. It's very odd, but not so difficult as long as there is adequate clearance for the saw, and it's relatively close to the edge of the board.

I have heard this and thought that they screwed the saw to a board/table and used it that way. You are saying that the guy hand held it upside down??

How many years ya gotta practice that?



The Festool has a GREAT zero clearance feature, you make the cut in the insert with the blade you are using, just like with a table saw; cuts with a very aggressive blade were very smooth on both upper and lower surface as a result. I believe the Bosch ZCI has a slot already cut, so doesnt precisely match the blade.

Yah the Bosch is using a plastic insert. I have never used mine finding absolutely no need with the snazzy slick blades they are using. Those blades put the stuff I was using on my Makita to shame. And the Bosch is so very vibration free.

[Randal Stevenson]

I would suggest trying both models out. While I did not buy a festool, I did buy a Bosch barrel grip but tried them both out to make my decision. Trying out any hand power tool for fit is the way to go... routers, sanders, jig saws etc.

Corey


Thanks for all the feedback. I'll demo both handles before I make the final decision. In addition, I will check out the Bosch. Fortunately, I don't need to make a decision anytime soon, so I have time to do research.

Cory hit's the nail on the head. What is comfortable for one (hand size, use, etc) isn't for all. I have a hot rod builder buddy, who let my try his D handle (he cuts car frames with it), and I still hadn't decided (my hand barely fit under the handle, allowing barrel grip style). I am really suprised Bosch hasn't followed Tritons lead (also rebranded as a Craftsman), or their own Rotozips lead, and made the handle removable.
As for me, my research (aka bargin hunting), led me to a Bosch 1587 for $85 nib (I also cut steel, and this felt a little more solid in that). Now I am "researching" the barrel grip (anyone spot one, let me know).