JIgsaws - scrolling / orbital??

[Druxar]

I just saw a few jigsaws, one saying Orbital, the other saying scrolling/orbital.  Is this another plunge/fixed type issue or is a jigsaw a jigsaw? 

Any brands to avoid in any of these power tools, like I think I've heard some negative things about craftsman modern day tools...

On Epinions I've seen people complain about Dewalt and Makita circular saw bases saying those certain few models in question were flimsy bases and didn't allow a straight cut.  I know reading reviews on issues like this could go on forever and you may never want to buy anything as a result so I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what (not to) get...

[ScottS]

Bosch makes the best jigsaws. A jigsaw with orbital cutting will cut very quickly, but the cuts tend to be a bit more rough. On my Bosch, you can have non-orbital cutting (the blade just moves up and down) and three levels of orbital cutting (meaning the blade tends to swing forward a bit as it's moving up and down), depending on how quickly you want to cut or how nice you want the cut to be.

[Druxar]

How about those with the built in laser lines, I've seen circular and Jigsaws with the laser now, is that a bit gimmicky especially on a jigsaw?   Are we ok enough with following a pencil line?   I recall jigsaws being very vibrational and I can imagiine a laser sight going all over the place and being useless.
I'll take another look and see who sells a bosch that's accessible to me. I remembr seeing one somewhere. I'll look into the price and features on it.

[ScottS]

How about those with the built in laser lines, I've seen circular and Jigsaws with the laser now, is that a bit gimmicky especially on a jigsaw?   Are we ok enough with following a pencil line?   I recall jigsaws being very vibrational and I can imagiine a laser sight going all over the place and being useless.

I've never used a jigsaw that vibrated much... Laser are sometimes useful and sometimes a gimmick. I love the dual lasers on my power miter saw. On a jigsaw, they might help. Keep in mind that no tool laser is bright enough to view in direct sunlight. Also, if the laser is located where it will get obscured with sawdust, as things at the front of a jigsaw blade tend to be, then it might be useless. Finally, the laser is going to help you guide the jigsaw in a straight line... it's just going to let you know when you've screwed something up.

FWIW, my Bosch jigsaw doesn't have a laser and I've never really missed it...

[Druxar]

I looked into the bosch model available to me and reviews say it doesn't vibrate much, and everyone gives it 5 or at worst 4 out of 5 so I think it's an easy decision...now if only I could narrow down a router.

[prOk]

Bosch jigsaws are the best hands down.. orbital makes quick work of things but you must have the correct blade in the saw for the material or it will make a mess.  Lasers on a jigsaw is a gimick at best, they are only as good as your hand eye coordination... a laser won't make them cut any truer.

As for routers, at the entry level range Porter Cable is tough to beat.

/b

[ScottS]

now if only I could narrow down a router.

Bosch 1617EVSPKE, DeWalt DW618B3, or Porter-Cable 895PK if you want top-of-the-line.

DeWalt DW616, Bosch PR20EVSK, Porter-Cable 690LR, or Porter-Cable 691 if you're on a budget.