Need a jigsaw, any suggestions ?

[vertygo]

Time to buy a new jigsaw.. anyone recommend one ? Anything I should really look for ?

Thanks!

[nuka1195]

bosch makes a really nice one.

i don't recall the model i used, but it ran smooth and handled nice. much nicer than my dewalt. It was a top handle not a barrel grip.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bosch+jigsaw

[sstorkel]

The Bosch 1590 and 1591 are generally regarded as the best jigsaws available. If you're on a budget, the Bosch 1587 is also very nice...

[jhabers]

Not saying its the best but I have a dewalt and am happy with it. Had a cheap black and decker before and its a huge improvement

[ivwshane]

I love my bosch 1590! It's like cutting through butter every time I use it:D

[fixedpigs]

I love my bosch 1590! It's like cutting through butter every time I use it:D

agreed...!

[teetu]

I bought one of bosch's new models, the JS5.  It was something like $90 and I think its the greatest tool ever- just google for some reviews.

[lanman31337]

I picked up a variable speed Black and Decker with the gel grip.  I love it.

[Donkey_Kong]

Not saying its the best but I have a dewalt and am happy with it. Had a cheap black and decker before and its a huge improvement

Ditto. I wanted to spring for the bosch but settled for the $100 dewalt model form Home depot. No complaints. 10 times better than the one it replaced.

[Blanka]

Don't go for a jigsaw. It is a useless machine. A router, a circular saw and a fret saw are your best friend. A jigsaw is for nuts.

[Donkey_Kong]

Don't go for a jigsaw. It is a useless machine. A router, a circular saw and a fret saw are your best friend. A jigsaw is for nuts.

Errr??? Useless? Oh I get it for building cabs you mean.   

I have all of the tools you mentioned and I my jigsaw still sees plenty of action. I suppose the router could do what the jigsaw does...but I don't like the dust and noise that a router kicks up compared to the jigsaw. In those cases...jigsaw wins. Fret saw (scroll?) I have a 20 inch dewalt scroll saw and it's not always big enough...jigsaw wins.

Does a circular saw even belong in this conversation. (Nuts?)   

[ivwshane]

I have a circular saw that is broken and I thought I was going to have to buy another one for this project but so far I haven't needed one. I've been able to do most things with just my router and jig saw and a straight edge.

[Jdurg]

Does a circular saw even belong in this conversation. (Nuts?)   

Ummmm, yes.  If you want to cut a straight line that is more than maybe an inch or two, a circular saw can do that while a jigsaw, due to the nature of the blade, is going to have an incredibly difficult time doing that.  Even with a straight edge, the blade can and will move off to the side as it cuts.  I've tried cutting straight lines with both a circular saw and a jigsaw.  The circular saw ripped through the wood like butter right on the line that was drawn.  The jigsaw wobbled out a little bit and forced me to use a router and a hand planar in order to get it even remotely close to the line.

Now granted, when you have a small area inside a solid piece that you need to cut out, a jigsaw is invaluable.  E.G. the coin door area on the front panel.  I feel a lot safer drilling a hole in the corners and putting the jigsaw in there than I do trying to put a circular saw down on it.

[Blanka]

On cabs with straight lines you can do everything with a circular saw! Even tight corners. You can reach up to 5mm from the corner, then use a hand-saw for the last bit. A jigsaw is fun for everything that does not have to be straight. Its incapable of good straight edges (not only horizontal, but also vertical straightness throug the thickness of the sheets is a problem).
So for straight lines: circular or guided routing (for square holes for example) are the only options.

[Donkey_Kong]

These are all great and fun facts that you guys have mentioned about the circular saw! Wow I know I'm very impressed with your knowledge on the subject.   


However, looking at the title of the thread and the original post I still do not see what it has to do with the fact that this guy needs a new jigsaw and has asked opinions on them.
 

[Blanka]

Question for a jigsaw on BYOAC -> The guy might want to build an arcade cabinet -> I want to prevent him from ending up on crapmame -> I strongly advise not to use a jigsaw for cab-making.
But that might me my weird preconception.

If he wants to make Mario-Mushrooms with dots as holes to decorate his kids room, fine, advise a good jigsaw, but that would be little strange on BYOAC.
And a good jigsaw is a contradictio in terminus. There are no good jigsaws. It's defective by design already. I spent months in a woodshop, and the jigsaw was some last resort when people got freaking out on how to do something a nice way.

edit:
@ donkey-kong: I see mario character making is your skill, so if he needs advice on that, well he's all yours 

[Donkey_Kong]

I understand your logic now...you are assuming he needs a jigsaw for making a cab. However, really you don't know what he needs it for (yes i realize this is the BYOAC forum). But still, you are assuming things, because he makes no mention why he needs a jigsaw anywhere. He only mentions that he needs a new jigsaw and would like to see what models are good. You come in calling him and everyone else nuts for using jigsaw.

A. You are assuming things.

B. You're insulting people.

[Donkey_Kong]

Question for a jigsaw on BYOAC -> The guy might want to build an arcade cabinet -> I want to prevent him from ending up on crapmame -> I strongly advise not to use a jigsaw for cab-making.
But that might me my weird preconception.

If he wants to make Mario-Mushrooms with dots as holes to decorate his kids room, fine, advise a good jigsaw, but that would be little strange on BYOAC.
And a good jigsaw is a contradictio in terminus. There are no good jigsaws. It's defective by design already. I spent months in a woodshop, and the jigsaw was some last resort when people got freaking out on how to do something a nice way.

edit:
@ donkey-kong: I see mario character making is your skill, so if he needs advice on that, well he's all yours 

Blanka- This is a ridiculous argument. I just didn't like how you came in swinging and calling people nuts. That's why I stuck around arguing with you.

[Blanka]

No-one in this topic is telling that he is actually using a jigsaw, so I do not call anybody here nuts. I just say its a crappy tool and that dollars can be spent better. It's the same league as electric orange presses or electric bread saws. You're better off without.

[sstorkel]

No-one in this topic is telling that he is actually using a jigsaw, so I do not call anybody here nuts. I just say its a crappy tool and that dollars can be spent better. It's the same league as electric orange presses or electric bread saws. You're better off without.

A jigsaw is only a crappy tool if you: 1) don't know how to use it, or 2) buy a poor-quality tool. I, for one, have no problem getting straight, 90-degree cuts in wood with my Bosch jigsaw. Granted, it takes a bit more effort than using a circular saw but it's not impossible...

[ivwshane]

No-one in this topic is telling that he is actually using a jigsaw, so I do not call anybody here nuts. I just say its a crappy tool and that dollars can be spent better. It's the same league as electric orange presses or electric bread saws. You're better off without.

A jigsaw is only a crappy tool if you: 1) don't know how to use it, or 2) buy a poor-quality tool. I, for one, have no problem getting straight, 90-degree cuts in wood with my Bosch jigsaw. Granted, it takes a bit more effort than using a circular saw but it's not impossible...

Exactly!!

I've made plenty of straight cuts with my jigsaw. The only negative about using a jigsaw for long straight cuts is how long it takes to do them. A 4' straight cut would take >10 seconds with a circular saw and would take around 45 seconds with a jigsaw.

[Paul Olson]

I don't think you can do better than bosch jigsaws. They are amazing tools, and are easily capable of cutting straight. I wouldn't use one to do the job of a circular saw though. I have a table saw, so my circular saw is rarely used; I think I have made 2 cuts with it. My jigsaw gets used all the time. If I have an interior through hole to cut, it is time for the jigsaw. You can do it with a router, but I am not sure why you would want to.

Spend the money for a bosch. I have never heard of anyone who regretted it. Nearly everyone regrets buying a cheap jigsaw.

[fjl]

I would recommend getting a jigsaw and the bosch one at that. I have the 1591 myself. Awesome tool. Works a lot better than using a circular saw since its smaller and easier to handle. I'll admit that the jigsaw, while very accurate is more prone to errors due to user error even with a straight edge, it's still an invaluable tool. Get it!

by the way, for cutting wood I suggest using a thick blade. Skinny blade will bend and cut wrong. Just be sure to accomodate for blade kerf. That's cutting width of the blade.

[cornishHen]

Don't go for a jigsaw. It is a useless machine. A router, a circular saw and a fret saw are your best friend. A jigsaw is for nuts.

I've found the jigsaw to be a great tool.  I would recommend a bosch.   Precise straight and curve cuts are easy.  I built my first mame cab almost entirely with a jigsaw as I don't have a table saw and i don't care for circular saws.

[AnthonyB]

I have a really old black and decker router....

It has a metal casing and gets really hot after medium usage....

I think its from the lat 80's