Author Topic: Considering a Bosch Jigsaw (Read 7630 times)

shardian · « **on:** May 18, 2009, 02:55:21 pm »

I am at the cusp of biting the bullet on a Bosch Jigsaw. Normally I buy cheap stuff, but I have heard so much about this specific tool, that it is borderline legendary. So who all here owns one, and what can you say that will swing me past the price point fence?

My Black and Decker Jigsaw can't cut for ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, and I refuse to use it for ANY finished product. This fact hinders me from doing many, many projects.

MrMojoZ · « **Reply #1 on:** May 18, 2009, 03:07:11 pm »

I own one but haven't gotten to use it enough to have an opinion yet.

ChadTower · « **Reply #2 on:** May 18, 2009, 03:17:20 pm »

Is that B+D cutting badly because of the saw or because of the blades? I have a few B+D tools and they do perform better if you stay away from the B+D replacement blades and upgrade them.

drventure · « **Reply #3 on:** May 18, 2009, 03:18:18 pm »

If it's anything like their sliding compound mitre saw, I'd recommend it. That thing has been utterly fantastic.

ChadTower · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2009, 03:20:16 pm »

Well no one is going to argue that Bosch makes poor tools, that's for sure.

Chadwick · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2009, 03:32:37 pm »

Bosch or Festool for jigsaws. I know you've read the recent jigsaw thread on KLOV. Just spend the money already and you won't regret it. You'll be able to give it to your son in 20 years and it'll work just as well.

Here's a review of the new Festool:

http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/festoolPS300EQ.htm

shardian · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2009, 03:40:24 pm »

Alright then, down to the next debate:

6.4 amp or 5 amp?? top handle or barrell handle??

The 6.4 Amp seems to have a problem with heating up according to Amazon ratings. The lower ratings consistently cite this as the reason for the lower star rating.

5 Amps seems more than enough power for standard wood work.

ChadTower · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2009, 03:54:04 pm »

Is "standard wood work" here arcade/house work or hardwood furniture projects?

shardian · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2009, 04:00:37 pm »

I won't be working on the level of Norm Abram if that is what you are asking. Would I like to make a simple chair or decorative shelf? Yes. It would be nice to have a good enough jigsaw that I could make finished products instead of making 1/4" templates and pattern routing.

Paul Olson · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2009, 04:24:52 pm »

I have the 1587, well two of them actually. I usually buy cheap as well until I learn differently. You have already seen how a cheap one works, so this should be a really easy decision. This tool is worth every penny. The 5 amp will be more than enough for anything you are likely to need it for. If you are going to to be doing a lot of curves, I think the barrel handle might be nice, but I don't have one, so I am not sure. The one I have is easy enough to use though. I have almost completely stopped buying the cheap tools unless I hear of great reviews. I have noticed more and more that you really do get what you pay for. There are still a few bargains with the cheap stuff though, just not jigsaws.

ChadTower · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2009, 04:33:44 pm »

What I mean is what is the hardest thing you expect to cut? Hardwoods have higher power requirements to cut cleanly.

Or to go the other way, once you buy one of the two, will you ever really give the other a second thought?

shardian · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2009, 04:56:05 pm »

I'm too poor to make stuff out of hardwood. Will be cutting some 3/4" birch plywood as the first project though.

Chadwick · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2009, 10:48:59 pm »

I like the barrel handle. I feel like my control is more sensitive with it.

Blanka · « **Reply #13 on:** May 19, 2009, 02:26:42 am »

What do you want to do with it? Jigsaws are the bondo-putty of sawing. It's for the last dirty details the carpenter was incapable of doing with good tools.

shardian · « **Reply #14 on:** May 19, 2009, 11:16:29 am »

Quote from: Blanka on May 19, 2009, 02:26:42 am

What do you want to do with it? Jigsaws are the bondo-putty of sawing. It's for the last dirty details the carpenter was incapable of doing with good tools.

From what I have heard of this magical Bosh jigsaw, it is able to replace a circular saw in most projects.

Chadwick · « **Reply #15 on:** May 19, 2009, 11:50:00 am »

Yeah the newer jigsaws from the top manufacturers have come a long way. Read that Festool review linked above.

drventure · « **Reply #16 on:** May 19, 2009, 01:41:42 pm »

Wow. According to the review on that festool, he actually plunge cut with a +jigsaw+ !

That's impressive... But for 250$, ouch!

Chadwick · « **Reply #17 on:** May 19, 2009, 04:20:06 pm »

Festool is pricey, but well worth it. They are VERY strict with pricing as well. They basically tell their distributors what they can sell their tools for. Any deviation from that and they'll yank your distributorship.

But hey... its GERMAN (insert shamwow joke here).

ivwshane · « **Reply #18 on:** May 20, 2009, 01:40:20 am »

I have the bosch jigsaw and I love it! It's like cutting through butter!

Because my circular saw broke I had to use my jigsaw for my cab and it performed pretty damn good (with a saw board).

ohiojason · « **Reply #19 on:** May 25, 2009, 11:10:57 am »

The happiest I have ever been with a tool upgrade is upgrading from a Skil to a DeWalt Jigsaw. Having used cheap jigsaws I always thought they were something to get you kind of close and then you sand to shape when finished. Not any more, my DeWalt is a precision tool, using the same old blades. You will wonder what took you so long to upgrade.

nuka1195 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 25, 2009, 11:46:29 pm »

i have a dewalt barrel grip, but the nicest jigsaw i've ever used is a bosch. don't remember the exact model. it was a top handle.

nazerine · « **Reply #21 on:** May 26, 2009, 05:06:19 pm »

Quote from: Chadwick on May 19, 2009, 11:50:00 am

Yeah the newer jigsaws from the top manufacturers have come a long way. Read that Festool review linked above.

http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/festoolPS300EQ.htm

Last week I had the chance to finally play with some Festool products. (Hopefully the store I work for will become a Distributor next month

). The differences between high quality tools is like night and day, there is no comparison.

And like Chadwick said, the pricing is very strict. Canadian price on the jigsaw is $426

mountain · « **Reply #22 on:** June 08, 2009, 04:36:46 pm »

Get one!

I first used a Bosch jigsaw in the early 90s and have been preaching about them every since. I finally bought one about 7 years ago and love to use it. I prefer the top handled version since it feels more natural. My Dad has the barrel type and it feels odd to me.

Get one now!

Xiaou2 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 08, 2009, 09:53:17 pm »

I cant believe Im reading this. $400 for a JigSaw? Come on. What will
you do with the thing? Cut speaker holes?!

Cause IMOP, you are never going to get a true cut with a Jigsaw unless your
blades are very thick, and your not cutting very deep. And if that was the case...
a cheap Jigsaw would be fine.

To cut true, your better using a Circular Saw w/ guide... or nice Tablesaw.

mountain · « **Reply #24 on:** June 09, 2009, 06:32:07 am »

Quote from: Xiaou2 on June 08, 2009, 09:53:17 pm

I cant believe Im reading this. $400 for a JigSaw? Come on. What will
you do with the thing? Cut speaker holes?!

Cause IMOP, you are never going to get a true cut with a Jigsaw unless your
blades are very thick, and your not cutting very deep. And if that was the case...
a cheap Jigsaw would be fine.

To cut true, your better using a Circular Saw w/ guide... or nice Tablesaw.

Where are you coming up with $400 for a Bosch jigsaw?

Ever tried to cut a circle or a curve with a circular saw?

MrMojoZ · « **Reply #25 on:** June 09, 2009, 12:58:57 pm »

Quote from: Xiaou2 on June 08, 2009, 09:53:17 pm

I cant believe Im reading this. $400 for a JigSaw? Come on. What will
you do with the thing? Cut speaker holes?!

Cause IMOP, you are never going to get a true cut with a Jigsaw unless your
blades are very thick, and your not cutting very deep. And if that was the case...
a cheap Jigsaw would be fine.

To cut true, your better using a Circular Saw w/ guide... or nice Tablesaw.

I'm not sure you even know what jigsaws are at this point.

Xiaou2 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:50:17 am »

No, They were talking about Festool, which lists as something like $400.

Also, Im well aware what a jigsaw does. What I meant was that any
cheap jigsaw is fine for cutting rough work. A jigsaw is not meant for fine
work. Its a rough cut tool.

For straight work... its better to invest in a table saw, or use a circular saw,
or router.

Really, how much better is a $400 jig gona do over a $60 jig? The difference
is not really worth it Imop. If you are doing a curve.. its a bit of an artistic thing
in itself, and will more than likely need sanding to remedy deviances. And even
the top jig will leave an angular deflection when cutting thick wood, which will
need sanding to level out. Use a cheap jig, then a router would thus be a better choice, as a 1/4 " bit isnt going to be bending.

fixedpigs · « **Reply #27 on:** June 15, 2009, 11:27:28 am »

Quote from: Xiaou2 on June 14, 2009, 01:50:17 am

Really, how much better is a $400 jig gona do over a $60 jig?

a better(more expensive) jigsaw is going to be easier to control...thus making the cut more precise...this will leave less time required for sanding/routing/circular sawing/whatever else you were mentioning that would need to be done after making the initial cut...

Namco · « **Reply #28 on:** June 15, 2009, 12:04:34 pm »

Quote from: Xiaou2 on June 14, 2009, 01:50:17 am

A jigsaw is not meant for fine
work. Its a rough cut tool.

I disagree that a jigsaw is not meant for fine work and that it's a rough cut tool. A good jigsaw with a fine blade is exceptionally precise cutting curves. A black & decker jigsaw trying to cut a perfectly straight line with B&D blades is an exercise in frustration.

Paul Olson · « **Reply #29 on:** June 15, 2009, 12:43:46 pm »

Quote from: Xiaou2 on June 14, 2009, 01:50:17 am

A jigsaw is not meant for fine
work. Its a rough cut tool.

I don't think of it as a rough cut tool at all. It is a tool that is used for cuts that cannot be made with a table saw or circular saw. I use my Bosch for inside cuts or curves, and I can usually get a cut that takes no, or very little refinishing. I cheaper jigsaw is definitely a rough cut tool because it is not capable of a clean cut. I would argue that the bosch, using a straight edge, will make a cut just as straight as a circular saw using the same straight edge. The circular saw is better if you are cutting the entire piece, and the jigsaw is better if you are making an interior cut.

mountain · « **Reply #30 on:** June 15, 2009, 09:33:04 pm »

The design of the Bosch jigsaw is better because it keeps the blade (also a better design) perpendicular to the material. The blade rides up and down on a bearing, keeping it solid and straight.

I don't think of it as a rough cut tool either. You can put a $5,000 tablesaw in the hands of a hack and end up with a poor cut. A $400 jigsaw will not guarantee great results either. It is all about the skill level of the user. With that said, watch this guy work with all hand tools. Pay attention to the jigsaw part.

He obviously has massive talent, but I doubt that he could make fine cuts like that with crappy tools.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN_7pTTZ5N8&feature=channel[/youtube]

thecheat · « **Reply #31 on:** June 15, 2009, 10:17:52 pm »

It takes me about half an hour to cut a straight piece of MDF...

drventure · « **Reply #32 on:** June 15, 2009, 11:42:38 pm »

Wow. That guy's made a +few+ signs, I'd imagine.

Still, I'm not sure I'd ever be comfortable swinging a running router around like that.

Xiaou2 · « **Reply #33 on:** June 16, 2009, 01:52:40 am »

No doubt that dude is insane. heh

However, hes is making a rough cut. Which he sands, and then routes.

He isnt making anything that requires any real precision... such as a 6 sided Box..
where all edges have to be squared to each other. Where slight variances can cause poor
alignment, unintentional gaps...etc.

Chadwick · « **Reply #34 on:** June 16, 2009, 01:41:32 pm »

If someone was attempting to make a 6 sided box with a jigsaw, they are using the wrong tool. You are attempting to argue that a jigsaw is not a good tool to use to make such a box. My only reply to that is "DUH!"

High end jigsaws are most definitely finish tools. Go back and read that Festool review. Just saying that a $400 jigsaw is not a finish tool because you don't *think* it is, is not really a valid argument.

Now if you're only speaking about a cheap $20 jigsaw, then you'll get no argument from anyone here. The old saying "You get what you pay for" is doubly true for power tools.

shardian · « **Reply #35 on:** June 16, 2009, 03:01:37 pm »

Xiaou, you have no idea what you are talking about. Please do some research, then you may have an educated opinion. High end jigsaws, when used properly, can produce at or near finish product cuts. I have seen enough video and photo evidence to prove that unquestionably.

Anyways, I had to work on the pacman project ASAP, so I went with a $60 orbital Skil saw that I will probably take back. It is significantly better than my standard cheapo B&D, but isn't 'that' nice. The blade stabilizing system isn't very good, and you can't dial in a cutting speed like nicer saws, even though the trigger is variable. I was recommended the Hitachi jigsaw, which I was told that many pros in the area use. It's a little cheaper, and may be a good compromise - also has a nice warranty. The Skil Saw was worth a test drive though to better convince me that I would want the nicer jigsaw.

Besides, the hitachi is currently at $64 on amazon - nearly $30 cheaper than Lowes, and on par with what I paid for the Skil.

KissMyWookie · « **Reply #36 on:** June 18, 2009, 03:45:44 am »

Interesting thread. Glad I read it, as I've been looking for a nice jigsaw for quite a long time and my MAME cabinet is the perfect excuse to get one.

I've had a lot of frustration with a cheapo B&D $18 jigsaw that I bought a few years ago, when I thought it was better to have a quantity of tools rather than quality ...now I know better. It does cut better than it originally did, but only after I epoxied the jigsaw foot at a fixed 90degree position - before then it would waver around as I was cutting - but it is still quite difficult to keep it cutting in a straight line.

I like the barrel grip jigsaws, as they perceive to give finer control and put the emphasis on moving your arm in-line with the tool, rather than turning your wrist to guide it.

Apart from the Bosch jigsaw, the other brand I'm considering is a Ridgid, as they have an excellent warranty (normally lifetime) and I'm very pleased with the Ridgid 12" dual bevel miter saw that I bought earlier this year. (The base was not completely square/flush with the table, but after returning one, I took the replacement apart and filed up to 1.2mm off the bottom in places and now it is spot on). It cuts very accurately after setting it up, while the fence and saw angles lock very solidly in place too.

Steve

PS: The FesTool price quoted of $400 was in Canadian dollars, which is $353 USD now.
...and the video of the sign-maker was sped up at least 2x, but still impressive to watch.

cboy · « **Reply #37 on:** June 21, 2009, 09:31:43 pm »

i am also considering the Bosch jigsaw. the 6 amp version is 146.00 with free shipping on amazon right now. is there a better place to look at it?

thecheat · « **Reply #38 on:** June 21, 2009, 11:37:02 pm »

They probably have a refurb of it for a few bucks cheaper. I bought a refurb Ryobi trimmer on Amazon last year and it was pretty much brand new, just came in a plain box.

cboy · « **Reply #39 on:** June 22, 2009, 10:24:04 pm »

oh well pulled the trigger on it.

now i can give away my B&D pos. haha


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