Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 22, 1998 01:23am | #1

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   I received a Bosch as gift, and not their cheapest one either. It is a piece of junk, the blade will not track straight or square to save your life. If you try to "steer" the saw back in line, the arbor deflects enough that the blade pops out of the guide wheel. I currently use it to cut openings in drywall, and that is it! It is 4 years old and I have only taken one blade out of the five-pack. I use a 25 year old solid aluminum craftsman that I had hoped to replace with the Bosch.

   -Rob

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 22, 1998 06:51am | #2

   *Have owned high dollar carftsman,porter cable and now own a dewalt.loved the porter cable and the dewalt. Both tools have been tested to the max in the real world. I would buy either again. As far as blades it's not the saw but the blades that we buy. Cheap blades don't last for long.

2. 
   C._Cameron_Hedrick_DBA_Walnut_Cr | Dec 22, 1998 07:21am | #3

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   I agree that Porter-Cable makes a great jigsaw, and have used Bosch as well never experiencing the above stated problems. Both have done a fine job for me as a pro-furniture builder. Good luck!

3. 
   Guest_ | Dec 22, 1998 08:39am | #4

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   I also agree have never had a problem with my top-handle Porter-Cable, but you must buy good blades and the ones that match the job at hand.

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 22, 1998 08:41am | #5

   *John, I would encourage you in any case to buy a jig saw with an adjustable ORBITAL feature.Chances are, you're unlikely to spend enough on blades to make any difference, but the quick-change feature is nice since the blade that's in the saw is never the one you want for the next job. DO buy quality blades.I like Bosch or Dewalt. No experience with PC or Milwaukee, both of whom make fine tools. Expect to spend about $150.00.Good luck,Steve

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 22, 1998 08:43am | #6

   *I have had a Bosch for about ten years. It has been an excellent tool and had survived some hard use. I recently used a DeWalt on a jobsite and hope i never have to again as it wandered severely and the blade fell out three times in just a few minutes. According to the owner, this was typical. I would definitely buy a Bosch again. Blades aren't cheap but last quite a while if you're careful with them. Woodrow

1. 
   Guest_ | Dec 22, 1998 10:26am | #7

   *I would throw my hat into the Bosch ring. I have owned two, (one was swiped) and loved them. Every tool company has seemed to stake out their tool that leads the pack (Milwaukee/sawzall, PorterCable/routers, Skil/the 77 wormdrive skil saw, DeWalt/plate joiner) and I think Bosch is it with their jig saw. I think the only question is whether you want barrel grip or D handle.I will say that Porter Cable is working hard to come up with new and better tools, but the seem to be catching up to others, This is from a PC junkie. The only draw back to Bosch is their blades, but they are not very hard to find. They are quality and I have not found their cost out of line.

4. 
   chris_elliott | Dec 23, 1998 06:01am | #8

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   love my dewalt with the quick blade change.

1. 
   Dann_P. | Dec 23, 1998 09:50am | #9

   *I own 5 differant ones including a solid metal and chromed "Toastmaster" about 30 years old in perfect shape. The honey of all is my Bosch...awesome power and versatility. I've never had any problems with it. Yep, get the best blades and the right ones for the job, it makes all the differance in the world!

1. 
   David_Thomas | Dec 23, 1998 10:26am | #10

   *I'll weigh in for Bosch too. In addition to kitchen remodeling, I've built three wooden kayaks with it (1,300 feet of precision cutting). Really smooth and the orbital feature lets you move through material a lot quicker. Also the new ones don't need the special screwdriver (that always got lost) to replace the blade. $130 is a competitive price. Blades are $1-2 each. Don't limit yourself to one brand, use any that have the same tang style (e.g. Bosch and Milwaukee) and look at different retailers for different types. Save those little packages that describe what the blades are best at (e.g. "non-ferrous metal 1/8-3/8", plastics") and refer to them when selecting a blade. Get some reverse tooth blades for when the line you are following is on the finish surface. The tear-out is on the bottom of cut with a reverse tooth blade, although you have to hold the saw firmly against the piece.-David

1. 
   Tony_O'Malley | Dec 23, 1998 02:26pm | #11

   *Have always used a Bosch over twelve years. It's always performed well. Never had a blade fall out (if it's been locked in, of course). Every other saw I've picked up for camparison fell short. Prefer the full handle grip for the widest range of comfortable and safe uses.

1. 
   John_Wells | Dec 23, 1998 10:52pm | #12

   *Folks,Thanks for taking the time to share your jig saw experiences - and keep sharing. Feedback from experienced users is always valued over advertising claims A rough tablulation at this point (12/23) shows the following positive and negative comments:Porter Cable +3, DeWalt +3, -1, Bosch +7, -1Sounds like the Bosch jig saw is the one to beat.J. Wells

2. 
   Fred_Matthews | Dec 25, 1998 02:05am | #13

   *My ten yr old Bosch still runs great after much abuse- I do wish I had the newer quick change feature.

3. 
   Dirk_Dinsmore | Dec 26, 1998 05:38pm | #14

   *Wore out my Bosch several years back, bought a top-of-the-line DeWalt. While the Bosch was a good saw, I prefer the DeWalt, runs smoother, has more power, and can use any blade. I've had very few problems with blades falling out.

4. 
   John_Winans | Dec 28, 1998 07:22am | #15

   *John I have owned a Bosch for about 10 years and it is the smoothest cutting most comfortable jigsaw I have ever tried, my only gripe is that blade changes with my model(using a long thin scredriver supplied with) are a pain, they now have a quick change feature that looks great. In the past I have tried the Makita and an old Craftsman that my dad swears by, none hold a candle to my Bosch!

5. 
   george_stringe | Dec 28, 1998 07:41am | #16

   *Re: jig saws-I have looked for a long time for one that has a varible stroke length and can't find one. I use a lot for metal door jambs to install electric strikes and using pieces of wood to shim the saw or shortening the blade doesn't cut it so to speak.thanks

5. 
   John_Wells | Dec 28, 1998 07:41am | #17

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   Folks,

   I am shopping for a good jig saw. I'd like to hear from you about what you like or dislike. What features are worthwhile? If you were buying today, what would you look for: Bosch, Porter Cable, DeWalt, Milwaukee, B&D, etc.?

   Plus - what does it cost to feed them blades? About the same?

   Thanks,

   J Wells