Our old Crapsman finally gae me a reason to look at a new Jig Saw. I was leaning towards the Bosch line…..any thoughts or feedback or pros/cons?
Thanks
SJ
Know a little about alot and alot about little.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Inspired by Larry Haun, this passionate framer is teaching a new generation of builders.
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
I have the Bosch and I'm a little disappointed. The base plate has a nice convex curve that didn't happen from abuse or dropping the tool. And the blade change knob on top of the handle is sloppy loose after only 3-4 months. The knob still works properly, but it doesn't stay in the o0pen or closed posoition by itself.
Hey my bosch barrel grip jigsaw had a bent base plate too, what's up with that?
I diy it and straightened mine with a tap of the hammer, how much do new base plates run?
C
My new base plate was 174.99$ from Tool crib. came with a Metabo saw attached. and a case!!!
Mr T
Brightening the world
One post at a time ;D
Funny Mr T, funny! ;^)
C
bosch makes the best jig saw try to find one with the old style blade change with a screw driver I have had mine for about 15 years use it almost on a daily basis I bought a new one with the blade change knob on top and was not happy with it used it for awhile and then sold it at a yard sale
I've got the Bosch barrel handle with the old style screw/blade arrangement. I've had to replace the foot 3 times in about 10 years, twice from being dropped and once from having a "curve" as described in a previous post. Once the foot gets bent it's damned near impossible to get it aligned again, and when it's bent, even slightly, you have a very fine vibration-free tool that suddenly runs really rough. The first time mine got bent, it spit the blade screw out because I tried to finish the day with it.
Now, I mostly use a Porter Cable top handle, which I mostly like, but changing the blade can go real easy or REAL HARD. A friend of mine, real religious, was up on a roof cutting out for some vents. Had to change blades and ended up slinging the saw off the roof while he cussed at it through its entire trajectory.
I tend to think that the type of use a jig saw is destined for determines not only what kind you get but what you expect out of it. I use mine for general purpose and framing and I can be a little rough on them at times while a cabinet maker or finish carpenter is going to be a little more careful and gentle and keep them out of the rain and stuff and they're going to want one that cuts smoothly without vibration.
After all that rambling b. s., I agree that Bosch makes a pretty nice tool.
The Bosch is good but before you part with your $ at least take a look at the Milwaukee and the Metabo- both are better imho. The Milwaukee 6266 is made in Germany ......... smooth and powerful, very easy blade changes. I don't find it to be a problem but some find it hard to follow the line with the Milwaukee. The Metabo is more expensive than the others. I have no hands on experience with the Metabo but word of mouth has been good.
my opinion...the Bosch is the best. Got the tool-less change.......no problems. Have little hands....but still like the barrel grip. Makes a "special use" tool in other brands the tool of choice thru Bosch! Jeff She's exotic ,but not foreign, like an old Cadillac......she's a knockout!
Metabo, Metabo, Metabo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
Why do you like it better, Mr. T?
1. Just be came the proud owner of the Metabo jig saw. nice ... - from Mr_T, 5/5/2002
2. Al, 174.99$ @ tool crib 15$ more than the competition, a small ... - from Mr_T, 5/13/2002
3. Metabo makes tools that are a notch above most.(see my jigsaw ... - from Mr_T, 5/26/2002
These previous posts say it all!
T
Do not try this at home!
I am a trained professional!
Bosch? yeah, good saw, you know, I think you are at the mercy of fate , like I mean, the Bosch saw you try owned by someone else and you decide to buy it , well, that particular saw you become the proud owner off could have been built on a monday, or friday, and rushed out of the factory, so what if something needs to be tightened up, best jig saw I ever had was a Black and Decker, identical to the dewalt you see at Home Depot, sucker got stolen, probably by one off the "revolving door help" the boss hires during the busy spells,
my jigsaw experience.
no turn left unstoned
Bosch
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
Thanks for the responses, I picked up the Bosch yesterday, used for some cut outs while siding and so far I love it. Night and day from my 10-15 year old Craftsman.
SJKnow a little about alot and alot about little.
Enjoy Steve! You`ve made a wise choice!J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
I've used Bosches for years, they are sweet, but like everyone has mentioned afore this, they ain't dead on, especially when I need it...I'll try a Metabo next...accuracy is important...
Had a bosch d-handle with the quick blade change for about 4 years now and love it. Its stood up to a lotta abuse and still cuts exactly like new. Mr-t might have something though, those metabo's look even better. As for the quick blade change-even though they feel flimsy they work great. Definetly get the Quick blade change.
You oughta look at the Milwaukee 6266 .......... time will tell but so far I've been well pleased with mine. Made in Germany ( Milwaukee either bought or has some kind of tie in with AEG), I find it better than my previous Bosch. Blade changes are far easier and it is more accurate.
Milwaukee and AEG both belong to Atlas-Copco http://www.atlascopco-group.com/.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Thanks for the link.
Just picked up the Milwaukee last week - the solid quick-change blade mechanism vs. Bosch's gimmicky one is worth the price of admission. Solid, serious tool. Seems accurate so far...
Glad to hear it ............. think it's overlooked when people look for jigsaws. Still pleased with mine.
Edited 9/4/2002 10:30:39 PM ET by jc
I purchased a freud jigsaw about two monthes ago for a 100$ at Lowes and I am really impressed, enough to buy a second one today because it has been clearanced to 77$.
ANDYSZ2
Andy, I have used the Freud jigsaw, as well as their 3 + hp router (which I owned) and their miter box...all cheap crap if you want to turn out good work with little effort...yer a diy'er, right? dang I almost forget the Freud biscuit joiner I had that was stolen, I think I left it on the curb...recycling? Anyway, I can see why you have two...
Billy,
The freud jig saw i bought cut 24 3 inch thick beams on one saw blade that didn,t
cut all the way through so i had to flip them over and cut the other side. Today I cut
3 sheets of 3/4 inch plywood clamped together with it .I did this ten times to make
a barrel vault ceiling again with just one blade it never bogged down and cut each
set in about two minutes what more do you want out of a jig saw.
ANDY SZ2
Was that a Freud blade?Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
No that was a Bosche blade with opposing cutting edges.I also have found a blade that can cut up to 4 inches I sure wish I had found it before I cut all those beams.
ANDYSZ2
Hey, I have an old-ish (made 3-4 years ago) Porter-Cable. It seemed SO solid, tight, like a sewing machine.
Works nice, but I can't get a 90 degree cut for nothin' when cutting 2x. I always had beater jigsaws and it seems that they were better (though not right) than the PC at keeping straight. Is this technique or blade or the saw?
One of the things I like(d) about the PC was the wide flat fixed base and the adjustable blade guides.....
Steve
Jigsaws seem to be like bandsaws and each one has a direction it wants to go in. If you let the blade go where it wants you often find a square cut. Its a bit like setting the rip fence on the bandsaw, its never square to the table. As a side note, my old bosch cuts stright and the 2 year old cuts to the right slightly.
What kind of blades are you using?
Blades, oh, I have a variety of blades, all quality bi-metal, I'd have to look to see what. Not Bosch, likely, maybe some DeWalt, but certainly a sharp, new, medium-toothed wood blade the times I've done 2x material.
Has anyone else had this experience with the Porter-cable or others? I don't see much room for adjusting to the "way it wants to go" as someone said. The shoe or plate is fixed at 90 deg. on this model, no bevel adjustment. I've got to follow the line on top, I wish it would match the bottom mirror line, but it's usually off by up to 3/8" on a 2x. I've certainly checked the bend on the blade and all that....
Steve
P.S. Barely used PC Jigsaw for sale. Well-built, ideal for THIN material!
If it's the 97549 ........... the one with the fixed base, mine cut well. I liked it better than the Bosch, IF I used the PC hook shank blades. Kind of a pain sometimes 'cause they aren't widely available as the universal or Bosch type blades. The saw will also take universal blades which were next to worthless for me- they'd break often and would wander. If there's not a problem with the blade clamp, it should cut straight. Occasionally a chunk of blade would remain in the blade come (usually from those #@!* universal blades) and the new blade would not be at 90 degrees to the base. This saw will NOT accept Bosch style blades. The PC was a revelation after using a Crapsman for years. Just got a Milwaukee 6266 (an AEG dressed in red).......... its sweet. Smooth and really slick blade changes.
Hey, good point about the PC oddball blade. I forgot about that factor completely as there are none availible around here! Decent universals are what I've used... I might try getting some PC blades to see... so in part it may be the blade, though a DeWalt I tried with the same blade does better.....
>>> "Has anyone else had this experience with the Porter-cable or others?"
The bottom of the blade will want to stay inside the line of cut on a turn, so you have to compensate by rocking the plate of the jigsaw when you are turning. Be one with the saw, you are in control, it isn't. Right?
"The bottom of the blade will want to stay inside the line of cut on a turn, so you have to compensate by rocking the plate of the jigsaw when you are turning"
Yes, that's it. Somehow that tendency is more pronounced in this case, (PC jigsaw, universal blade).
It certainly never occured to me to rock the jigsaw like that. Makes you want a narrow base, not such a beefy wide one like (the very thing that attracted me to) my Porter-Cable. Hey! Maybe that's why they usually DO make 'em narrow.... interesting.
Hey thanks, good input! Appreciate it.
Steve
You pretty much have to keep your eye on any cutter you sink into wood. Controlling the cut isn't my problem, but it is a big help if you know you can do it.
The saw or the base isn't a big deal, you are getting into something that takes skill. I'm a firm believer in some people get it, and some don't. First you have to be able to develope hand skill. and second you have to practice.
I got a Bosch 1587 a few weeks ago. Blade changes take some getting use to, but overal i'm pleased.
BTW I got it after reading the reviews here!
Stephen P.