Replies

1. 
   CAGIV | Nov 22, 2002 10:37am | #1

   I'm a huge Porter Cable fan, and they have two good saws, I have both and would recommend either The model # 97549 is nice because it has a fixed base always at 90, it has an orbital action and variable speed, They claim you can use either regular blades or there special blades which have a little hook at the end.  the downside to the saw is regular blades don't work well at all, at least I have not had any success with them so you have to buy their special blades and they are not always easy to find, if you can find the blades easily the saw is great.  Their other saw model #9543 also has several advantages, first its a tool-less blade change, it uses the same blades your Bosch uses, it also has an orbital action, the base can be tilted to provide for angle cuts, but the thing I really like is the base can be pushed back to bring the blade forward allowing you to cut almost right up to a wall or surface which has come in handy a lot more then I thought.  Depending on what you do I would recommend either the most versital is the the second one #9543 but if your only cutting at 90 degrees and do not need to get up close to a vertical surface often the #97549 is a better value for the money.  Good luck.

2. 
   MisterT | Nov 22, 2002 02:13pm | #2

   We have discussed this here recently.

   Short answer>>>METABO!!!

   Bosch comes in second.

   nothing else is close.

   JMNSHO

   T

   Do not try this at home!

   I am a trained professional!

1. 
   CAGIV | Nov 23, 2002 01:40am | #6

   I have an older Bosch, probably about 6 years old and I don't see it having any significant advantages of the porter cables that I have, just wondering what you find superior in the Bosch?

1. 
   Lateapex911 | Nov 23, 2002 10:09am | #7

   Well, I have had my Bosche for quite a few years, and at the time it cut better by far than any other jigsaw I had ever used.  The blades were better, seemed to cut a truer vertical without wandering in thick materials, there was a better choice of blades, they change quickly with no tools, and the variable speed went from truly sloooow to full speed.  It also was easier to control and fit in tighter spots. And the orbital feature improved cutting speed dramatically. Finally the vibration was well controlled....perhaps the mehanical arrangement incuded balancing provisions.  In any case, I was impressed.

   Now, it seems that others have closed the gap, or taken the lead....which was the purpose of my query. Trouble is, another quality of my Bosch seems to  be longevity!

   Jake

1. 
   CAGIV | Nov 24, 2002 02:18am | #8

   Thanks for the explanation, I haven't owned a Bosch but always heard good things about them, just didnt know exactly what was so impressive about them. 

1. 
   Bloodad | Nov 24, 2002 04:45pm | #9

   Hey All,

   Personally, I have used Bosch [barrel] for ten years.  I love it.  Have only upgraded the shoe, when Bosch did, about 3 years ago. 

   The question I have is; Why can't someone come up with a blower tube or some device to get those little crumbs of sawdust off the line I'm trying to see and cut.  They get trapped right in the V opening at the front of the shoe.  Anybody else have that problem?

   InTheCleftOfHisHand

   ford 

2. 
   Lateapex911 | Nov 25, 2002 01:25am | #10

   Ah! Yes!  I didn't mention it in my list of benefits, because it barely works!  My Bosche has two levers to the left of the blade plunger, one 3 position selector for orbital cutting action, and an on/off lever for the "chip blower".  In my experience, it blows as hard as anybody you might find in the morgue! OK, it DOES clear some light dust when I'm cuting 1/4 ply, but that's it.

   If I were to redesign the saw, I would change the swich to dual speed control levers near the front of the barrel, I'd shorten the length of the barrel, and I'd try to make the shoe easier to adjust with a built in lock/release, and I would introduce thicker and more bend resistant blades for cutting through thicker stock without the blade going out of vertical.

   The pursuit for the perfect tool!

   Oh!  I'd put a little headlight on it too...

   Jake

3. 
   CAGIV | Nov 25, 2002 01:51am | #11

   Ford, I dont know about Bosch, but both my Porter Cable jig saws have a blower on them, honestly they dont work well, but better then nothing

4. 
   WebTrooper | Nov 25, 2002 07:14am | #12

   For what it's worth, I have the Porter Cable 9543.

   The tooless blade change is a little tuff on the finger tips but it grips the blade well.

   The dust blower is helpful when it doesn't blow the dust in my face.

   The variable speed works smoothly and the blade guide keeps the blade from wandering.

   The tooless base tilt adjustment could be more precise but it works for my needs.

   Over all, I'm happy with it.

   I don't remember what I paid for it.

   ~ WebTroper ~

5. 
   CAGIV | Nov 25, 2002 07:41am | #13

   Thats one of the ones I have, the blower works ok just wish it had a little more pressure behind it

6. 
   Neuf | Nov 27, 2002 04:48pm | #14

   I have he Bosch as well.  Great tool with one caveat.  The "tool-less" blade change feature does not lock the blade down in the roller guide tight enough.  Sometimes the blade comes out of the roller guide causing runout.  I hear Bosch has addressed this in the new (2002) models.

3. 
   jc21 | Nov 22, 2002 05:02pm | #3

   I've got a Milwaukee 6266, an AEG dressed in red and think its a better saw than the Bosch. Real slick blade changes. FWIW, Tools of the Trade picked the Milwaukee over even the Metabo in a test of barrel handle jigsaws.

   http://toolsofthetrade.hw.net/articles/showarticle.asp?articleid=1638&qu=jigsaws&ct=TOTT

1. 
   MrPita2 | Nov 22, 2002 06:51pm | #4

   After looking at the tools of the trade review, I looked at Milwaukee's website.  The main complaints of the review were the switch was not on top (for ambidextrous use) and the base adjustments (such as beveling) were not toolless.  Milwaukee now has a model  6276-21 that looks like the tool reviewed (that was 6276-6) with a better motor (6.2 amp vs. 5.7 amp) but also covers the defects that review found.

   Are you listening, Santa?If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.

4. 
   james | Nov 22, 2002 10:01pm | #5

   festool

5. 
   JDRHI | Nov 27, 2002 05:10pm | #15

   I must really be old school, Im still using the Bosch with the handle grip.....blade change requires a screwdriver....still see NO reason to "upgrade". I love that saw!

   J. D. Reynolds

   Home Improvements

   "DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"

6. 
   Robinga | Nov 28, 2002 02:52am | #16

   I have had a Porter Cable (9543) for almost two years now and I have no complaints. It's easily adjusted, the blade changes are a snap, and it has as much power as you need for a jigsaw. Having said that, I need to voice my universal complaint for pretty much all PC tools. I like having a good size cord but give me room in the case fit the whole #%$@$%%  thing in there!

1. 
   CAGIV | Nov 28, 2002 03:07am | #17

   Funny you mention the case issue, I can never get my circular saw into the plastic case because the cord wont fit.

1. 
   Robinga | Nov 28, 2002 07:45am | #18

   Actually, I figured that one out. Bear in mind, I'm a southpaw, so your saw might fit in a bit differently. You drop the table all the way down (obviously i suppose, I've never owned a saw that fit in the case otherwise) and then wrap the cord back and forth towards the hinge side of the case and under the front handle. Come to think of it, there's someting under the front handle that looks like it might just fit a cord. What is that? Anyway, the case will actually close. I even managed to fit the rip guide in. If you slide half of the front edge under the handle,the case still closes. I also taped the extra screw that came with the guide to the inside of the case. Odds are, when the one that is on there does disappear it will be at the most inopportune moment. Kind of like the wrench in the handle....

1. 
   caseyr | Nov 28, 2002 07:59am | #19

   I was going to make a new post, but will toss this in here as it is in line with the subject. 

   I just bought, for cheap, an older Bosch "D" handle jig saw at a police auction.  It appears to require some type of screwdriver to detach/attach the blade.  Unfortunately, the thief wasn't thoughtful enough to steal that tool and include it with the saw...  Just what type of tool is required to change the blade?  Will any thin, flatblade screwdriver work, or will I mess things up if I don't use the special tool from Bosch?   (I have another Bosch jigsaw, but it has the built in knob for changing the blade.) 

   thanks. 

1. 
   Robinga | Nov 28, 2002 08:19am | #20

   Okay, this one is simple of you have access to arcane technology. You figure out just what size and shape the tool needs to be, fire up the forge, and make the thing. Since it's a screwdriver, experience with tempering would help. If you're not keen on blacksmithing, try the hardware store. Failing that, try McMaster Carr or Grainger. Those guys have EVERYTHING! But it really is fun to make your own tools.

2. 
   KenHill3 | Nov 30, 2002 09:01am | #24

   So, am I the only one here with a DW jigsaw? I really do like it, smooth and precise and controllable. Quick change is a snap and I like using the T-shank blades. The only drawback for me is that it's yellow and the word DeWalt is printed on it.

   Ken Hill

2. 
   rez | Nov 30, 2002 04:28am | #22

   Yep, big waste of time whenever you close up and haul the tools. Think of the time lost playing around with that cord to get it to fit in the case multiplied however many times at the end of the day when you really don't feel like playing with it. Still can't bring myself to just put it away without the case. I like to take care of my tools. Maybe the PC thinktank boys reading this will realize a proper fitting case could be a positive selling point. Let the thunder crack and the waves roar.

    We're going on.

1. 
   CAGIV | Nov 30, 2002 05:31am | #23

   I don't know what happen that made them decide to switch to plastic cases, I guess they are a lot cheaper but I never had a problem with there metal boxes,  The biscuit jointer I have and the sawboss both have metal cases they work great, but damn if the plastic one wasn't designed poorly

7. 
   ToolDoc | Nov 30, 2002 01:31am | #21

   I picked up a freud at Lowes for $77.00, it works great,better than the 20 + yr old B&D it replaces <G>....

1. 
   ANDYSZ2 | Nov 30, 2002 11:34am | #25

   TOOLDOC

       I picked up one of those Freuds for 100$  and thought enough of it that when LOWE's clearanced it I bought another as a backup.

                    ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.