Hi all
Was doing a job the other day and needed to cut an angle in wood.
Realised that my 20 yr old Bosch didn’t tilt (never noticed it before, as my partner’s Porter Cable does and his always seems to be handy when needed).
Decided it was time to buy a new Jig Saw as mine is getting kind of shot.
Any thoughts as to a good one to get.
Jeff
Replies
the new Bosch, ?1590?
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter
Stick with Bosch....the newest model is supposed to be the end all of jigsaws.
Waiting for my current one to die before buying the new one.....that may never happen though.
Still waiting for Mike Smith to give a review on the coping foot attachment......if he gives it the thumbs up, I may buy it to keep on the old model thus giving me an excuse to purchase the new one. : )
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
I bought a new jig saw about 18 months ago.
I spent a lot of time deciding between the Bosch and the Milwaukee. I settled on the Milwaukee. I like it alot.
My only complaint is that the handle/trigger is designed in such a way as to make it easy to unintentionally pull the trigger when carrying it. But I would buy it again.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Old Bosch is great too. Its on sale for $134 http://www.coastaltool.com
I purchased the 1590EVSK last week, very nice saw. It's heavy and powerful. I purchased it at HD. They matched Lowes advertised 20% off power tools and beat it w/ an additional 10% off, so I paid, 169.99 - 20% = 135.99 - 10% = 122.39 + tax.
I also purchased a Ridge drill press, Porter Cable plate jointer and a Dewalt cordless drill, all at 28% off list. It was a good Christmas!
T
Stay with the bosch.
thanks all.
Looked at the Bosch today and it seemed a little rough in the tilt mechanism.
WIll give it another look.
Jeff
Jeff,
Go Bosch Avoid Dewalt at all costs on this one. I had two Dewalts and the Blades were all out of wack. I returned the first one and got a second and it was just as bad.
My Bosch is ten years old and cuts like the day I got it. For five of those ten it got used every day.
Whatever you do: DON'T get a 'yellow one.'
The blade is not parallel with the shoe, another guy here had the same problem as I.
It'll drive you nuts!
Not sure how much you use your jigsaw, but if the old one is still running, maybe consider adding a cordless. The odd time I use them, I'm often cutting small circles and rectangles for boxes in siding and the like. The cordless works well for this because there's no cord to tangle as the saw follows the tight turns. For me the battery life is fine (18V, 1.3 Ah) but a higher-volume user might find this less useful. For site work, cordless is always great but in a shop situation there's no big advantage. All the major tool mfgs have a cordless jigsaw, maybe check out the one that matches your existing cordless tools to retain battery compatibility.
If you gotta have a corded one, I like the barrel-motor Bosch for great balance, sightlines and longevity.
Wally
Got the cordless Bosch. Only one problem - it will not lock on so it is a tad bit awkward to use in coping.However, as a daily BT reader, I saw a tip that you could cope with your 4.5 grinder. Sure can. That 36g disk just erases the wood. (Now I need to develop more control to prevent over-erasing.) I am wondering about how my Dremel would do in this app.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
You can also do a great job coping with a Coping Saw!!
I belieive they were made for this, Hence the name.
Happy New Year!!!
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
the ridgid and metabo are the same jigsaw. So that gives you another option. I like my ridgid no vibration and better control than the older bosch that I have used. Work has the new bosch it is nice little lighter thant the metabo/ridgid. Lots of power in both.
ive used the ridgid alot. I was suprised at how much i liked it, it is a wery smooth machine; very natural to control. But on the downside i think its a little bulky and when cutting in a situation where there arew obstructions that get in your way, it is quite annoying-->
measure once
scribble several lines
spend some time figuring out wich scribble
cut the wrong line
get mad
got the big bosch 1590 earlier this year. was worried about the weight
i think it helps sit down better. i like the auto blade eject
seriously made it sweat. made several looong cuts in 3/8" wall steel pipe to make a propane forge. went slow speed, non orbital, cutting fluid, and checked blades often.
basically treat it like a small sawzall.
also noticed at home depot that bosch offers 6" tshank wood/metal blades for that extra reach
jeff stafford
indianapolis
I too am a great admirer of the Bosch. I've not tried the new model (1590), but I have had the older model for maybe 15 years, and it has been terrific.
But I needed a second sabre saw, and had an opportunity to try a Festool -- which just literally blew me away, so I coughed up the extra $$ and bought one. Compared with my Bosch, it's like a Mercedes vs. a Ford. Best of all, the blade guide system holds the blade at 90 degrees, even when curve cutting 2X material.
These machines are obscenely expensive, but you might want to give one a test drive to see what a true top-of-the-line tool is really like. Woodcraft stores are stocking them now, and Festool will let you return it if you order from them directly.
I'll sell you my cordless dewalt. It cuts the perfect circle......just try to run it along a straight edge. :(
Hi Jeff,
I just purchased the 1590EVSK. Very pleased with it as many people have also noted. I think though, that if I boought it again, I would personally opt for the barrel grip version as opposed to the top handle version. I find myself using the barrel of the tool a whole lot more.
Jeremy
Festool
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
- Fyodor Dostoyevski
Metabo
Use one and nothing else will do.
if you got $$$$ Festool are probably really nice
for 400$ they should be!
Metabo!!!
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
The new Festool jig saws are great. I have a couple of them (in addition to the whole system). They're built for full-time production operation (i.e., three shifts a day for years), so there's little chance a normal carpenter or contractor will wear one out. Festool jigsaws are basically a bandsaw you can hold in your hand. They'll cut 6-inch stock very precisely, or do very fine cope cuts in little moldings. Good support from the manufacturer, too.
My local supplier handles: Bosch, Porter Cable, Makita, Dewalt, and Freud (surprise).
So, that's all the ones I can get a hand on to get the feel of.
Best price is usually mail-order, tho the local guy will often match the price for me.
Festool, Metabo, and Hitachi I'd have to buy sight unseen, so only if a great response came from the crew here.
I'll take a closer look at the Bosch again, as no one gives me great thoughts on the others.
A laugh for you guys is this:
35 years ago, I bought a $10 factory reconditioned Black and Decker cheapie when I needed my first Jig saw.
Believe it or not, I still use it, and it works fine for the quick junk it's used for.
Amazing, considering all things.
I must admit, I do like the old Bosch I have, so I'll check it out.
Thanks all
Jeff
Another vote for the Milwaukee, think it's much better than my previous Bosch 1587. Smoother, more power, cuts better, and far easier blade changes. The new 1590 Bosch does look much improved over the 1587 ............ in the mere mortal price range the Milwaukee and the Bosch would be the two I'd consider.
Fwiw a jigsaw review. http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/articles/showarticle.asp?articleid=2171&qu=jigsaws&ct=TOTT
Sorry to chime in so late but I like my Porter Cable the best ..........
Great table, oscillating blade function and handles heavy duty cutting of 3" thick cedar arbor curves............
Now go make some sawdust!
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Bob
I bought the portercable about 6 months ago. Its alright, but after using my partners bosch the other day, I wish I had bought the bosch instead.
my dad has the really old bosch that takes the screw driver to chainge the blade and i hate it, cant ever get the blade in tight enough so it sits sloppy and wont turn a sharp radeus-->
measure once
scribble several lines
spend some time figuring out wich scribble
cut the wrong line
get mad
All you PC/Bosch guys have to do is try a Metabo and you'll never even look back!!!
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
Hi T
Believe it or not, I can't find anyone (store or friend) with a Metabo here in Southern Vermont with one for me to look at, let alone try.
The backwoods here are terrible.
Jeff
Skyecore
My old Bosch has the same screwdriver lock.
I wouldn't even look at the new one if it had that and not the twist lock.
The screwdriver is a real pain in the butt.
Except fot the rough tilt mechanism, the new Bosch is pretty nice.
Jeff
yes i admit that itrs not fair of me to compare a 20+ year old tool to a new one, im sure the new ones are nice
--> measure once scribble several lines spend some time figuring out wich scribble cut the wrong line get mad
Edited 1/12/2005 7:22 pm ET by skyecore
I am waiting for my cordless 18V DeWalt to die so I can buy the new Bosch. It is a fine saw. Unfortunately, my DeWalt will probably not die in my lifetime.