Jigsaws - Any thoughts?

[losos]

Well today my trusty Skill jigsaw died, stripped worm gear I daren't tell you how old it was Anyway, have to get a new one, what do people advise based on mains, fast, powerful, easy blade change, with all the usual accessories.

Please don't say Black & Decker, I had one lying for years in a box, got it out just to finish and God how slow was it, took me ages to do what the Skill had done in seconds.

[dom]

Depends what you want to pay Losos.
Bosch Blue are pretty good, as are their blades.

[engineerone]

i really don't like jigsaws, but when i use one i have a makita with a dinkie little light

from their pro range and quite decent. not having one at a job relatively recently i bought a cheap one from b&q, not a good idea


paul

[dirtydeeds]

engineerone said:

i really don't like jigsaws, so i use a dinkie toy instead

not having one at a job relatively recently i bought a cheap corgi from b&q, not a good idea. too small and slow


paul

BIG Tonka dump trucks for me ;D

[dirtydeeds]

whoops ;D

topic taken for a joyride

[Stree]

I use a Makita. Big square lump of a thing.... Industrial rated. Noisy. Not an easy blade change..........No lights or dusthoods.
Just jigsaws anything. in a straight line..........or a curve.. alloy shell. metal throughout........
Depends what you consider de rigeur in a jigsaw.......What do you want?
Bulletproof or fashion proof. Choice is yours......

[andy king]

I reckon this one is about the best value on the market at the moment, and I agree with Dom, Bosch still make good jigsaws.
www.axminster.co.uk/product-Bosch-Bosch-GST-135-BCE-Jigsaw-29669.htm
No tools needed for blade change or base tilt, and the guide system is better than the version used on the Festool jigsaws.

Andy

[dirtydeeds]

ill live with the festool till i kill it

problem is it might outlive me

[mel]

bosch gst 2000 is a good buy

cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bosch-580W-Pendulum-Jigsaw-GST2000-plus-60-Blades-240V_W0QQitemZ130181667900QQihZ003QQcategoryZ20786QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

for my cordless 18v i have the elu [DEWALT]
this all depends if you have some dewalt batterys
you could look at a bear unit to save money

[jfc]

Makita for me .

[sawdust]

Another vote for Makita, mine has the quick blade change and I really can't fault the machine at all

Mike

[engineerone]

so come on mel, are they brown bear units or polar bear units. ;D ;D

seems to me you've ben stealing from mike wenzloff again


paul

[Scrit]

losos said:

Well today my trusty Skill jigsaw died, stripped worm gear I daren't tell you how old it was Anyway, have to get a new one, what do people advise based on mains, fast, powerful, easy blade change, with all the usual accessories.

I'd say if you can spring for it then the Bosch GST135BCE (follow the link) is well worth a look. It has a blade stabiliser system not unlike the Festools, but at a considerably lower price (there are only three jigsaws with such a system: Festool, Bosch GST135 and Virutex), it has a variable orbit/variable speed motor and tool-less blade change. Before switching to Metabo many years back I had a blue Bosch and it was a very good machine. If you don't need the fancy straight blade device Bosch do several other jigsaws at sharper prices, like the GST2000. Oh, and Bosch own Skil as well (and have done so for 20 or so years)

As to blades, Bosch are widely available and good quality. Their range is excellent (and was added to last year), although Festool and Lenox blades are also first class

Scrit

[noel]

scrit said:

losos said:

Well today my trusty Skill jigsaw died, stripped worm gear I daren't tell you how old it was Anyway, have to get a new one, what do people advise based on mains, fast, powerful, easy blade change, with all the usual accessories.

I'd say if you can spring for it then the Bosch GST135BCE (follow the link) is well worth a look. It has a blade stabiliser system not unlike the Festools, but at a considerably lower price (there are only three jigsaws with such a system: Festool, Bosch GST135 and Virutex), it has a variable orbit/variable speed motor and tool-less blade change. Before switching to Metabo many years back I had a blue Bosch and it was a very good machine. If you don't need the fancy straight blade device Bosch do several other jigsaws at sharper prices, like the GST2000. Oh, and Bosch own Skil as well (and have done so for 20 or so years)

As to blades, Bosch are widely available and good quality. Their range is excellent (and was added to last year), although Festool and Lenox blades are also first class

Scrit

Scrit speaketh the truth. Bosch all the way.

[chill]

another vote for the mighty BOSCH have had mine for 15 years and has taken all the abuse thrown at it

cheers Chris

[colincott]

Add one more to the Bosch list ;D

[Lord Nibbo]

I've got a Bosch GST135BCE it is simply the best jigsaw I've ever owned.

[losos]

scrit said:

losos said:

Well today my trusty Skill jigsaw died, stripped worm gear I daren't tell you how old it was Anyway, have to get a new one, what do people advise based on mains, fast, powerful, easy blade change, with all the usual accessories.

I'd say if you can spring for it then the Bosch GST135BCE (follow the link) is well worth a look. It has a blade stabiliser system not unlike the Festools, but at a considerably lower price (there are only three jigsaws with such a system: Festool, Bosch GST135 and Virutex), it has a variable orbit/variable speed motor and tool-less blade change. Before switching to Metabo many years back I had a blue Bosch and it was a very good machine. If you don't need the fancy straight blade device Bosch do several other jigsaws at sharper prices, like the GST2000. Oh, and Bosch own Skil as well (and have done so for 20 or so years)

As to blades, Bosch are widely available and good quality. Their range is excellent (and was added to last year), although Festool and Lenox blades are also first class

Scrit

Wow, thanks one and all, I never expected such a response

Looks like it's a choice between Makita & Bosch then. I don't have many good tool dealers around here, in fact there's only one and he sells Bosch. I could order a Makita from Axmister but it would sit at my UK address for too long.

Scrit, I will do a quick post in the New Year to let you know my impressions. Thanks for your post.

[mailee]

Same here for me Bosch GST2000. I have onwned the previous model too (Can't remember the model number but the 2000 replaced it) and this served me well for many many years, I couldn't kill it and ended up selling it for the 240 volt version.

[Scrit]

mailee said:

.....I couldn't kill it and ended up selling it for the 240 volt version.

Yep. That was the reason my last Bosch went - the need to go 110 volt (from 240 vols) and a machine at a silly price

Scrit

[jfc]

I reckon this one is about the best value on the market at the moment, and I agree with Dom, Bosch still make good jigsaws.
www.axminster.co.uk/product-Bosch-Bosch-GST-135-BCE-Jigsaw-29669.htm
No tools needed for blade change or base tilt, and the guide system is better than the version used on the Festool jigsaws.

Andy

I take it you have tested most of the jigsaws Andy ?

[andy king]

jfc said:

I reckon this one is about the best value on the market at the moment, and I agree with Dom, Bosch still make good jigsaws.
www.axminster.co.uk/product-Bosch-Bosch-GST-135-BCE-Jigsaw-29669.htm
No tools needed for blade change or base tilt, and the guide system is better than the version used on the Festool jigsaws.

Andy

I take it you have tested most of the jigsaws Andy ?

A few! ;D
The Bosch GST135BCE is certainly my favourite one of recent times. I've still got my old 110v Bosch 2000(?) model, (the one where the screwdriver goes down the top of the handle to change the blade,) and that has to be about 15 years old now and still used regularly.
The Dewalt model with the front end that looks like an old wild west train is good, and Makita have redesigned theirs recently, (the old hex key blade change on some models was archaic and crying out for change!) but Bosch are still the masters when it comes to jigsaws in my opinion.
I looked at the Festools and the Bosch when they first came out, and the Festool blade guide/supports are good, but need to be adjusted manually whereas the Bosch has the 'SDS' that they badge for tool free adjusters, and its a simple push button to nip up iirc, although there are adjustments if needed.
While Festool is desirable in some instances, for me, a jigsaw is only as good as the bloke driving it, and equally important is proper blade selection, and buying decent ones is essential.
You still need a smooth ride when the pendulum is up at full whack, so build quality and ease of use are still needed, but whether paying for a Festool when a Bosch/DeWalt/Makita/Metabo et al can do the same thing, and at a big saving, for me is certainly questionable.
The GST135BCE has all the right buttons punched, toolfree everything, including altering the base angle, and while I used to be a little dubious of a blower function on a jigsaw, I've tested enough of 'em to appreciate that its indeed a very useful function.
Now a laser on a jigsaw is another thing! Anyone any idea how this is an advantage when you drive the tool to a line and adjust as you go? Where does a laser help here? ;D

Andy

[jfc]

I thought the laser cut the wood I've been trying to cut this 4x2 for three bloody days ;D

[andy king]

Obviously the wrong sort of laser - must be as important as the right blade! ;D
Try aiming at a spy's dangly bits and see if that works...

Andy ;D

[thallow]

jfc said:

I thought the laser cut the wood I've been trying to cut this 4x2 for three bloody days ;D