Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I currently have Makita 18v cordless circular saw and drills and am thinking of getting a Makita jigsaw that uses the same battery-but before I do, I wanted to hear what you guys/ladies have. Are you satisfied with yours or would you have bought something different? Is a $39 inexpensive Craftsman sufficient? Should I get a scroll saw instead?



Opinions?

This is some pic I grabbed off the net, not my saw but mine is exactly like it. I've had it for probably 6 or 7 years, I had it for about a year before I used it. I love it, I avoided using jigsaws before, but this one cuts well, and blade changes are really easy.

I've got that same Bosch. The $39 Craftsman will do the job, but if you go with something with varible speed and oscillating cut like the Bosch, you will find it to be a tool of choice. The more expensive ones cut better, track better, change blades better, have less vibration etc. No comparison in my mind.

I used to have a Black & Decker corded. Avoid those.

I have a battery-operated Ryobi now. It works awesome. Here's the Home Depot image for it:


The laser sight is handy with long cuts.

I have the Bosch but with the barrel handle. It is the second jig saw I purchased. I also have a Craftsman that I've had for years. The Craftsman is okay for rough cutting, and I keep it around for that purpose. But more often than not, I grab the Bosch. As Dave said, the Bosch is an incredible tool with a ton of power, great guides, and easy blade changes.

I suggest getting something that has more metal components in it than plastic. My would not hold my blade so I got a Dewalt that is great.

I looked at the Bosch today while in Home Depot. Pretty solid.
I may go that route because I want something that makes accurate cuts.
Now I just need to find it on sale somewhere.

OK! OK! I know that this is not a jigsaw, but it is what I use for cutting outside curves. The one in the pic is not mine, but it is just like the one I use. If I trying to cut a smooth sweeping curve, like the ones we use in the profiles of our campers, this is the tool I always reach for first. It doesn't answer your query, but I had to throw in my $0.02.



Tom

IndyTom wrote:OK! OK! I know that this is not a jigsaw, but it is what I use for cutting outside curves. The one in the pic is not mine, but it is just like the one I use. If I trying to cut a smooth sweeping curve, like the ones we use in the profiles of our campers, this is the tool I always reach for first. It doesn't answer your query, but I had to throw in my $0.02.



Tom

Interesting.
I guess if your curve is large, a circular would work.
I never thought of that.

Through the years I have had a couple of the Bosch jig saw. Superb tools.

If you are going to buy one buy a good one. They work better and last longer.

dave

one Bosch and one Milwaukee.. just got the Milwaukee a while ago. it's almost an exact copy of the new Bosch and is real nice.

The little worm drive Porter Cable 548. Not cheap but the smoothest running jig saw that I have ever used. There is no vibration with this one, if you get off the line YOU DID IT, no blaming the saw! The main reason more people do not spring for this one is that they have never tried one, once you have used one of these, the price does not seem so out of line after all.

Larwyn wrote:The little worm drive Porter Cable 548. Not cheap but the smoothest running jig saw that I have ever used. There is no vibration with this one, if you get off the line YOU DID IT, no blaming the saw! The main reason more people do not spring for this one is that they have never tried one, once you have used one of these, the price does not seem so out of line after all.

nice saw.. too bad it's no longer made.. buy one if you can find one..

afreegreek wrote:nice saw.. too bad it's no longer made.. buy one if you can find one..

Looks like you are right, after a quick search I could not find it available anywhere now. Glad I got mine around 3 years ago, even then I had to wait about 4 months for new stock. I guess at the price though, only those who actually had the opportunity to use one on the job ever realized their value. Mine has it's own shelf right behind the workbench, always plugged in and ready to go.

cheapo-cheapo productions


A sabre saw is the proper nomenclature. Mine are cheap; used only for very rough cutting. I will use jigs and patterns for the router and table shaper when I want fine detail.