Can you recommend a decent jigsaw upto $200?

[I_wanna_Shed]

Hello,

Last weekend I bought a GMC jigsaw. I don't have the model number on me, but is their barrel grip one with pendulum and scroll actions.

After using it for 10 minutes this afternoon, I have concluded that when the blade is not not slipping out whenver its on pendulum mode, the blade shows incredible sideways wobble, and cuts at an angle of a measured 15 degrees. I prefer a D-barrel jigsaw, but found this one very bulky.

I will be returning it for a refund. My questions are, what other makes and models do I have for a budget of $200?

I like barrel-grips, but will use a D grip. Pendulum would be great, not so sure about the scroll though.

I have done a search but most other threads on this are a few years old.

Thanks for your help.
Nathan.

[lesmeyer]

Nathan,

I see that Carbatec in Balcatta (Perth) have a Makita Jigsaw on special for $229 at the moment. For that price you won't do much better.
Regards
Les

[baton]

while jigsaws are being talked about, i inherited a barley used Black & Decker one (KS531) 450w with original pricetag on it of $79 (posibly 5years old??)

Its pritty crap but thats probably because the blade is completly stuffed....


just wondering if i should bother getting a new blade or just buy something new/better posibly a makita one as suggested in previous post

[craigb]

I have a Metabo. Variable speed and pendulum. Cost about $130.

Nice piece of kit but I find I don't use it that much as I have since bought a bandsaw.

Still, sometimes you want to cut a freehand curve that you can't use a bs for.

[Waldo]

G'day I Wanna shed,

Makita are hard to go past, I bought my little green guy from Bunnies for about $120. Keep looking past the GMC and similar stuff and it'll last you longer. But when they eventually die it costs more to fix than to buy.

But like carigb says, alkso consider a Metabo, to me they're a bit higher in terms of reliability, durability. They're a great tool and have a great reputation for a very good reason. Either one, they are worth it.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

De Walt. Mine cost $180, v/speed, pendulum, blower & d/extraction port.

Not as accurate as something with a dedicated table but more than sufficient for freehand considering I couldn't cut an accurate straight line to save my life with any jigsaw...

[Dean]

Bad luck with the GMC jigsaw. I have one and like it very much. Very little vibration and no trouble with the blades and feels really solid. Maybe I just got lucky and got a "good" one

Bosch jigsaws are genearlly considered to be pretty good.

[Waldo]

G'day,

Yeah them too.

My Dad used the brands of Makita, Metabo and DeWalt and he knew his stuff. I've got some of my Dad's p/tools (only some, not much because of BIL :mad: :mad: ) and they are in excess of 10 years and some are past 20 years old that are still going like the day they were brought and that speaks tonnes of the their quality.

[buzsaw]

Hi Nathan,

I looked hard at a Makita and Metabo barrel type jigsaws last year. Ended up with the Metabo but there wasn't much in it, the tradies I spoke with would buy either one. I like the lower centre of grivity of the barrel type and I have big hands so that isn't a problem. The Metabo is great, cuts though 75mm Jarrah without a problem. Bit more than your budget but I am so glad I have it now, well worth the extra money.

Something to consider.

Buz.

[E. maculata]

I've had a hitachi for years now, like most of their stuff, a really strong well balanced tool.

[mat]

After quite a lot of research I bought an AEG. For the same money as Makita you get more technology/power.

[Wood Borer]

I bought a Makita about 20 years ago or more, it is a pendulum one and I have had not problems with it.

Like Craig though, since purchasing the bandsaw the jigsaw is in retirement almost. You will find that because the jigsaw blade is only attached at one end, the bottom free end wanders around quite a bit. This is particularly noticeable when cutting curves on thick hard timber like redgum.

To reduce the effect, I used to cut from the top then turn the timber over and cut a bit more then turn it back again repeating the process until the cut was complete. It still had to be finished with a plane or a rasp but the error was reduced a bit.

The bandsaw having the blade supported above and below the timber does not wander nearly as much (negligible compared with the jigsaw).

Bandsaws are not too expensive and you might want to start saving for one. (I used to be on a tight budget so I can imagine how this advice might sound.) Bandsaws are amongst the most useful power tools around.

[Caliban]

For what it is worth
I bought a gmc one years ago and the motor still goes but the blade guide broke long ago and it will cut anything that a blunt butter knife will cut, eg. gyprock.
I bought a black and decker mouse sander and it was bundled with a little mouse jigsaw. I didn't use it for ages because I assumed it was only a toy but it is a bl##dy ripper. I'm really surprised the heavy work it will do. For cutting ply or craftwood it is unreal.
Makes me think the black and decker firestorm one for $129 would be awesome.

[scooter]

Does anyone have the Triton jigsaw attachment, or had a crack at making their own?

I saw a 3" piece of redgum that had a curve cut on one end using a GMC in the triton setup & the quality & squareness of cut was excellent.


Cheers................Sean

[Just George]

Hello,

Last weekend I bought a GMC jigsaw. I don't have the model number on me, but is their barrel grip one with pendulum and scroll actions.

After using it for 10 minutes this afternoon, I have concluded that when the blade is not not slipping out whenver its on pendulum mode, the blade shows incredible sideways wobble, and cuts at an angle of a measured 15 degrees. I prefer a D-barrel jigsaw, but found this one very bulky.

I will be returning it for a refund. My questions are, what other makes and models do I have for a budget of $200?

I like barrel-grips, but will use a D grip. Pendulum would be great, not so sure about the scroll though.

I have done a search but most other threads on this are a few years old.

Thanks for your help.
Nathan.

Can you wait for a month or so? If you can, Triton may have what you are looking for, new products will be out before Xmas.

Woody