Thread: Jig Saw Advice Please

G'day Phil,

If you want one to last I'd stick well clear of the cheap junk, i.e. GMC, Ryobi, Black & Decker etc., instead I'd go for something with variable speed that has a good robust design, the likes of Makita or Metabo.

I've got a good Makita unit and it sees a fair bit of use and gets thrown around abit and keeps coming back looking for more

G series Bosch. If you can't afford this at the moment, then you might consider... G series Bosch ...when you can.

I've got Makita, Metabo and Bosch and the first two can't hold a candle to the latter's machines made by Swiss subsidiary Scintilla SA. Bosch invented the jigsaw and it is truly one of the few machines they make to perfection.

Festool builds perhaps the only allrounder that can compete, but they're expensive and I see a lot of broken ones floating around on ebay over here.

Any jigsaw should have:

• Metal gearbox
• Variable speed
• Orbiatal
• Quick blade changing system

Advantantageous are:

• Dust extraction/blowing
• Cast bed
• Tooless bed-angle adjustment

If you seriously can't afford a new one, try to get hold of a well-looked after GST 85 PBE or GST 85 PE. A bit of TLC and these machines will be with you a lifetime. The old steel beds can be trued with a bit of targetted bending or alternatively, you can upgrade with a cast aluminium one.


Let us know what you decide.


Damien

Look for a Scrolling Head, they are good but more so look for Tool Free Blade Change and the ability to use different blades as well.

damienhazo

Metal gearbox
Variable speed
Orbiatal
Quick blade changing system

The Triton has all of these, it's big but good to use, there are others also that have these features but you can see the Triton being used at one of their regular demos, there will be some near to you.
Look at www.triton.com.au for where these are. You'll be able to see one in action.

Phil,

I have a Hitachi CJ120V Jig Saw which is the bees knees. Very worthy of a look if you are going to make a purchase. There is a model which is CJ120 VA that is a barrel type grip, The one I have is like a D shape grip. Both are excellent. I was given mine as a xmas gift and must say what a treasure.

Regards Mike

I have the privilege of using a Festool at work, they are awesome but a little on the ex$$$$y side.

Their planer is great too, it takes off up to 5mm at a time and with just one cutter. Simply awesome.

very happy with my Bosch, it cuts straight and has variable speed as well as the pendulum feature. Prior to that I owned cheaper saws which were all crap (blade would never track straight on ANY of them!)

My Bosch isnt even the expensive one, just one of the "green" range ones.

I got a Makita 4300BV. It is better than any previous machines I have used - except perhaps a Metabo. Variable speed is good. I'd get pendulum action next time around probably. Otherwise I recommend the 4300.

I know I am extremely biased, but hopefully that is only because I support good tools:

Triton Jigsaw.
3 rates of pendulum action, plus a non-pendulum position
variable speed
soft start
Scrolling head
Detachable D handle, so you can use either D handle or barrel mode
740W
Toolless blade change
Dust extraction or dust blowing feature
Built in light (sounds a bt dumb, but I have already found this a very useful feature a couple of times.
Laser (dunno why)


from Damien's list above
Any jigsaw should have:

• Metal gearbox - yes
• Variable speed - yes
• Orbiatal - yes
• Quick blade changing system - yes

Advantantageous are:

• Dust extraction/blowing - yes
• Cast bed - yes
• Tooless bed-angle adjustment - no, requires an allen key (attached).