Best Jigsaw

**GraemeCook** · 29th December 2013, 05:11 PM

Good Morning Timless

 My comparison costing on the GST-150-CE would be:

£167.90 UK retail price
£139.92 UK price without 20% VAT
$260.08 Converted to Australian dollars (£1.00 = $1.86)
$310.08 Add, say, $50 freight and handling.

This price is too close to the $333.00 Carbatec price, so I would buy locally. This price similarity is quite common for certain brands - Bosch, Festool, and others, but there are always exceptions.

The newer GST-160-BCE you could probably land for around $400. Your call.

If you are unsure of the potential suppliers bona fides, just google that suppliers name plus "opinion" or "review". You will get a million hits if he is a shyster. I have never had problems.

Fair Winds

Graeme

**GraemeCook** · 29th December 2013, 05:13 PM

Good Morning everyone

A little explanation. I had to split the above posting as apparently there is a quota limit on the number of £, $ and % characters that are used. Cannot exceed 12 in any one posting!

Fair Winds

Graeme

**Timless Timber** · 29th December 2013, 06:14 PM

Yes the 12 max number of icons / symbols things catches me out quite a bit too.

This is a link to ebay sellers advert of said tool.

NEW Bosch GST 160 CE 800W Corded Barrel Handle Jigsaw 240V L Boxx 1302 | eBay

GBP 229.99 or Approximately AU $426.61 PLUS postage (+$50 bucks I'm guessing, coz the postage rate calc link wouldn't work).

Definitely a fair bit more than the 150 CE & BCE models from Carbatec (Beyond Tools here in Malaga WA had a 150 model around $330 from memory yesterday).

Its getting way up there in price for a jig saw BUT with a long blade they will cut up to 150mm depth in softwood - which is surprising.

Its really the led lights and fan dust blower / sucker thing - as well as the no tool blade change etc that I kind of fell in love with in the U tube vids of this tool in operation.

I was in the mood to kind of lash out and spoil myself (Some chrissy money burning a hole in my pocket next to a credit card with some ridiculously high %age rate which need to get some exercise).

Call it my Chrissy present to myself.

It's waaay too much, but I don't have one (the old cheapish Makita self destructed & went in the skip bin) & I have a couple scribing jobs to do here at home...

I'll probably kick myself for 12 months next year paying the balance off the credit card - BUT, if it works like the video - it MIGHT give me a smile on my dial, every time I use it, and that's priceless.

So now I am thinking - do I send the seller a message pointing out that as a international Aussie buyer that UK VAT tax (20%)? etc isn't applicable to me?

You know why Santa is always smiling and happy?
He knows where all the naughty girls live! (I should be so lucky).

Cheers!

**Andrew Nicholls** · 29th December 2013, 09:06 PM

If you really want "the Best" jigsaw, you should really look at the Mafell P1 cc 900 watt 240 volt jigsaw.
If you're going to import from the UK, you may as well pay the little extra and get the Mafell. They are a premium German brand. Head and shoulders above the green cordial parade. To be fair, I have quite a number of the Festo tools, but nothing Festo makes that is made by Mafell, can keep up. The Mafell track saw system is on another playing field altogether, in comparison to the Festo gear.

Have a look at the You-Tube demo vids. Especially the absolutely ingenious dust extraction method, that keeps the cut line free of dust. Simply outstanding equipment.

I just wish there was an Australian distributor, there isn't. I've tried emailing the factory direct a couple of times and never got a response back.
Both the US and UK distributors will deliver to us here. Warranty would be no different to any tool you personally import. I've never heard of a serious fault, they are pretty bulletproof, but there is a risk.

**Ratbag** · 30th December 2013, 03:38 PM

Toolstop are currently selling the GST 160 BCE @ $387.30 in an L-Boxx, which together with freight ($71.50) makes it $458.80 landed at your doorstep. toolstop.co.uk

Axminster are selling it @ GBP 249.95 + freight. axminster.co.uk

Contrary to popular belief, ANYBODY can legally and safely repair or exchange plugs on foreign sourced (or Australian sourced for that matter) devices and appliances.

DO NOT get a GST 150 or 140. The former is a powerful but less technologically advanced tool than its peers, and the latter was a short-lived top of the range model that actually had some unforgiveable design and construction flaws.

The Best Bosch jigsaws available are the (discontinued) GST 135 and the newly released GST 160. As always I recommend the BCE derivatives of both as the bow handle makes the tool just so much more intuitive, ergonomically sound and enjoyable to use compared to their bodygrip (CE) counterparts.

**Timless Timber** · 30th December 2013, 04:06 PM

This just in from Bosch.

Mr. Timless

Thanks for your email. Bosch, other power tool suppliers as well as many other brands typically are behind on bringing out new products that most European / UK countries already have. I will forward this to the brand manager in Australia to see if we can get an release date for this product requested. As U tube is a global site, We do not have control what other countries / suppliers upload.

If you were to buy on line be sure that the product can take a 240v.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Best regards,

Michael Turner
Customer service specialist
Robert Bosch

I'm still keen on this Bosch 160.

But the postage from the UK just about kills it - they should be on shelves here for around the similar model BCE 150 price of ~ Mid $350's I think - if shipped out here in sea containers to the agents!

I've asked the supplier in the UK if they can drop the 20% VAT - but the industry's closed until 6 Jan so it seems I have to wait to find out.

It was suggested to me by my local supplier that the BCE 160 will probably be offered in the 2014 Aussie Bosch catalog here down under if I wait a few weeks maybe.

Then again....

I could buy the equivalent Metabo from the UK....

Metabo STEB140 Plus Industrial Jigsaw 240 Volt Jigsaw Electric | eBay

Approximately AU $2,384.97

Plus postage! (and at that price GST and Import Dutys luxury tax etc etc

Who in their fricken right mind advertises products on ebay at 10 times their nominal value?

This whole internet search thing for good quality tools that arent in our country seems to be fraught with problems - shonky suppliers, hidden taxes and so on.

I admit to being a bit over it already...

If I was meant to have it - it would be on the local dealers shelves at an affordable price & I'd have picked it up the other day when I was there and be using it already!

Having seen whats available out there now, I wouldn't be happy with the old outdated models that our dealers try to flog too us.

So my options are

Online & Wait till 6 Jan to order & pay near on $100 postage (that I shouldn't have too)

Wait and see if they get brought out locally downunder in 2014.

Or

Buy something else (not the 2 grand Metabo - that's for sure).

I hate this crap. Seriously.

**Ratbag** · 30th December 2013, 04:22 PM

Toolstop's price on the Metabo STEB140 is currently $220.80 + $76.30 freight.

Neither Toolstop or Axminster charge VAT on their exports outside the EU.

I've had large deliveries (a cordless lawnmower and SDS hammer drill) from Toolstop in less than 5 consecutive days from Scotland to my home in Tasmania!

A friendly suggestion: perhaps a little less feeling sorry for yourself and a little more homework is required.

**Christos** · 30th December 2013, 04:33 PM

Personally I prefer the Bosch branded low vibration. I have had this for a number of years and purchased from Bunnings. I am not using this continually, more like once every 3 months.

My friend has the Ozito for longer than I have had mine and it is still going. He is using this much more than I am but personally I hate the vibration.

**Timless Timber** · 30th December 2013, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Ratbag

Neither Toolstop or Axminster charge VAT on their exports outside the EU.

I've had large deliveries (a cordless lawnmower and SDS hammer drill) from Toolstop in less than 5 consecutive days from Scotland to my home in Tasmania!

A friendly suggestion: perhaps a little less feeling sorry for yourself and a little more homework is required.

I hear you - just got as far as checkout on Toolstop.... $411 delivered for the Bosch GST 160 BCE model.

Problem?
They don't take AMEX (which is my credit card)!

OK I'll try Axminster!

Order placed - I couldn't proceed to payment because their system has to manually calculate overseas postage costs - which is why it diverted me To placing an order, so theres no way i can tell if they take Amex!

but they will contact me witgh a quote once they work out overseas postage manually THEN I can ask them if they take AMEX.

If these peons advertised what cards the take at the outset (not at the end of checkout) I wouldn't have just spent 2 hours filling in online forms with all my private details only to find they don't take my card!

(And they now have my details to drive me mad with offers for stuff I cant buy from them).

OK I tried to "save" my credit card details on their system for when they get me the postage quote, and they do take Amex!

It WON'T take my card details.

I've tried a few times.... it just keeps saying "payment error - contact us"

Hell all I'm trying to do is lodge my details with them I'm NOT trying to make a darn payment (yet). Why won't it take y darn card even? (It works elsewhere).

Like I said - this is crap! It's WHY I like walking into my local shop - handing the product rather than buying online sight unseen, paying for it while there and taking it home with me.

I guess I am old school - this online stuff has knobs on it. I don't expect to jump thru impossible hoops online for the privilege of paying exorbitant postage prices on something that SHOULD be available on the shelf here at my local dealer.

I know why this country's screwed.

Cheers.

**Ratbag** · 30th December 2013, 05:42 PM

Toolstop also accepts payments through Paypal.

While I don't normally endorse foreign retailers, I've found them to be a most courteous, honest and trouble free place to do business. Something a few Aussie outlets would do well to replicate!

**GraemeCook** · 30th December 2013, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by Timless Timber

I'm still keen on this Bosch 160.

My experience with Axminster is that their prices may be 10% too high and they are slow to process orders. Toolstop is quicker but their freight costs can be exorbitant. Small suppliers (eg Ebay ??) may not be able to rebate GST.

A quick advanced google search gave the following advertised prices. Note, I have not dealt with all of them so give zero references.

£169.99 Bosch GST160-CE<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w

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New Bosch GST 160 CE 800W Corded Barrel Handle Jigsaw 240v L-Boxx (1302) - Jigsaws - Corded - Corded Power Tools - Power Tools

£183.29 Bosch GST160-BCE
Bosch GST 160 BCE Professional Jigsaw with Bow Handle + 31 Jigsaw Blades in L-Boxx 240V

£249.95 Bosch GST160-BCE
Bosch GST 160 BCE Jigsaw Bow Grip - Jigsaws - Saws - Power Tools | Axminster.co.uk

You have to be careful in reading quoted prices as some venders computers sense your location and quote a VAT-free price - others don't. You can also ask for a special price, including freight - response is almost always favourable - sometimes very favourable. Rarely hostile, or ignored.

It was suggested to me by my local supplier that the BCE 160 will probably be offered in the 2014 Aussie Bosch catalog here down under if I wait a few weeks maybe.

Sounds like salesman waffle, Timless. In the UK the 160 is priced about 35% higher than the 150. But you need a crystal ball to predict imported prices.

Fair Winds

Graeme

**Ratbag** · 30th December 2013, 06:02 PM

The GST 150 is not a proper professional level tool.

The GST 135, 140 and 160 are.

The new GST 160 equals or exceeds the much more expensive Mafell Cuprex's performance specifications. It's the only saw that does.

**Colin62** · 30th December 2013, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by Timless Timber

I guess I am old school - this online stuff has knobs on it. I don't expect to jump thru impossible hoops online for the privilege of paying exorbitant postage prices on something that SHOULD be available on the shelf here at my local dealer.

To be fair to the supplier, they don't set the postage, and while it's not cheap, this online stuff does at least does mean that you can order whatever you want from anywhere in the world. But some things are easier to import than others, and here in South Africa, there are always hidden charges too.

I suppose without the internet, we'd never know what models were available in other markets, and so we wouldn't aspire to own them, we'd just go down to the shop and take the best that they had in stock on the day.

**Timless Timber** · 30th December 2013, 08:33 PM

If I hadn't seen the 160 BCE - I wouldn't hanker for one.

Serves me right for looking!

I don't know what happened to postage recently a few years ago i brought in a expensive (~$4K) custom shop Gibson Les Paul guitar for my young fellers 21st from the USA and it was big heavy and went via LA, Alaska, Honk Kong Singapore and then Perth... took a few days at most and was about $50 & insured & tracked.

Recently I brought in some fences and parts for my Robland X31 from the UK - they were heavy and the parcel was no bigger than the guitar case (about half the volume) and it was around $150!

Postage (international) seems to have gone mad of late, (tripled?) to the point a lot of the overseas bargains with the high Aussie $ no longer are (bargains).

That second link (toolstop)

£183.29 Bosch GST160-BCE
Bosch GST 160 BCE Professional Jigsaw with Bow Handle + 31 Jigsaw Blades in L-Boxx 240V

Seems to be a fair bit cheaper than axminster...

But, as I stated they don't take Amex

.

I guess I could do a cash advance - at a teller - then bank it to my (maxed) visa card - and use that maybe...

Or do i wait on Axmister... (to quote me the postage?)

Toolstop postage was only around $71 odd from memory + their $Aus 339.70 gets it here for around the $410.

Decisions decisions.

addendum.

£251.29 Posted from Axminster.

Deal done.

Lets see if it arrives. Won't be till around the 7th Jan probably but I can wait - still pretty excited about this tool - been a little while since I spoiled myself... if i don't count the X31, fences for it, the dust extractor (I blamed Bob L for that), the bed hoist thingy, and the plan cabinets drawers I am picking up tomorrow for my bench project...

If you hear a scream in the west tonight - SWMTSWTP found out, and I've lost my goolies.

Already dispatched the same day even.

Fly Plane fly.... against the international dateline and get here yesterday!

**Damienol** · 1st January 2014, 09:17 AM

Check out Amazon.de

Amazon is the first place I go for all my tool purchases

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