Thread: worn out jigsaw replacement

Originally Posted by Tonyz

as per heading, whats your thoughts? just want a decent jigsaw battery or elec power not fussy.

Festool, mine is 18 years old, used professionally, and still cuts perfectly, worth the extra compared to anything else.

Depends on the dollars you want to spend Festool and Metabo are the top models, for way less money you could look at Bosch blue my mate uses one every day has done for 13 years, I have a Holzher and a Makita
both over 40yrs old and still going strong, the modern version may not be as tough, then you have you bottom of the line Ozito

Festool yes, if SHMBO was not around, but eagle eyes dont miss a thing.
so then other Q

cordless (all my other cordless are Ryobi, or go 240V
orbital? any advantage?

the long barrel handle type or squatt body?

Hi T. I would definitely recommend the long barrel type, I find it easier to guide round curves. I have a fairly new Makita (less than 10 years old) and they are made in England. An old boss had a Festool and they are very good, we used it to cut decorative scroll tops in 75mm thick fence posts. I have not done the same with my Makita but I struggle to pay what Festool want

Unless you are going to use it away from the shed I would go corded, no battery to fail or be flat when you want it (less of a concern with modern Li-ion)

had a vid hookup with daughter & SIL last night, I might have solved a buying question for me and a gift for pop question for them.

Originally Posted by Mountain Ash

I have a fairly new Makita (less than 10 years old) and they are made in England.

The Makita jigsaw in Bunnings today was made in China. There may be better spec models made elsewhere. Seen the odd Makita that’s still made in Japan, but never seen a Makita tool that was made in England.

Hi Jack. I have Makita stuff predominantly, and just about all is made in China. One exception is my collated screwdriver (for hanging plaster) which is still made in Japan. The jigsaw comes in a plastic box that is not the same blue as all other Makita tool boxes, it's more like a teal. Obviously made somewhere different to the rest.

I recently bought a Makita battery jigsaw as I was sick of my old corded one.

Had a look at the label after reading through this and seeing the comment about England above. To my surprise it is actually made not in China, not in Japan, not in Taiwan but in the UK! Blimey.

It is the barrel grip version and I find it to be quite good so far.

I may also be in the market for another jigsaw, which is a little ironic since I am on record here on the Forum saying how I rate the jigsaw as one of the poorer powered tools. However, that is primarily because I ask them to go beyond their capability. I commonly wish to cut 25mm thick hard as nails Aussie hardwood. It can be a big ask when their forte is 10mm mdf!. I have seen reference in the past to some "exotic" machines, for want of a better description, but cannot recall details. If anybody has information on such tools I would be interested to hear.

Regards
Paul

PS.I thought I had posted this a while back, but apparently not! I do like that restore auto saved content thingy. It seems to have a better memory than me .

I have an old Bosch Blue Professional 18v Jigsaw which works very well...
With the better brands, it depends on which battery power tools you already have in your kit.

Thanks Crowie.

Nowadays I have Millwauke, but I don't think battery power will cut it for me. I need unadulterated grunt.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

I may also be in the market for another jigsaw, which is a little ironic since I am on record here on the Forum saying how I rate the jigsaw as one of the poorer powered tools. However, that is primarily because I ask them to go beyond their capability. I commonly wish to cut 25mm thick hard as nails Aussie hardwood. It can be a big ask when their forte is 10mm mdf!. I have seen reference in the past to some "exotic" machines, for want of a better description, but cannot recall details. If anybody has information on such tools I would be interested to hear.

Regards
Paul

PS.I thought I had posted this a while back, but apparently not! I do like that restore auto saved content thingy. It seems to have a better memory than me .

Honestly like other sawing tools the correct blade in the jigsaw makes all the difference and even ripping v crosscut is relevant.... i've cut some really hard 19mm flooring with both the barrel 240v unit and the 18v AEG and the right blade makes all the difference. I find the barrel style easier to use but it needs a screw driver to change blades so i tend to use the AEG more these days.

Originally Posted by Aussiephil

Honestly like other sawing tools the correct blade in the jigsaw makes all the difference and even ripping v crosscut is relevant.... i've cut some really hard 19mm flooring with both the barrel 240v unit and the 18v AEG and the right blade makes all the difference. I find the barrel style easier to use but it needs a screw driver to change blades so i tend to use the AEG more these days.

so then harkening on from your post,
what are good blades, what are poor blades, number of teeth vary per different woods etc.

for me this has tweeked my interest as I thought it was the jigsaw itself but maybe not.