Jigsaw Upgrade

[mscher]

My $15 B&D jigsaw (purchased 30 years ago), won't "cut it", hardly at all, on heavy wood or metal.

I recently had to finish cutting through 13 sheets of metal siding, with the Sawzall, because the B&D could not handle it. It got the job done, but the cut was a little jagged, since it was harder to hold the saw.

Anyway, I'd to upgrade to a heavier jigsaw and see everything form a $39 harbor freight to $170 Bosch.

All seem to have the "tool-less" chuck, which the blades of course, are more expensive. The menards guy said some of the new saws don't always hold the blades well, during heavy cutting.

Anyone have one they love or hate?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Jigsaw Upgrade

Ayuh,... I still got an ole craftsman jigsaw I bought back in the 80s....
Never use it..

If you're cuttin' tin, get a metal cuttin' blade for a circularsaw...
Or, a twin blade cutter...
The twin blade cuts siding/ roofing like butter...

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Jigsaw Upgrade

You could get a cheapie at HF if you are not going to use it very often, but don't expect it to last too long, or be the best quality. I have a few HF tools that I use once in a blue moon, but you can tell they are HF tools. I bit the bullet and bought a Bosch jig saw 10 years ago and couldn't be happier. It replaced a POS Black and Decker and the quality isn't even comparable. If you can, wait to get the Bosch on sale, Amazon had then pretty cheap a couple weeks ago.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Jigsaw Upgrade

Bosch hands down!!!!!!. I am a contractor and it is the only Jig Saw I will buy! The quik release blade may be more expensive but they last a lot longer than standard blades.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Jigsaw Upgrade

I've got a cheap B&D with the quick blade change chuck and it won't hold some blades worth a crap. It helps if you rough up the front and rear of the blade's topside with a file but I'm positive it's hard on the chuck. Buy a quality tool and forget it!