I have to purchase a jig-saw tomorrow to apply to a semi-circular counter I am building for my company. They are paying for it and I want the best jig-saw available as it has to be a precise cut. I have used a freinds Bosch barrel-grip and in my opinion it is the best balanced, vibration free and easily controled jig-saw out there. The barrel grip is superb for control.
Now, the question is since I don’t use a jig-saw on a normal basis; can anyone tell me of a better choice than the Bosch or have the barrel grip and re-iterrate what my already formed opinion is..?
Any input would be appreciated in advance…
sarge.jt
Replies
I've owned the Bosch barrel-grip for many years and love it.
Mark
Thanks for the quick reply. That is the opinion I have formed with my limited log time with a jig-saw. Hopefully several other users will reply as I have a feelin' I know what they will say also.
Have a great day, sir...
sarge..jt
Sarge,
I have the Bosch saw you are talking about, and I absolutely love it. very balanced, smooth operation. Love the speed adjustability available just by adjusting pressure on the trigger. Blade changes are easy, and the blade snaps into place much better (in my opinion) than with the equivalent DeWalt and Milwaukee products I tested.
Anyway, bottom line is, this is a great jig saw.
I have the barrel grip too. But if I needed to buy one now, I'd make my decision on a few things. Power, noise, balance/comfort, weight, and ease of blade change.
The Bosch meets all of those needs for me, but it might not for you. If you don't own one, it might be like buying a pick-up truck to haul 1 load of 2x4's home from the yard.
My advice is to go to a store that sells a range of them and "try 'em on". Feel how heavy they are, plug them in and see how noisy they are, if they vibrate to much, etc... and most importantly to me, look at how to change the blade. The Bosch is tool-free, and that is a beautiful thing! I can remember changing the blades on my dad's old jig... took a half hour just to find the right size allen wrench!
If you do go with the Bosch, you'll be happy. If you save a few bucks and get a different one that still suits your needs, you'll probably be happier.
Good luck
Doc
I've never had to use a jig-saw often in 30 years of fooling with WW. My company has ask me to do a 40' parts counter for a new 230,000 sq. ft. facility we just moved into. 8' on the end is semi-round. Keep in mind they are buying it for me to keep. Their justification is instead of the $15,000 which was the lowest bid from a local cabinet-maker, I can do it for $2000 material including any special tools plus my normal salary. I work their part time after closing my own company after 14 years.
I have built and designed about 180 pieces of free-standing furniture over the last 30, but only for family and donation to charity and the like. I usually buy the best quality at the best price. IMO, this barrel grip probaly is. I have a feelin' it will get some future use as they have asked me if I would like to work from my home shop and continue to build for the company on salary as they need a lot of new shelving, desk, tables, etc. The old stuff they've had for the past 21 years looks dilapidated for this modern facility.
So, as I'm not interested in working full-time anymore; this would get me in my own shop on salary without having to leave my home. Not a bad deal over-all. Yep, the Bosch bg is starting to look good as gold.
BTW, they were delighted by the detail of the first 30 feet of striaght counter I've already installed.
Thanks for your thoughts and concern sir, I can see that you like to look and evaluate before you step over a log. Just makes good common sense.
sarge..jt
Sarge,
Sounds like you've got yourself a new saw, and a sweet deal with this company that you work part time for. They must have been impressed with the first install... they're coming to you for more... even before it's finished.
Now you need to start suggesting projects that require "other" tools that you don't have... or would like to upgrade!!
Doc
I already have. ha..ha.. I saw a Hitachi C10FS CSMS at Lowes last week that was being cleared for the new C10FSB that has a taller fence and easier to read scales. Got that when I mentioned I needed to cut compound angles and this was a heck of a deal at $337. The new one is $579.
Added a home-made phonelic flip fence and a black and red fine point magic marker cured the hard to read scale. Mounted it on a cabinet I built for it and added 32" extention wings that hinges allow to drop the leaves to flush with the cabinet. Put that on a HTC base and I'm mobile.
I did out of my pocket add a new PC circular saw with a dust collector. My old 50's vintage Shopmate (which was my first table saw mounted under a 2 x 4 plywood sheet with a rectangular hole for the blade) does not have dust control. As you probaly know, we didn't know what dust control was back in 72' when I got the WW bug. FWW mag came along in the mid seventies and things started to progress.
I also had my old Craftsman 1/2" drill I use to torque screws in go south the 2nd day of the project. Went out and bought a Hitachi M12VF as I had a deadline I needed to meet. It has been faithful for 31 years. Well, I put some new brushes in several days ago and guess what, still is faithful. I am going to retire the Shopmate, Craftsman drill, Craftsman block sander and jig-saw on a shelf in my shop as in "wall of fame". They still run and that's a testament to what Craftsman used to be. I cannot attest to CM now as my local Sears is in a mall. I refuse to go with 10 radius miles of a mall. ha..ha..
Thanks again and if I can assist you in any way, don't hesitate to ask.
Have a great evening, Doc...
sarge..jt
I've had the barrel grip Bosch for a couple of years and I can hardly imagine using anything else. I have a couple of other top handle PC models which are great saws, as well, but once I made the switch to the barrel grip, I think it would be very hard to go back. I don't think you'd be making a mistake if you went with it. I'd only offer two pieces of advice: Try to find someplace where you can check out several models side by side, and whatever you buy, try to get it in a kit with a metal case.
Good luck!
Well, I don't have one. Mine's a PC. There's a guy that I share jobs with on something of a regular basis and tool competitions are part of our rapport. "Well, my saw does . . ." you know the drill. He's got a Bosch, and I've used it, and it beats the snot out of my PC. When it dies, I'm buying one of those.
" Clothes make the man. Naked people have litte or no influence in society" - Mark Twain
Sarge,
For the kinda work your contemplating the bosch will not work.....unless...its is used on a very solid cast iron base..like a new table saw. (ya gotta find a back door into a new TS outta this project)
BG
I hope your wife is as happy with that new cabinet saw as you are. I think you most definitely made the correct decision on that call. If she is, you both can run around the house shouting "whoopee, whoopee". ha..ha..
Go tune your saw, an another piece of advice since the first turned out so good. Don't forget who said it was ok for you to get the saw. Both need plenty of attention. Remember, you still got a bandsaw and a few other pieces to go. <G>
sarge..jt
RW
Ha..ha.. mines a Skil and I've been through a DW. I won't comment on it (IMO, one of their misses). I just have really never had the need for a decent jig-saw as most things I do are 6' or under. I have a jig set up for my router table to edge 36" and 42" oak claw feet tables. I have always found another way with all the other equipment I have.
I certainly respect those that work with large carcasses as these every day. Doing it by yourself with those big sheets has presented a whole new set of problems I have had to solve as I went. Just used some common sense and it has all worked out nicely, though.
Thanks for the input...
sarge..jt
I want to thank everyone that has responded to this thread so far. I just posted a few hours ago and the response has been tremendous as I have to make a decision by tomorrow. For those of you that know me, I do quite a bit of research before I buy any tool. I just didn't have the time here.
I did go to ToolCrib (Amazon) and read the 18 post by reviewers that bought the barrel grip. Nothing but praise. 5 star hands up. Now I get the same from all the response here. Not one negative comment from owners or users. In the almost year I have been on this forum, I have never seen so much agreement on a tool. When I used my friends, I concluded it was the best jig-saw I had ever used. I just have not had an opportunity to use them all.
This has turned into a no-brainer on the decision. I will purchase what appears to be the finest jig-saw on the market tomorrow morning. You have made that rather evident to me.
If anyone else has any positives or negatives, speak now or forever hold your peace. Seems like I have heard that 2 or 3 times somewhere. ha..ha..
THANK YOU ALL...
sarge..jt
Take a Hilti catalog to work with you next time. You really need a new laser level / hammer drill / nailgun / jackhammer for these counters too, don't you? OF COURSE. And they could buy that for ya too!" Clothes make the man. Naked people have litte or no influence in society" - Mark Twain
RW
I suppose I do. ha..ha.. I think I won't push my luck as this company ahs bent over badck-wards to accomadate my needs over the 4 years I have worked there. It's call Year One. Inc. and we sell old muscle car parts vintage mid 60's thru mid 70's all over the world.
Where else could I work part-time by my choosing, talk about old Chevelles, GTO's and Camaro's and now get a few tools paid for (not much I don't have anyway after 30) and get to stay home in my wood-shop.
I think you get the picture. ha..ha..
sarge..jt
I've had a barrel grip for 15 years and used and abused it .The only repairs done to it have been :
A new plunger (blade locking screw x- threaded)
Repack front end with grease
A set of brushes
A new base after cutting stainless for a resturant I was building
Many of my friends have these jig saws and love them the only ones who prefer the D handle are those with small hands .If you have to use it for an hour or so, it is an issue.Buy a Bosch jig saw you won't be sorry!
Don't overlook Milwaukee. FWIW, Tools of the Trade rated the Milwaulkee higher than the Bosch. http://toolsofthetrade.hw.net/articles/showarticle.asp?articleid=1638&qu=jigsaws&ct=TOTT
It's made in Germany, an AEG dressed in Milwaukee red. I have the top handle version (6266-21) and like it better than the Bosch. It's smooth and has plenty of power. The blade changes are really slick, much easier than the Bosch. I think it cuts better. The blade seems to be better supported and wanders less. The Milwaukee is worth a look.
jc
I have pretty much decided Bosch at this point, but will look at the Milwaukee tomorrow at Stone Mountain Tool here in Atlanta when I go in. I have become interested in Milwaukee and Hitachi recently. Never used either until recent.
I almost bought a Milwaukee 1/2" drill until I finally decided Hitachi M12VF. That thing is a major torquer. I do like the fell of both their circular saw and that palm router. The deal with the router makes as much sense as the barrel handle on this Bosch we're talking about. Was not aware they have a similar jig-saw with a barrel. I used the barrel of a friends and was totally impressed with the control I felt I got.
Thanks for the input and I will follow up as I will be there with the jigs anyway. I try not to over-look anything when I search.
Have a great evening....
sarge..jt
Sarge, I've always prefered a barrel grip, even though I'm 'light' of a couple of fingers-- lost the ends of two as a child and a slightly damaged index finger. You'll find that you can get a very good grip near the action for precise control--- much closer than the D handle variety. Very useful.
The Bosch I have is good, but prior to owning this I used a similar Metabo, which I liked even better. When I moved to the US I couldn't find a Metabo, and bought a Bosch instead. One thing I liked in particular about the Metabo was the placement of the on/off switch on the side of the barrel near to the right hand thumb-- inconvenient for left handers, whereas the Bosch has the switch at the top of the barrel-- somewhat inconvenient for either hand.
I'm pretty sure Metabo jigsaws are now available in the US market. Bearing in mind that both Bosch and Metabo configurations and quality might have changed since I used a Metabo, or bought the Bosch, I'd certainly take a look at a Metabo now if I was in the market for a jigsaw.
All jigsaws have a tendency to suffer from blade drift though, especially if the bladee is anything much less than new, and the cut is in thick or hard material. One trick you might consider is to make a pattern of your required curve(s) in some 3/8" or 1/2" MDF and smooth the edge with hand tools until it's just so. The edge of thin MDF is easy to cut and work with a jigsaw and hand tools.
Next use your MDF pattern and trace the shape on to your counter top. Remove the pattern. Then rough out the cut with your jigsaw within 2-- 3 mm of your line. Screw or cramp your pattern back in place and skim the edge of your counter with a router fitted with a top bearing pattern cutting bit. This way, any screw ups in cutting (such as blade drift and missing the line entirely) are in your cheap MDF pattern, which can be tossed away and a new one made. Of course, this suggestion may be of no use whatsoever in your situation, but I thought I'd toss it out anyway. Slainte.Website The poster formerly known as Sgian Dubh
Richard
Thanks for your input. You just answered a question I was going to post. Even and old blind squirrel (me) gets an acorn every once in a while. I sit down and do a lot of thinking before I act. The idea of the 1/2" MDF pattern was my plan as I can work with it till it is exact. Cut the transferred pattern within 2-3 mm and then re-apply the pattern for an over-head pattern bit as I use to install router inserts, etc.
I was going to post to see if this made as much sense to everyone that has experience with curves as it does to me. You just confrimed that and it is now a done deal unless someone can come up with a better mousetrap. I have mentally explored every approach I can think of and I think this one makes the most sense.
I used the barrel grip Bosch of a friends and I considered it to be the best jig-saw I had ever had in my hand. My personal experience with jigs isn't vast though, so as I have an opportunity to buy the top of the line with my companies approval. I wanted to get the opinions of those that use them extensively and this computer thing gives me that opportunity. I'm not much of a high-tech guy, but this forum and other sites has opened up a wealth of information that might not otherwise be available to me. A year ago I did not know what a crown gaurd, rivving knife or short fence was. Metabo, Lamello, etc. were just names I saw in mags and would not have even considered. I think you are aware of the fact I now built my own rivving knife, crown gaurd and short fence and will defend them staunchly as they are simple and just make sense.
Yes, the Metabo is a great line as is Lamello, Aggazanni, Tannewitz and a bunch of others I had no prior knowledge of. In this case I will start work by Sunday, so time is of essense and I will go Bosch as I can take a 12 minute drive here in Atlanta and pick it up off the shelf. We are fortunate here to have Stone Mountain Tool, Highland Hardware, Redmond and Son ( General Distributor ) and a host of others that cater pretty exclusively to WW. Not many specilaity tools I can't have on the seat of my vehicle in about 30 minutes max. About the only thing good about living in a big city, as I am a dumb country boy that ended up in the city. (Still hate malls) ha..ha..
Thank you for taking the time to suggest the pattern form for the curve. I don't work with a lot of curves, but the way the moon and stars are aligning recently; that may change in the near future. I think my company has discovered they may have found wealth from within, as they will save about $10,000 on this project alone. It is nice to know when this ole dumb country boy gets in over his head, he can tap into a wealth of experience and knowledge as close as his nearest computer.
Have a great day, your advice has given mine a great boost...
sarge..jt
I ended up with the top-handled Bosch after returning a Dewalt to HD...and they gave me $10 back for the difference in price! I know the barrel-grip is slightly better liked, but i am very pleased with my Bosch top grip, if the barrel-grip isn't available for some reason.
I can't imagine after all the crappy press and returns--the gal at the returns counter told me they'd gotten quite a few back--how Dewalt can still be peddling that tool.
Sarge,
Just to round out the comments, I have the Hitachi jig saw, bought it about a year ago. WW warehouse was having a sale and the price was right on the barrel grip model.
It works fine for my purposes but It doesn't have some of the advanced features like Bosch eg. quick change blades. Also, I have had a few instances where the base has become loose while in operation.
I think I bought it because it is made in Ireland....you never oil this tool, just spill some Guinness on it every once and a while....lol
SARGE: I hate being the fly in the ointment but I dont care for the Bosch jig saws, I know everyone else raves about them but we have them and the Milwaukees at work and I dont care for them.. I just bought a Freud jig saw FJ85K 6 amps 0-3000spm its the cats meow.. one of the Best jig saws that I have ever used is the Porter Cable HD jig saw model 548 very costly at $289.99
3.5 amps 0- 4.500 spm the Freuds run around $109.99 I got mine at Lowes for $77.00 think they were closing em out...
hope you like the Bosch... better check out some other brands while your at the store.. good luck and take care..
ToolDoc
Sarge,
Got to play fly swatter. I bought the Freud at HD (the price is right) after taking it home and checking out I took it back and bought the Bosch.
Jim
Jim: Sorry to hear that you didnt like the Freud.. guess were even cause I dont like the Bosch......
Tooldoc,
Good thing we don't all like the same thing. We'd end up with only one supplier and none of us could afford their products.
Jim
Jim: Your right about that...
Have a good day! ToolDoc
To everyone that posted this morning ( Richard, Colleen, Doc, BG and Jim ) thanks for the input. I never expected such immediate and thoughful responses. Seems a lot of you are holding out on this country boy about the secret Bosch barrel grip. ha..ha..
In about an hour I will pick up the Bosch as I have to get rolling on this final segment by Sunday. With the infromation that has been given to me, I feel confident that I will bring home to my shop one of the top 2 or 3 jig-saws being offered. This should be sufficient to fill my needs as I'm normally used to modifying and taking junk to an art level. Jim in Co calls me the Felix Unger of moderately priced tools. I can buy them new and within a week you woouldn't even recognize them. ha..ha.. Maybe their is some truth to that, as growing up I had to take what was available and make it meet my expectations.
To all that have posted, have a wonderful day and if I get in trouble I'll most definitely send out an SOS...
sincerely...
sarge..jt
I love this thing. I have already put curves on my assembly table and done Victorian fret-work on my work-bench. Ran out of things to curve so I started on the neighbor-hood mail-box post. Should have them all customized by morning if my extension cord reaches. ha..ha..
Seriously, thanks again to everyone. This thing feels like it's an extention of my hand. Couldn't be more pleased. Well, if Splintie sent me one of those Navajo tables for free, maybe I could. < G >
sarge..jt
Oh, yeah, the Navajo were big on Victorian fret work!
I've had a great chuckle of the mental pic of your customizing the mailboxes. I offered to "store" the material for the local road crew who were in charge of moving the mailboxes on my lane when they paved the county road a few years back. Before they could get back with a chainsaw for the "finish" work, i had strung a couple hundred feet of extension cords and circular-sawed the tops of the posts level, then made about 25 brackets with rounded ends and routed edges. They thought that was cool, so i was able to further bribe them with cookies into mounting the mailboxes in numerical order, a novel concept in these parts.
Splintie
Ha..ha.. ya da lady. What an imagination you got. If I only had half that imagination and energy maybe I could have been a sucessful dumb country boy instead of just a dumb country boy.
BTW, totally unrelated to this thread but a beautiful job you did on those small objects with the scraps. Like I said, an imagination you got along with the talent.
Love this Bosch barrel grip. Guess I have a fascination with barrels, huh. Well, I can be nice...sometimes. ha...
Thanks for the chuckle and good evening Ms. Foxy...
sarge..jt
I've got a line on a bunch of fresh scraps from a gunstock manufacturer--all highly figured stuff they've been givig to the employees to burn...well, that's gotta come to a screechin' halt! As you are the King of Tinker, i'm the Diva of Dumpsters.
Splint
Amazing to me. Gunstocks at one time were pretty exclusively walnut and you know I have a passion for that. Do you know what kind of wood it is.
I don't blame you for salvaging valuable stuff like this. I don't like to waste anything either. Just the nature of my up-bringing. Keep it up as the stuff you've made from scrap so far is outstanding.
King of Tinker ... Diva of Dumpsters ha..ha.. I like your imagination Foxy. BTW, the mail-box post turned out great.
Good day, maam...
sarge..jt
Walnut scrap was mentioned; i'm not sure whether there are any other species available. The fellow who is my contact there said it was graded "Triple A" or something like that...anyway, it was a letter grade he said was special for gunstock material. I'd never heard of that grading system...something to google on eventually...
Splint
I do not keep up with firearms as I once did, but walnut was used pretty exclusivley till at least the early eighties on quality rifles and shotguns. May still be. Still have several hand-guns as I have a concealed permit, but most now come with rubber or plastic grips. At one time walnut, rosewood and a host of others were used on handgun grips.
Do you know what firearm firm this is, or are these folks being sub-contracted just to do the stocks for one of the firearm manufacturers. Regardless, the good news is it's free and obviously being tossed away. Go for the recovery. Even if it were poplar. Even that is going local for $.67 a linear ft. in 2". I'm sure you will figure a way to make treasures from whatever it turns out to be.
The gun manufacturers do thier own grading as to what it suitable for the top of the line on down. They have luxury models on down as car munufacturers.
Now, if it turns out to be walnut let me know. That stuff is toxic and can be dangerous. I will take it as I have some connections that know how to properly dispose of it. Hate to see you O.D. on it. ha..ha.. ( I'll try anything for walnut, see what the toxin has done to me ).
Seriously, let me know what happens. Very curious.
Have a good evening First Lady of the Dumpsters...
sarge..jt
The maker is Cooper Firearms and i just found out they have a website. It looks like they're really proud of the work they do there.
If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, there's a link to the three species of walnut stocks,which looks like the only wood they use. The one called "AAA select" claro walnut is what my friend mentioned to me. I hope i can find time to go over there tomorrow and see what's available. I'll be sure to rub it in if there is anything useable.
Splint
Cooper is a custom made and very accurate line. We're talking some high dollar stuff here. The walnut is obviously top grade and selected. When someone pays the big bucks for that kind of firearm it is only expected. You would not wear a new tuxedo and have on a pair of my shop stain and paint covered tennis shoes to accompany it. ha..ha..
Don't see if you can find the time to go by and check into the walnut, make the time to go by and check on it. If you don't, you'll be sorry. Look at the picture of a rifle stock (handle to gun law advocates. he..). They most likely cut that from a rectangular piece of stock. I'll bet you find some very workable pieces and you may be onto the mother-lode of a source of small walnut craft objects. I am confident that if they are over about 2 mm you will find a way to turn them into something of beauty.
Yes, and I'm sure you will rub it in. O.K., I like walnut a little. I guess if you do rub it in I'll get over the low self esteem and deep emotional scars that will problay result. If you do rub it in though, could I be allowed to make one final request...
Make my rub coconut palm, it's almost as good as walnut. ha..ha..
Keep me posted...
sarge..jt
Got cha...
I had to go to the Bosch web page to figure out what you guys were talking about.
http://www.boschtools.com/Tools+and+Accessories/Tools/prod_detail.htm?item_no=1584AVSK
I have the "D" handle version. It's a real nice saw as well. I never even considered the barrel grip version. Live and learn. Only complaint is that I dont find the blade replacement to be as easy as I imagine it could be. It's difficult to pull up the little lever thingy, not so hard to turn it, but again difficult to push back in. Perhaps it's due some lube.
jdg
jdg
I love this barrel grip. Splint has the D handle and likes it also. To me the barrel gives me the feel of quick ratio steering as you are closer and seem more in control. Just my personal feeling on it jd. Everybody has their own likes and dis-likes in tools.
Yep, the blade could be designed to change easier. Good news is I don't get in a hurry. From what I've experienced so far with this barrel, I will sacrifice that factor for the rest of it is as sweet as "moms apple pie". I'm glad I chose it and hope to be able to say that down the road.
Have a great day...
sarge..jt
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