Replies

1. 
   Chr15 | Jun 23, 2010 04:57pm | #1

   D Grip for me...

   From what I understand it is just down to personal preference.

   I have read that the barrel grip is supposed to give you more control and is more comfortable, some say better visibility too.

   I tried both and still prefer the old style grip - guess that's just what I'm used too.

   Everything else (feature wise) I believe is identical, and I doubt whether you'll be disappointed with either.

   I went with the 1590EVSK and it has plenty of power and has done everything I have asked of it - like any jigsaw on the market though, it is not without limitations to the precision but use the correct blade with the correct speed for the job and it is great!!

2. 
   DAC747 | Jun 23, 2010 08:03pm | #2

   Either model will be fine. Some days you'll wish you had a D-handle some days you'll want the barrel grip. As mentioned quality blades are a must.

3. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jun 23, 2010 08:47pm | #3

   I much prefer the barrel grip for control. Perhaps just personal perference as the 6 jig-saws I had before that one were D handle. In the 29 years of those I really didn't know what a real jig saw was as they were basically junk IMO. The barrel grip changed that opinion about nine years ago. As mentioned.. yes... correct speed and orbit setting are definitely a must to get the best results along with blade. As far as I am concerned barrel grip and the Bosch Extra Clean blade are the only thing I will use on hardwood.. ply.. etc. I do use metal blades as the saw fills in for me when doing light metal work.

   Good luck and may I suggest trying both in your hand live if you can. See which you feel offers the most control. The barrel sits low for low gravity in the turns.. the D sitting high. No contest for me but feel to you matters.

4. 
   RalphBarker | Jun 30, 2010 09:28am | #4

   three knob

   I prefer a three-knob grip arrangement, requiring at least three hands to operate the saw. But, folks from my planet are a little different.  ;-)

   Seriously, I prefer the D-handle, since I have short fingers. The barrel grips always struck me as the manufacturer having forgotten to (or being too cheap to) add a handle.

   The suggestion to try different models at a local store is a good one.

5. 
   BruceS | Jun 30, 2010 05:20pm | #5

   Get a grip

   I just asked the same question at a Festool seminar,   The Instructor said personal preference.  BUT,

   also said that in Europe the barrel grip is standard, because they prefer cutting from the botton so they can see the blade following a line easier.  That also makes your standard up-cut blade a down-cut blade so there will be less tearout on the finished surface.

1. 
   RalphBarker | Jun 30, 2010 05:59pm | #6

   under-cutting

   "in Europe the barrel grip is standard, because they prefer cutting from the bottom"

   Interesting. I would have expected cutting upside-down from the Aussies and Kiwis, not the Euros.  ;-)

2. 
   jimmiem | Jun 30, 2010 07:12pm | #7

   D Handle or Barrel Grip Jigsaw

   Interesting.

   Did the instructor demo cutting from the bottom with the barrel grip?  Seems like it would be difficult to keep the saw base in constant contact with the piece being cut with the operator having to hold  the saw against gravity. They mention trigger finger fatigue with the D Handle...seems like barrel grip from the bottom would get to the hand wrist and forearm...guess just have to try it....

   Thank You for your reply.

   . 

6. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jun 30, 2010 10:03pm | #8

   I'll make two comments Jim after my original post priasing the barrel grip. First.. you don't have to use it from under. Just put one of those EXTRA CLEAN Bosch blades on the saw and use it from the top. The blade is designed so you don't get tear out on the top or bottom surface. No need to stand on your head to operate the saw. Second.. I will dis-agree with if you have small hands the D handle is the better choice. I have small hands and there is no problem at my shop controlling a barrel grip. Just the opposite actually. If you can hold a cue stick (as in billiards) and control it you can control the barrel and very accurately IMO... I put my left hand on top of the release handle at the top in front of the saw to hold the saw firmly to the stock. The rear hand goes on the barrel to guide the the alignment. You do not need a death grip on the barrel. Sometimes I guide the barrel with basically my finger-tips only. Sometimes just the inside of my fingers as my palm rarely touches the barrel.

   Now.. here is a picture I just took of the side of a printer shredder table I did about 6 months ago. Look at the decorative cut outs on the legs of this table. They were done with a Bosch Barrel Grip free-hand following a trace line. The saw had an Extra Clean blade on it. I anticipated having to do a lot of sanding by hand and with a spindle sander as these legs are about 15/16" thick. NOT... The bottom line is I ran a stick wrapped with 180 grit up and down the inside cut for about two minutes and it was ready to add stain and finish. Nothing more.. nothing less! ....

   Good luck...

   
1. 
   jimmiem | Jul 01, 2010 08:09am | #9

   Bosch D handle vs barrel grip jigsaw

   Thank You for the detailed explanation.

   Beautiful workmanship!!!!!!