I have a Black and Decker JS200 with about the cheapest blades possible. I was trying to cut through a 1/2 in piece of oak and had no problems. I used a guide and the line was very straight on the entrance side. When I flipped the piece over the lines were very crooked on the exit side. I believe the blade twisted during the cutting and while the entrance line is straight the bottom is terrible. I was going to invest in some good Bosch blades and recut to see if that would solve the problem.
Is the the good blade going to fix the problem or is this common and impossible to fix with jig saws?
Thanks – Tom
Replies
Bosch blades will help. To get a square, straight cut put the blade in a Bosch jig saw. I've wasted far too much time cursing the results of cheap jig saws; every time I use the new Bosch I'm in awe.
Invest in a good bosch jig saw as soon as you can. I replaced my Craftsman (Best) with the Bosch 1587avsk. It's a world of difference.
That's exactly what I did this week. The Craftman is going to the Garage sale.
(I got the same model )
The Bosch is like night and day over the Craftsman.
Howard2
There's a huge difference in jigsaw performance that all depends on how the blade is supported and how close that support is to the cut. IMHO the Festool is at the top of the pack, but the Bosch saws are very good as well. Try cutting a curved line in 8/4 oak with your B&D and compare the underside of that with the cut from a really good saw!
DR
I agree with those who vote for a Bosch jigsaw. You won't be sorry!
John
When i executed my Black & Yellow jig saw for treason, i read the tool reviews on Amazon by customers who'd actually used them to get a line on a decent replacement. As i recall from that long ago, the barrel-held Bosch got the edge over the handle-over model. I got the Bosch handle-over one bec i could get it locally on sale, but i've no complaints whatsoever. Anyway, the Amazon site is an outstanding resource for current user reviews.
I needed a JS a few years ago and bought a reconditioned DW that never cut a line where I wanted the line to be. I suffered with it for quite a while before finally getting a new Bosch D-handle. Same blades, same speed, same wood, side by side, the Bosch is 100x better. Looked at the DW many time trying to find some reason. Something misaligned or loose. Can't find a thing. Now it just collects dust instead of making it. Gonna donate it to the local HS drama dept. I do find if I push too hard/too fast the Bosch will follow the grain in some woods. Just have to be aware.
Andy
"It seemed like a good idea at the time"
I bought a PC a year or so ago (the D-Handle). Although it is a pretty good saw, it doesn't do everything I ask it to. There is some blade drift on the underside of 3/4 oak. Had I to do it over again, I would certainly buy the Bosch or the Festool. The problem is the PC is not old or bad enough to replace, and it is not good enough to be thoroughly happy with. Maybe it knew that it would soon be adopted by the B & D family and started to underperform early.
BTW, did you know that B & D stock (Symbol BDK) is up over 100% in the last 2 years? Well, at least they're good at something.
A better jigsaw would help, but wider blades also help eliminate drift.
Tom BOSCH Barrel grip if you can afford it
otherwise, the handle grip.
Their 'Aggressor' blades are hollow ground
and made with the best quality steel.
In my experience, saber saws should NOT be
pushed so hard, that the sawdust clogs
the teeth and friction and grain warps
the blade track
Once the cut wanders, it is hard to get
back on track.
On curves ,a little 'Back tracking' may be
neccessary to ease the blade into and out of
the bend. Like most professionals I know,
most prefer Bosch.
Also, Blade removal and replacement is
SOOO easy (No screwdriver neccessary)
Steinmetz
I'm on my second Bosch, and I don't think I need anything better than it.
I don't know if any of you have tried cutting steel with it yet, but with the right blade for the thickness you are cutting, It does an excellent job cutting metal as well.
A few years ago I was making a tool where I needed to cut some 4" circles in 3/8" steel. I could not believe how fast and easy it made those cuts.
1. Get a better tool.
2. Use high quality blades (Bosch)
I have both a DeWalt and Bosch jigsaw (the older model that has screwdriver bit tightener).
I picked up the Bosch for $20 at an estate sale.
I use the Bosch 90% of the time now.
Thread has been idle since 2005. I imagine the issue has been dealt with ;-)
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