Replies

1. 
   MatthewSchenker | Mar 13, 2005 04:18pm | #1

   DickB,
   If you want to get a whole lot of information, post your question to the Festool Owners Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FestoolOwnersGroup/

   I'm a big Festool fan. But I also admire a lot of Bosch tools, especially, their jigsaws. I've owned and used both the Festool Trion jigsaw and the Bosch 1590.

   The Festool Trion jigsaw is fantastic for smooth and accurate cuts. Festool provides a large variety of blades, including extra-long ones up to about 6". I have not used their longest blades, but every Festool blade I have used has produced the same smooth cuts. Also, you can use the Trion with Festool's guide rails for perfectly straight cuts. At times, I've done long rips uing the Festool jigsaw instead of the circular saw. The Festool blade-changing system is fast and easy. The bevel settings are clear. However, I don't do a lot of bevels on the jigsaw. The Trion also has better dust collection.

   The Bosch is also a very nice saw, with an innovative blade-changing system. Not everyone likes the blade-changing-system, but I found it to be very well-designed. The cuts with the Bosch are good, but you won't get the same finish quality you can get with the Festool. Wiuth the Bosch, I find it a little easier to sight the cut line because the blade is a little more forward on the machine. The Bosch also has good bevel settings. But, again, I don't do a lot of bevels on the jigsaw.

   Both saws are very well-built and easy to control, though the Festool feels a little more responsive to me. Which do I recommend? Well, how much jigsawing do you plan to do? If you're going to use your jigsaw for lots f projects, I would say get the Festool Trion, either the barrel grip or the D-handle. There is about a $100 difference in price, with the Bosch at $159 (Amazon) and the Festool at $260. For me, I need a jigsaw all the time, and I really appreciate the smoother cut I get with the Trion, so it's worth another $100.

   Once you have a good jigsaw, you tend to think of lots of uses for it that you didn't think of at first.

1. 
   ddougb | Mar 13, 2005 06:57pm | #2

   Thank you for the in depth perspective of the two saws. I will probably go with the Festool. BTW the latetest price for the Bosch at Amazon is $189.95.
   Dick

1. 
   MatthewSchenker | Mar 13, 2005 08:01pm | #3

   DickB,
   Yes, there was some confusion about models.I owned the 1590EVSK. This model is currently $159 at Amazon.
   But the one you are looking at is the 1591EVS. This model is currently $189 at Amazon.I was talking about the 1590EVSK. I'm not sure what is different between the 1590 and 1591. Maybe someone else can shed some light on this issue!Matthew

1. 
   DDay | Mar 13, 2005 10:27pm | #5

   The top handle (1590) is $159 and the barrel handle (1591) is $189.  I can't understand why the cost to make them would be any different but they charge more for the barrel.  Festool is the same $$ for barrel or top handle.

    

   Edited 3/13/2005 3:32 pm ET by DDay

2. 
   nikkiwood | Mar 13, 2005 09:29pm | #4

   I got the Festool jig saw a while back, and I agree with all your comments about it. How about the blades though? The machine came with a couple of Festool blades, but I have been using my cache of Bosch blades. from what you have been able to see, are the former any better than the latter?