Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 04, 2007 04:24am | #1

   I've heard nothing but great things about that jigsaw.  I can't afford one (don't use a JS enough), but I did upgrade my blades to the Bosch, and even that little change made a huge difference in how well the ol' Craftsman cuts! ;-)  Congrats!

   [and here I though you needed a plug for your new saw, LOL]

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 05, 2007 04:14am | #3

   Forest and SargeGrinder...Nice hearin' from ya.. Like Forest said.. I do not use a Jig Saw much but like any tool, I LOVE it to not fight me and work! Frankly, most of any problem I have with any tool is ME! But I really like it ALOT!Forest! I know we 'Locked Horns' at times BUT 'Huggers" your the greatest!

   Edited 9/4/2007 9:15 pm by WillGeorge

1. 
   wbfinewoodworking | Sep 05, 2007 03:10pm | #4

   I bought one a couple of months ago when the old Skil I inherited from my dad went "belly-up" in the middle of a project. It's a very good jig saw.

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Sep 04, 2007 05:52am | #2

   Evening Will..

   A bit expensive (my company purchased mine to do a 100' custom show-room counter a few years ago) but the satisfaction will pay the extra charged. You would have to pry the Bosch barrel-grip from my dead hands as I use it for metal cutting.. templates.. etc.

   It's the most precise jig-saw I have ever had my hands on. Before I discoverd the Bosch barrel.. I generally thought of a jig-saw as some type of "bad joke". Things changed with it's addition as it has become a very valuable almost daily performer and preform it does!

   Regards...

   Sarge..

1. 
   jointerman | Sep 06, 2007 02:54am | #5

   I can't stand my old $30 Craftsman jigsaw and thus never use it, but I'm having a hard time justifying the Bosch. While working on the trim on my house this week, I could have used one a few times, but instead, we lugged my bandsaw outta storage and hooked it up with a long entension cord!Anyway, I'm wondering how smooth these things cut compared to a bandsaw? Is the Bosch as nice as FWW or was it FHB reviewed to be? Is a barrel grip a better choice than the handle grip? Sure would be nice to have portibility from time to time.

1. 
   USANigel | Sep 06, 2007 05:57am | #6

   I still use my 20 year old bosch and at todays price thats $7.50 a year for a great tool! well worth the cost. i don't care for the barrel grip as my hands feel to "open" when holding it. You need to have a feel of both types to pick the one you want.

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Sep 06, 2007 06:59am | #7

   Evening JM...

   I love the control with that barrel grip. How smooth does it cut compared to a BS. With a 14 tpi blade on it it cuts super smoother than a BS as I use 3 and 4 tpi blades respectively. Once you start the cut... you would have to force the saw to get it to cut anything other than straight in my experience.. and with concentration and good dexterity with it's small blade, it will follow a curve with ease.. turn on a dime and give $.05 change. ha.. ha...

   I was skeptical of jig-saws period before I got the Bosch. My experience had been with the cheapish (Skil.. etc.) and it was not a good experience as I abandoned them as trash and just used a hand held coping saw in those situations. But.. I needed a jig-saw for a large project at work and they were buying it for me. So.. I went Bosch barrel!

   The results are it is one of the most precise.. useful tools in my shoo as I do a lot of jigs... templates.. etc. Some of those templates are large and you would have to build supports on a BS to get good results. But an assembly table and the barrel grip make them a piece of cake.

    A template needs to be exact.. so I cut the line 1 mm proud and finish with files, rasp, sanding etc. Using a BS in the same manner, I would cut at least 3 mm proud before the above got the call. It's just that easy to maneuver and control to me.

   Hope that helps... BTW.. the barrel grip has perfect feel to me. Try both as mentioned as some might feel more comfortable with the over-head handle. I don't get the feel I have come to expect with the handle type though. Just how it feels to me as mileage may vary.

   Regards...

   Sarge..

1. 
   jointerman | Sep 06, 2007 08:36am | #8

   Sarge,Thanks for the great perspective on the jig saw. I have been very skeptical of jig saws. Although I haven't cut with either the barrel grip or D-handle, I have held them in my hand at the tool store. I seem to feel more connected with the barrel grip. I think I really want one now! Hmm....

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Sep 06, 2007 05:34pm | #9

   JM...

   As I stated.. I was skeptical also as I had never seen a jig-saw that wasn't basically a waste of money. But.. borne from necessity, the Bosch barrel and a re-ciprocating saw have become two tools I would not want to be without for shop and home.

   And.. the re-cip becomes a basic metal cutter with the Bosch doing the thinner fine work on metal jobs. I have a BIL who is a machine shop foreman at Delta Air Lines and can get it done with precision, but those two generally save a trip and time as they perform admirably for most of my needs.

   Regards...

   Sarge.. john thompson

2. 
   jointerman | Sep 10, 2007 11:37pm | #13

   I was all set to buy the barrel grip Bosch Jig Saw today when suddenly, the Festool Rep showed up at the tool store. Suddenly he was telling me why his Festool jig saw was better than the Bosch. The claim is that the ball bearing guides can help keep the blade straight for cuts over 4-inches deep! I admit, I have now lost clarity on which jig saw I should get. The Festool is about $100 more than the Bosch! Anyone consider have any experience with the Festool jig saw? Since I'm about to buy the TS55 plunge saw, I thought why not get two Festools! BTW: There is one major project that my wife has been pushing me to do that would require a jigsaw cut of this depth.

3. 
   JasonWhite | Sep 11, 2007 01:45am | #14

   The only reason I bought the new Bosch 1591 barrel grip instead of the Festool jigsaw is that I'm left-handed and the power switch on the Festool dug into my hand.  I know that sounds like a stupid reason, but it's a reason.

   I love my Bosch!  I haven't tried cutting 4" thick material, however.  But who the hell does that anyway??

   TPToolpig (a.k.a. The man formerly known as "Toolfreak" and "Toolfanatic")

4. 
   JJV | Sep 07, 2007 04:42pm | #10

   I have an older (13 yrs old) Bosch barrel grip and at the shop I used to work at we used an overhand grip Bosch.  I personally feel that the barrel grip offers more control because my hand is closer to the work, but that's just me.  I have small hands, too, so it's easier for me to hold the overhand saw, but I still prefer the barrel.

   FYI, even an older Bosch is an outstanding jig saw.  This is one area I feel Bosch is far and away the best.   

   Most nights are crystal clear, but tonight it's like he's stuck between stations.

3. 
   highfigh | Sep 07, 2007 05:00pm | #11

   With the right blade, it can cut smoother than a bandsaw. The Progressor blades are infreakin'credible, and really sharp.Barrel grip vs handle is up to the user. I have the handle but I don't think the barrel was available when I bought mine, or I just hadn't seen it. I suspect the barrel gets pretty warm during heavy use but keeping the hand low probably makes a difference in accuracy. The handle does limit in height but for most things, it's not a big deal. Either way, shop around and get the best deal. It's a great saw.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

1. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 07, 2007 08:35pm | #12

   Barrel grip vs handle is up to the user..
   I see a lot mentioned the grip. Gee, I never thought about the when I got it. I guess I just liked the feature that clamped (guides/pinches) the sides of the blade. Sure wish it had a light! OLD eyes here!