Jigsaws Reviews ConsumerSearch.com
Fast Answers - Best Jigsaws
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Top Rated |
What the Research Says |
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Festool Trion PSB300 EQ |
Reviews praise both the top-handled and barrel-grip Festool Trion jigsaws for precision, low vibration, superb ergonomics and excellent dust control. Reviews say that the superior blade guides make true perpendicular cuts even in thick wood and that blade changes are easy. Both models extract dust through the baseplate in a unique, effective way. Optional circle-cutting and straight guide-rail systems are available. Distribution is limited, but the Festool |
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Bosch 1590EVSK |
Reviews say the Bosch 1590 jigsaw comes close to the Festool jigsaw for precise cutting, yet it costs much less and offers tool-free bevel adjustment. The blade-changing system even pops out hot blades. Like the Festool jigsaw, the Bosch 1590 has a soft-start electronic motor and a lock-on button to avoid trigger-finger fatigue. The Bosch has a dust blower, but lacks the superb dust control offered by the Festool, and it comes with only a one-year warranty. (compare prices) |
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Hitachi CJ110MV |
Tests at Fine Homebuilding show that the |
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Makita BJV180 |
Best lithium-ion-powered cordless jigsaw. Lithium-ion batteries have several advantages over other types. They are more environmentally friendly, plus theyre lighter in weight and have longer runtime than others. They also hold a charge longer (up to five times longer than NiMH or NiCd). Reviews praise the 18-volt Makita cordless jigsaw for its 6.1-pound weight and fine ergonomics, along with a long runtime and a 25-minute charger. Tool warranty is for three years, battery warranty for one. While excellent, other cordless jigsaws are far less expensive, however. (compare prices) |
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Bosch 52318 |
While it uses less efficient, less environmentally friendly NiCd batteries, reviews give the 18-volt Bosch 52318 jigsaw the highest scores. They praise its smooth cutting power, a soft-start motor and "Constant Response" circuitry that maintains steady speed. Reviews also commend this cordless jigsaw for its extremely easy blade changes, since it ejects a hot blade without any need to touch it. Batteries carry a two-year warranty, and the jigsaw itself carries a three-year warranty. (compare prices) |
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Black & Decker Firestorm FS18JS |
This 18-volt cordless jigsaw has some good features for its low price, including tool-free bevel adjustment and blade changes. The stroke length is short at 0.75 inches, and the NiCd batteries don't have a long runtime, but the jigsaw runs at a maximum speed of 2,500 strokes per minute (spm). A 360-degree scrolling knob lets you cut curves without twisting your arm to move the jigsaw itself. The FS18JS is covered by a two-year warranty. |
Full Story
What the experts say, our analysis, and more...
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Updated January 2008
A portable jigsaw is a multipurpose tool that can do the job of many others, enabling it to work as a scroll saw, bandsaw, circular saw and router. Although it doesn't do these jobs as well as those larger tools, a jigsaw is lighter, handier and safer to use. Because it can do so many things, the jigsaw (sometimes called a bayonet saw, compass saw, sabre saw or saber saw) is one of the building blocks of a basic workshop.
We found the best comparison reviews of corded jigsaws in two woodworking magazines, Woodworker's Journal and Fine Homebuilding. Many of the same jigsaw models are covered in both reviews, but Woodworker's Journal tests both barrel-grip and D-handled versions. It also includes a greater number of less expensive jigsaws. Popular Mechanics also reviews some budget jigsaws, but it doesn't rate or rank the models, nor does it document testing as well. Consumer Reports usually covers a wide price range when reviewing tools, but it hasn't reviewed jigsaws for over ten years.
Reviews say jigsaws have improved tremendously, led by Bosch Tool Corporation and close competitors such as Makita and DeWalt. Tests show that the best jigsaws can now cut even tight curves at a true 90-degree angle, and some jigsaws can do this on wood over five-inches thick. It's much easier to make precise cuts than it used to be, thanks to improved blade control rollers. Blade changing is also much easier, and some jigsaws can plunge cut without any need for drilling a starter hole. Adjusting the baseplate to make beveled cuts can often be done with a lever instead of a wrench.
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The best news is that cordless jigsaws have improved so much that they can now replace corded saws. A cordless jigsaw makes intricate cuts easier and offers the ultimate in convenience, especially if you have other cordless tools that use the same battery pack and charger. Fast "smart" chargers can recharge a battery so quickly that as long as you have two batteries, you can keep sawing without interruption. The newest cordless jigsaws use lithium-ion batteries that keep their charge well during storage -- an advantage when you don't need a jigsaw every day.
Laser guides are also recent improvements, but reviews warn that they're not useful in bright light. Owners complain about laser guides that turn on automatically, since the straight laser line makes it harder to follow a curve -- so the best laser guides have a separate switch. Experts say that tool-free blade changing and bevel adjustment are conveniences that matter even more.
Though jigsaws vary greatly in performance and convenience, no safety recalls have directly involved jigsaws for over ten years. Jigsaws have a good safety record, and far fewer accidents are reported involving jigsaws than with table saws or circular saws. Most jigsaws have a metal guard in front of the blade's cutting edge. ... Continued
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Consensus Report
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.
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# of Picks |
Corded Jigsaw |
Details from Amazon.com |
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9 |
- | |
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8 |
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2 |
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2 |
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2 |
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2 |
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1 each |
Bosch 1591EVSK (barrel-grip), Craftsman 17255, DeWalt D317K, Hilti WSJ 850-ET, Makita 4341FCT, Skil 4230 | |
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# of Picks |
Cordless Jigsaw |
Details from Amazon.com |
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5 |
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4 |
Makita BJV180 LXT (*est. $430 with charger and two batteries) |
- |
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2 |
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2 |
Ridgid R883 (*est. $130, tool only) |
- |
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2 |
Ryobi P520 (*est. $50, tool only) |
- |
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1 each |
Craftsman Professional 28127, 18-volt DeWalt DC330K, DeWalt DC6401 lithium-ion kit, Black & Decker Firestorm FS18JS, Porter-Cable 643 | |
Bosch jigsaws draw the most attention in tests, but reviews also top-rank two more expensive jigsaws -- the Festool Trion
