and what jig saw?

Discussion in 'Boatbuilding' started by Tilden, Apr 16, 2013.

?

What jig saw?

  1. dewalt

    2 vote(s)
    16.7%
  2. makita

    2 vote(s)
    16.7%
  3. bosch

    5 vote(s)
    41.7%
  4. porter-cable

    1 vote(s)
    8.3%
  5. skil

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  6. craftsman

    1 vote(s)
    8.3%
  7. none of the above

    1 vote(s)
    8.3%
  1. Tilden
    Joined: Apr 2013
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    Tilden Junior Member

    Also buying a new jig saw. My craftsman is 23 years old, trigger losing speed sensitivity, table isn't 100% square any more, blade lock screws are difficult. It lasted 23 years. Now what to buy?
     
  2. keith66
    Joined: Sep 2007
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    Location: Essex UK

    keith66 Senior Member

    My Bosch jigsaw was bought new in 1983, speed control doesnt work anymore but apart from that its fine, hate to think how many miles it has cut!
     
  3. Tilden
    Joined: Apr 2013
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    Location: socal

    Tilden Junior Member

    I've used this craftsman hard and traveled all around with it without a case. It has scrapes in the plastic and bare metal all over. The table was dented and fixed more than once. It keeps cutting. Somehow no matter how tight I tighten the table screw now the table works loose now. And the blade set screws have been difficult since day one. There is a dewalt manufacturer refurbished for $75 that is built like a tank compared to my craftsman. And there's a plastic skill for $50 that has a laser sight and fancy doodads.
     
  4. michael pierzga
    Joined: Dec 2008
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    Location: spain

    michael pierzga Senior Member

    Seems that my ancient Makita does the job fine

    The tool I love when working with plywood is the Makita Cordless Panel saw.

    http://[​IMG] subirimagenes
     
  5. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
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    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Most of these tools are built to a price point, so you'll get what you pay for. Craftsman typically is slightly more expensive than the the parent company's version of the same tool (they relable their tools).

    All of the major players produce entry level to professional grade tools. If you'll work the hell out of it, get the professional model. I like Milwaukee and Porter Cable, but own just about ever brand. Bosch makes a good tool too.
     
  6. Petros
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    Location: Arlington, WA-USA

    Petros Senior Member

    I have owned various power tools by skil, craftsman, the old Black and Decker, Dewalt, Porter Cable and Makita. All have served me well, most have eventually worn out the triggers, but replacment triggers are not expensive and I have replaced several. The ones I like the best are Makita and Dewalt, they weigh less than the other brands and are less tiring to use when picking up and setting down all day long. Though some of the models from both of these brands have in my opinion design failures as to the ergonomics of the handles/trigger arrangement. So you should try them out and see which one feels good in your hands.

    Any of the good brands will serve you well, if it is comfortable in the hands it will be a joy to use. If the poor handle gives you hand cramps after several hours of use, you will hate it no matter how good a tool it is.
     
  7. hoytedow
    Joined: Sep 2009
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    hoytedow Carbon Based Life Form

    Agreed.
     
  8. viking north
    Joined: Dec 2010
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    Location: Newfoundland & Nova Scotia

    viking north VINLAND

    I've had the same Makita and a Porter Cable in the shop for the past 15yrs. The old reliable Makita has an adjustiable base for angular cuts but the Porter Cable is a rare model that is fixed to cut only at 0 deg. (90deg. to the surface of the stock you are cutting) I can't tell you how useful this is --no messing around adjusting to set your saw for that exact 0. A beautiful well balanced tool. I'm presently shopping around for a barrel body jig saw, Bosh has one but it's as big as a city bus so the search continues.
     
  9. Moggy
    Joined: Feb 2011
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    Location: Somewhere else!

    Moggy Senior Member

    Brand aside I find that the long body type with the cord hanging out the end are annoying when doing fine work. Choose a style where the cord has less leverage on you. My Makita is great aside from that!
     
  10. viking north
    Joined: Dec 2010
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    Location: Newfoundland & Nova Scotia

    viking north VINLAND

    A good point -- jig saws like boats, try to find a model that has reduced top hamper when under use. The very reason why i'm looking for a barrel body style. One in which you control it from low down on the tools body and not from a suitcase style handle high up. To put it in simple language it's less wobbly. :)
     
  11. missinginaction
    Joined: Aug 2007
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    Location: New York

    missinginaction Senior Member

    By and large you do get you pay for. I've had a Bosch jigsaw for many years and like that parts are available for repair if necessary.

    I think that any name brand saw would probably be OK. Find one that fits your hand. I've also noticed that freehand accuracy (no fence) is vastly improved if you take some time to set up the piece to be cut properly so that you can comfortably make the cut. I've seen people in really awkward positions trying to make an accurate cut and often making a mess of the work. Just like in painting, preparing for the cut is key to making a good one.

    MIA
     
  12. Pylasteki
    Joined: Apr 2008
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    Location: North Carolina

    Pylasteki Junior Member

    I like bosch jigsaws. I have two that have been used and abused in production for almost four years, and are still going strong. You want the new model with the slider on the front, not the plastic twist knob to release the blade, with a variable speed trigger.

    Bosch have an extra set of blade guides that come down and clamp on to it ahead of the roller guide that put them a class above most of the rest for detail work.

    They will push a Festool 5 3/4 inch blade through a 4x4 size lump of mahogany for 10 minutes or so before they need a break to cool off, which works well when you are away from a bandsaw, or have a spot where a sawzall won't fit and a skill saw won't work for demolition.

    An ancient low angle stanley apron plane pairs up well with the talk of jigsaws, if you don't have one. Model 102 I believe...

    Cheers,

    Zach
     
  13. FMS
    Joined: Jul 2011
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    Location: united states

    FMS Senior Member

    I prefer my grip on top. The smallest length from blade to the back of the saw allows smooth cuts in tight areas without having to nip away from the middle to get in.
     
  14. masalai
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    Location: cruising, Australia

    masalai masalai

    Building in GRP using foam or endgrain-balsa cores pre-laninated - Get a cheap one (most will last the distance but will likely be coated with "by-products" by careless hands) - - $20 or so for a cheap one with 18 V rechargable with 2 batteries (charge one - use the other) or tell the hands if they cover it with glass fibres and glue it is theirs at replacement price...
     

  15. bntii
    Joined: Jun 2006
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    Location: MD

    bntii Senior Member

    Bosch- bought new in the 80's and used/abused in commercial work since & still going strong.

    Back in the day PC had a pro saw which looked really decent though I never tried it
     
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