SawDustB Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 I've decided I've finally had it with the cheap Master craft jig saw that I've been using... It won't cut square, straight, or fast. I'd like to get something decent, although I'm not looking for Festool expensive. What are your favorite brands/saws? Based on the reviews online, and what I think I'm looking for, I'm thinking of the Bosch barrel grip saw (JS470EB). Anyone have one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 Ok if you have big hands, although I have big hands & a handle type Bosch that's over 20 years old and still going strong. It lives in a case. I think this has added to it lasting so long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjtboy Posted April 8, 2016 Report Share Posted April 8, 2016 7 minutes ago, wdwerker said: Ok if you have big hands So true on this. I checked out the one you mention and the pricier model recently, and they felt huge in my puny paws. I was pretty surprised at the size actually, not so much that it was uncomfortable but not ideal for me either. Worth checking out in person if you are able to. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 I love my Bosch 1591 and do not have big mits. I choke up to the motor area. This makes my control movements almost like driving a toy car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 I have used the Bosch barrel grip for about 20 years and really like it. I never really thought about whether it was a big hand thing, I pick it up in the store and really liked the feel and that was that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 This is probably one of those tool choices you should lay your hands on and feel for yourself. Being able to try a friends saw would be best if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceHoleInOne Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 I agree, do yourself a favor and get the handle model. I have an old Bosch progressor. Damn fine tool. -Ace- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 I have the Festool and the Bosch - Most over priced product in the Festool line IMO.. Go with the Bosch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 31 minutes ago, wdwerker said: This is probably one of those tool choices you should lay your hands on and feel for yourself. Being able to try a friends saw would be best if possible. Yes! This! I was responding from my phone nd was being brief but, like a router or a hand plane, a jig saw is very much a personal choice type of tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janello Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 I have a 20v Dewalt cordless and although I don't use it much, like it a lot. Nowadays, with cordless tools being so good, I only buy a corded tool if it needs the power or they don't make a cordless version. 20V battery power is plenty for a jig saw. But hey, if you want a cord to get caught on stuff and trip on and have to wrap it up every time you put it away, who am I to stop ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted April 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Wow, lots of responses. I guess I should stop by home depot, since that's my only real option for seeing a decent variety in person. Sounds like the barrel grip is a love it or hate it kind of thing... I think it appeals, but I'll go in and pretend I'm cutting things with it and see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Even though i differ from other on this, I have the barrel grip Festool Trion and it's the best jigsaw I ever owned. The 2 my father gave me and one I bought, I got rid of. I don't like the D handle version, because of eye dominance issue. To me it was worth the money and will admit it is one of my favorites tools to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 I really like a barrel grip jigsaw. The are just more comfortable & easier to control. My hands are about average size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted April 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 I'm not too worried about the hand size needed for the barrel grip. I usually wear large gloves. I like the idea of holding it closer to the work surface, since I feel like I'd have more control. The fallback plan at the moment is to buy basically the same jigsaw in the top handle if I don't like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjtboy Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 5 hours ago, SawDustB said: I'm not too worried about the hand size needed for the barrel grip. I should add that while I thought the Bosch barrel grip was really big in my hands, I do still prefer the barrel grip design! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted April 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2016 I had a look in the store today. The barrel grip still seems appealing after holding one, although so do the nicer d handled ones. There was also a Makita that looked interesting (barrel grip). Anyone got experience with it (4351fct)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted April 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2016 So I finally pulled the trigger on the Makita barrel grip saw (4351FCT) today, since I'll need a jigsaw for an upcoming project. I looked at the more expensive Bosch and the Festool, but it was more than I was looking to spend. The Makita edged out the cheaper Bosch for a couple of reasons - I liked that the Makita had a LED light, I liked the dust collection attachment a little better, and it's supposed to be quieter with less vibration. Should be here next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles11we Posted April 28, 2016 Report Share Posted April 28, 2016 I really dont like the makitas, while the big boschs arent quite what they used to be they came back in quality quite a bit and short of the fes that is the only one i can recommend. I was doing a huge floor project that was a cherry tree cut out of rough boards (not straightlined) and everything had to be debarked and left with a 90° edge to be able to assemble them, join them and fill in the back ground. Required thousands of feet of jigsaw cutting, burnt 2 makitas and beforw they crapped out they left far from perpendicular cuts. While this is an extreme use case where they literally were running 10 hours a day with only maybe a total of 1.5hrs down time through out... the big boschs did fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brooklyngohardwood Posted April 29, 2016 Report Share Posted April 29, 2016 I recently bought the Bosch JS572EBL, which is one model up from the 470 you were looking at and I love it. It's a bit pricier but still $100 less than the Festool and you don't need an addition $200 accessory kit to get the tilt base. The only thing I've had to compare it to is a very cheap Skil jigsaw and the difference is night and day. I have medium-large hands and love the barrel grip. The cut is amazingly clean and plumb and the saw is very easy to control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted May 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 Well, thanks for the comments guys. I just got the Makita in the mail today. I'm going to be using it pretty light duty, so I think it'll suit me fine. It's so smooth compared to any jigsaw I've ever used... Can't wait to use it on a project. I should mention for anyone looking at these, the Makita is a little smaller in the hand than the Bosch. I found it pretty comfortable to hold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 I have an old Bosch barrel grip jigsaw from the 90s. It works well and is heavy. I retired it when I bought the Festool Carvex. It's lightweight and ridiculously accurate and powerful. I have yet to have any issues. Sent from my 831C using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 3 hours ago, SawDustB said: Well, thanks for the comments guys. I just got the Makita in the mail today. I'm going to be using it pretty light duty, so I think it'll suit me fine. It's so smooth compared to any jigsaw I've ever used... Can't wait to use it on a project. I should mention for anyone looking at these, the Makita is a little smaller in the hand than the Bosch. I found it pretty comfortable to hold. I bet it will work out great. Congrats on your new addition. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDustB Posted May 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 Well, I made a few cuts with the saw tonight and it's everything I hoped for. Smooth cutting, straight and perpendicular (at least with the 2x material I was cutting). I should have traded up years ago. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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