Jig Saws

If you have never used a jigsaw that cost more than $100, you'll never really understand how wonderful these tools can be. We've owned a bunch of inexpensive jigsaws over the years and, although they have probably improved, they can be frustrating to use. They don't always cut straight and it's hard to change blades. The good news is that if you get used to using a budget jigsaw, the first time you cut with a really nice saw will be a wonderful experience.

Don't get us wrong, inexpensive jigsaws have their place if you just need to cut some shapes in plywood for the third-grade play. We have two jigsaws in our shop, a Bosch for real work and a cheap model that we leave a metal cutting blade on to use as a hacksaw from time to time. It was used recently to cut out a new opening in our chicken coup and we were glad we had it.

Cutting Speed

Virtually all jigsaws have some way to control the rate of blade oscillation. The thing to look for is how easy it is to change speeds while cutting. Can it be done with one hand while the other hand is holding the work piece or does it require a second hand?

Look for a saw with orbital cutting modes. These jigsaws can retract the blade back towards the saw to reduce friction during the cut. The greater the orbital action, the faster the cut. The best saws can adjust the orbital action from aggressive to a straight up and down cut to minimize tear-out.
 

Blade Changing

There is a reason why we leave a metal cutting blade in our cheap jigsaw. It's really a pain to change the blade so we only do it when the blade breaks or is so dull we can't use it. A good blade changing system, that doesn't require a tool, will ensure that you change your blades to one that is sharp and appropriate for the task. Be aware that some of the blade change system require a type of blade compatible with the system. Make sure that blades are readily available with the system you choose.
 

Blade Guides

Guides reduce deflection of the blade from work piece pressure. Side-to-side deflection can cause the cut to be out of perpendicular or make it hard to follow a line. Look for smooth action and the least play in the guide possible.
 

Power and Stroke Length

The amperage of the saw will tell you how much power to expect from the saw. A saw that uses at least five amps will have sufficient power for professional use. Also look at the stroke length of the blade to determine how fast the jigsaw will cut. Stroke lengths range from 5/8" to 1". Longer stroke lengths will make cleaner faster cuts.
 

Dust Control

We've never used dust collection with our jigsaws simply because it's awkward to drag a hose behind the tool while trying to cut curves. To be really effective, a chip guard is required in front of the blade making it harder to see the cut line. This is not to say that dust collection is not important; you should wear a mask if you are not collecting dust. If you think you'll be doing lots of cutting that is not too curvaceous, take a look at the tool's ability to collect dust.

Air flow from dust collection used to be the only way (other than personally huffing and puffing) to keep the line clear. The better saws now channel air from the motor fan and do a good job without hooking a hose to the tool.
 

To Cord or Not to Cord

There are lots of good reasons to go cordless with a jigsaw. Just as the dust collection hose can be an annoyance dragging behind the tool, a cord becomes a liability in many cases. An 18V jigsaw can offer sufficient power to be comparable to a corded tool and most jobs are not so large that continuous power is required.

On the other hand, cordless jigsaws are more expensive than their corded cousins. They are also a little heavier to hold and operate. For large jobs (or jobs when you forgot to charge the batteries) you'll wish you had a corded tool. If you know what you are going to do with the tool, it will be pretty obvious which way to go. If you have a single job to do and don't know what comes next, we recommend a corded tool. Put the money into a better tool and not into cordless technology.
 

Jigsaws Analysis

Average Grade Average Price products B $92.56 55 Corded Jigsaws are the tool of choice if you have a large work piece or if you don't own a scroll saw or ...  Click here to read the entire overview (plus our pick) and product reviews in this analysis. Click here for more details about why we picked the Bosch 1590EVSK for the Corded Jigsaws analysis.

Average Grade Average Price products A $193.51 21 Cordless Jigsaws are the tool of choice if you have a large work piece or if you don't own a scroll saw or ...  Click here to read the entire overview (and our pick) and product reviews in this analysis. Click here for details on why we picked the Bosch 52318 for the Cordless Jigsaws analysis.