The Bosch JS 572. Oh, wait…that's the one I did buy; maybe that has something to do with my choice. Anyway, it has all the features you would want.

 

Is the Festool really that much better or is it overpriced hype?

 

HTH.

I ponder the same question dbw. Does the Bosch have
an effective dust extraction system?

If money weren't an issue I'd get a Mafell:

 

I have had Bosch Jigsaws for years and have keep upgrading up until a couple years ago. I've been happy with my Bosch jigs through the years. Given the reviews on"Amazon" it looks like the Festool 300 EQ had more favorable reviews. Given the prices are within $8 of one another I would go with the Festool. Let me add that I think a Jigsaw in the $275 price range is ridiculous for as little as you use one. If you have a need for other tools that you will use more frequently I would invest in them before spending $275 on a jigsaw,but if the price is not a big issue for you then go for it. Amazon has a great return policy so youcould return it if it dosen't meet your needs

 

I'd agree with Jim - unless there is a very specific reason you need it, $275 seems like a lot to spend on a jigsaw. Then again, I have this jigsaw and have nothing but good things to say about it: http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-6268-21-6-5-Amp-Handle/dp/B000EQAY6K/ref=sr_1_3?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1418232525&sr=1-3&keywords=Milwaukee.

 

If money were no object, I guess I'd start replacing my tools with Mafell based on the praise I've seen here and elsewhere.

To be fair, the video that waho posted shows both jigsaws with the ZCI installed, but apparently Bosch's no-mar plastic shoe cover doesn't have zero-clearance. I suspect if he removed the no-mar shoe from the Bosch it would produce less splintering. You could make your own ZCI for the no-mar shoe. Then again, if you're paying that much money, little details like that start to matter.

I just bought a JS470EB for $100 on Amazon when someone posted the deal on LJ last week. It's missing a few creature comforts but it's a definite improvement over my old Skil jigsaw. I also considered a refurbed JS572EB but just couldn't justify spending twice as much for a light, dust extraction, improved blade stabilization, L-BOXX, and 2 more blades vs. putting that money toward more clamps or something. Maybe if I used it all the time, it would be a different story, but as it is, I only use it occasionally for rough work and I was getting tired of my blades falling out of the Skil in the middle of a cut.

 

I ponder the same question dbw. Does the Bosch have
an effective dust extraction system?

- waho6o9

It has a DC attachment but I didn't get it (so, no opinion)....doesn't seem to me like it's needed on a jigsaw; but then, that's just me.

 

Thanks, folks. FYI I bought a used PS 300 EQ with systainer and blades on ebay for $245 including shipping. I can't wait to play with it!

 

Congrats dbw! You'll enjoy using your new to you Festool.

 

I ponder the same question dbw. Does the Bosch have
an effective dust extraction system?

- waho6o9

It has a DC attachment but I didn t get it (so, no opinion)....doesn t seem to me like it s needed on a jigsaw; but then, that s just me.

- Fred Hargis

I thought the same thing too, but I was using mine to cut some holes in plywood the first time and trying to follow the layout lines and the dust actually started to make the lines disappear I had to keep blowing off my sight lines, hooked up the Festool Dust Extractor and no problems after that. I'm not starting a festool debate just saying dust extraction does come in handy regardless of what brand you choose you may regret not having that feature, especially if money isn't a problem.

 

HTH.

I ponder the same question dbw. Does the Bosch have
an effective dust extraction system?

If money weren t an issue I d get a Mafell:

- waho6o9

You do know the Festool has an angle base for theirs as well and it can run in the tracks they make. Not sure if that's what you were trying to illustrate there?

 

Just liking the Mafell Nick and maybe some folks haven't heard of that brand

or of a jig saw on a track.

Maybe one day I'll get the fancy angle base for the track but for now all is well.

Thanks Nick.

 

245 for a JS! I like my 45.00 bosch

 

I thought the same thing too, but I was using mine to cut some holes in plywood the first time and trying to follow the layout lines and the dust actually started to make the lines disappear I had to keep blowing off my sight lines, hooked up the Festool Dust Extractor and no problems after that. I m not starting a festool debate just saying dust extraction does come in handy regardless of what brand you choose you may regret not having that feature, especially if money isn t a problem.

- UpstateNYdude

The Bosch does have a blower that works real well at keeping the lines clear, but I don't disagree with anything you said.

 

The problem with jig saws as I see it is: The blades are small with a few teeth that are cutting. That means a jig saw blade can't be expected to last as long as a circular saw blade. I would think that by the time you get from one end of the track to the other, the blade would be pretty much dull. I have a Bosch jig saw and only use it when no other tool will do the job. A jig saw blade is pretty flimsy, especially the fine tooth variety. That makes them easy to divert from the cut line. I don't have a track, but I have tried cutting, using a straight edge as a guide. I could never get a perfectly straight line.

 

I have the Festool and the Bosch 1584AVS, I grab the Bosch a LOT…. I just finished making 18 cutting boards that needed some half circles and like how well it cuts and I can see what I am doing much easier vs the Festool.

I would have used my Bandsaw but during the move the eye bolt broke and it did not survive….

 

I don't know why one would want a jigsaw on a track. Jigsaws by design are for free handing curves, and a circular saw with the correct blade will do a better job on a track. Can't see using a jigsaw to break down sheet goods.

 

I don t know why one would want a jigsaw on a track. Jigsaws by design are for free handing curves, and a circular saw with the correct blade will do a better job on a track. Can t see using a jigsaw to break down sheet goods.

- dhazelton

While I don't disagree with what you said sometimes only small straight cuts are needed hence the track for alignment, and most likely if you have the track you have the track saw but the saw will go to far into the cut to complete it if you aren't going the full length of the sheet.

 

I have an older Festool PS2E and it works great. You can probably
find one on ebay if patient. I have tried Bosch jig saws
and I find the Festool a little smoother.

 

I don t know why one would want a jigsaw on a track. Jigsaws by design are for free handing curves, and a circular saw with the correct blade will do a better job on a track. Can t see using a jigsaw to break down sheet goods.

- dhazelton

I was thinking the same thing at first, but after more thought I remember several occasions in which I wanted to make a stopped and/or short cut in the middle of a board. A circular saw or track saw won't give you a nice stopped cut because of the curvature of the blade, and you can't make a short cut with a circular saw if the diameter of the blade (or chord, as the case may be) is longer than the hole you want to cut.

Or suppose you wanted to make a small rectangular cutout in the middle of a sheet of plywood. You can make that cut with a router or rotary tool, but that will give you round corners whereas the jigsaw will give you square corners.

I still wouldn't use a jigsaw to break down sheet goods, but I can see the utility in using it with a straightedge or track.

 

Haven't read thru all the post, got both, .. Get the Bosch, and be done

 

This hat is waaaaaay better than your hat!

 

I love Festool products so I hope you enjoy your new acquisition. A used one is probably a wise compromise.

I just do not use a jig saw that often to warrant buying the best; especially for such a "blunt instrument" like a jig saw.

 

The best description I've seen of a jigsaw: "The tool that does everything, but nothing well." Yes, I have a Bosch, and like it best of all the jigsaws I've tried. But the most powerful one I've ever had, capable of ripping 2X material, was the old metal-bodied Wen AllSaw.

 

FYI the jig saw I purchased on ebay came yesterday. There is no way it is used! It has one scratch on it and is missing 4 of the 5 splinter guards. For all intents and purposes it is new.

Here is my take on buying a good quality jig saw: I was making a template out of MDF. I needed to make cut outs (8 four-sided ones) as part of the template so I drilled 3/4" holes (32 of them) and I "connected the dots" (32 cuts) with a cheap jig saw. The cuts were so crooked (vertically) I wound up throwing the template away and starting over. Another 32 holes and 32 cuts. This time the cuts were a little better and I was able to salvage the template with sanding.