Frankly, I'd buy a Bosch. But, if those two are your only choices, IMO, the Makita is a better unit.

 

BD is JUNK! I have a BD that I use for home protection. If someone should break into my shop, that's what I'm throwing at them!

Buy your second tool first and go with the barrel grip Bosch.

CC

Did I mention that the Black and Decker is Junk? A total POS.

 

I had a Bosch until I purchased a Festool. The Festool is by far the best jig saw…..but it is pricey. I would agree with the folks before me….If it has to be between the two you mention….get the Makita….B&D are throw away tools….they are junk.

 

This is great price on the 7A Bosch barrel grip JigSaw.

 

Bosch first, Makita second.

 

Have you thought about a band saw? You know how the jigsaw works and the capabilites, I think you would be happier with a bandsaw.

If you really want a jigsaw - anything mentioned above except the Black and Decker.

 

If it is merely between the original 2-choices you listed, go with the Makita. If you can stretch a little, go with the suggested Bosch. Anf if you can stretch a bit further, I second the bandsaw suggestion.

 

Jigsaws are one of those things where it really helps to try the tool out.
Vibration varies a lot from brand to brand and maybe from model to
model. The Festool cuts so nicely, you barely notice the vibration and
I've used Jigsaws that felt like they'd shake the teeth out of my skull.

Sometimes innovations from higher end tools trickle down into the
more affordable brands, so I cannot tell you for sure that you should
spend for a somewhat premium brand like Bosch, but I do recommend
you look for an opportunity to try out several saws from different makers
since there is such a wide variance in price and vibration with these
saws.

 

1) bosch
2) bosch

 

Of the two I would go with Makita…

BD is JUNK!

 

Thank you all for comments.

I see Bosch is the preferred one. Sadly I cannot justify getting the blue one since prices here start at 150 EUR.

How would green Bosch compare to Makita mentioned in first post ?

 

I ask'd a question, what did Lj's prefer top handle or barrel grip, I was shocked at what they said. I never liked the top handle saw cause it felt like you where pulling it to do its job. Then I used a battel grip what a difference…

Then as the post went on alot of them said they didn't use there jig saw that much any more…
It was replaced by the band saw…

 

I'm pretty happy with my Bosch….a huge jump from a crappy B&D.

 

I'd rather have a Harbor Freight special than any thing from B&D.
Bosch is great.
Barrel grip is great.
Makita makes really good tools as well.
I would agree with the Bosch 1st, Makita 2nd.

 

If those are your only two choices I'd no doubt go with Makita but I chose the Barrel Grip Bosch after first buying a CRAPsman jigsaw and hating it after the first few uses; lesson learned.

 

Watch e-bay for a used Festool. They are absolutely the best, even if you buy it used.

 

Those are not Jig Saws those are Sabre Saws.
This is a jig saw
http://vintagemachinery.org/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=11942

That being said, I have a Bosch barrel handle B4300 (similar to current 1584) that I love. It has pretty much superseded the 7 1/4 circ saw in my shop being lighter, better balanced, much more controllable, and with the Bosch clean cut T101B blades a FAR better cut. I use the SABRE SAW against one of those clamp on aluminum guides for breaking down plywood. It is one tool that, if it broke, I would immediately buy another.

 

Makita! B&D is has been stated above a POS. Their tools are the loss/leaders for the big box stores. I tend to buy the brand that came up with the tool everybody else copied. Ie: DeWalt, PC etc. I've never liked the barrel handle Bosch. I've had my Bosch top handle for many years. Replaced the blade chuck & upgraded the base. It's a very good tool. It's also a bit more than you want to spend. Go with the Makita.

Pop

 

I have used a lot of jigsaws in my day By far the best i have used is the festool
the worst is black & decker
If these are your only two choices then go with the Makita

 

I had a cheap B&D and it was ok for rough cutting. I recently bought the 7amp Bosch and wow what a difference. Cuts through 3/4" hardwood plywood like butter. Can't give and info on the Makita, but buy the Bosch and you won't be disappointed.

 

Bosch jigsaws are the best. So are their blades. Whatever saw you end up getting, try using Bosch Blades in it. They make alot of difference. I bought my bosch jigsaw on ebay, used, for about $100 and haven't regretted it.

 

I had the old standard orange B +D jig saw, hated the darn thing, finally through it in the trash after my wife bought me a Dewalt. What a difference. I also had a B+ D drill, same thing, in the trash it went. I wouldn't buy another B + D anything.

 

Makita all day, given those two choices. I've got a lower end Bosch and a higher end DeWalt. I prefer the DeWalt but they're both solid tools. I usually reach for a cheap pneumatic one, to be quite honest. I don't remember paying much more than $120 for the Bosch, maybe $180 for the Dewalt? I think Freud makes one but I don't know much about it. Can't go wrong with Festool, that's for sure.

 

I suppose there are no takers here for a used Black and Decker Jig Saw.

 

sorry dusty2, I no longer have a boat, and don't need an anchor for my canoe :-/

I have a Bosch, when my son isn't borrowing it, that is. good tool the BLUE Makita stuff has always been pretty good, I SUSPECT that the RED (I believe home owner grade) isn't as good as far as b&d see my comment to dusty2 . . . .

The Bosch (bayonet) blades are a tad harder to find but work much nicer than the old style clamp blades. tool less blade changes.

You should take another look at bosch, yes a bit more pricey but IMHO they are worth more