Is it worth spending $25 more for the one with the top handle rather than the barrel grip?
As far as I can tell, it's the exact same jigsaw. My man Izzy Swan has no trouble using the barrel grip one in his videos, but then he's Izzy Swan and I'm not.
Mine's the top handled one. Never used the barrel grip. I sure like mine. I'm sure it doesn't weigh 10 lb. though. Not even with the case. It is variable speed with a dial that sets the maximum you want. Good saw.
I have the top handle. My old shop i woked in had the barrel grip. That one also didn't have the adjustable oscillation, which is important IMO. To me, the barrel handle felt like my handle broke and I just had to hold the barrel, but I could maneuver it just as well, just didn't "feel" right.
My feeling is that a barrel grip saw gives better control, once you get used to it, just that most of us are used to top handle saws so the barrel grips feel weird at first.
I've used both, have a top handle (due to getting a great deal on it) and if it ever dies, will replace with a barrel grip. For the models you are mentioning, the features are basically the same, so it is just personal preference.
Mine s the top handled one. Never used the barrel grip. I sure like mine. I m sure it doesn t weigh 10 lb. though. Not even with the case. It is variable speed with a dial that sets the maximum you want. Good saw.
I'm laughing. I have both, and most of the time I grab a POS old XYZ brand because it is much shorter. I find them both to be kinda unwieldy due to length/weight. If I was to sell one it would be the barrel grip handle. I'd have to fine it to do so though.
But always use Bosch blades, the best I have used.
Unfortunately the POS old XYZ brand one I have - an old Black & Decker 2A thing I probably bought 30 years ago at some place like Target - is very difficult to control, impossible to keep straight, and it burns 3/4" thick oak.
I'm not going to make another of the composer's desks I sell with it.
But thanks for the advice. It sounds like just the speed trigger on the handle is worth the $25.
Mine s the top handled one. Never used the barrel grip. I sure like mine. I m sure it doesn t weigh 10 lb. though. Not even with the case. It is variable speed with a dial that sets the maximum you want. Good saw.
Top grip if you have small hands. Barrel grip if you cut from the bottom of the piece like some European saws are designed for? Personally I prefer the top handle saws on the rare occasion that I need to use a jig saw. But when nothing else works, the jigsaw is your best friend.
Top grip if you have small hands. Barrel grip if you cut from the bottom of the piece like some European saws are designed for? Personally I prefer the top handle saws on the rare occasion that I need to use a jig saw. But when nothing else works, the jigsaw is your best friend.
My hands aren't small (not a dickjoke), and I'm not quite sure what you mean about cutting from the bottom of the piece? But the sides of this composer's desk I'm working on - this is my fourth one… well, the jigsaw is really the only power tool I can think of to use.
You can't tell from the picture, but the long straight part after the jag down from the top isn't parallel to the bottom - it slopes down gently. I used a circular saw for most of it, but it's too big to cut on my bandsaw. So the jigsaw gets the gig.
(This is a different variation of the desk, but it explains the part in the picture.)
As someone else mentioned, they are both heavy beasts. I have the barrel grip. Probably just my imagination but the barrel grip puts your hand closer to the bit which gives me a nice feel.
I prefer a barrel grip, so I certainly wouldn't spend more for one I don't like.
It probably doesn't matter, but I think a barrel grip gives more control.
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