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Product Reviews
Amazing power and control, December 28, 2004
Reviewer: Woodstud
This is only my second jig saw, but coming from a black
and decker jig saw I may be a little too easily impressed.
But this jig saw is incredible. It has great control, and
depending on the selected orbital action, it will either
make very clean cuts and cut, in the words of another
reviewer, like a beaver on steroids.
With the anti-splinter insert, I got no tearout on birch
plywood. I highly recommend this jig saw!
It's undeniably a very pleasant tool to use; if you've
only used saws that have a vertical handle you won't
believe the difference the horizontal handle makes. The
switch is well designed, it's not easy to trigger by
accident but not fatiguing to hold. The action of the
slides is smooth as silk, and setting the miter angles is
quick, easy, and very positive. The motor has plenty of
power for any kind of wood I've ever sent its way.
The 8 1/2 inch size has some advantages - the blade seems
to be more stable, even without a stabilizer, than most
10" blades. Also in my experience 8 1/2" blades are a
little cheaper than the equivalent 10" blade. But, it
won't cut a 4x4 (or a 2x4 on edge) in one pass - a 10
incher will. Whether or not that matters depends on the
kind of work you do.
You'll want to replace the blade that the saw comes with,
it's fine for chopping up 2x4s (but if that's all you want
to do you don't need this saw) but not good enough for
finish work. There aren't a million blades available for
this size of saw, but there's a decent selection -
although not all the catalogs carry them. My favorite is a
60 tooth DeWalt finish blade that you can find most
anywhere for about 50 bucks and does great work for me in
all types of hardwood. Freud makes one that's pretty good
as well. Forrest makes one of their chopmaster blades in
this size, I'm sure it's great but it's $100+ and since
I'm happy with my current blade I've never tried it.
Overall fit and finish is very nice - as you generally
expect from contemporary Italian manufacture. After taking
it out of the box, I went over it completely with my
machinist square and couldn't find anything out of
alignment. The only quality complaint I have is the crummy
screws holding the blade guard on - blade changing is not
exactly a snap with this saw and they really don't help.
There's no clamp included, unlike some other manufacturers
- since I prefer to keep all 10 of my fingers I bought one
- but they soak you on this item - $35!! Actually I bought
two but you only need one - you hardly ever use both at
once and it takes a second or two to swap it from one side
of the saw to the other. Also, while it holds well, it's a
screw type and I would prefer some type of cam action - I
think that would be faster and easier to use.
But overall if you want a really sweet, pleasant to use
saw and you don't normally need to cut large timber, I'd
recommend this saw - I'm certainly very happy with it.
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Bosch 1591EVSK Gets it Right, December 7, 2004
Reviewer: Craig Lauritzen
I have used many different jig saws in the past, although
all were top handle models. The barrel grip Bosch is the
finest unit I have used. The control with the barrel grip
is far superior to top handle models. Cutting is superb
and intricate scrolling work is no problem for this saw.
The tool-less blade change system is the best around, and
in orbital mode this thing will rip through wood like a
beaver on steroids! The only drawbacks are that with the
slide switch instead of a trigger you give up a little on
ease of speed control, although the rear speed control is
easy to reach. Also the dust blower only works really well
at higher speeds. If you need a jig saw then you need a
Bosch, and if you want precise control then try the barrel
grip as it is a truly outstanding tool.
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Get Serious with your jig saws...
Get a Bosch 1591EVSK, March 2, 2006
Reviewer: ShowCase Cabinet & Door Co.
.
Bosch invented them, black and decker destroyed Em!
This is the most accurate barrel grip we have in our
cabinet and door company. This tool is just outstanding! I
have a small problem with my right hand, turning my wrist
is getting harder the more I build!
The ease of this tool in rotation gives me dead on cuts
every time. If your working out a large template on a 4 X
8 sheet of 9 ply not a problem this tool will eat wood all
day long!
The very problem most cabinet makers have is the saw dust
getting on the cut line... Not with this tool. Directional
air blows the lines clean for a perfect cut every time!
I have to give this tool a 9.5 out of 10.
Worth every dime!!
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Great Saw, February 24, 2006
Reviewer: E. T WATLING
Having always used top handle jig saws in the past,
I thought I would replace my stolen jig saw with
this inovative barrel grip style.
It is everything as advertised. The barrel grip is
easy to hold and control, better in my opinion that
top handle styles. This saw is powerful and easily powers
through stock.
The only thing I could suggest improvement on is the Power
Switch. It is a thin surface mounted switch that is a bit
difficult to operate. For me, in one handed operation, it
requires me to extend my thumb an unnatural distance to
turn
it on and the same to turn it off. So with the saw
running, I
have to extend my arm and contortion my thumb to turn it
off.
This issue is minor trust me, the saw in total more than
makes
up for it.
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The Best Jig Saw, February 24, 2006
Reviewer: Kent W. Davis
Someone finally got it right!
Starting with the blade install/removal. You push the
blade into place. That's it, no tools, no twists, no turns
or other mechanicions. Removal is even easier! Slide the
release lever and the blade is ejected! This is the
perfect blade handling system!!
The barrel design offers better control than traditional
"top handle" models. For some this may be a matter of
preference. This tool is an extension of my hand.
The (retractable) blade guide offers excellent stability
for the blade. This is especially useful when cutting
thicker (over 3/4") stock. This feature greatly reduces
the blades tendency to "wonder" to the outside of a curve
cut. This feature would typically not be used for sheet
metal.
At over 6 amps, the 1591 is among the most powerful jig
saws made. Despite the power, this unit is relatively
vibration free. This is especially important for a barrel
grip design, where you are basically holding the motor
body. I have found this tool to be powerful enough to
replace many reciprocating saw applications, while
offering lighter weight and greater control.
The lone drawback to this design is the slide switch.
While the speed is thumb wheel variable, it does not offer
the variable speed trigger, common in top handle models
(aka Bosch 1590). I have (and love) both models, but
usually reach for the barrel grip model.
If a variable speed trigger were available on the barrel
grip model, the saw would be perfect.
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outstanding!, February 24, 2006
Reviewer: Scott Davis
It's everything I read about. You think it's heavy to
start with, then you start cutting and feel the smooth
power and precise feel of the saw, you forget all about
the weight. One of my better purchases. Recommend to
everyone who will be installing a good amount of moulding,
especially crown doing the back cuts.
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