Edit 12 February 2025:
After having the saw for awhile and using it a few times, I'm updating my review to 5 (4.5 stars rounded). While testing the saw for the original review, it seemed like the trigger was on-off only; however after having used it while focusing on the work-piece instead of the saw, I found that it actually does have a variable speed trigger, albeit more sensitive than the old saw. For one-handed operation, you can set the dial to the maximum blade speed you want and use the trigger to vary the blade speed as you go, it's just that on the highest speed setting, it will start off fairly quick and get faster much quicker than the old saw as you tighten up on the trigger. If you use your off hand to steady the saw, you can also place the off hand such that the speed dial is directly under a thumb and easily controlled. Due to this discovery, I'm giving back the half star I originally took away for the trigger speed variability.
Original Review:
I have a 30 year old Skil jigsaw that is still going strong. I typically only use it on thin materials because it has no blade roller guide and the blade tends to flex on thicker material, causing an unwanted bevel in the cut. My old jigsaw also only takes U-shank blades. For an upcoming project, I needed a fairly specific blade, but the blade I needed only comes with a T-shank. So I thought "no problem, just by a newer Skil jigsaw." So I did. (In 1993, I spent about $45 on my old jigsaw, which is about the same that I spent on this new saw.)
First, the good. The new saw (the one in this listing) has a light. This helps a ton. Next, it has an on-off switch for the dust blower (the old one always blew the dust). This can be handy in some situations where I don't want the saw to blow the dust because of what I'm sawing and where. Third, it has a tool-less quick change blade chuck and a nearly tool-less foot (it only needs a tool if you need to adjust the foot's locking mechanism). No more yanking the wrench from the hole to change the blade or adjust the bevel angle. I also like the blade roller guide as it reduces the likelihood of an unwanted bevel from a blade that flexes. I also like that this saw will take both T-shank and U-shank blades. Another major positive of this saw is the orbital blade feature that speeds up rough, straight cuts in various materials. Finally, the blade guard isn't a huge bonus but I can see how it could be handy in a few specific situations. The blade guard makes no difference on cuts, but it might keep your finger or clothing out of the blade if you violate other safety precautions that should be automatic anyway.
Now the bad. The new saw has no onboard blade storage: strike half a star. It also only has an on-off trigger instead of a variable speed trigger [not actually true, see edit above]: strike another half-star. With this saw, I will miss adjusting the speed by adjusting the pressure on the trigger. A lot of the work I do when cutting a pattern requires different speeds for different portions of the cut. At least the speed control is within reach while cutting, but it will take a lot of getting used to. The old saw had both on-board storage and a trigger that would control the speed.
Overall, I think that this saw used as an additional option to my old saw and it makes a pretty decent combo. I will use my old saw for fine scroll work in thin materials where I might need to adjust speeds quickly and I will use my new saw for everything else. This particular division of labor will force me to store all but the fine scroll u-shank blades in a tool box where I can put each type in its own compartment and all of the fine scroll u-shank blades can go in the on-board storage in my old saw.
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From the manufacturer
High Cutting Efficiency
The 4-stage orbital function allows smooth cutting ability across different materials and applications.
Speed Control
The 2-finger variable speed trigger provides increased control
Bright Halo Light
Get 10x more light than standard LED! Light up your workspace and reduce shadows.
More About This Product
- Dust blower: Yes
- LED light: Yes
- Orbital settings: 4 settings
- Power: 6A
- Sawing capacity in aluminium (millimetre): 16
- Sawing capacity in metal (millimetre): 9
- Sawing capacity in wood (millimetre): 85
- Stroke length (millimetre): 23
- Variable speed: Yes
- Voltage (volt): 120
Buen producto pero mal embalaje
Buen producto pero mal embalaje, llegó destapada la caja y sin ninguna protección, además, llegó la caja golpeada.
Top reviews from the United States
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Top reviews from other countries
- J. MilletteReviewed in Canada on March 29, 2025
Cheap and quality is acceptable.
Style: Jigsaw(5Amp)Verified Purchase -
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AntonioReviewed in Mexico on September 25, 2021
Todo Ok
Style: Jig SawVerified Purchase
La caladora la pedí el día martes y llego el día sábado. Llego en excelente estado incluso la caja. Todo sin detalles y parece de buena calidad. El motor suena bien, fino y potente. La luz led es bastante brillante.AntonioTodo Ok
Reviewed in Mexico on September 25, 2021
NOTAS:
Tiene arranque suave sólo en la velocidad mas baja, la velocidad no se puede controlar con el gatillo (sólo es un interruptor), tiene que ser con la rueda de velocidades.
No incluye guía de corte paralela, aunque tiene la entrada en la zapata para una, habría que hacer barrenos para adaptar también los tornillos de ajuste. Así que no creo que esté pensada para usar con guía de este tipo.
Sin entrada de absorción de polvo para aspiradora. Aunque tiene un botón para desviar el aire hacia enfrente (modo soplador) para despejar el polvo y dejar ver la dirección del corte.
Considera esto antes de comprar para saber si se adapta a tu modo de trabajo.
A mi en lo personal me parece una buena herramienta, de buen tamaño (no muy grande) pero pesada y robusta. Recomiendo!
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