Which jigsaw ? ...... and no, not how many pieces :P

[Lexeus]

Which of these 2 jigsaws would you go for ? First one is on B&q site

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/produc...46&paintCatId=

Second is the 'BOSCH 450w Jigsaw PST650 ' on this site:

http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/acatalog/Power_Tools.html

Also on the B&Q site below, but I think it is the battery model:

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/produc...76&paintCatId=

Anyway, they are the same prices, but I was probably going to buy the Bosch hammer drill from Robert Dyas, on the same page as the jigsaw.

Which of the two jigsaws should I get ? Its more convienient to get the Bosh, but I have been looking at the Black and decker one for a while, and it seems to have more features, was £7 more, so should have more . Also, it doesnt say on the B&Q description, so does anyone know if the B&D one has a dust ectraction factility as the Bosch says ? I assume it is standard, just checking.

Really appreciate any advice on this, never had a jigsaw before.

Thanks

[unrealrocks]

There pritty much the same, although the Boche doesn't quote its cutting depths. I'd just choose the cheaper

[Russ]

get a dremmel, more vesatile, or a rotozip.

[TeePee]

I'd get the first one, it's an excellent price for that model. Although I don't thers much in it. It does have a dust extraction facility. And don't be swayed by the dremel-lovers. A dremel is a very dynamic tool and can perform many, many tasks, but it won't do any of them as well as the right tool for the right job. Congratulations on expanding your workshop.

[Lexeus]

thanks for the replys . I already have a dremel and let me tell you, it WONT do the job !! the cutting discs do not have a large enough radius to cut through 1cm thick mdf, and apart from that they dont cut straight, as even with the flexible attachment you cant have the blade coimpletely vertical, especially if you are cutting through a thicker material.
Don't get me wrong, it made a nice job of cutting sheet metal to make a clamp for my CPU waterblock, but it just sint suitable for mdf.

They are both the same price, just not sure which to get
Teepee, do you have a jigsaw ? Does it really matter about the features and stuff ? Or is much easier with a jigsaw that does more than just cut straight ?

[TeePee]

I have a jigsaw, but it isn't my tool of choice to make a straight cut through MDF. For that I would use a circular saw such as: http://www.diy.co.uk/diy/jsp/bq/prod...44&paintCatId=

Easier and much, much quicker, especially when your MDF is 25mm thick! You will also get a much better straight line. For sheet metal I'd use a table saw, but they are more expensive and take up more space.

The benefit of the jigsaw is it will also allow you to cut curves, albeit wonky freehand curves! The features I'd look for is as much power as possible, and dust extraction, although I think all jigsaws these days have it. It's important also to use a dust mask (a cheap one is fine) when cutting MDF since they use formaldehyde in the manufacturing process, which makes the dust carcinogenic when inhaled.

[Lexeus]

yea, I always use a mask and goggles.
Basicly at the moment I am going to be cutting a 1cm thick piece of mdf into 4 pieces to make an enclosure for my watercooling. But I also want to cut a relatively narrow rectangle in the side to fit my resouvouir in. I have already cut a whole in once piece to mount my dual rad in, I really wanted the jigsaw to cut that but I couldn't be bothered to wait for it and wasnt sure I wanted to spend on the money. Now I really cant be bothered with going to all the effort of dremeling and hand sawing, that went into making the whole for my rad, for the res whole. The jigsaw is designed for cutting holes where you dont want to cut all the way to the edge, its just the easiest way.

I could very easily never use it again after this, so I don't want to go spending much. But then again I want something that will work if I want to use it again in 6 months time, as I also have some plans to make a shelving unit, which I may get around to in the summer after my A2 level exams.
Just to confirm, you said you would recommend the first one ? Which is the Black and decker one. It has been said that some of the cheaper B&D power tools like this are very cheaply made and sometimes have plastic gears. I am thinking the same way as you, it seems to be a very good price and I think its the better choice, but its hard to tell. I mean it could just be reduced because they are no good ....
What you think ?

[TeePee]

Just use a parallel guide or a block of wood to guide the jigsaw nice and straight and you'll be fine.

From the sound of it you aren't going to be using it enough to wear it out regardless of how cheaply it's made. At £20 it's a bargain and will do the job!

[Lexeus]

lol, well after thinking it over ALOT, my decision has been made, I will have to get the Bosch as the B&D is sold out lol
oh well. I think the B&D would have been better as another site is selling something whsich looks the same for £40

[Lexeus]

well, since the B&D one has gone out of stock, and I dont really like the look of the Bosch any more, it only has one speed which could be quite annoying.

I am looking at this Draper jigsaw instead:

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=115138

its the same price, tiny bit less, but is a much higher wattage. I have a Draper dremel and it works fine, ordered it from the same web site. They have really good price on draper tools, they are unbelievably cheap.

What you think ? Probably going to get this drill as well:

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=20378

You think it will drill into hard walls ok ?

The jigsaw is a higer watage, 710w, the others were only 450w. do you think it will be any good ?

[Dazbo666]

I've been using the Black & Decker for quite a while now (for DIY as well as modding), and it's been really reliable even in my unskilled hands!!
It does have a dust extraction facility, you just need to connect a vacuum cleaner hose to the back of the unit......

[TeePee]

The more watts the better!