Bosch JS572EL jigsaw opinions?

[Iwood75]

I've got to my old Porter Cable jigsaw and am tired of waiting for the Carvex. Does anyone own the Bosch JS572EL and have opinions you could pass on to me?  Thanks!  Joel

 

[kfitzsimons]

I just looked at it at WIA. A lumber dealer had it there for $229! Including the Bosch case and the dust collection system. Should have bought it! It looks like a really nice machine. Guides are very beefy and should keep the blade very straight. Light weight and compact compared to anything else in it's class. I didn't have a chance to cut with it, but I'd buy it.

 

[ScotF]

I've got to my old Porter Cable jigsaw and am tired of waiting for the Carvex. Does anyone own the Bosch JS572EL and have opinions you could pass on to me?  Thanks!  Joel

I bought the barrel grip version at WIA.  I have only had it about a month now and so far it has been a great saw -- much better than my older Bosch (1587 series).  The double roller precision guide II does a good job at keeping the blade straight and parallel to the face of the stock and I have been able to get 90 degree cuts in everything from 1/2 inch to 8/4 stock (using the right blade).  The light is great and I like that you can turn it on and off as needed.  The dust collection works well (at least for a jig saw) and the cool thing about it is that the DC insert swivels right and left.  It fits the Festool 27mm hose perfectly.  The base can be adjusted to a perfect 90 degrees and there is a slotted screw that allows you to dial it in.  It is finicky to get it just right, but once set it seems to keep its setting.  It is pretty much tool-less to get it to different angles and also to remove the blade and it has positive stops at 45 and 90 and a couple of other angles.  It has great power and cuts through anything I have done without trouble.  It fits the Festool blades and Bosch blades just fine and I actually like using the Trion blades when I really want to ensure a perpendicular cut.  The D handle version allows you to have variable speed at the trigger and you also have the VS dial which is nice.  You can also lock it on with either your left or right hand.  I opted for the barrel grip since it felt better to me. It is made in Switzerland. The L-Boxx is pretty nice and it has a lot of room for several blades and other accessories.  Would rather it all fit in a Systainer though and I might try to modify the insert to fit in one some day. 

The one beef I have is that the metal overshoe fits very, very tightly...in fact, I have not even put it on all the way for fear of not being able to get it off.  I spoke to the rep at WIA where I bought it and he said that they were making some new ones that went on easier...who knows if that is the case.  I might buy another plastic shoe and sand the sides down slightly to better fit the metal shoe if they do not come out with a modification.  Also, it only comes with one anti-splinter insert and it is not easy to find more -- you can order from Bosch or do what I did and order from Home Depot and avoid paying the outrageous shipping.  There is an edge guide that is due out in March of next year and it will also allow circle cutting.   

I too needed a new saw and could not wait for the Carvex.  I Debated between this and a Trion and opted for this one since it had some of the updated features.  Who knows, when the Carvex makes it here I might get the battery one too.

Hope this helps.

Scot 

 

[Iwood75]

Thanks guys for your input. That helps a lot.  I was saving for a Kapex.  But, for the approx. $1,450 that the Kapex plus 36mm hose would set me back, I could buy the 12" Bosch Sliding Miter Saw AND their jigsaw AND the boom arm for my CT. I keep reading here about Kapex problems and shortcomings. Maybe I'll hold off 'til early January and check things out at the Baltimore woodworking show.

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

I love mine. It does everything the older version did except in a lighter package. It was well worth the $300 I paid for it.
I have the same gripe about the metal overshoe though. I havent even tried to get it all the way on for fear of never getting it off.
i would rather have full time plastic shoe anyway.
I think the rollers do a great job guiding the blade, not quite as good as the older saw however. The pinching blade guides felt a tad more solid, but at the expense of the blade getting burnt out.
Now I actually go whole jobs with one blade. I cant believe how much longer the new saw keeps a good blade!

 

[mbs]

I'm not a fan of Bosch any more.  Ive had their drills and two of their jigsaws and the plastic just doesnt hold up. I don't abuse my tools either.