Festool Jigsaw

[chrisrosenb]

My Wife & Kids got me a TRION PSB 300 EQ jigsaw for Christmas. It is a great saw but I have a problem with it.
I cannot see the cut line with the chip guard in place. I can see the line fine with the chip guard removed, but the dust collection is lacking.
Am I missing something?

 

[Eli]

No, you aren't missing anything. That would be the shortfall. Some people black the cut line with a sharpie, some cut from the underside. Crazy as it might sound, I cut with the saw heading towards me if I can, that helps. Good light is important.

 

[TahoeTwoBears]

Don't forget the antistatic wipe trick.......

 

[Daviddubya]

Are you using the splinter guard?  I have become accustomed to using the arrow on the front of the splinter guard to follow the cut line.  It works quite well, and is very easy to see.  If you need to make a very accurate cut, remove both the chip guard and the splinter guard to see the blade clearly.

 

[Lou Miller]

Return it and buy a Bosch...  ;D

 

[Hoover]

I agree with Lou on getting the bosch instead.  I think they are equal in their cutting and for $15 you can add the dust collection onto the bosch and still be at about $170 or less if amazon or another retailer is running a promotion.  But as you've found out, the dust hood will be a problem on either saw.  Thank your wife and kids for the wonderful thought, exchange it for the bosch and take them out to dinner with the difference. 

 

[Eli]

You're crazy Hoover! Buy blades with the difference! ;D

 

[chrisrosenb]

Thanks for the replies. I will not be returning the Festool jigsaw. I already own 2 Bosh jigsaws. The Bosch saws are nice, but the Festool saw in much nicer. As is advertised, the Festool does a much better job of keeping the blade vertical & the dust collection is great. I am going to be ordering some more chip guards & try enlarging the opening to improve the veiw of the cut line & still have good dust collection.

 

[Eli]

Finally, a defender of the jigsaw.  ;D

 

[Brice Burrell]

Thanks for the replies. I will not be returning the Festool jigsaw. I already own 2 Bosh jigsaws.....

I bet your Bosch jigsaws are a few years old, not the newest models??

 

[ryansmythe]

I have one of the newest bosch jigsaws and it is a good saw but cutting material thicker than .75" you rarely get it to cut square.

 

[Steven in Iowa]

I also had a new model Bosch and bought the Festool for the dust control.  After using it for cutting the 'Bird's Mouths' on a bunch of home built rafters this Summer, I can certainly can say the Festool cuts much straighter when the material is > 1". JMHO

 

[bruegf]

I hope its worth the extra money over the Bosch for both dust control and squareness of cut.  I'm still waiting for Santa to deliver mine!

Fred

 

[Mike_Chrest]

Have you guys tried the Bosch saw with Festool blades? I'm curious if that improves the square cutting ability.
Mike

 

[Eli]

The blade guides are supposedly what keep the blade square, not the blade itself.

 

[Brad Evans]

I like the Bosch.  It doesn't bounce around with too much vacuum...

 

[Bob Marino]

The blade guides are supposedly what keep the blade square, not the blade itself.

True,  but Festool also has a series of thicker blades, which do not deflect nearly as much as the others.

Bob

 

[Steven in Iowa]

The blade guides are supposedly what keep the blade square, not the blade itself.

True,  but Festool also has a series of thicker blades, which do not deflect nearly as much as the others.

Bob

That is exactly what I used and they definitely perform as advertised.

 

[chrisrosenb]

The blade guides are supposedly what keep the blade square, not the blade itself.

True,  but Festool also has a series of thicker blades, which do not deflect nearly as much as the others.

Bob

Bob,

Are any of the thicker blades included in the blade assortment?

 

[Daviddubya]

Bob,

Are any of the thicker blades included in the blade assortment?

I'm not Bob, but...  Yes, there are 7 of the S 75/4 FSG blades in the assortment.  The FSG are the thicker blades.

BTW - you can use Festool blades in Bosch saws and vice versa.