Jigsaw: Trion or Bosch JS572?

[ScoFF]

I have a good number of Festool tools but am looking for a jigsaw.  I'm a hobbiest and would use it for odd jobs where my bandsaw or tablesaw wouldn't be practical.
Mafell is out $$$
Carved is out (too many bad reviews to sell me)
Bosch 572 is in because I'm hearing it's great (I don't own any Bosch tools)
Trion barrel is in because it's a good dependable jigsaw from what I hear compared to the carvex.
I have no need for coping cuts.  I may need angles, that's another reason why the carvex is out.
I only work with wood. 
So assuming there Bosch and the Trion are the same price why would I not pick the Trion?

 

[Peter_C]

I have the Bosch and the blade wanders all over. The older Bosch's were good, but the newer ones are a failure. If I used it more, I would quickly be replacing it with a jigsaw that has better dust collection, sight, and cuts where I want it to. The dust collection is quit hookey on the Bosch too.

 

[GhostFist]

I owned a Trion and it was a great saw but I think it's only advantage over the Bosch would be the zero clearance dohickies. Those new bosc are pretty good and you don't have to muck with the blade guides. Plus better viewing. This isn't to say that the Trion is bad it's a solid machine. My jigsaw is red though

 

[ScoFF]

What's a model of a good Bosch?

 

[Peter_C]

What's a model of a good Bosch?

The tried and true Bosch is the 1591 in a barrel grip or top handle.

 

[Holmz]

I have a red coloured Jig Saw, but in 230v.
Sometimes the blades flex (using Bosch blades a lot), which can cause a wandering/tapered cut. Primarily that is cutting 4x4 and doing rips.
The red blades are double thickness (i.e. stiff) , but I have not even pulled out one of special ones to see if it does 4" thick... I just assumed it would not, and I am saving them for the special cuts.

If you have FT rails and the Trion somehow fits the FT rails then that is what I would recommend - if you need straight cuts with a rail.

The Bosch rails are cheaper and if the Bosch jig saw fits a Bosch rail then a Bosch makes sense. The red one fits a Bosch rail.
I am not sure if the Bosch rails are available in NA, and the red rails are the same and are available.

If you do not have FT rails, and do not have a TS55, then the Bosch TS makes sense as it fits Bosch rails, just like the red MT55 fits the Bosch rails.
You can hardly go wrong with a Bosch.
The red jig saw is pretty awesome, and it comes with most all the goodies except the angled base is extra.

So IMO it comes down to whether you have rails and whether you want to do straight cuts using a rail.
So it is all a theory recommendation and no specific Bosch knowledge... Sorry.

 

[jeh]

I have a good number of Festool tools but am looking for a jigsaw.  I'm a hobbiest and would use it for odd jobs where my bandsaw or tablesaw wouldn't be practical.
Mafell is out $$$
Carved is out (too many bad reviews to sell me)
Bosch 572 is in because I'm hearing it's great (I don't own any Bosch tools)
Trion barrel is in because it's a good dependable jigsaw from what I hear compared to the carvex.
I have no need for coping cuts.  I may need angles, that's another reason why the carvex is out.
I only work with wood. 
So assuming there Bosch and the Trion are the same price why would I not pick the Trion?

Mafell P1cc. It's the be all end all jig saw.

 

[Holmz]

...

Mafell P1cc. It's the be all end all jig saw.

While I agree, if one is only making templates with MDF for router jigs and cutting PVC in-situ for the sprinkler pipes then the Mrs old Black-n-Decker does remarkably well. I tried to give it away for a 6-pack and no one wants it. So the p1cc is not 30x better, unless you are using the rail guide, doing big stuff, or making use of those super still Mafell blades.
I do feel 30x more joy using it, but it depends on whether one needs those things... Once you have one, there is almost no job that seems intractable. So I've used it for ripping 4" thick wood, which I would never have dreamed of with the old B&D.

Maybe an older Bosch from Craig's list would be ideal and work for 90% of his needs?

 

[Staniam]

Never had any problems with my Carvex PS 420. I've built cabinets with it (every cut) and gone to town on 4x material. The only thing that's funky is the blade clamp adjustment but is there a perfect tool out there? No. I made the mistake of purchasing Carvex accessories as I needed them instead of in the kit but man, the extra bases are worth the money. Power, brushless motor, speed and accuracy, that's what you'll get with the Carvex. I think people were expecting the Carvex to be perfect as they probably believe the rest of the Festool offerings are. That's maybe why there are so many "bad reviews" on the Carvex. I've used every brand of Jigsaw from B&D and Skil to Makita and Bosch. Haven't used the Mafell but the Bosch offerings are the next in line behind Carvex IMO. Mafell isn't even on the map with that price tag.

You can't go wrong with a Bosch, I even just picked up their new 12v jigsaw for a cordless counterpart to my Carvex. It's amazing. The Carvex has been nothing short of incredible for me.

 

[Holmz]

...but is there a perfect tool out there?  ...

Well is money is of no concern then most definitely there is one very close to perfection.

Whether it is worth it, or needed, is often found to be "No". Depends on the person and what they are doing.

 

[waho6o9]

A Hilti is worth consideration as well.  I have the Carvex and Hilti and both are

well made.

In your case I'd go for the Trion or the older Bosch as stated above.

 

[Cheese]

I really enjoy my Trion, it's a real nice saw to use...just plain enjoyable. I especially like the circle cutting accessory.

Then again I also like my Carvex, I purchased it because I wanted the LED lighting. I've had no issues with the Carvex but the Trion does seem to feel a little more solid in my hands.

Back to your question, the Trion and Bosch seem to be of similar quality and while the Bosch has LEDs, both saws cost approximately the same. The only major difference I noticed is that the Bosch comes in an L-BOXX while the Trion comes in a systainer. If you enjoy the ability of fastening your tools together for ease of storage/moving, then I'd go for the Trion for the same amount of $$.

 

[ScoFF]

Yes, my tools are in my signature but I have the guide rails, MFT etc. but I likely won't be using a guide rail for a jig saw.
The systainer isn't all that important but it'd be nice to stack them in my shop and not have this blue container sitting on top.
Wondering why some posts are mentioning the "red tool" and not just saying Mafell but in the same post mentioning another brand Bosch ?
So the good one is the Bosch 1591evs, later got replaced with the JS470 and the higher grade JS572?  From what I've read the 470 lacks the blade support of the 1591 but the 572 has it?  But both models sport LED's and their systainer.  Are there any drawbacks of the 470 or the 572 that I should be aware of?  I can't look now but someone mentioned the newer jigsaws aren't the same quality of the 1591.

 

[GregBradley]

Bosch makes lots of low end tools so if you say "Bosch" you have to be specific on model.

I have a Trion 300 D Handle and have used the Mafell P1cc. On Mafell, you also have to be specific because they used to make lots of other jigsaws that were older designs - perhaps they are still around.

Let me say this, when the Bosch 1590/1591 were being discontinued, I bought 6 more. 3 are set aside, just in case......

I had tried the JS470 that was being marketed as the replacement and found it lacking in comparison. However, supposedly the current ones are back to being made in Switzerland and are getting decent reviews. It still doesn't have the extra guide that the 1590/1591 and the Trion have. The JS572 seems like it could be as good but now its a lot more money.

Comparison between my 1590 and my Trion D-handle:

I like the Bosch better for heavier work. It clearly is more durable in construction. I like the fact that it has a variable speed trigger that lets the speed go up to the speed setting on the wheel. The Trion just has soft start and the single speed - trigger is On/Off. Of course, you lose a variable speed trigger on any barrel grip because you don't have a free finger to adjust speed unless someone designs a different system. Bosch extra support adjust automatically.

I like the Trion better for fine work. It is lighter weight and the dust collection is done a bit better - less fussy would be a better word. Anti-splinter inserts cost less on the Trion than on the Bosch. You have to adjust the side support manually according to blade width.

Tanos Systainers are vastly better than Bosch Sortimo. The Sortimo competed well against the original style Tanos but the T-Locks are vastly better. Sortimo is OK for #1-#2 but becomes poor in #3-#4.

 

[matte]

I have the mafell p1cc. For me the best. Butt when i dont want to spend that much money i certainly consider the trion. Have bad exprerience with bosch professional tools.

 

[peter halle]

Yes, my tools are in my signature but I have the guide rails, MFT etc. but I likely won't be using a guide rail for a jig saw.
The systainer isn't all that important but it'd be nice to stack them in my shop and not have this blue container sitting on top.
Wondering why some posts are mentioning the "red tool" and not just saying Mafell but in the same post mentioning another brand Bosch ?
So the good one is the Bosch 1591evs, later got replaced with the JS470 and the higher grade JS572?  From what I've read the 470 lacks the blade support of the 1591 but the 572 has it?  But both models sport LED's and their systainer.  Are there any drawbacks of the 470 or the 572 that I should be aware of?  I can't look now but someone mentioned the newer jigsaws aren't the same quality of the 1591.

Scott,

I suspect that the "red tool" reference was used because you mentioned that Mafell was out of consideration as written in your opening post.  That didn't stop it from being mentioned but our membership is diverse and there are several members here who are also members of the Mafell forum and who enjoy their "red tools".

Peter

 

[GregBradley]

Also want to make it clear that the JS470 did NOT replace the 1590/1591 except in the marketing of certain marketing driven sleazebag organizations like Home Depot and Lowes, who wouldn't know what tool does what and has a client base that is also clueless.

The JS572 replaces the 1590/1591 models but at a significantly higher price. The JS470 may have replaced the 1590/1591 on the shelves of those places but the real tool stores kept the 1590/1591 at the top of their Bosch offerings where they add the Sortimo cases and the dust collection and raised the price. These were eventually replaced by the JS572. When professionals were howling in complaint at the Bosch reps that the 1590/1591 might be discontinued, they assured everyone that they would remain. They did for a year or so and then were replaced by the JS572 series. The JS470 actually replaces the 1587, which was bulletproof quality wise but didn't have the extra guides and cut quality of the 1590/1591.

Bosch may have invented the jigsaw and at time have made the best available but that doesn't mean they haven't tried hard to screw it up a few time. I give them credit for some excellent tools but more and more, they are looking for the bottom.

At this rate, Bosch is starting to follow Stanley Black and Deckers path.

 

[ScotF]

I have all 4 of the jif saws mention...Bosch 572, Carvex, Mafell P1CC and the Trion. They are all capable saws and I them all for different reasons.  The Mafell is hands down the best jigsaw I have ever used.  It is the most accurate of them all and no fuss when swapping blades. I can make furniture grade joinery cuts with it and this is one I  would replace if it broke or was stolen. It is jigsaw nirvana.  It comes with a parallel fence as part of the package.  The angle base is a separate purchase,  but it is nice and allows scribing cuts.  It also stops and an accurate angle guide. You position the shoe back so you can cut right to the edge of a perpendicular surface and side their are no blade guides,  you can insert the blade in both directions to cut pushing the saw forward or pulling it back.  The DC works amazingly well and it has 5 orbital settings.

I like the Bosch 572 for rougher work.  It is powerful and cuts will. With thicker blades like the Carvex or Trion labeled blades or any Bosch blade labeled with a "DP" work well.  Thinner blades and I get some deflection in thicker material.  The edge guide allows you use this with either Mafell or Festool rails. It has a light and dust collection  a metal plate that fits over the plastic shoe for rough work.

The Trion and Carvex use the exact same blade guidance so one is not better than the other in my opinion.  The Carvex is lighter and has the lights and interchangeable bases,  but the tilt base does not allow scribing cuts as easily.  The Carvex has the best all around circle cutter of group and honestly that is why I have this saw.  Some of the other bases are handy to adapt the saw to the work.

The Trion is a solid and proven saw.  I like the blade guides even though they are finicky at times to adjust. But one dialed in you can get great cuts.  If you do not need a light and want a strong jigsaw the Trion is a good value. It also has a rail guide that you can adjust for slop for accurate rail guided cuts. It also has a paral I parallel fence for ripping.

I actually use the guide rail all the time for cutting with all my jigsaws and recommend it when you need a straight and accurate cut.

So I would recommend the Mafell as the best,  at a price  (but worth every penny in my opinion). Second would be one of the Festool units,  because you can dial them in for accurate cuts.  I would probably pick the Carvex over the Trion by a small because of the circle cutter,  but if that was not needed the Trion would be a great choice. The Bosch is a great saw too, but better for cuts that do not need to be perfect...so rough cutting, breaking down material, cutting travertine, drywall, metal, conduit and a host of other rougher tasks that a jigsaw is great to use. So if I could have two, the Mafell and Bosch would be my choices and I would forego the Festool units.

 

[Peter_C]

I have the Bosch and the blade wanders all over. The older Bosch's were good, but the newer ones are a failure. If I used it more, I would quickly be replacing it with a jigsaw that has better dust collection, sight, and cuts where I want it to. The dust collection is quit hookey on the Bosch too.

I feel I need to correct myself for possibly improper information. I have a Bosch JS470E model of saw that completely sucks not the JS572. Glad I got the JS470E for a smokin' deal since it isn't much better than a $30 Sears version. Sorry for any misinformation.  [unsure]

 

[ScoFF]

Where do you guys buy your Mafell P1CC's?  I don't even see a place that sells them on a quick Google search.  That worries me if I ever need to have service or buy a part.