PS 420 EBQ

[murphy]

Hi, I bought the PS 420 EBQ Jigsaw  about 5 weeks ago but only used it for the first time yesterday and found the on/off switch very hard to reach using one hand, I have to hold the body with one hand and switch on/off with the other and wondered if I should have got the D handle instead as it seems to have the trigger on the handle, has anyone else found this to be a problem

 

[Stone Message]

I went from a "D" handle machine to the PSC420 barrel and wondered the same throughout my first few hours with it. Now, I don't see it as a problem at all. In an odd sort of way it has made me take more care with jigsaw work as I am more likely to clamp the work piece down which had been a failing of mine in the past.

Peter

 

[tigger]

Hi Murphy

Took me about three jobs to get used to it. I prefer barrels to D's anyway, so I may be biased. Now I don't give it a second thought. Hang in there, you won't regret it.

Cheers

Tigger

 

[peter halle]

I found that that when I first started using mine I was using my thumb to activate the switch and it would just reach.  If I using my pointing finger with the switch on the other side I had plenty of length.

Peter

 

[jools]

It is a learned technique tool and I found it very awkward to switch on and use having always had d grips. I also purchased a Collins coping foot and that has revolutionised the way I scribe. Peter is spot on about clamping and I also tend to use it from underneath the wood most of the time. Better control but worse dust collection. I find I use a jigsaw a lot more since I purchased the carvex. I have tried other makes of blade but still get better results with the Festool ones and you must adjust to each blade when changing.
Regards
Jools

 

[elfick]

The Carvex was my first barrel jigsaw. I found that, depending on my grip, either my pointer finger or thumb would be almost resting on a switch so I just got into the habit of using whichever was closer.

 

[DB10]

This is what works for me, If you are right handed try switching it on with your thumb using the right hand switch and to turn it off,  use your index finger by using the left side switch.

 

[murphy]

Thank you all for your help with the problem, I will have another go at it today, everything about the saw is great except the on/off switch, I just think it should be easier to reach one handed, if after today I still don't like it I will sell it and get the D handle, I have read somewhere that it has variable speed adjustment with the trigger, I don't have any tool shop close by to check it out,

 

[WelshWood]

I too have the barrel grip as I feel I have much more control over the cut at all times.

I find my thumb doesn't quite reach the on/off switch comfortably enough like it naturally should, but after using it a couple of times, using my index finger seems easy enough!

~WW

 

[Acrobat]

I find I sometimes accidentally turn it on when I'm handling it. like picking it up and changing blades. My own fault, as I have to remember to take the battery out when doing that. duh.
I've only ever used d handled jigsaws prior to this but I do prefer the lower grip on these now as I feel I have more control over where the cut goes - once I have my hand position sorted. I still find it a bit awkward to turn it on/off sometimes with one hand. And it's a new technique to turn it upside down for me, I end up lifting my hand up to eye level to see where the switch is else I fumble around a bit, I guess it's just gonna take a bit more time getting used to it. The battery doesn't last more than a few cuts so I keep one spare ready to go.

I have found adjusting the fit of the blade makes a huge difference to scrolling type cuts with a fine blade and get the stiffer ones for thick cuts. They do a great job.