the jig saw question

[honeydoman]

I did a search for the jig saws, and not much info.

1:  how is the dust collection with the vac.

2: clean line of site

: top handle or barrell

I have several jigs saws both barrell and top handle.  but I want the dust collection available, and clean line of site.  probably will buy the top handle jig.  but what are your answers and opoinions

thank you in advance for your responses.

 

[Eli]

I have the barrel grip Trion. Dust collection is pretty good. But you're trading it for basically not being able to see s**t. Many prefer the bosch. I'm quite happy with it despite this. I use it upside down a lot, so I can see pretty well that way. My favorite jigsaw was my last before this, a hilti d grip. I thought that one was pretty damn good, I gave it to my best mate when I moved.

 

[mastercabman]

dust collection is pretty good.
can't see the blade while cutting,and no dust blower.
i like the bosch better.

 

[chrisrosenb]

I recently got a Festool jig saw. The dust collection is excellent. I was very disapointed with not being able to see the cut line.
I widened the opening in the chip guard to about 3/8". I can now see the cut line well & the dust collection is still very good.

 

[Dan Clark]

...
I widened the opening in the chip guard to about 3/8". I can now see the cut line well & the dust collection is still very good.
...

Excellent idea.  Thanks for posting.

Dan.

 

[semenza]

I recently got a Festool jig saw. The dust collection is excellent. I was very disapointed with not being able to see the cut line.
I widened the opening in the chip guard to about 3/8". I can now see the cut line well & the dust collection is still very good.

HI,

  How about a pic of this?

Seth

 

[semenza]

Hi,

  The same as others have said-  DC is very good, this DC shroud hinders the view.  The saw cuts very smoothly , and very square. The thicker blades and blade guides do what they are supposed too.

    I have the D handle. But am contemplating getting the barrel. I have found myself holding the D handle i a similar manner to a barrel grip.

Seth

 

[honeydoman]

thanks for the info, it has helped.  I will go to woodcraft tomorrow and try them both out.  any more info from others is appreciated

 

[Lou Miller]

thanks for the info, it has helped.  I will go to woodcraft tomorrow and try them both out.  any more info from others is appreciated

Just tossing a vote in here for the Bosch.  You can get dust collection for the Bosch too. IMO, the Bosch is the better saw though.

 

[PeterK]

I have both the newer Trion barrel grip and the newer Bosch barrel grip. The Bosch is a fine tool - no complaints for normal use - well built, solid, powerful, durable. The Festool does handle vertical cuts in thick material better - although I can't explain why. Using the same blades and both set up for similar support of the blade, I get different results. I needed to cut some 1/2" thick aluminum plate to use as a support plate for my bandsaw table. The Bosch could not cut vertically or straight no matter how hard I tried. Did not really want to use the Festool as is a very messy cutting operation requiring lubrication but had to in the end. The Trion gave me a perfect vertical cut and nice straight lines with virtually no effort - just had to take my time. I know this is an extreme example of usage but showed a control difference. Another example was in cutting 1 1/2" thick laminated MDF and needed to cut out openings for the amp in subwoofer enclosures. Again, the Festool excelled in giving a nice clean vertical cut. Tried the Bosch in some scrap and while it cut it with no effort, it still could not control the blade as well. I like the Bosch as much as anyone but still feel the Festool has some advantages. I keep my Bosch equipped with the Bosch Progressor blade to do rough cuts in lumber - way faster than a hand saw. Both are very high quality saws.
Pete

 

[honeydoman]

hey pete and lou,

thanks for the info.  thats a pretty big chunk of aluminum to cut!

 

[Eli]

I believe the Trion has an extra set of blade guides, keeping the blade more square during cutting.

 

[honeydoman]

i went to woodcraft today to compare the jigsaws.  the barrell grip is nice but a little bit to big for my small hands.  i really liked the d handle, comfortable and felt good.  did not buy today, will go back sat to look again.  I am concerned about the line of site to see the blade.  as someone has already mentioned.

did not leave empty handied,  bought another ts55 saw.  already have the ts75.  this one will be set up on my mft table for dedicated use.  I did not need another guide rail so I sold it at the store to another gentlemen who was thinking about the saw and also wanted another guide rail.  after I told him I did a review of the saw for festool ts75 (its the one on line) for jlc mag.  and explained the saw to him.... done deal another happy festool customer and I saved 60 bucks by selling him the rail (gave him a deal)

but jig is still on my mind.

 

[Lancashire Fusilier]

For what it is worth I have the PSB (D handle) and it was my first Festool and couldn't be happier with it. Cut through a lot of 1" or more thick chip board around bends and quickly with a perfectly (discernable) perpendicular cut. Lovely.

 

[Scott W.]

I bought a barrel grip from Timmy C. at festooljunkie.com last week. Used it for the first time on Sunday on some 3 3/4 Brazilian cherry (Jatoba) glue up's. Straight, square like cut'n butter.

I'm happy

Scott