Bosch Home and Garden Jigsaw PST 700 E (500 W, 1x saw blade, in carrying case)

Product Information

Switchable air blast function –Makes sure you have a clear view of the cutting line at all times, by blowing air across the cutting area. There are two aspects to speed control: First, there is variable speed control that is controlled via trigger pressure - the harder you press on the trigger the faster the blade moves. Then there is variable MAXIMUM speed control. This is usually controlled via a dial with numbers which sets the maximum speed the jigsaw will go when you FULLY depress the trigger - this feature is useful when cutting different materials. Unfortunately, the difference between the two types of control is not always made clear on jigsaw marketing material so make sure you know which one they are referring to - the more expensive machines have both.

While having the cord trailing behind you, perhaps to an extension lead, is a slight annoyance, the payoff is that a corded jigsaw will work all day without having to be recharged. Alternatively, if it’s you who’s working all day, make sure your rechargeable jigsaw has removable batteries so you can keep a set on the charger for the inevitable moment when it loses power. A professional tool from a professional brand, this cordless jigsaw comes with neither battery nor charger, and without a case or anywhere to keep your blades. If you’re a pro, you’ll already have that sort of thing covered, of course. As if all this was not enough, the machine also comes with a small selection of accessories including, a straight line guide, a carry case, and even a small selection of starter blades to cut either wood or metal. The powerful motor sends the blade from 500 – 3,100 spm. It weighs just 1.7 kg, making it an ideal compact and lightweight jigsaw. It’s my favourite for easy handling and good manoeuvrability. You can also set the footplate to bevel to 45° on both sides.The sawdust blower sits on the nose of a jigsaw and essentially blows air over the cutting zone - this has the effect of blowing sawdust out of the way of the blade and gives the user a much clearer view of the cutting line. Although a simple idea, anyone who has ever used a jigsaw without a blower will recognise how much of a pain it is to have to stop every so often to manually blow the excess chips and sawdust out of the way so that you can continue cutting accurately along your cutting line! Orbital action This is an excellent choice if you need a cordless jigsaw, but beware: the R18JS-0 comes with neither the battery nor charger. This ruins any pretence it has of being a bargain, adding significantly to the price. More expensive models may include features such as dust removal systems and variable speed controls, which are useful if you need to slow it down to cut objects such as tiles or even glass without completely destroying them. LED lights are convenient for seeing what you’re doing more clearly, especially if working in tight spaces or shadows, and a tilting baseplate allows for cuts at up to 45 degrees. Japanese tool masters Makita have won the respect of professional tradespeople and savvy DIYers around the world. Getting hold of a Makita brand jigsaw for a low price is a bit of a steal if you ask me. The quality of this little jigsaw is excellent and blows a lot of cheap imitations out of the water. The size and power of a motor are usually displayed in Watts. The higher the wattage, the more powerful the motor. But it’s not always the case that the bigger the number equals the better tool. Some of the best budget jigsaws on my list, like the amazing Makita 4329/2, have a relatively small motor but can keep up with the big boys simply because the motor is more efficient. Don’t forget that the higher the Wattage, the bigger your electricity bill! Different Types of Blade

If you want to swap out a blade, you don’t need any tools. Just pull up the SDS holder and slot in a new T shank blade. It’s easy and fuss-free. Great if you need to change blades quite often or you’re good at losing hex keys. Bosch SDS –Ensures effortless and safe saw blade changes within seconds – without the need for additional tools, and in safety.

Another useful jigsaw tool feature to look for is an oscillating blade action that enables the blade to swing in and out rather than just going up and down. Look for around 3 orbital settings to control this action. Another entry from German tool masters Bosch, is the PST 18 LI. It’s a lightweight cordless jigsaw that forms part of Bosch’s “green” line of DIY level tools. And I’m fairly sure it’s one of the best cordless jigsaws out there. That is unless you’ve already got Ryobi 18V One+ products, because this jigsaw will take any batteries that conform to the One+ system, and you can swap them between devices. What makes this one of the best budget jigsaws is how simple and uncomplicated it is. It’s ideal for someone who might be new to DIY. There aren’t many fancy functions or speed settings, but it saws smoothly and it’s incredibly easy to change blades. Hychika are one of those tool brands that make you wonder how they can produce quality power tools for such reasonable prices. The JS-100C is a powerful, feature-heavy jigsaw that punches way above its price range.

This combination means it slices through many different materials as if they weren’t there – as long as you’re using the appropriate blade, of course. Changing the blade is a tool-less process, and once the blade is clamped in place you can adjust its speed with ease, thanks to the four-position switch on the side of the casing. Low vibration –Keep a steady hold for ultimate control and more comfortable cutting, and reduce fatigue with this low vibration model thanks to sprung dampening rollers on the blade. Additional features such as LED work lights, laser guides and dust blowers all come in extremely handy to make cutting even easier.

Dust Extraction port- For further dust reduction and management use the dust extraction port and attach to an industrial vacuum cleaner such as a Numatic Henry. Perfect for someone who would rather buy one tool than three separate devices, the Scorpion is perhaps not a complete master of any of its trades, but it makes up for it with sheer versatility. Blade-changing is achieved with a push-button rather than a screwdriver, but there are no fancy features such as dust extractors. It comes with a carry case, which helps prevent those different blades from going missing in the garage. All of this helps to make up for the fact that this jigsaw weighs quite a lot more than the competition. At just under 4 kg, it’s more than twice the heft of the Bosch PST 700 E. The 710 Watt motor puts out 0 – 3,000 spm. It has an adjustable footplate with stops at 45°, 30°, and 15° to both right hand and left-hand sides, so you can forgive it for being a little heavy.