Deal of the Day on Amazon 1587AVSK $70
Not their newest, but a dang good saw for the money!
PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.
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May not matter all that much really, but the later versions of this model are all made in China, as opposed to the original 1587's - made in Switzerland.
JT
Not the latest ones. They are made in Switzerland.Toolpig (a.k.a. The man formerly known as "Toolfreak" and "Toolfanatic")
Not sure if I was being clear. The most recently selling Bosch 1587 jigsaws are now made in China. Not like they used to be which was in Switz.That's probably why they are now so darn cheap. I paid $159 for my 1587 10 years ago, and not that long ago - you could buy the 1587 and the bosch orbital sander for $99.00 at Home Depot.When they had that deal, I looked at the display and noticed that it was now made in China.JT
Man, I think they were $159 forever. Mine's gotta be 15- 18 years old, and I think it was about that! I remember choking on the $ when buying....guess I'm desensitized now. PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Reading the reviews, it seems to be an excellent tool but I'm curious, what area of the carpentry trade needs jigsaws frequently?
I'm primarily cabinets, but use it for lots of things. Sorta like a small, precise sawzall.
Most recent workout was some rafter tails....roughed 'em with the Bosch and finished up with router and template.PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Ah, nice job. That explains a lot about the tool. It's got a lot more power than the little ones I've had around and seldom used. I'd never have thought to cut a radius like that on 2X material with any of the jig saws I've used.
And those cuts would be a serious PIA with a sawzall.
Whadday think? Two guys on it? One standing on top of the horses, holding the sawzall steady, and the other one standing on the ground, push-guiding it through the cut? LOL.... That's old time ingenuity but I stilll don't take much credit for shid like that. LOL.
To be honest, my professional life hasn't been graced with that level of custom work so the tool probably wouldn't be much use to me but now I can appreciate where it fits in the trade.
Funny story about my first exposure to Bosch saws, at the time the only orbital action saw around, I think.
Working at a cabinet shop, my only knowledge of jigsaws was the cheapo stuff like you describe. Anyway, the tool rep was scrolling this thing through a 2x6 while holding on to nothing but the cord! I was impressed!
Fwiw, I stick metal blades in it often, faster than a hacksaw....PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Thanks, I was thinkin' it's probably the catz azz for cutting metal. It also seems to be a good alternate to a bandsaw, though I don't have much use for them either.
I've been using geometric designs for so long that it's hard for me to see things related to homes with curves. I love curves on other naturally occurring and man-made items, was lusting over some new auto designs yesterday, it's just not what appeals to my eye in architecture.
Had to dig this out of the archives when you said that...
Saw a Bosch jigsaw demonstration once at a bigbox a few years back.
Guy was set up in an aisle at the front of the store hawking the wares when he saw a couple of us standing there and he shouts out loud 'IT'S TOOL TIME!' funny shid.
Anyhow, the guy proceeds to hold the bosch jigsaw above his head revved up full tilt and of course he has all our attention. Roar!
And he has this board laid out in front of him. I'm thinking it was a 2x 'cause it all impressed me so and a 1x wouldn't have.
And he revs the thing up over his head in his hand and sweeps his arm down slamming the jigsaw into the 2x and the blade penetrates the board.
The blade friggin' went and penetrated the board.
He leaves it there running as it chugged merrily away doing curves as he pushed it with his finger.
He almost had be bringing the wallet out.
Peace full.
Forget the saw! What kind of blade was he using in it?
Or maybe the hand was quicker than the eye; the 2X having been previously drilled and filled to take the plunge.
That's ok Hud, I've grown a bit jaded in my old age too.
snorK*
Peace full.
Shoot, I've been skeptical of sales demonstrations by manufacturer's reps on dealer floors since I was about ten years old.
That was the first time I saw a guy doing the old slice and dice veggie routine.
Non-stop patter, "Perfect ev-ver-ry time".
Bosch reps were doing that at the Woodworking Show this past weekend. I've already got my old Bosch that takes the screwdriver to change the blade......but if it dies I'll get a new one.John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
I'd get a kick out of watching that! Impale a 2x? That's amazing!
Mine's an oldie too....uses the special screwdriver...don't wanna be loosing that. Years ago it was hard to find the bosch shank blades, everything was the other type. I haven't really used the new quick release type, that's the one thing that needed changing, I suppose.PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
That trick should be prefaced by "Don't try this at home"......
That "special screwdriver" stays in the steel case I bought and only leaves its home to change blades.........but I guess if I lost it I could buy a new saw.....hmmm...John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
Best part about my Bosch cordless jigsaw is the spring loaded blade release - it'll spit em right out.Great for broken blades.I haven't used my hacksaw for 4 years - I go through metal blades very fast but I got a "lot" of them on Ebay for close to $.20 a blade a few years ago - Bosch TR123X I think.no more prying out small chunks of blade with needlenose pliers.If you have the Bosch 18volt setup - get the jigsaw - it'll do all that you want from a jigsaw - sold my 1587 right after I got the cordless stuff.JT
Have you seen any info? on a new style 36v for the jig saw? I've been wondering how long before it comes out. But I haven't seen any thing about it yet.
I also like saving the dull wood blades and use it to cut out cbu, valve holes and handles.
IMO, Bosch has dropped the ball in terms of their cordless platforms.Who the hell needs 36 volt?They'd have been much better served to introduce an 18volt LI platform with compatibility to the nicad stuff and roll out a bunch of new tools to round out the offerings.As it is, why would anybody in their right mind buy into the Bosch 18 setup to start with cause the offerings are slim and the battery's are old time.Makita hit it on the head and I think are probably benefitting from doing it at the right time - Dewalt's got the user and tool base, but seems like even those that are pretty die-hard black and yellow - there's a lot of frustration about quality.I can't think of ANY task my Bosch 18volt jigsaw has not been up to or needed more power. The only drawback is crappy non-square curve cutting.If they would come out with a barrel grip 18 volt version of the new jigsaws with the blade guides - they might even bring a few into their 18volt system.JT
"They'd have been much better served to introduce an 18volt LI platform with compatibility to the nicad stuff and roll out a bunch of new tools to round out the offerings."
I'm with you on that.
My big interest is the circular saw and all that goes with it. Looking to a full change out cause then it's the same stuff, charger batts and being the cheaparzz that I be I try to figure out the best way to get it. I'm thinking the 42 kit and one extra fat pack would do me just fine.
Had you read the review on the Circ saw? Pretty good review at TOTrade.
How long till the C rematch all old batts and the existing format to new generation Lithium.
If the Chinese do that, then they will have done us a service that Bosch failed to provide. I hope that Bosch does it first.Bill
Julian,I have been hoping for backward-compatible 18 volt lithium-ion gear from Bosch. I have their stuff, but the batteries are heavy and short-lived. If Bosch added some other tools and the new batteries to their 18v line I would buy them. And I agree that the jigsaw is very nice. It is what convinced me to get the set.I'd like them to add an angle grinder, a palm sander, and eventually a light saber. I'd buy all three!Bill
One of my favorite tools is the cordless planer - I use it all the time for a lot of unexpected tasks.Also use the heck out of the cordless 10" miter saw (have the 24 volt version - can run it with the 18 volt batts as well)It weighs 25lbs and is handy as can be - I hardly bring my slider out unless I'm doing some crazy trim or a large job. For smaller jobs and trim work - it's great to be able to grab it and go.I've found the sawzall to be very good as well - very powerful and no signs of breaking down or getting noisy like my friend's Dewalt cordless.Not sure about now, but the Bosch 18 stuff I have now - some of the tools were made in switzerland and Germany. I think only the sawzall and the flaslight were made in Mexico or China - the drill/jigsaw/planer are of a very good quality - although the drill chuck is a bit problematic.JT
Julian,I use the recip saw in my Bosch 18v kit quite a lot, and it is as good as new. My least favorite tool in the set is the drill. It weighs a ton and the hammerdrill function is anemic, yet loud. If they brought out an 18v Bulldog SDS drill, I'd be sorely tempted.Bill
Bill.The Bosch 18V hammer drill works very well for holesaws and large forstner drilling or anything in need of a 1/2" chuck. If you get the small kit with the impact driver and the 3/8" drill/driver then you will be much happier. The impact driver is compact and powerful (albeit heavy for a small driver) and the 3/8" drill is perfectly balanced in my opinion. Great power, weight, and feel. gk
DW got me the 1590 couple of years back. I use it for many things. I just put 15 window inserts in some 1 3/4" solid core doors for a church. Used my e-z with router (Hitachi plunge with 1/4 upcut). It was taking a little long having to take about 3/8 per pass. Ended up running one pass and then using it like a drill and punching two to three holes in each side.
Took the Bosch and cut the 4x24" hole. Used full orbit and had to slow down because it really zipped through. Put the router back on and cleaned up the hole. Ended up taking about 25-30 min per door counting popping three hinge pins, transporting about 300', putting on horses, putting e-z on, etc. Replacing everything, putting 6 screws in window insert.
Local window company quoted them $149 per door. I had quoted based on $90 paying 30 for insert. Told the guy in charge I was going to have to renegoiate. He looked scared but really smiled when I gave him a bill for $70/door.
I have used it for tile, heavy angle iron, coping, and more things than I can remember.
Yeah, that's the kind of job that I'd imagine for such a tool. It's helpful to know how well it works on such things and I'm definitely going to keep it in mind for future use.
Shoot, knowing what a pleasure it is to use, I may just buy one and look for something fun to make with it. Anyone got any suggestions? How about a big heart for Valentine's day?
That'll get me started. What species? What finish? Should it be a wall mount or what?
I'm goin' on Amazon and order one now.
I used more than my fair share of my bosch yesterday scribing a whole lot of chair rail top trim on some wainscoting I am installing. With a back cut, it's much easier to save time with the jig saw than anything else I've used. To answer your question: finish carpentry while scribing."The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a governmental program" -Ronald Reagan
Thanks, I ordered one off that Amazon link yesterday and started looking for some small shop projects, gifts mostly, to get familiar with it.
Lots of free plans available now on the Internet, from companies like Min-wax. PDFs to print out too. Even a roll top desk, with complete plans, instructions and cut lists.
Wow, that is a bargain. I still prefer it to the newer model. My 1587 has been used hard for ten or twelve years; still has plenty of life yet but maybe I'll get this one and just put a Collins coping foot on my old one.
I just picked up a Ridgid 9.6V pivoting SCRDRVR. I bought one about a year ago when they dropped to $99. They offered free lifetime batteries. I decided to buy them rather than buy yet another battery for one of my DeWalt 18V drills.
Then about 6 months ago, I bought another Ridgid when they placed on some additional incentives and with a lower price.
This time, I got the driver, a Ridgid bag (which is very nice), a holster, a charger, a very good phillips bit, and two batteries along with the drill, of course - for $47!
You can't have too many drills.
I just finished a project where I had 5 routers set up and in use at the same time.
One of them was my B&D router, which I bought around 1980. Back then, I would never have imagined using or owning even more than one tool of a particular kind.
Now I have four table saws - go figure!
I thought the 1587 (or was it the 1584) had blade change mechanism breaking problems- with real expensive plastic parts that broke, that it was fixed on the new 1590s
Edited 1/21/2008 5:02 pm ET by edwardh1
We broke a couple of those a couple years back. If you're careful, which I guess we should have been, the setup works pretty darn good. However, it gets pretty touchy, and one or two extra "clicks"...and all hell breaks loose. I haven't used the 1590 yet, so I'm not sure if that one has the same mechanism or not?
So...what was the "problem part" or fix ?? I've a 1582 barrel grip "click loc" mechanism...failed and repaired by Bosch...a couple extra clics and history!! I've disassembled and reassembled and it works find...all parts looked good...PITA to change blades...two screws and reassemble. But I'll buy another...recon and keep the bades in...
rustbucket
Thanks for this thread and the link to the great price.
Mine arrived two days ago. I found the time to read the owner's manual and install a blade yesterday. Tried a couple of S-turn crosscuts in a piece of 3X4 oak. Works well.
I'm looking forward to finding some nice shop projects for it. Otherwise it'll stay in it's box on the shelf, I'm afraid.
Any suggestions for design sources will be appreciated.
Cool! I'm guessing you'll find more uses that you might think. Grit blades for tile, metal, you name it. PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
I haven't used my hacksaw in 6 years - the jigsaw with a metal blade does it so much faster.JT
Hadn't tought about tile. How about porcelain? Whose blades?
That sure would be preferable to making dust and noise with the angle grinder, more accurate too, I'd imagine.
Edit: Can you cut curves in tile, like for at toilet hole?
Edited 1/31/2008 8:22 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter
Never tried porcelain, have a wet saw now:) Have used it on ceramic, don't know blade brand...carbide grit. I imagine you could get diamond grit...never looked.
Chips ceramic, not really for finish cuts, best behind escutcheons or trim it's fine Haven't tried scrolling, but have cut a fair amount of backer. You could try face down for cleaner cuts?
Like Julian said, hacksaw will collect dust now that you've got that baby. You could easily sink what you paid for the saw in blades, but good blades last. I kill a lot more sawzall blades than these.PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Are different companies' T blades interchangeable?
I looked at blades today and saw Hilti's on display. Couldn't tell if they were meant for Bosch. And after reading about the wear problems with the inner hardware I want to be careful to keep everything working properly.
I could be wrong, but I think all "T" shanks are built to the same spec. I mostly buy Bosch brand, 'cuz I know they'll be good quality. PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
Thanks, makes sense that they would be the same specs but I'll call Bosch and Hilti tomorrow, then let you know what they say.
Stopped at HD this afternoon. They have a Hilti sales rep on duty there every day. I asked him about the T-shank blades. He said that they were made to an industry spec.
I bought package of three Bosch T-234X Progressor blades. I just liked the looks of the teeth. Their cutting edge is straight, not curved, and set at 90 degrees so the blade shouldn't splinter the cut....I hope. We shall see.
Edit: I found that ceramics blade that you mentioned. I'm glad to know that HD has them in stock.
Edited 2/1/2008 7:04 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter
The carbide blades go through ceramic wall tiles like a hot knife through butter.But for porclien floor tiles they kind of wear them away, but VERY VERY SLOWLY.Several times I have had to install GFCI in boxes where HO had installed wall times and overlapped the boxes and used my jigsaw to remove the overhang..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Thanks for that information Bill. I'm looking forward to using the jigsaw and ceramic blade on my next tile job. I've become a big fan of porcelain tile so I'm glad to hear that it'll cut that stuff OK.
"I'm glad to hear that it'll cut that stuff OK. "Did say that?What I said was it slow wear it's way through, generaly smoke and heat.I would not substitute for another other way of cutting.If you had anykind of inside cut I would get the bulk out using tile saws and only use the jig saw to get into inside corners that could not be reached by the saw or by a punge cut..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Thanks. I misunderstood what you said. Thought you meant that it was slow but the blade wear wasn't too bad.
OK. I'll stick with the angle grinder then. I have a Felker tile cutter but no wet saw. I don't do enough tile to justify buying a good one. BTW, the cutter works very nicely on porcelain.
As you say, it's still nice to be able to finish an inside corner with the jig saw. Otherwise it's guess work, back cutting with the grinder. So I'll plan on using the jigsaw for those short cuts.
I only have experience with one brand of porclein tile.And my angle grinder with diamode blade was only slightly better than the jig saw.If you have any complicated cuts one of the cheapy wet saws would be well worth it.Before start get a couple of extra tiles and play with them first..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Bill,You may have the wrong sort of diamond blade for cutting porcelain. An angle grinder with the correct diamond blade is WAAAAAY faster than a grit blade in a jigsaw for cutting porcelain tile.Bill
I've only installed American Olean porcelain tile myself. My supplier has a great price on two of their earth tones so I stick with them. I'm still using the diamond blade that came with the Makita angle grinder. It cuts very nicely and shows very little wear.
I suggest that you consult with your tile supplier about a diamond replacement blade.
Edit: I tried out a cheapy wet saw on a small slate porch job. It was touted by the manufacturer as a "professional" model but the fence was garbage as were other features. The motor was strong and the pump worked OK so I finished the job with it and took it back. Based on the untrue claims made on the box, I got a full refund.
If you have a cheapy that stays in adjustment and cuts well, I'd like to know the make and model number for future reference. I have some marble stashed away which I plan to use in my next house and I'll need a wet saw for all of that. If I did more of that kind of work, I'd invest in a good one but as it is, I'll stick with the basics tools.
Edited 2/2/2008 7:43 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter
I have only done one tile job.I have a $80-90 Felker.IIRC I never used the fence.Used a score/snaper for all of the straight cuts.Only used the saw for arc's around the toliet flange, some cutouts around the door jamb and where the tub face jogged.So all of the cuts where freehanded..
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Just to let you know that I'm very happy with this tool. I've now done two small shop projects with it in different types and thicknesses of wood. It's worked admirably, much better than any other jig/sabre saw I've ever used. I'm glad to have it around, particularly at this great price.