Freud Jig Saw - Any experience?

Trying to decide on a high end jig saw. Not sure if I want to get locked into a special blade design like the Bosch "T" blade. Haven't seen them locally and don't want to get into a project and have to quit to wait on blades. Want a good saw, stable base, low vibration for long projects, etc. I would pay up to $200 for a good saw, one that will last. Woodworkers Supply sells a Freud saw that looks good, but can't find much info on it. Any other recomendations would be appreciated.

 

Is this what you are looking at:



This saw can use both regular and Bosch type blades.

I personally think that standard shank blades are a poor design.
If you are spending a little more on a saw, blades that don't easily come loose would be a nice addition.

 

Excellent point Greg. Why buy a high end saw and use a cheap blade? My only concern about the Bosch is that I live in a small town of less than 20K and I am sure I would have to mail order or drive about 60 miles to get new blades. I have a bad habit of starting projects and then discovering I am low or out of a needed supply. I remember breaking my last RotoZip blade in the middle of a tile project at 9 PM on a Sunday night. I did find one source that will sell 100 Bosch blades in one discounted package.

I am more worried about excess fatigue and vibration. I use the jigsaw to cut out full size YardArt and I will be tackling a complete nativity scene starting in October. I will be cutting for a full day on this project and my carpal tunnel can't stand much more abuse.

 

Carpal Tunnel - why not use the rotozip to cut the yard art?

 

Jim6918:

If the saw I found is the same one you are looking at the specs say it will take both universal and Bosch types.
Although Bosch developed that style, a search revealed that other mfr's have adopted it and call it the "bayonet" style.

I personally wouldn't hesitate to go away from straight shank blades when I replace my current saw. I'm tired of having to re-tighten them.
I also find that the cost of more expensive blades more than pay for themselves in less breakage and lasting longer.

If you have a problem with wrist fatigue you may find a quality jig saw will give you some relief. They are much less prone to vibration.

 

Thanks Greg.

Just ordered the Bosch 1587AVSP S.E. from Woodworkers Supply. Also ordered a supply of different cut blades.

As for the RotoZip, while I find it to have some truly irreplaceable uses, I hate the piece of crap. The handle is loose and the company says it does not qualify for the recall. The high pitch whine it puts out overpowers my best hearing protection, and the intense vibration puts my hand to sleep, and the bits, at $3.00 +/- have to be babied to damn much.