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

Product Information

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 The Makita 4329/2 orbital action jigsaw is probably one of the best budget jigsaws. It’s powerful, well put together and has an effective oscillating action.

The base on this Makita jigsaw is made from heavy-duty aluminium. The tool feels sturdy to use, whilst remaining relatively light in weight. The ergonomic rubberised handle makes it comfortable to use even for long periods. The large trigger switch makes the unit easy to operate even when wearing gloves. Jigsaws, like many power tools, come as both corded mains-powered machines and cordless battery-operated devices. So one of the first decisions to make when searching for an electric jigsaw is the type of power system one wants in the device. 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. 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. Attaching a vacuum to the jigsaw can make for a much cleaner workplace since much of the sawdust is aspirated away as the power tool is doing the cutting. This is a very useful feature and these days almost every jigsaw has a vacuum port! Adjustable footplateWeighing in at less than 2 kg, you might think this is an underpowered tool. The 430 W motor puts out an impressive 500 – 3,100 strokes per minute (spm). That sort of power will help you cut through a whole range of materials. The rubberised grip is comfortable to hold, and there are six different cutting speed settings to choose from.

The PST 700 E jigsaw is around 20% smaller than its predecessor and weighs just 1.7 kilograms. Continuously variable stroke rate adjustment using the accelerator switch allows the user to start sawing into any material gently. Features and BenefitsPerfect 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. 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. 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 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.

Bosch SDS –Ensures effortless and safe saw blade changes within seconds – without the need for additional tools, and in safety. 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. Stroke rate control –Adjust with the trigger switch to adapt to suit the material or for finishing your cuts in control and safety.A jigsaw is often one of the first proper power tools that any DIYer buys when they take on their first projects. Simple to use, relatively inexpensive and incredibly versatile, with the best jigsaw in your hand you can build just about anything. Motor Power The jigsaw tool should also feature variable speed control to manage the number of strokes per minute – typically 0-3,000 spm.

Delivered in one of Bosch’s quality blow moulded cases, it immediately feels like a proper tool. The build quality is what you’d expect from one of the best-known brands in the industry. The nicely rubberised handle helps to keep vibrations down to a minimum. 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.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 best jigsaw tools should feel comfortable to hold and operate. Weight plays an important part here and 2 – 3 kg is ideal. 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.