Black and Decker jigsaw with Superlok feature.

[David Paste]

Anyone have any experience with this type of blade fitting?

TIA

[Arfa Daily]

Had a lot of experience with my last B&D jigsaw, and it was a total piece of s**te. The blade was held by a spring lock that was released by pulling up on a black plastic bit at the front. That bit seemed to work alright. It was just the rest of it. Since been replaced by a Bosch. Far superior machine ...

Arfa

[NT]

if you're buying, be sure to get a tool with a blade guide on the sole plate. Cheaper ones that dont restrain the blade at the sole plate are pretty dreadful.

NT

[Jules Richardson]

Heh, that matches my experience 100%... blade lock good (whether they called it Superlok or not, I don't know) but rest of tool total shit.

One oddity: blades for different applications are different depths front- back. Fair enough. But why don't they make the back edge of the blade a constant offset from the part which the jigsaw grips, so I don't have to adjust the little wheel on the shoe every time I change blade type? I never have understood that (and I don't think it's something limited to B&D, so there must be a good reason for it)

cheers

Jules

[David Paste]

Well thanks to all for your replies. I acquired the jigsaw from a friend. The tool itself seems OK - no undue vibration, a lot quieter than my previous ancient (1970s I think) B&D jigsaw, but the Superlok feature is an absolute disaster. It just won't hold a blade. I took it to a B&D service centre, they looked at it, tested it, tell me it's OK but the bloody thing just wont hold a blade through a cut! Clearly it's an operator problem, but sod it, it's going to be replaced. Probably with a Bosch, unless anyone has any other suggestions.

[Arfa Daily]

Silly question I'm sure, but you are using blades with the right holder profile ? I've seen several different shape schemes for different manufacturers, and in the past, I've found that some of the 'universals' that you can buy in the sheds, are not a terribly good fit. FWIW, although the B&D machine that I had (quite an expensive variable speed job with scroller head) was an absolute piece of shit in just about every respect, one of the few things that I *can* say was alright about it, was the quick release blade retaining system. I don't know about yours not holding a blade, mine wouldn't hold a bloody line in cardboard, let alone any other material. The Bosch that it has been recently replaced with, is an absolute dream to use. Last weekend, I was fitting some skirting to my conservatory. I couldn't be fagged to get the compound mitre saw out to cut the 62 deg angles for going around the octagon shaped bit, so I just set the angle on the Bosch, drew a straight line across the back of the board, and cut. Every one was absolutely dead straight down the line, and had the proper angle on it. Compared to the B&D, this machine has so far been an absolute pleasure to use on every job I've employed it on ... d;~}

Arfa

[Jules Richardson]

I found early on that the mechanism on mine was a little goofy - push the handle down, and it'd sometimes feel like it had reached the end of its travel when it was actually only partway; at that point I could still slot a blade in, and it'd grip up until I used the saw.

Caught me out a couple of times, until I learned to shove the handle down with more force before slotting the blade in.

All I can say is make sure you get something with the most robust bevel mechanism that you can get. My old B&D was great, but the cheap replacement is s**te for that sole reason; it'd be OK otherwise (good amounts of power, fits nicely in the hand, trigger is smooth etc.) for the kind of duties I need (I've got other types of saw for most jobs).

cheers

Jules

[David Paste]

Silly questions are better than silly mistakes! This was one of the first things I checked as I couldn't quite understand how the clamping mechanism could exert enough force on the blade to keep it put. After consulting with the owners manual, and the B&D internet support pages, I decided that the clamping mechanism MUST be full of oil or something, so perhaps this needed to be cleaned. Which I duly did.

a photo of the beast (but mine has an orange plastic lever). Needless to say, the effort was in vain.

Go on then... what model is it? I was in Pee & Spew this afternoon, checking out the jigsaws - there was a Bosch model with a quick release system that operated in a different way to the B&D system and that seemed to be a very good option - there is a positive catch to this, not just a wishful thinking clamp. SDS I think.

[Arfa Daily]

It's a PST800 X-Cel, and yes, the blade clamp says SDS on it

Arfa

[David Paste]

Yeah, I had a good look at the mechanism, took it apart to clean it up, took it to a service place but to no avail. Ah well.

Shall do, thanks. Just out of interest, what other types of saw have you got, or are they not jigsaws?

[David Paste]

That's the one I handled. Good to know it has a pleased owner!

Cheers.

[Jules Richardson]

No, circular saw, table saw, miter saw, plus a reciprocating saw that I can borrow whenever needed (never quite got the tuits together to buy one myself!). I don't find many times where one of those won't do exactly what I need - the crappy jigsaw's now used for rough work when it just happens to be nearest.

cheers

Jules

[David Paste]

Ah, I see. I have to admit, the circular saw is one of the best investments I've ever made. Knocked a sawboard together for it too. Brilliant piece of kit.

[The Medway Handyman]

Makita jigsaw (its a jigsaw Jim, but not as we know it) simply unbelieveable! Makita Circular saw - wouldn't buy another. Reciprocating saw el cheapo SCMS x 2 Radial Arm Saw.

[David Paste]

Handled one of those in B&Q too. A beefy piece of kit, but I am not sure if the cost of it would be appropriate for a DIY type like me. But then again, buy a quality item and it'll last...

Mine's a Bosch. It's good enough for what I do. Good enough as in I am happy with it's performance, not the 'I accept it's limitations for the cost of it' type happy.

What be them then?

[Trevor Bristol]

Black&Decker Rs656Pe Jigsaw problem stopped working changed fuse still not working only used three times

[TomL]

My 656PE was just dead too. Then I fiddled around with it and found that it works only at the max speed setting. So as I am only going to be cutting wood it is ok.. Bit disappointing as it is more than five years old but never used...