Share in my happiness... (I finally got a 1590!)

[Andy]

I took a large step in my woodworking maturing process today - I upgraded from an old, pea-soup-green-with-orange-cord B&D jigsaw to a beautiful new Bosch 1590 with a soft rubber cord and nice, sharp Progressor blades. Except I can hardly call it an upgrade - it's an entirely different tool. Wow! From what I've read in the archives here, many of you have experienced this transformation and found great satisfaction in ditching (or trashing, thrashing, smashing) your old jigsaw. So I had pretty high expectations for this new tool, and I have to say you are right - absolutely worth it! Cuts straight, clean lines, with no vibration or tearout, and blade change really couldn't be easier! Fortunately I inherited the B&D so I didn't have to pay for it, so I still only cried once... But the crying was brief, as the new Bosch was only $149 at Coastal Tool, including a case and bonus blade pack. The nagging question in my mind, though, is how the old B&D jigsaw was such crap, while the old Skil circular saw of the same vintage I inherited works just fine and cuts beautifully clean, straight lines (with a Freud blade and held against a straitedge, of course...) Anyway, I thought some of you could identify. Have a great weekend, Andy

[Edwin Pawlowski]

That was one of hte "good" B & D jigsaws. Mine is the cheaper made black ones. Gosh, I hate using it.

Glad you are happy with the Bosch. When I finally get a new jigsaw, it will be the same deal.

[Ron]

Definetly a great tool.

I got a similar deal from Coastal Tool last year on my 1591 (different handle design).

Gotta love the quick change feature for the blades.

Good luck with it.

Time to make more dust...

Ron

[loutent]

Hi Andy,

I know exactly what you are talking about.

About 15 years ago, as I was just "getting into" woodworking, I replaced my $20 B&D jigsaw with a Porter Cable.

I could not believe that they were supposed to be the same tool meant to perform the same job! I could never get a good cut from the B&D as it vibrated so much, but I was naive enogh to believe that all jigsaws were more or less like that and that the difference was operator skill.

Well, operator skill is definitely a huge factor, but having a rock solid tool with a good blade made a huge difference for me.

I bought a lot of PC (and other decent brand) tools since then and vowed never to buy a cheap tool again - sometimes it's hard to resist a bargain, but for the most part, I learned my lesson about tool purchases.

Congrats on your new jigsaw - hope you have many fine years together!

Lou