Choice of jigsaw

I have the one before without the gimmicky light, it's very good.

I have a Makita 4350 model and would highly recommend it. This jigsaw has 4 cutting actions (unlike some cheaper jigsaws)

Modes

Mode 0 may/will give a cleaner cut and is required on some materials but can be a lot slower. If using a (specialised) upwards cutting blade, say, for laminate faced material then you don't want orbital blade movement.

Mode 3 faster cutting on some materials and probably gives an acceptable result on those materials. However there are other settings :)

Do some research on the different types of blades for different materials - it can make a big difference to your experience (on any jigsaw).

Perhaps our US cousins didn't understand pendulum. To me something that orbits goes round and round. Would make an interesting jigsaw - although have seen ones where the blade can be rotated off the straight ahead position.

Pendulum describes it better - the blade moves forward when cutting and backwards on the downstroke. And you'd be hard pushed to find one without this action these days. But you should be able to switch it off for fine cutting - or rather as fine as a jigsaw can manage.

Yup, a very good jigsaw, very smooth in operation, well made, solid cast ali baseplate, good blade support, variable speed, non marring sole plate, tool less blade change.

I have been using one for years, and it redefines what you think a jigsaw is all about.

As an alternative, look at the 4351 - that's the same basic machine but with the body grip case rather than the top handle. Some people prefer these when doing more intricate or detail work.

Yes, same thing.

With it turned on, the blade moves away from the cut on the down stroke, and towards on the up stroke. Makes for a more aggressive (and less clean) cut, but with a significant increase in speed.

(Pendulum 3, and an aggressive blade will cross cut a 8x2" in a couple of seconds for example)

Pendulum off, and a finer toothed blade will make a cut in MDF that needs very little sanding (good for making templates etc).

ITYM downward cutting blade (normal jigsaw blades are up cut).

Yup, Makita's own blades are pretty good IME, and better than the Bosch I find (although Bosch have a very wide range of blades)

what about a (non random) orbital sander?

B&D made a thing of that at one time...

Which in the case of that model, is actually surprisingly fine.

Thank you gentlemen you have convinced me it?s the Makita 4350 FCT. Local Toolsatan has one at the same as the Amazon price so may nip down and pick it up.

Richard

Also consider the 4351FCT, I prefer the "barrel" grip style.

It still goes round. The drive is a rotating offset peg. So the pad takes an orbit. Attach a pencil to it and see what it draws out. Now do the same with a pendulum jigsaw.

Was that who made it? Couldn't remember. ;-)

Any half decent jigsaw can cut thin stuff quite accurately.

or DJV181Z if you have Makita 18V batteries and would prefer cordless...

Check what you get with it - case, blades etc, sometimes things sold in cardboard boxes to a price....

Picked up the jigsaw and what a joy it is to use a quality tool. Thanks again for all the contributions.

Richard

Just do it you won't regret it I've got one thats why!, and seein's I'm well, a master craftsman what more recommendation dost thou need;)./...