Black & Decker HS600K ZipSaw Multi Project Tool

by Black & Decker

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The Black & Decker ZipSaw multi-project tool is really several tools in one. As a jigsaw, the ZipSaw produces a 3/4-inch stroke that cuts through wood, metal, plastic, carpet, linoleum, and cardboard. The tool can also be used as a sander/polisher to remove rust and paint, polish surfaces, and sand in tight spaces. It accomplishes this transformation through the use of various, easy-to-change accessories that lock into place with the click of a button. The shoe can also be removed without tools in order to attach the circle and edge guide, an accessory designed for cutting circles and ripping without a pencil line. A variable-speed trigger and adjustable speed dial allow the ZipSaw to operate at a range of 1,000-3,200 spm. The speed dial has six numbered settings but can be adjusted to any position along the way for total speed control. The ZipSaw also works well in tight spaces other tools can’t always reach. A lightweight, ergonomic design gives it a very comfortable feel and allows it to be used both vertically and horizontally for even greater versatility.--Carl Thress

From the Manufacturer

The ZipSaw is an easy-to-use, versatile new cutting tool that cuts, rips and slices through plywood, paneling, linoleum, netting, fabric, PVC and copper piping, carpet, and more. It tackles a wide variety of common do-it-yourself projects as a traditional jig saw, but that is only the beginning to its cutting versatility. The saw is sold with 14 accessories that take you from cutting into a whole range of material removal including sanding, contouring, brushing, and scraping. An adjustable circle-cutting accessory attaches to the saw making 360-degree circles up to 15 inches in diameter. The Circle cutting accessory can also be used as an edge guide to make straight cuts. The ZipSaw's compact design provides an easy-to-hold, comfortable grip and puts your hand in control of the saw. The saw's 3 amp motor and 3/4-inch stroke length deliver aggressive, low-vibration cutting. A variable speed dial adjusts the speed of cut from 1,000 to 3,200 strokes per minute. Black and Decker's exclusive Quick Clamp blade change offers quick and easy changing of accessories with the push of a button. The HS600K includes the ZipSaw, two fast cut wood blades, scrolling wood blade, plastic cutting blade, two thick metal cutting blades, fine finish wood blade, flat Velcro holder, three pieces of sand paper, non-woven pad, round steel brush, serrated blade, circle cutter, and kit box.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14.5 x 3.8 x 13.8 inches ; 3.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006S7D3
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: HS600K
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,437 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I expected a lot but this tool doesn't deliver, November 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Black & Decker HS600K ZipSaw Multi Project Tool (Tools & Home Improvement)

The Zipsaw is a great idea. Unfortunately, this tool is under powered and struggles to complete most medium duty tasks. I found the Zipsaw useful for hobby projects like cutting balsa wood, cardboard light guage plastic etc.

My other two problems with this tool are no.1 it is way too loud and no.2 it gets too hot during use.

Clever idea but disapointing quality and performance.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Decent tool with serious flaws, August 23, 2007

By 

Evelyn White "smokehill" (fredericksburg, virginia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black & Decker HS600K ZipSaw Multi Project Tool (Tools & Home Improvement)

I got a zipsaw for Christmas, for light wood & metal-cutting around the farm, and I'm happy with its performance. It's not a 60-dollar scroller saw, but it is plenty adequate for occasional use and worth the price. I'd have given it a 4 or 5 if it weren't for the difficulty of getting the special replacement blades the Zipsaw requires. If I'd know this up front, we wouldn't have bought it.

It has been discontinued by B&D, and I suspect part of the reason is because the Zipsaw will ONLY take its own special type of blades, not regular jigsaw blades. I tried several brands of various jigsaw/scroller saw blades, including Black & Decker's, but nothing else fits because of the peculiar "hole grip" its quick-change blades require. If desperate, one might be able to grind or drill a jigsaw blade somehow..... ugh! Bad idea, since I can't find any local source for replacement blades, and Black and Decker's website and 800 number were useless. The lady referred me to DeWalt's website (they now own B&D), but it looked like you could only order blades from their Parts Department, priced per blade (and they didn't give the price). And DeWalt's number isn't even toll-free!

I got lucky and found someone online who was dumping a bunch of zipsaw blades very cheap, and picked up 20 packs of 11 ea., which should last us long enough to not feel like Black & Decker burned us too badly. There are other online discount sources (as of Aug '07), since apparently Black & Decker just dynamited down their stock of replacement blade packs to cheapie re-sellers, not giving a second thought to those of us who bought the Zipsaw. This will keep me from ever buying a B&D tool again.

My advice? If a light-duty saw is enough for you and you can buy it at a steep discount, go ahead -- but FIRST go online and make sure you can score a dozen or two of the blades you'll need for the next few years. If not, just buy a regular jig or scroller saw -- but NOT Black & Decker. We already know what kind of after-sales customer service to expect from them.

ADDED, October 2010

We've used it about 6 or 7 times since then, mostly small jobs. Today we tried to change blades and the blade release button wouldn't work. The spring felt the same, and looking down the throat with a flashlight didn't help. The spring-operated lever that the button SHOULD push seemed intact, and sticking various probes & dental tools didn't work. After a frustrating half-hour we decided to take it apart -- another lovely chore. All but one of the Torx screws that hold it together came out readily, but one needed some (probably nonexistent) "extended Torx" bit. I scraped enough of the plastic case away to make a regular T15 bit work, with a pair of pliers & much cussing.

That did NOT release the two halves of the plastic case. The black plastic mechanism around the blade has to come loose. I did it by banging it backward (back toward the cord) with a wooden block. However, the case still won't separate. And exposing more area of the blade-lock thingie hasn't helped. Looks like a piece of plastic on the button itself has broken, but pushing against the spring-loaded metal lever -- that SHOULD release the blade -- hasn't worked either. I may just dump the thing and try to find another cheap one on eBay, since I have hundreds of extra blades now.

I am not impressed with Black & Decker junk. I should have just stuck with my old jigsaw and scroller saw.

Good luck if you got stuck with one of these. Mine is getting very close to the trash can today, and I won't waste much more time on this junk tool.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Cute, ergonomic, but....., July 22, 2004

By 

M. CARRILLO (West Chester, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black & Decker HS600K ZipSaw Multi Project Tool (Tools & Home Improvement)

I bought this jig saw based on its ergonomics and its ability to be used in projects beyond cutting. However, I had to return it due to some issues:

1. It is underpowered. It was extremely difficult for me to cut through wood, even though it wasn't as thick.

2. The cuts are not straight as it is very difficult to cut when you have to "push" the saw for it to work. My arms were hurting when I finish cutting a piece of pine measuring 3/4" x 12" x 3". This saw has a very nice attachment, ostencibly to use one of the borders (which needs to be parallel to the cut) as guide during cutting. However, you need to have at a minimum distance between that border and the cut of about six inches. In my case, the width of the piece of wood was about 3 inches so it did not work.

3. It has plenty of nice accessories (such as an add-in for sanding) but one can also do so by using a drill, with a sanding kit.

Very nice looking tool, but not as useful as I expected. I bought the Black & Decker JS600K (which is the same manufacturer as the HS600K) and the difference is noticeable. The JS600K is not only more powerful and useful but also it is $10 cheaper.

If you are looking for a sig saw, do yourself a favor and don't get distracted by the multitasking ability of this machine.