Customer Reviews

Black & Decker SC500 3.4 Amp Navigator Powered Hand Saw/Jig Saw

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Navigator is extremely versatile. I've used it as a light duty reciprocating saw for demolition, as a slow-but-adequate substitute for a circular saw for cutting 2x4's for small framing jobs, and for surprisingly precise detail cutting in wood.

The wood/plastic cutting blade is the star of the show. With its amazing metallurgy and Japanese-style teeth, it seems to last forever. The width and length of the blade allow handsaw-like precision, and the Navigator's light weight permits one-hand control. The one saw to have, if you could have only one.

This is a great saw, but there is a problem with the mechanism for removing/installing the blades. This afternoon I went to change blades, and for some reason I could not get the blade on. Normally it's quite intuitive, you don't even have to think about what you're doing, so it took me quite a while to figure out what the problem was. There is a small stud (or whatever the technical term might be) that you need to slip the hole in the tang of the blade over. This can get turned the wrong way. It's designed so that the hole in the blade will only fit over it from one direction. Then you turn the entire blade, along with this stud, into the lock position. But if the stud is accidentally turned into the lock position when the blade isn't on it, then you need to press down on the release button, take a pair of small pliers or tweezers and turn it back to the correct position. It took me about an hour to figure this out--I was going crazy trying to figure out why the same blade I'd been using for a couple of years suddenly wouldn't fit anymore. I hope this note will save someone some time. Otherwise, an excellent product.

This is a great tool for both inside and out. I bought it for my husband for Christmas and he uses it all the time. It is light weight and easy to handle.

I am in the professional construction business and I can assure you the individual from San Diego who posted that this item was "junk", hasn't got a clue. This is an excellent multi-purpose product that is very versatile for the light to medium grade home projects for which it is designed. There will always be those who don't know how to properly change a blade or part and wind up breaking something. Individuals like this will always blame the product for lack of knowledge. The Makita Reciprocating saw that the San Diego individual eventually purchased is also an excellent tool but a Reciprocating saw is designed for specific purposes and such an apples-to-oranges comparison is ridiculous. Also, one can hardly consider a Makita to be a "Construction grade" tool as the poster stated. Those of us in the trade and truly in the know wouldn't consider anything less than "Porter Cable" for true "Construction Grade" equipment. . . but then again only someone who knows what their doing would know this. This is an excellent product folks . . . just read the instructions.

I just bought this saw for an incredible price at a day-after-Thanksgiving sale (Menards). In fact, the $19.50 I paid is 1/2 the normal price in the local hardware stores. As for the saw's performance, I have some mixed feelings.

My motivation for buying this saw (other than the incredible price) was to use it with various blades to cut 4" pvc pipe, tree limbs, etc. instead of using handsaws. It does all of this fairly well, but it would perform much better if B&D came out with a wider assortment of blades. At just 3.4 amps, this saw is not overly well powered and thus it should have an assortment of blades available so as to maximize the efficiency of the cutting action. For instance, the wide woodcutting blade has teeth that are fairly fine - which is good for precise cuts in material such as pvc pipe and lumber, but not so good when cutting tree limbs or any other situation where you want an agressive cut. All I got with the saw was a wide woodcutting blade (the blade that is normally pictured in the saw) and a narrow blade to use for cutting metal pipe. In my opinion B&D needs to come up with some more blades!

Having said all of that, I really like the ingenious design of this saw. Although I will probably never have a need to "convert" this saw to its jigsaw configuration - I have much better jigsaws for that - I think that this feature might be handy to the novice weekend warriors out there.

If you can find this saw at a bargain price I recommend it as worth the money!

I've always been a little nervous using my handheld circular saw and I've never put my little jig saw to much use. Often I've ended up sawing things by hand--tedious! This saw is so handy and easy to use that I never hesitate to pull it out and put it to work. I love it!

One reviewer mentioned blade removal on the Navigator...well I'm one of those who quickly scans instructions and then go my own way. I got the blade off but couldn't get in back on after numerous tries. I put the Navigator away. A year later a big limb falls in my backyard and I started my usual handsaw log-cutting then remembered the Navigator. Some patience and another instructions-reading rewarded my efforts to reinstall the blade which did turn out to be very easy. Also easy was cutting up that limb in just a few minutes as opposed to a strenuous half hour or so. Recently I had a dishwasher installed which required modifying a cabinet. The carpenter was having a rough time under the sink trying to cut through the cabinet floor so I suggested he try the Navigator. Made quick work of the job and he was impressed with how well it worked. Said he'd have to get one. It has been a good piece of equipment to have around.

My wife bought this tool on clearance, w/o packaging or instructions for $14. We couldn't install blades. Thanks to the guy who offered the "Plier Trick". To quote my wife, "That guy saved you".

To expand on his instructions: If you can push the black button that moves the locking pin in and out, you need to do the trick. Get needle nose pliers or a flat head screwdriver. Push the black button, which extends the locking pin. Insert a screwdriver or pliers through the hole on the opposite side and turn the end of that pin 90 degrees. At this point, it should not retract completely when you release the button. Now, place the blade over the pin and rotate 90 degrees into place. The pin should retract. To remove the blade, push the black button, rotate the blade out of operating position (90 degrees) and slide it off the pin. It is now in position to install the next blade.

Hope this is useful!

I needed a jigsaw to replace a burned out one. I was all set to get a Craftsman when I saw the Navigator. I liked the idea of 2 saws in one and boy am I happy I bought it. I was taking down door moulding and found out I needed to cut back the floor moulding as well. The Navigator didn't let me down.If not for this saw I probably would still be cutting with a hand saw now instead of writing this review. Thanks Black & Decker!

Do not be discouraged if at first you have trouble changeing the blade. Once you get it, it is so easy you'll feel like going "duh" for having any trouble in the first place. Plus what a time saver this device turns out to be if you are a "Fix-it-upper" type. The hack saw attachment is great for plumbing, the wood saw makes quick work of fallen branches, etc. The only draw back to this device is that it makes most chores so much easier that you will have trouble coming up with excuses to procrastinate.