Bosch 1587AVSK 5 Amp Top-Handle Jig Saw Kit

by Bosch

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Bosch invented the jig saw, and, with its top-handle models, it's getting close to perfecting it. The 1587AVSK has a nicely shaped handle, tapered where other saws are not, and a nice rubber grip that lets users (of all hand sizes) steer the tool firmly in hand. (Some toolmakers ignore ergonomics, but not Bosch--and we appreciate it.) The safety mechanism works well with the trigger, and the cut is super smooth. We like the variable-speed dial, the light weight, and the foot plate's plastic cover, which ensures that surfaces won't get scratched as they can by saws with metal plates. The blade-change system--if a little tricky at first--works great. No question about it, this jig saw keeps up Bosch's reputation as one of the prime movers in the power tool industry. --Michael Shilling

From the Manufacturer

Bosch has beaten down the price of its standard 1587 jig saw and included a case. The saw's high-efficiency motor provides more power for the most-demanding cut while the dust blower clears the cut line, shutting off for metal cutting. Features include linear counterbalance, an adjustable footplate that tilts left and right up to 45 degrees, a base that retracts for flush cutting, and a top handle that gives extra control under heavy load. This kit includes three assorted blades, plastic case, an anti-splintering device, a hex key, and a carrying case.

Features

• Powerful 5 amp motor, 500 to 3,100 strokes per minute
• Tool-free blade change system for fast and easy blade changes
• Exclusive multidirectional blade clamp mechanism for superior blade hold
• Low-vibration design ensures extremely smooth operation
• 4-stage orbital action adjusts blade motion to match work piece and cutting task
• Low-position roller guide ensures blade stability and precise cutting
• 3-position dust blower
• Adjustable die-cast aluminum footplate
• Variable-speed control dial sets maximum speed and trigger-controls operating speed

Specifications

• Rating: 120 volts AC
• Amps: 5 amps
• No-load strokes per minute: 500 to 3,100 spm
• Stroke length: 1 inch
• Length: 10-5/8 inches
• Weight: 5.5 lbs.
• Cutting capacity, aluminum: 3/4 inch
• Cutting capacity, mild steel: 3/8 inch
• Cutting capacity, plastics: 1-1/4 inches
• Cutting capacity, stainless steel: 1/8 inch
• Cutting capacity, wood: 3-3/8 inches

Includes

• 3 assorted blades
• Footplate adjustment hex key
• Anti-splintering insert
• Steel footplate insert kit
• No-mar plastic footplate insert kit
• Carrying case

Warranty
This Bosch power tool comes with a one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase.

Product Details

Product Manual [699kb PDF]

• Item Weight: 8.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00004S90L
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 1587AVSK
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,581 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #61 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Saws > Jig Saws

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

89 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST. PERIOD., February 25, 2001

By 

Richard Schons (Wenatchee, wa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bosch 1587AVSK 5 Amp Top-Handle Jig Saw Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

Just how good is this machine? So good that when Dewalt created their new top-of-the-line jig saw they copied the Bosch nut for nut, bolt for bolt.

Bosch invented the jig saw so they have some experience at getting it right. But the main thing to consider is what is important when buying one.

The Bosch 1587 has several features that make it the top dog.

First, it has heft. This heavy, well-balanced tool rides smoothly on surfaces and combined with an efficient counter-balance mechanism provides smooth cuts and a minimum of vibration. The top handle design further adds to the feeling of lightness and ease of operation despite the tools weight and power.

Secondly, it has different blade stroke patterns in orbital and in-line configurations and a chip blower that can be turned off and on. This, combined with variable speeds, provide for a saw that will take on any challenge.

Another feature that will spoil you in a hurry is the tool-less blade change. There is nothing more frustrating than trying hold a blade and fidling with a screwdriver! With the Bosch, just stick the blade in, turn the top cap three times untill it clicks and you're done. Hint: I leave the cap in the unscrewed position after use. That way when I'm ready to use it again it's near-instantaneous to get going.

This is a professional tool. It's the one I use in my finish carpentry business and it's the one my constituants use in their work. To spend more on a jig saw would be a waste of money. To spend less would be a larger one.

58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A cut above all others, June 4, 2003

By 

iwoodknot "iwoodknot" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bosch 1587AVSK 5 Amp Top-Handle Jig Saw Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

I actually considered not writing a review of the Bosch 1587 as it's legendary quality and reliability I felt didn't need further clarification. Like the Hitachi M12V router, some tools in their class I feel have such a positive reputation and overall value they outshine the others, at times considerably. However, due to some concerns regarding the Bosch's unique "tool-less" blade change which can be confusing to some, I thought I might give my input.

The blade change: A "tool-less" system is much appreciated in a jigsaw where the norm used to be having to hold the blade in one hand, a tiny allen wrench in the other and somehow securing the jigsaw from moving while while turning one (sometimes two like my father's old Skill or Sears?) screws. If your on a ladder attempting this maneuver, eyikes! Good luck. Of course sooner or later your going to drop the blade or the wrench or maybe even the saw (while hoping none of your family or friends are below you). But if your like me, some of them are probably hard-headed! The actual steps to change the blade in the 1587 maybe could use a little clearer explanation. There are six steps (in pictures) on the body of the jigsaw outlining this procedure, but actually there is another that might help some of those other owners out there that are having difficulty aligning the blades correctly. The steps I have revised are in order below:

1. (Per pictures on saw)--Pull up the black plastic knob on the forward/top part of the handle to the FULLEST upright position.

2. " "--Turn knob a minimum of three revolutions counterclockwise (I make four turns which I find makes blade insertion easier)

3. " "--Insert blade perpendicular to barrel of the jigsaw. If blade faces left or right, it doesn't matter, either will work. Turn blade teeth forward.

3a. (NOT ADDRESSED IN SIX STEPS)--Next, PULL BLADE DOWN to seat it properly into reciprocating plunger. This should "automatically" align it parallel to the body of the saw and should address concerns of misaligned blades. Note: This knob "WILL" lock the blade out of alignment if you bypass this step and make cutting difficult if not impossible depending on how far out of alignment you chose to lock it in. Why Bosch doesn't include this into the six other steps is puzzling. This is addressed in the manual however, (Reference: Included manual, printing 9/01, page 7, end of 3rd para.) albeit as a short snibbet of information that could be easily missed by those in a hurry to start cutting.

4. " "--Turn knob clockwise until you hear and feel it "click" into place.

5. " "--Press knob down approximately half-way so it turns freely (without engaging blade "click") and return it to start position as needed.

6. " "--Press knob down fully to seat into handle.

Another tip that I find useful, although not absolutely necessary is to push the plunger (reciprocating shaft) into the fullest upright position before blade insertion/removal. This makes the procedure much easier, particularly on the finger tips when using new, sharp more aggressive blades.

Ok, I hope that makes things a little clearer and lets those frustrated owners enjoy a fine piece of machinery. As far as the often stated virtues of this jigsaw, quality, power, reliability and by far the best blades (Progressor), I believe it's all true. Price is competitive and with the previous qualities by far the best overall value anywhere by anyone. As of this review Milwaukee and Makita have come out with 6+ amp powerhouses the 6266 and 4340FCT, respectively. I don't believe power is everything and I recommend not believing the hype from manufacturers. The bottom line is productivity. If a tool doesn't last or it can't be used comfortably and efficiently is it really worth it when you have other choices? I haven't come close to bogging down the 5 amp Bosch and I have doubts the others have the refinement of the 1587. But in all fairness, I don't own either of them and this is just going by other opinions.

SOME INTERESTING NOTES: Some of Skill's jigsaw's at 1/3 to 1/2 the price come with the same quality case. For those unaware Skill and Bosch have become the same company. (No contest in cutting quality though, the Bosch CLEARLY surpasses the Skill, I own both.). Some perpendicular cuts with the top handled 1587 can be made holding the barrel somewhat-like the barrel-grip 1584. The Bosch 1584 (barrel-grip) doesn't have a variable speed trigger, it has a dial at it's rear that is impractical to adjust during actual cutting. There is significantly more motor control to be found with the top-handled 1587 and it's variable speed control trigger. I recently saw an episode of "This Old House" on a local PBS station and saw a counter top company using the Bosch 1587 to cut 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" soapstone! I never considered that!

Thanks for reading. More comprehensive reviews coming soon.

The Pros:

**Legendary record as the best jigsaw made (except for it's barrel-grip sibling the 1584)
**Competitive price
**The best blade quality and selection (Bosch Progressor "T" Tang-shanks)
**Tool-less blade changing

The Cons:

**Somewhat flimsy feel of plastic blade lock knob, trigger and trigger lock. (Doesn't affect performance)
**Hmmm...I honestly can't think of any others.

Summary: Want a jigsaw that's a cut above (ok, I know it's a cliche)? Try the "Boss-ch" 1587.

71 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Amazon ships reconditioned item as new, October 3, 2003

By 

Paul Hong (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bosch 1587AVSK 5 Amp Top-Handle Jig Saw Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

Don't buy this item unless you want a reconditioned unit. I received a unit with obvious wear marks, fingerprints, and scratches. The replacement Amazon sent me was in the same condition. Amazon's customer "service" kept stonewalling me, offering to refund me only 20% of my purchase price no matter what I asked for. I did not ask for anything unreasonable--I did not see this as a "gotcha" opportunity to get a tool at some incredible discount. However, maintaining my goodwill as a customer should be worth some premium to Amazon. It's not. They just told me they respect my decision to go elsewhere, which is what I recommend you do.

Coincidentally, 20% off is the general range at which Amazon sells reconditioned units that are in the $150 price range when new (note this is for other tools; I have not seen reconditioned Bosch 1587AVSKs on Amazon--except those they sent me!) If I had wanted a reconditioned unit, I would have ordered one. This smells of a form of bait-and-switch. You order a new item. They ship you a reconditioned one and offer to refund part of your purchase price. Suspiciously, you are refunded only enough so you end up paying the same price you would have paid for a reconditioned model. And Amazon gets to unload some of its reconditioned inventory.

Be warned.