Customer Reviews

Bosch 1640VS Finecut 3.5 Amp Power Handsaw

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I really like this tool. It has a somewhat narrow range of applications. I wouldn't bother trying to use it to rip stock nor would I want to use it to do a lot of cross-cutting of 1" hardwood stock. Get a table saw and miter saw if you have those applications in mind.

What it excels at it is cutting trim stock. I've used it quite a bit to remodel some bathrooms in my house. As someone else mentioned, it's a life-saver when it comes time to undercut door jamb trim for fitting tile (or any other kind of retro-install flooring, like Pergo). After trying several other options (Fein multi-master, handcut), I was so happy to discover this Bosch saw. It made an otherwise unpleasant chore much easier. I would say that it paid for itself in this one task. It's also good for fitting trim stock in tight/unusual spaces (notching moulding around other millwork or fixtures). Gives a much better cut than a recip/jig saw.

I haven't had any problem with dull blades. I also have seen them for sale at the local orange big box home improvement store.

"Flush Cutting" means the blade literally slides on the surface and cuts protruding wood to that level - e.g., I've used it on many a stud poking out too far. Of course, you can cut above the "surface", as when shortening door-jambs because you are now installing ceramic tile. In such cases, this little gem of a tool is a God-send. I'm not aware of a competing electric tool, and although a manual saw could work in a pinch, this saw does a much better and faster job. The flush-cutting blades are quickly reversible, so you can cut right to left or left to right; depending on which is more convenient. Accessories include other types of blades, with rougher teeth or for ferrous metal (aluminum, brass, copper) cutting.

The 1640VS has no tool case.
The 1640VSK includes a [fair]case, a [lousy] miter "box" accessory, and several excellent clamps.

The saw is mainly for remodelers or serious do-it-yourself types, since it's a speciality saw you won't use every day. When you need it, however, you'll be mighty glad you own one. Highly recommended.

I purchased this saw to cut back baseboards to accommodate new door trim. This saw saved the day! It quickly cut through 3/4" baseboard stock. The saw produces a very fine, accurate cut with very little chatter. The blade can be moved to either side of the saw body to satisfy right or left hand cuts. It is relatively quiet as well. This saw is the only tool I found that can cut baseboards (or other trim) without having to remove them. It enabled me to cut 28 baseboards in about 3.5 hours; try that with a back saw. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Buy this saw! As I write this review, you can get this tool. It's a high quality specialty saw and a terrific value. It won't do everything but no other tool can do what it does. I have not had any problem finding blades locally and I live in a small city.

One thing would make this tool better. Bosch needs to offer a flush-cut blade that has more set to the teeth. The available blade works great for crosscutting, but it's not suitable for even short rip operations.

Not long before I accidently noticed this saw in a catalogue, I mentioned to a friend that if an electric knife could be made to cut meat, why couldn't a similar electric saw be made to cut wood. That's effectively what this saw is. I used it the same day it arrived via UPS. I bought this saw (along with the Bosch compact belt samder) to cut the dovetail splines I make with a Kehoe dovetail jig. Also, I thought I could use it to actually hand-cut "real" dovetails and pins (I haven't tried this function yet, but I believe it will work OK with a hard-wood guide). It will actually cut flush to a surface. I held a 26-gauge sheet of steel between the wood surface I wanted to not damage and the flush saw blade. It worked very well. As time went on, I found I could control the saw without using the sheet of metal. The saw is a little on the heavy side for its size. It does things a saber saw cannot do, but it doesn't replace a saber saw. I wouldn't suggest a lot of heavy-duty and prolonged cutting with this saw, but for small cuts and dovetail-type joints, it's an excellent tool.

Be careful before you buy this saw. It is a limited tool. It is great for trimming door casings and similar jobs. And, with the miter atttachment, will adequately cut small trim. However, it is heavy and prone to vibration, making free hand work difficult. If you are looking for a scaled down Sawzall or a cheap miter saw, this isn't it. Don't take this as a slam of the tool, it is fine for its range of application. Just make sure you know what you're buying it for.

I love this tool it saved me from getting a crain cutter to do door jambs yes it is not as quick but i like the control of it and i have seen to many people hurt themselves with those dam sidewinder type flush cut saws. i perfer this type of saw plus i feel it leaves a cleaner cut with less patch work to the adjacent molding.

as good as the saw it for jambs i like that this thing has other uses and doesn't just sit in the truck and only get used once in awhile. for $100 it seems to do twice as much work as a crain cutter.

I admit, I waivered back and forth on whether to purchase this tool a few years ago. Now I wouldn't trade this little gem for anything! It is definately a 'specialty' power tool (aimed at the 'trades'), but it's one that makes your job sooooo much easier! This saw is primarily designed to flush cut clearance space for tile and hardwood flooring to slip under door jambs/casings for that nice 'finished' look. Undercutting jambs by hand was always such a pain! With this saw, just use scrap tile and wood (for the depth of the mortar bed) or a scrap piece of flooring as a depth spacer; set this baby on it; and push the rocker switch! The fine tooth blades cut a beautiful crisp, clean edge. The saw is very easy to guide and control dispite its size and weight. Bosch did a fantastic job of design when allowing for right or left hand cutting; just turn the blade edge around and virtually any needed cut can be made.

This saw is an amazing timesaver and at around $100 is an outstanding tool for the money! I own several Bosch tools and the fit and finish; performance and quality of their tools are always superb... and they are available at a very decent market price; the 1640VS is no exception. I have also used this saw on other applications that required a flush cut, such as 'shaving' crowns off stud walls before drywalling. You'll probably find yourself scratching your head asking yourself how you got along without one.

This can be used in many ways from cutting door jambs to mitering corners. Great tool. Great idea. Much more control than sawsall. I used it the other day to chop off some stair balasters the first day I got and it worked perfect. be careful tho of kickbacks when cutting in tight locations.

I've been using this saw to undercut doorjams for tile for 2 years. In my opinion it does this task better than the cirular saw types because you can get it into corners. The blades that it uses provide a nice sturdy base to get a smooth cut unlike using a recip/saw. The blades last fairly long. I use one per new house, or about 150 jamb cuts per blade.

I don't know what you could use the miter attachment for. I found it rather unstable with excessive vibration. This is also not a free hand tool, it needs to rest on a surface to do its job well.

At the end of the day it save me hours of work. I recommend it to any flooring contractor that needs to undercut jambs.