Customer Reviews

Bosch JS5 5.7 Amp Jig Saw

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recently purchased this product to replace a 30 year old 2-speed Skil. I wanted a variable speed saw with orbital action without paying an arm and a leg. This is the only one I found that even comes close to filling the bill. The saw has heft, but is still lighter than most on the market. Plenty of power, just adjust the maximum speed you want with the dial and squeeze the trigger to go from 500 spm up that max. Motor is quiet and very smooth. Blade changing is a snap.

My only complaint is the tilting base. There a little sloppiness in the slot the tightening bolt goes through and the base can be inserted into the 90 degree alignment slot and still be off square with the blade. You need to take some care in aligning the base before securely tightening the bolt. That is the only reason I gave it 4 stars.

All in all, it seems to be a very well made saw. However, I did cut off the wire protector? thing in front of the blade as it blocks the view of the cutting path.

This jigsaw runs like a sewing machine. It's plenty powerful and worth every penny. The box was missing the zero-clearance insert, but one call to Bosch service and they sent it in the mail. I was holding out for the 1590, but this one is so much of a leap over my previous saw (Black and Decker from 20 years ago) it's not even funny. The only thing I'd like to see different is some way to use non-bayonet (universal) shank blades, since I have a plexiglas cutting one that now won't fit the Bosch. Overall, an excellent saw.

This thing is amazing- it has a ton of power with a lot of precision! The JS5 cut through all types of wood effortlessly, but was smooth and had little vibration. I like the placement of all the controls and really have no complaints thus far. My old jigsaw had a screw that held the blade in place, but this has a tool-less system that allows the blade to be changed with one hand in seconds.

From what I understand this is smaller and lighter than Bosch's 2 other, more expensive jigsaws. I felt like this model would give me better control since it is more compact, which was really a priority for me. The JS5 actually has more power than the 1587, which is approx $20 more, but I'm unsure as to whether or not the 1587 has any additional features. From what I could tell, it seems the 1587 comes with a hard case and some more accessories. The top of the line 1590 has some additional features and more power than the JS5, but since I'm not a pro I couldn't justify spending 50% more.

Compared to other quality jigsaws on the market this is priced competitively and everything I could want in a jigsaw! I upgraded from a $25 Skil jigsaw and this feels like a completely different tool!

My old jig saw finally died so I bought the Bosch. This saw is a pleasure to operate. There is no vibration plus the blade dosen't wonder. Sawing a 2x4 is like cutting through butter. The guide post also is a great idea. I haven't used it to cut metal yet but I am sure it will do a great job.

I always taught a jig saw is a jig saw. Started getting into some home-improvement work. I had a black & decker jig saw that I was using but the cut wonders all over the place that I would ruin the wood I was working on. I got tired of it and paid someone to take it off my hands. After getting rid of the B&D. I purchase the Bosch JS5 online cause of an article I read highly recomended it. The price was right. After using it the first time. This Jig saw is like another experience from the Jig saw I been using. It cuts straight. It has enough power to cut the wood I'm working with. Have different type of blade I can use to cut wood or metal. The blade is very easy to change. I have'nt had experience using a professional model to see how it would compare to this one. But this Bosch is good enough for me.

Like the other reviewers, I very much liked the operation of this saw. However, on the 1 year anniversary of my purchase, the saw began to malfunction. The saw works intermittently and the problem seems to be near the speed adjust dial. I surmised this because moving the dial can get it to work a bit. I suspect there may be a loose wire or such. Since luck would have it that the warranty just expired (1 year). I was going to work on the saw myself to see if I could fix it. Unfortunately, the fasteners are not standard and I don't have a tool to take the saw apart. You can take that as a negative with this design.

I'm giving this a 2-star rating so others are aware that my saw ended up in failure, even the the operation was 5-star until this problem. You can weigh my experience to help you make your choice. Would I buy another Bosch jig saw? Probably. I guess I was just unlucky with this one.

I bought this Bosch jig saw some months ago, replacing a Skil brand saw I'd had for a couple years. It came with a hard plastic carrying case.

The positive: Powerful. Nice variable speed control. Easy blade replacement. Nice handle - fits comfirtably in my hand. It scrolls well without jumping or chewing the wood. The saw even seems to cut straighter than the Skil it replaced.

The negative: I can't think of any!

I've taken several months to put this saw through the paces and have found it up to every job. It performs today as solidly as the day I bought it. I'll buy another Bosch if I ever wear this one out - though I'm not sure I ever will. In an age where a lot of power tools are treated like "consumables" that are expected to wear out in a couple years (or less), that's significant.

I have a couple other Bosch power tools and have found every one of then to be top notch. They may be a little more money (certainly the Bosch jig saw was more than the Skil jig saw it replaced), but as the old saw goes, "You get what you pay for." (OK, pathetic pun alert!)

Bottom line? Buy it and saw up a storm.

I love this saw. Tried the Hitachi first, but blade insertion was fussy and the blade didn't line up with the guide roller properly. Blade insertion literally couldn't be easier with this, just push it in. Very smooth with the counterbalancing--only one in this price range that has it as far as I know. The foot is just stamped steel but angle adjustment is very accurate. Has variable trigger in addition to dial for excellent speed control. I even like that it is more compact and maneuverable than more expensive models.

I am a recent convert to wood working after 40 years with cars. The only basis of comparison I have for the Bosch JS5 is an old, inexpensive jig saw which I bought from Penney's ages ago. I am delighted with the JS5 and have gained an appreciation for all the positive attributes other reviewers mentioned about Bosch Jig Saws such as low vibration, slick blade changing, low noise and excellent blade motion control to enable very accurate cuts. At the price I paid, I found the JS5 an excellent value.

Wonderful jig saw. It was reasonably priced and very durable. We have used it on many projects and it is still going strong.