New Jig Saw...like it!

[Dirt Rider]

Just got a new Milwaukee 6266 heavy duty jig saw. Wow, what a machine! This is the first "real" jig saw I've owned...had a few black & decker disposable hand vibrators. This thing goes through 14ga sheet like butter! (well, like really REALLY hard butter) The quick change blade deal is solid and the speed adjustment is pretty trick too. Extremely smooth, the roller blade support is built well. I got what I paid for!

[Dirt Rider]

Aaron,

It's right there with the Bosch, like 5.4 amps or something. The Milwaukee & Bosch seemed to be tied in the few reviews I read. And the Mil. was on ebay for $110 w/ shipping...$149 retail. But, ya I had walked by those high-end saws for years thinking "who buys a $150 jig saw?? Can't wait to try it out on wood projects!

[DaveD]

Those Bosch ones are the greatest. I remodelled crackerjack houses for a few years and they were great for cabinet work, trimming molding, etc. Saw a Bosch rep demo their jigsaws and he just plunge cut the blade into 3/4 pine faster than I could see. I never had the guts to try it myself. I also bought the Bosch inline one with the blade out the end. That one is great up in a hole in between joists, rafters, etc. They both come in handy doing sheetmetal work too. I cut my plasma patterns out of fiberboard and thin plywood all the time. They do real well on 3/4 pine with the right blades. $170 each and worth every dollar.

Enjoy your Milwaukee, you won't be sorry.

P.S. Now just go out and buy two packs of every kind of blade for it so you always have the ones you want. That's probably just another $200 or so

P.P.S when I was a young kid buying tools my dad always said tools don't make the mechanic. I'll never forget my buddy's comeback.... you're right but they sure help.

[ChadRat]

I have their sawsall and grinder. Really nice tools!

[dsergison]

I've taken the PLUNGE
-oh yeah, you really need to do it WITH the grain. and a 2x4 is a little much, and plywood is a BAD idea.

well the bosch survived, but the blades didn't all fare so well.


I use mine to cut aluminum alot. mostly 1/4" 6061 plate.
If you liberally coat the plate with oil the blade lasts a long long time, if you dont oil it it lasts a couple inches.

[Dirt Rider]

Most of my tools I've purchased or replaced over the last few years have all been top quality, but a $150 jig saw just seemed nuts...but as usual you get what you pay for. And I guess when you look at the price of decent power/air shears, you get better cutting depth on steel and get to use the saw on wood too. I also have a bosch grinder, bosch 3/8 drill, porter cable tiger shark recip., porter cable angle trim nailer and a paslode framing nailer (that thing is WICKED!)

Any recommendation on cordless drills? I have a 12v Makita that I got for my birthday over 12 years ago and it has served me well...but alas the batteries are getting puny (the old style long ones that slip into the handle) and the ergos of it are not as nice as the new ones. Are the new batteries the kind you don't have to totally discharge before putting them back on the charger?

[dsergison]

I REALLY love my 14.4 volt milwaulkee.

have a bosch 5" angle grinder, bosch "dremmel", and jig saw.

porter cable electric shears, electric da sander, circular saw.

millwaulkee hammerdrill, cordless drill, porta-band.

I'm happy with all of them

[Arbo]

I would definately go Dewalt with the cordless drill. Get the 18V, but don't put alot of faith in the hammer drill option. They really aren't made to take much abuse. Make sure you get the heavy model. Dewalt's new chargers have a button on them that will fully discharge the battery before recharging. We have been
(ab)using the same batteries almost daily at work for two years now. We couldn't be happier with them.

[Dirt Rider]

Thanks for the tips.

That's a **** of testimonial on the Dewalt Arbo!

[Dirt Rider]

Thanks Aaron, you asked earlier what I planned to use it for. This will essentially replace my Makita as the "out on the bench, grab it when you need it" drill. I have corded drills for heavy duty stuff. Mainly screws, some light dilling, etc. Don't need the hammer function really, rather have something I can hold over my head for more than 10 seconds without my arm falling asleep.

[vwguy3]

Buying hand power tools are no different than buying a welder. You need to test drive them. What works for you may not work for the next guy. I base my puchases on more than power and such features,does the tool feel comfortable to use?. I have tools of most every brand, Dewalt(sell em every day) Bosch,Makita,Porter-Cable,Milwaukee. I have found that the nickel metal hydride batteries have better life and longer run time.
Also remember when you are beatin the H*%$ out of the batteries you are also killing them. Heat is the death of those batteries and there is heat on discharge as well as under charge. That being said I have a 12v Makita and a 14.4 Makita and 2 old 9.6 Makita workhorses(ok maybe ponies) and all have provided excellent service.I have heard(I work in a hardware store/lumber yard) that Panasonic is supposed to be the best performing drill on the market at this time. Hope that helps not just confuses you. Enjoy!!!!

[WildBill]

i have metabos and makita cordless drills and love them but for corded ill stick with milwakue(does anyone ever spell it right) for 1/2 and bocsh for 3/8, i also have a bosch jig saw and it is awesome thats allo i need to say is awesome. anyone else put there have a skill worm drive now thats a saw

Bill

[morpheus]

you've got quite an arsenal of tools there Aaron ... what kind of work do you do ?

- jack

[morpheus]

that's cool !

tools can you ever have enough

- jack

[dsergison]

he who dies with the most toys wins. (bumper sticker)

tools, toys, same thing.

and I feel like a winner.

does anyone rember a sunday comic cartoon, the middletons? where midge and her husband go to the mall for her to go christmass shopping. she drops her man off in this tool department, but there's nothing for sale, that's just where the wives drop their man off so they can play while they shop.



problem is, there is NOTHING in the mall sears that I need or want anymore. I've graduated to the realm of mail order and it seems.