Jigsaw Reviews in the UK

Corded Electric Jigsaw Reviews

In this section we focus on the mains-powered electric jigsaw with individual reviews of corded jigsaws that are available in the UK today.

The PST 700 E is one of a group of top quality jigsaws available in the UK made by the world-renowned power tool maker, Bosch. The German company makes all sorts of power tools for both professionals and consumers alike and quality is often second to none.  The PST 700 E jigsaw is one of those top-ranked power tools and has been very popular with consumers as of late.

With its 500W motor, the PST 700 E is capable of cutting wood up to 7cm in thickness, 1cm in aluminium and 4mm of steel, more than adequate for most DIY and professional jobs. It also has a number of well-thought-out features such as the ability to change the blade at the 'touch of a button' with no extra tools or keys required. It also has a user-switchable air blow feature that can be turned on to blow away debris ensuring a clear line of sight of the line being cut. A sawdust extraction port is also incorporated at the rear of the device so that a vacuum can be attached and excess debris can also be neatly spirited away. As with most jigsaws these days, The PST 700 E is able to angle its footplate up to 45° from the horizontal so that angled cuts can be made but take note that adjusting the footplate on this model requires a flathead screwdriver.

Bosch has recently upgraded their line of jigsaws, making them even lighter and more user-friendly than their predecessors, and the latest models are indeed very compelling for anyone looking to procure a top-quality jigsaw. One thing to keep in mind with this Bosch model is that it does NOT have the orbital motion feature, but by not including it, the price of the PST 700 E has been kept to a minimum. In addition, there is no variable speed control dial through which the maximum speed can be controlled, although the blade speed is responsive to trigger pressure, which is ideal for slow starting. Importantly, the PST 700 E can accept both U- and T-shanked blades making it ideal for anyone who is replacing an older jigsaw model and has a stock of the older U-shanked blades.

Bosch Jigsaw PST 800 PEL

The Bosch PST 800 PEL jigsaw is essentially the Bosch PST 700 E jigsaw (reviewed above) on steroids! It has all the features of the PST 700 E plus some added extras. But first the similarities. Like the Bosch PST 700 E, changing the blade on the Bosch PST 800 PEL does not require any tools and the higher-spec jigsaw is also able to use both T-shaped and 1/4 inch U-shaped shanks. For angled cuts, the Bosch PST 800 PEL can also angle its footplate up to 45° for bevelled cuts but just like the PST 700 E, a flathead screwdriver is required to make any angle changes. This makes the use of the Bosch PST 800 PEL jigsaw just as inconvenient as the PST 700 E if switching regularly between perpendicular and bevelled cuts. For a cleaner work environment, the Bosch PST 800 PEL, like its sibling, has both an integral air blowing system for keeping the cutting zone clear of debris which can be easily switched on and off as required, as well as a vacuum port for vacuum system attachment. One thing that is still missing on the PST 800 PEL, as it is on the Bosch PST 700 E, is the lack of a variable speed control dial that allows the setting of a fixed maximum stroke rate. On both Bosch machines the only way to vary speed is via the cruder mechanism of varying trigger pressure.

As for the differences between the two Bosch machines, they come in several different aspects. To start with, the Bosch PST 800 PEL has a moderately more powerful 530W motor allowing it to cut through slightly thicker workpieces than its less-powerful sibling. The higher specification machine also has the user-controllable orbital action cutting feature, permitting it to cut through woodwork more efficiently. The Bosch PST 800 PEL also includes a cutting line guide which is essentially a transparent plastic guide attached to the front of the machine that facilitates the precise following off a cutting line when guiding the jigsaw through a cut. Another unique feature of the PST 800 PEL is the presence of a blade storage compartment that conveniently attaches to the jigsaw itself and which can hold up to six jigsaw blades up to a length of 110mm. Finally, all the extra functionality on the Bosch PST 800 PEL jigsaw means that it weighs significantly more than the Bosch PST 700 E with a difference of approximately 300g.

Overall, the Bosch PST 800 PEL is another excellent machine from the world-famous German company and is a step up from the lower-spec PST 700 E jigsaw with added power and versatility. Therefore, the Bosch PST 800 PEL is recommended for the more experienced DIY enthusiast that needs a machine with a wider range of capabilities but still carries the reputable quality of Bosch power tools.

DeWalt Jigsaw DW331 (Our favourite)

DeWalt is another top brand for power tools that every tradesman and DIY-er of any experience will almost certainly have heard of. However, it is not common knowledge that DeWalt is actually owned by Black and Decker. The DeWalt brand is used to differentiate its professional tool line from the Black and Decker brand that is more associated with lighter weight and less capable tools for the everyday consumer who usually does not need the higher power, higher durability of professional-grade DeWalt tools.

The DeWalt DW331 jigsaw is one of those professional-grade tools that are best suited to the tradesman or the semi-professional DIY-er, and the power tool has a price to match! It incorporates all of the latest features of professional jigsaws including the much sought after tool-free blade change system. In addition, the footplate can be adjusted without any tools. It also incorporates a 3-position orbital motion switch for faster timber cuts, and a dust blower in the nose of the device. One of the more powerful jigsaws discussed here, it has a 701 watt motor whose maximum speed can be varied at the touch of a dial. An important point to note is that the DW331 only accepts T-shank blades which, these days, has become the dominant type of jigsaw blade types used. This is our favourite jigsaw and one of the best jigsaws you can get on the UK market.

Makita Jigsaw 4329

Makita is yet another top-of-the-line power tool manufacturer that makes high precision equipment and more often than not incorporates all the latest technology into their machines. The Makita 4329 jigsaw is one of those high-precision tools. In addition to straight cutting, it also has 3 orbital motion settings to give faster more aggressive cutting in wood and better blade life. It also has a variable speed dial to adjust the maximum blade stroke rate to fit the material being cut.

Unfortunately, the Makita 4329 is let down by the absence of two features. Firstly, changing the blade is achieved via loosening of a hex screw using a wrench (that is stored in the handle), followed by re-tightening of it when the new blade has been inserted. This can be particularly annoying if blade changes are required on a regular basis (as in if different materials need cutting).  Secondly, the Makita 4329 does NOT have a dust blower system to remove freshly cut sawdust from the immediate vicinity of the cut. This means that the jigsaw may need to be halted every so often to clear the cutting zone so that one's cutting line can be observed. Fortunately, Makita has chosen an alternative method to ensure clear visibility of the cutting line but it means using accessory equipment to do so. The Makita 4329 has an integrated chip cover over the blade which prevents chips from flying all over the place and working together with a vacuum attached to the integrated sawdust extraction port at the rear effectively clears debris from the cutting line. It also reduces the overall amount of mess in the working area. However, if the vacuum and chip cover are not used, or worse, only the chip cover is used, then without a dust blower system, the cutting line rapidly becomes obscured by cutting debris and needs manually clearing every few centimetres of the cut.

Ryobi Jigsaw RJS750-G

Ryobi is another player in the top-brand power tools space and the RJS750-G jigsaw easily fits the bill. It is a very compact machine with a very slim profile. Like other good jigsaws, it has an integrated dust blower to clear chips and sawdust from the cutting area for better line following. In addition, a small transparent plastic insert with a central mark has been incorporated into the very front of the jigsaw and flips down onto the cutting surface to aid in making yet straighter cuts (Line Assist).

The blade can be easily changed without using any keys or wrenches and uses the now-dominant T-shank blade type. It also has a vacuum port for improved work area cleanliness. One let down with the power tool is the lack of a carry case - but then if the jigsaw is kept permanently in a workshop, you don't really need one. Being one of the more basic jigsaw models that Ryobi makes, the RJS750 does NOT have orbital action nor can you control the maximum speed as you can with some of their more advanced models.

Black & Decker Jigsaw KS600E

The Black & Decker KS600E may at first glance appear a very basic model jigsaw but that would be unjustified as it incorporates features that are often seen in more advanced (and more expensive) jigsaws. For starters, the KS600E has variable speed control within the trigger switch: increasing the pressure on the trigger increases the speed of the blade (it lacks, however, variable maximum speed control). Like more expensive models, a dust blower is integrated into the front of the jigsaw to keep the cutting line clear of debris and visible to the operator, and it also includes a vacuum port to remove excess sawdust and chips to keep the work area as clean as possible. This jigsaw also incorporates a plastic extrusion on the front of the device that acts as both a rudimentary blade guard and an aid in keeping true to the cutting line. Important to experienced jigsaw users who may already own blades for a different saw, the Black and Decker KS600E jigsaw can hold either U or T-shank types of blades, but be aware that blade changes require the use of a tool which can at times be inconvenient especially if you need to cut different materials or make different kinds of cuts often.

Update: The Black & Decker KS600E jigsaw has been discontinued.

Black & Decker Jigsaw KS501

The KS501 jigsaw is currently Black and Decker’s most basic jigsaw and is a replacement for the its KS600E jigsaw reviewed above which has since been discontinued. Like the KS600E before it, the KS501 is a low-powered jigsaw that lacks many of the features that other machines possess, clearly having been designed with the occasional DIYer in mind. This is perhaps not surprising given that the Black+Decker brand itself is predominantly aimed at the amateur home improvement market rather then the tradesman. However, Black and Decker have gone one step further with the KS501 by stripping out almost any feature that is not absolutely required in a jigsaw and in doing so, keeping the price so low as to make the KS501 an almost disposable power tool.

Before going into more details about what features have been left out of the KS501 jigsaw, however, let’s first take a look at what limited features this Black & Decker power tool does have. The KS501 is one of the lightest jigsaws on today’s market with a weight of only about 1.3 kg, making it easy to handle by even the least able-bodied among us. Like other jigsaws, it has a hard plastic body with a rubberised grip and a metal base plate that can be set to an angle of 45° for bevelled cuts. The jigsaw can cut up to 65 mm of depth in wood, and can also cut metals such as steel up to a thickness of 5 mm making it a quite versatile machine even with its relatively low-powered 400W motor. Cutting with the KS501 is also a relatively easy thing to do with the thin blade guard providing ample visibility of the cutting zone (although the lack of any sort of centre line marking on the guard does call for making one's own marking to provide a centre guide line aid for better cutting accuracy). Finally, the KS501 jigsaw sports a fan at the front of the machine which not only aids in keeping the motor cool during extended operation, but also functions to blow sawdust and debris away from the cutting line keeping it clear and visible to the operator.

Now for the features that the Black and Decker KS501 jigsaw does lack compared to other competitor jigsaws for sale in the UK. First and foremost, the machine lacks any sort of vacuum port or collection container to capture the sawdust produced when cutting. This together with the aforementioned front-facing fan blowing cutting debris away from the cutting line means that sawdust tends to get dispersed everywhere throughout the room or workshop one is working in. As a consequence, for any significant amount of cutting work, it is recommended to use this jigsaw outside where possible so as not to create a sawdust cleaning nightmare for oneself inside.

The KS501 jigsaw is also missing any form of variable speed control. This is both due to the absence of any sort of independent control to set the maximum oscillation speed as well as through the lack of any mechanism for speed control mediated through trigger pressure. As a consequence, turning on the machine results in an almost instant ramp up to its maximum speed thus preventing any sort of speed optimisation for the cutting of different materials or for the cutting through sensitive areas of a workpiece. In addition to the crude on/off switch, the Black and Decker jigsaw also lacks any form of a Pendulum / Orbital action setting in its cutting stroke, a feature that is often found on competitor jigsaws and useful for cutting more efficiently through wood.

In addition to the absence of these important features, changing the blade on the KS501 is also not the easiest of affairs. First of all, the blade-changing process is not tool-less, requiring a flathead screwdriver to accomplish the process. In addition, one is required to unscrew not one but two screws which secure the blade in place. The screws themselves and blade-retaining component in which they fit are also not the captive type, meaning that they easily come away from the machine if the screws are sufficiently unscrewed. This may make removing and inserting a blade easier, but also makes it a pain to fit all the pieces back together again after disassembly.

As indicated previously, the KS501 can perform 45° bevelled cuts. However, the mechanism for adjusting the base plate in both the 45° and perpendicular 90° orientation is a crude single-screw mechanism which does not instil the greatest of confidence in its ability to stay totally fixed in place over repeated cuts. In addition, one can only set the base plate either to its default perpendicular position or to the 45° angle with no other angles in between preventing any more complicated types of bevel cutting.

As for what accessories come with the machine, perhaps unsurprisingly, almost none! The KS501 jigsaw ships with just a single wood-cutting blade in the box, emphasising the almost disposable nature of the machine. It is almost as if Black & Decker only provide a single blade as they don’t expect the jigsaw to last much longer that the life of the blade! However, it more likely means that they are doing their upmost to save on every penny. In any case, any serious sawing with the KS501 will require the purchase of addition wood cutting blades or other types of blades if materials other than wood are to be tackled.

Another essential accessory the KS501 jigsaw lacks is a carry case to protect it during storage or transport, although the packaging box it arrives in and into which it fits  can be used quite easily as a poor man's substitute.

As for the robustness of the KS501, once again, the Black+Decker jigsaw leaves much to be desired, with the jigsaw not being the most robust of machines. Indeed users are well advised not to apply too much pressure to the power tool during use as the blade holding mechanism is particularly vulnerable to being permanently bent out of alignment, which can result in less than perfect cutting.

Overall, the KS501 is a very basic machine that is useful for the quick cutting job. This is not a machine to last a lifetime but more of a cheap, almost disposable, jigsaw for the odd job around the home. This is borne out not only through its lack of many of the usual jigsaw features, but also by its relative low price. However, if one purchases this jigsaw with that in mind, then he or she will likely not be disappointed.

Evolution Jigsaw RAGE7-S

The RAGE7-S from Evolution Power Tools is a jigsaw that has been in existence for several years, a testament to its excellent value proposition. It has a 710W motor running at 3000 strokes per minute with a stroke length of 26 mm. This gives it the ability to cut timber up to a thickness of 80 mm as well as mild steel and aluminium up to a maximum thickness of 8 mm. For woodcutting, the jigsaw has the option of running at one of three levels of increasing orbital action, where the blade moves forwards and backwards as well as up and down, providing for a faster more aggressive cut with each level. The Evolution jigsaw has a variable speed trigger allowing for control of the blade stroke rate, and the trigger itself has a speed setting dial so that a maximum speed can be set. The variable-speed trigger and speed setting dial provide excellent control over the stroke rate even allowing the jigsaw to run at a very slow rate which is useful in certain cutting applications. The trigger also has a lock-on button that can set the jigsaw to run continuously without having to keep the trigger pressed, useful for aiding in the reduction of user fatigue.

For bevelled cuts, the RAGE7-S can cut at any angle up to 45° to either the left or the right of the vertical by adjusting the footplate and has convenient smaller angle stops at 30° and 15°. The only negative with the footplate adjustment mechanism is that it is not tool-free requiring an Allen key to unlock and lock it into the desired angle, making it less efficient to operate than with more premium jigsaw brands. Unlike the footplate adjustment mechanism, however, the blade-clamping apparatus is a quick-release tool-less affair allowing for quick blade insertion and removal without the hassle of needing to use a separate locking tool. The one let down with the tool-less blade changing mechanism is that the chuck is located behind the blade guard and below the laser fitting which together makes it difficult to get one’s fingers in to operate its release mechanism. To make things worse some RAGE7-S units come out of the manufacturing process with extra stiff blade-locking mechanisms sometimes making it almost impossible to insert a blade. If you are unlucky enough to receive one of these (faulty?) units, it is recommended to immediately return it to the seller for a replacement or suffer the frustration each time you need to change a blade.

On the subject of blades, the Evolution jigsaw uses regular T-shaped bayonet-style blades, allowing for the use of non-Evolution brand equivalents that are widely available. The RAGE7-S does, however, come with a set of Evolution-branded blades which possess the unique multi-material cutting capability that is typical of Evolution hardware. These blades can cut a variety of different materials well, including wood, metal, and plastic, although they not optimised for the cutting of any one particular material type. An important RAGE7-S blade issue to be aware of, however, is that although the blade is supported at the rear and partially to the side by running through a support roller below the chuck, the blade can still be distorted to the sides if sufficient pressure is applied, leading to less than stellar cuts.

Other useful features on the Evolution jigsaw include an air blower that keeps the cutting line free from dust and debris and a vacuum port to help with keeping the workshop area clean. Importantly, the air blower on the jigsaw should be switched off if the vacuum system is used to ensure effective aspiration of the dust and debris. The RAGE7-S also houses a laser light as part of its design which projects onto the cutting surface ahead of the blade for straight-line following. The laser operates from triple-A batteries which are included with the jigsaw and are housed under the screwed-on front panel of the machine. As with most power tools that incorporate a line-following laser, the cutting aid is sometimes not precisely aligned with the blade usually as a result of quality control issues at the manufacturer. Unfortunately, unlike on other power tools, the laser on the RAGE7-S is not user-adjustable which may render it less than useful. Fortunately, the laser can be switched off if it is not being used.

Finally, one of the most notable characteristics of the Evolution jigsaw that should be mentioned is its weight. Coming in at 4.1 kg, it is one of the heaviest jigsaws on the market, which has both positive and negative connotations. The heavily weighted jigsaw is a testament to the robust materials used in its construction allowing the machine to take a lot of abuse without failing. The heavy weight also increases the stability of the machine and the ability to keep it on track irrespective of the vibrations typical of jigsaw cutting. On the negative side, the jigsaw’s heavier weight can be a hindrance for both its portability as well as for its extended use with users likely to fatigue more quickly compared to when using lighter jigsaws.

As for accessories for the Evolution jigsaw, the RAGE7-S comes with a parallel edge guide, which, in theory, can ensure a straight cutting line when used close to a flat edge of a workpiece. However, practically speaking, moving the heavy jigsaw with the guide attached tends not to be as smooth as when using the jigsaw freehand. In any case, jigsaws are not usually the first saw type one turns to for cutting long straight lines so the parallel edge guide accessory may be a bit superfluous anyway. One useful accessory that is missing from the RAGE7-S package is a carry case, making the Evolution jigsaw more inconvenient to store and transport than it should be.

Overall, the RAGE7-S is a good, solid jigsaw that will withstand the rigours of the home workshop as well as a professional environment. It has several premium features which can be useful, although their design and implementation are not always at the level of more premium machines. The jigsaw is also unique in that it carries the Evolution signature characteristic of being able to use a single blade to cut a range of materials, but at the same time, does not lock you into a single brand of blades. Ultimately, the Evolution RAGE7-S represents a good jigsaw at a reasonable price.

Tacklife Jigsaw PJS02A

The PJS02A electric jigsaw from Tacklife tools may not have the brand name recognition that some well-known power tool companies, such as Bosch or DeWalt, possess. However, what the Tacklife jigsaw lacks in pedigree it more than makes up for in features, incorporating almost every feature that is available on today's power jigsaws, and it does so all while still keeping to a reasonable retail price.

To begin with, the Tacklife PJS02A is at the top end of the power scale when is comes to consumer electric jigsaws, sporting an 800W electric motor which can cut up to 100mm in wood and 10mm in metal, assuming the correct blades of sufficient quality are used. The PJS02A jigsaw also has the orbital stroke action feature, which allows for increasing levels of pendular blade oscillation that correlates with increased efficiency of timber cutting. However, as with all orbital action jigsaws, this comes at the expense of the neatness of the cut.

The Tacklife machine has both a forward-facing switchable dust blower that can be used to keep the cutting line clear of debris, as well as a vacuum port at its rear that can be used in conjunction with a shop vac to keep the workspace relatively free of sawdust.

Importantly, the Tacklife jigsaw is designed with a tool-free blade-change mechanism, making the changing of the jigsaw blade a breeze. The PJS02A jigsaw also has a speed-setting dial to adjust the stroke rate of its blade, which is useful for optimising the cutting action for the material being worked on. Bevelled or angled cuts are also not a problem for the Tacklife PJS02A which has a footplate that can be adjusted to any angle up to 45 degrees to either side of the default upright position.

The Tacklife jigsaw also has a number of more advanced features including an LED light to illuminate the cutting zone giving the operator a clearer view of the cutting line, particularly useful in dimly lit conditions. The LED light has a separate switch to operate it so if it is not required, for instance, during outdoor operation, it can be switched off. The same switch also operates a red laser that illuminates the cutting line ahead of the jigsaw, a feature that is not often found in power tools of this price range.

As if all this was not enough, the machine also comes with a small selection of accessories including, a straight line guide, a carry case, and even a small selection of starter blades to cut either wood or metal.

Given all of these features, one can safely say that the PJS02A is very good value for money. However, not everything is rosy on the Tacklife jigsaw. On the more negative side, one feature that is surprisingly missing from a machine that is so full of features is the ability to change the angle of the footplate without the use of tools. Instead, an Allen wrench is needed to set the angle of the footplate for bevelled cutting. This is unlike some more expensive brand name machines which have a tool-less footplate adjustment mechanism.

Another minor negative is that the Tacklife tool relies solely on the red laser light to guide the operator during a straight cut. The tool lacks any sort of groove, traditionally etched into its forward structure of the device, to indicate where the saw blade will make contact with the workpiece. This is something that many-an-old hand at using jigsaws will likely be used to and will likely miss. This omission is made worse by some units of the Tacklife power tool arriving with their lasers out of alignment by a few important degrees. Fortunately, the laser alignment can be adjusted by the user although one needs to get in touch with customer support to find out exactly how to do this.

Another important check to make when first taking reception of this machine is to make sure that the slot that holds the blade is also not out of alignment. This should become obvious immediately upon use, as the machine will tend to want to veer to one side when making a straight cut, something that has happened to several new owners. In this case, adjustment by the enduser is not recommended and the machine should be returned in short order for a properly-assembled replacement. Fortunately, Tacklife customer support is extremely responsive and kudos to them for really focusing on making sure that their customers are happy.

Finally, the included Tacklife jigsaw blades that come with the machine are not of the highest calibre and owners might be well advised to buy some better quality blades from a well-known tool company. To this end, the Tacklife jigsaw uses the commonly available T-shanked blades.

Overall, the PJS02A power jigsaw from Tacklife, with its plethora of features and a solid build, is great value for money. However, like all less well-established brands, some units of the jigsaw can come with a couple of structural defects that new owners should be aware of so that they can be rectified by Tacklife customer support, which is very responsive. Given all these facts, if you are looking for a budget jigsaw that can do almost everything more reputable brand machines can, you can’t go too far wrong with the Tacklife 800W jigsaw.