Black & Decker JS515 4.5-Amp Variable Speed Jig Saw

I'm not a contractor, I'm simply a home owner who needs an affordable, reliable tool to use from time to time when DIY projects come along. The JS515 fits the bill and more. For starters, this saw is well built; sturdy plastic contruction with a metal plate. It also has a built-in, magnetized blade compartment that truly comes in handy when doing projects. It accepts T & U Shank blades and has a dust blower out the back. It includes one T-shank blade.If you're thinking about this and an ORBITAL jigsaw, let me clarify something. If you are not a professional contractor or won't be cutting a LOT of wood, you DO NOT need an orbital saw. The orbital is meant for quick, NOT so clean cuts, meant for heavy volume.Here's another tip, the blade you see pictured, is a T-Shank blade, so try to buy T-Shank blades and DO NOT buy the one suggested by Amazon (  Black & Decker 75-626 Assorted Jigsaw Blades Set, Wood and Metal, 24-Pack  )...those are U shank blades and so ARE SHORTER than the one included with this jigsaw. I made the mistake of buying them and ended up with blades that are almost an inch shorter than T-shank, which limits what you can and can not cut depending on thickness.BUY THESE instead:  Bosch T10CHC 10 Piece Bosch Shank Jigsaw Blade Set With Pouch  These come with a nice little nylon flat pouch and do a great job. Plus they fit exactly as the one pictured with the jigsaw.

A smallish saw, I use it for cutting trim for home DIY. It works well, nice clean cuts and precise if you're careful with it. I've used it both for table-top cuts (clamped) and free-hand cuts (installed trim).Negatives: it's got a pretty limited range of motion, which limits the type and thickness of wood you can cut. It's pretty loud and causes strong vibrations in the cut area (a faster blade would be smoother).This kind of saw is relatively easy/safe for the amateur to work with, with its short cutting range, the flat guide which helps stabilize the saw, and with its blade facing away from the user. But note it lacks a safety switch (once it's plugged in, it's live).If like me, you were wondering whether to get a reciprocating saw, or a jig saw, the jig saw is the better choice for detailed work and the reciprocating saw is better for coarse cuts or thicker wood like 2x4s.

(This is eighth in a series of reviews describing products used for the making of PHOTO STATUETTES. All 28 reviews are yours by clicking "Ron Z" and scrolling down or by clicking the x in Ron's x-tab (above). The series begins Nov 18, 2013 with  Elmer's Foam Boards, 20 x 30 Inches, 1/2-Inch Thick, Black/Black, 10-Count (951300) ). "If never you contemplate using this process Please don't waste your time; Seek Review Number 9."Today we'll be cutting our boards into sections, the process known as "stack cutting". Boards are placed in a stack, then cut.Featured is Black & Decker's JS515 which accepts Universal and T-shank blades. This jigsaw has the power we need and, without question, is reasonably priced.The number of boards we can cut at one time depends on the working length of our blade. For example, the Bosch T318A  Bosch T318A 5-1/4-Inch 24-TPI High-Speed Steel Bosch Shank Jigsaw Blade, 5-Pack  has an overall length of 5.25 inches, but a WORKING length of 4.11. That being the case we can cut a maximum of 8 half-inch boards.Unlike scroll saws, ready-made knife blades ARE available for jigsaws, a fact which requires but a singular decision: Modify a blade or select ready-made.If you choose ready-made here's a brief list of knife blades along with the number of boards each can cut:  Bosch T113A3 4-Inch, Knife, HCS Bosch Shank Jigsaw Blade, 3 Pack  This blade cuts 4 half-inch boards.  Bosch T313AW3 6-Inch Knife Edge Jigsaw Blade, 3-Pack  This blade cuts 8 half-inch boards.  Festool 493656 S 155/W Foam-cutting Jigsaw Blade, 6 Inch, 3-pack  This blade cuts 10 half-inch boards. I have used each blade successfully with the JS515.1. Demarcate your top board to indicate 9.5 x 12-inch sections.2. Keep boards together however you can. I use double-stick tape between the boards.  3M 238 Removable Double Sided Tape 3. Use FAST speed when cutting foam board.Debris will be consistent with the amount of boards cut. Indoors or out I suggest:  3M 8511 Particulate Sanding N95 Respirator with Valve, 10-Pack  Also,  DEWALT DPG82-11C Concealer Clear Anti-Fog Dual Mold Safety Goggle NEXT: Choosing a photo for your statuette; mounting with double-sided adhesive paper.  HP Advanced Photo Paper, Glossy (25 Sheets, 8.5 x 11 Inches)

For the price, this is an amazing little jigsaw. Lightweight, easy to use. Variable speeds with a side compartment to hold other bits. Base plate can be put at an angle to cut up to 45 degree cuts I believe. You can lock the trigger in the go position. 4.5 amp system is enough to get any home job done. I have another Jigsaw that broke that cost about 4 times this one, and honestly this one outperforms a much more expensive unit. Save money by getting this jigsaw. Put money into good blades and you will have a perfect unit.

The blade holding mechanism holds the blade off on a slight angle.It is therefore impossible, if used in conjunction with a fence or other straight edge, to cut a straight line with this saw because the blade acts like a rudder bending further and further out to the side as it passes through the material.The longer the cut, the worse it gets. I could not even cut straight across an 1-3/4" wide piece of oak trim using a Speed Square!I contacted Black and Decker about the problem and they promptly sent me a replacement unit. I will update as to how the replacement unit works.Update: The new unit is not useable; when the power cord was molded, one of the prongs was cocked on an angle.