EmailBest Reviewed
Jigsaws
- Best-value corded jigsaw Bosch 1590EVSK *Est. $145
- Basic corded jigsaw Hitachi CJ110MV *Est. $85
- No-frills jigsaw Craftsman 17235 *Est. $45
- Best corded jigsaw overall, but expensive Festool Trion PSB300 EQ *Est. $295
- Best cordless jigsaw overall Makita LXT BJV180 *Est. $390
- Best value, cordless jigsaw Bosch 52318 *Est. $235
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Best cordless jigsaw overall
- Long battery run time
- 25-minute charger
- LED light
- Cuts wood up to 5.3 inches thick
- Uses same LXT batteries as several other cordless tools
- Fairly heavy (6.1 pounds)
- Expensive
Other lithium-ion tools get more attention and reviews than jigsaws, but the Makita BJV180 is tested in a single-product review at Toologics.com. One reader reports a hands-on experience at Popular Mechanics magazine, another at Amazon.com. An article by Brian Marks at his blog, The Power Tool Geek, explains and recommends Makita's LXT technology, and a review at his site evaluates the Makita LXT tools' ergonomics.
Reviews praise this 18-volt Makita cordless jigsaw for its 6.1-pound weight, excellent design and fine ergonomics. The Makita jigsaw comes with a 25-minute charger, and the 3-amp-hour lithium batteries provide a long run time. Lithium-ion batteries withstand at least twice as many recharging cycles as other types and keep their charge much longer between uses. They're also lighter in weight, able to keep the Makita jigsaw running at full power even while the battery fades, and are better for the environment. The Makita jigsaw warranty is three years, the battery warranty one. The less-expensive 18-volt Bosch 52318 (*est. $235) is heavier, slower and uses Ni-Cad batteries, but it provides a similar warranty and also gets good reviews.
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Our Sources
This brief review of the Makita BJV180 lithium-ion-powered cordless jigsaw shows some evidence of testing, noting that the switch is easy to operate even while wearing gloves. No drawbacks are noted.
Review: Makita's New LXT Jigsaw Combines Power with Comfort, Editors of Toologics.com, May 30, 2007
2. PopularMechanics.comDetails/Subscribe
This brief review really just announces specifications for the Makita lithium-ion-powered cordless jigsaw, but a reader also comments, praising the Makita LXT tools' light weight and balance.
Review: Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Jigsaw: A Lighter Slicer, Erik Sofge, Aug. 2007
3. Amazon.com
The sole review of the Makita LXT BJV180 lithium-ion jigsaw here gives it a perfect five-star rating, calling it "the cat's meow" and praising its clean, quiet cord-free cuts. The only drawback is that the plastic shield sometimes pops off. Owners' reviews of Makita kits that include the jigsaw are also quite favorable.
Review: Makita BJV180 18V LI-Ion Cordless Jigsaw, Contributors to Amazon.com
Although this review is dated before Makita added a jigsaw to its lithium-ion-powered cordless tool line, tool geek Brian Mark does an excellent job of explaining the differences between Makita's lithium-ion tools and other brands'. Another article here reports results of an informal poll of women, who say judge the Makita LXT tools are the most comfortable and well balanced.
Review: Makita LXT Lithium Ion Cordless Tools, Brian Mark, Dec. 23, 2005
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