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Standard blades.The light is nice, and the fan really does blow the chips out of the way.A+ for this tool. I wasn't looking for a "soft start" device but it is extremely useful when resuming a cut with the blade already in the workpiece.I've had a dozen jig saws in my life and this is the best (and most expensive). The barrel grip gives very good control and reduces the size of the tool so I'll not go back to the other type again.Blade changing is a snap.
Blade changing is a breeze.I am going to buy another one for myself.Bill This the second one that I have bought for the company and it is a very nice saw to work with. The LED light is very useful when getting in to dark cabinets or dim lighted areas.
It sings and cuts like a dream every time. Never bogged it down. Never seen a smoother jigsaw. Cuts 45 degree angles in 2X treated lumber and leaves a smooth sanded edge.
Upgraded to this Makita barral type saw, by necessity, after a cheaper version made by Skil began to excessively throw blades after a year of use. The tool also comes with a plastic base cover that conceals the units metal base plate when working on items you wish to avoid scratching. I haven't experienced this with the Makita. The fit and finish of the tool is mostly good, the only complaint is the seams between the black and teal plastics don't meet as well as I'd like, but the castings are well done and the saw feels substantial when I hold it.
I can't say much about the orbital cutting action except that the switch to change the cutting action feels strong and well built. This I've found to work quite well (Though I'm not certain that the metal base would scratch anything when new). My base plate was normal to the blade out of the box. I don't use the orbital settings because I'd always rather have smooth cuts than rough and quick. The saw also has a soft start which is nice, since this saw doesn't have a trigger type speed control, (it only has a power switch coupled with a variable speed dial) it helps keep the blade in the kerf when finishing a previously started cut. My cheaper version saw, and most other cheaper versions, use a different blade holding mechanism (and different blade shanks) that can be prone to letting go of the blade when hitting a knot, or binding in a curve.
The angle change adjustment is a solid design and requires an alan wrench that rides in a tool holder in the base. I recommend this saw to anyone contemplating the purchase of a jig saw and wholely discourage the notion of buying a cheaper one, unless you enjoy unimpressive results and intend to replace it in the near future. The quality of cut is very good when using one of the 9 blades that they supply in the package. The saw has an anti-splintering device, like a zero clearence throat plate in a table saw, that surrounds the blade and while marginally effective it is quite fragile and probably better to leave in the box.
This saw is amazing. It cuts smoothly and is incredibly easy to manuever, making difficult angle cuts a breeze. This is the fourth jig saw I have owned, and I never knew they could possibly be this good. Its handling is unsurpassed. As far as I am concerned, this saw is in a class all by itself. The other three were usually more trouble than they were worth. I am an avid do-it-yourselfer and have completed home projects from building a room addition to laying hardwood floors, building built-in bookcases to building rabbit cages, and just about everything in between.
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