Freud 600W FJ84K at £50 good buy?

[Woody Alan]

Hi All

I have always kept out an eye for a reasonable price mid quality jigsaw to replace my ancient B&D which cuts nice circles even when I don't want it to
I don't consider jigsaws to be a good accurate tool, it's just that they are handy for some jobs. So does the Freud fit the bill at that price? and are the blades specific to that machine or is the bayonet fitting generic i.e. will hitachi/bosch etc bayonet blades fit, I suspect they might but don't want to get stuck with a non standard machine. If anyone has a better suggestion for a machine at a lower price then fire away, I was on the verge of going for the £12.99 one at aldi's this week and still might if in reality it will do as well as the Freud in a non professional capacity. Opinions please, anyone?

cheers Alan

 

[PowerTool]

I've had tools from Aldi,and always found them to be well worth the money - if you are an infrequent user,it's probably a good buy.
I have an old Hilka one I use for most jigsaw work,and have a newer one (bigger motor,longer blades,pendulum action) that only gets used for the extra depth of cut.
As you say,they are not for precision work,but still very handy to have.

Andrew

 

[Corset]

I had a freud jigsaw from screwfix variable speed 700watt it was awfull. Even with good blades it would not track true. It had loads of power but was just amazing inaccurate in the end i sold it on ebay (sorry whoever got hat) my dads £15.00 B and D is better. I can't believe this is true for them all but just my experience.

 

[mailee]

I have the Bosch GST 85 and have had it for years. It is not truly accurate as you say but with good blades in it it takes some beating. :wink: Can pick them up cheap on E-bay.

 

[houtslager]

I have two, one is the METABO http://www.metabo.com/metabo/handge...rbitaljigsawstepartneredition_6_20026_00.html then when I moved here to Germany I " lost " it in the container and needed it badly so I bought a Festool.
IMHO if you buy the better quaklity jigsaws, you CAN USE them accurate sawing.

 

[Woody Alan]

Thanks for the replies

I took the conclusion from the responses, that if you are going to get, and indeed need accuracy then you have to pay the money or search around for an older reliable model. So I went to Aldi and bought the cheapo one for £12 and out of the box it looks OK so I'll give it a go, it can't be worse than my old B&D can it? .

Alan

 

[Woody Alan]

I have just tried the jigsaw and it's quite remarkable how they do it. I managed a straight cut with no trouble, it's even got a laser guide on it not that it means much. 4 pendulum action variable speed, an absolute bargain for a DIY'er .

Cheers Alan

 

[Rod]

Have been using a green Bosch pst850 for the past couple of years quite happily but recently splashed out on a gst135bce ,cuts effortlessly and accurately,should have bought one sooner.