CUTTING
Page 48
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EDGE
A JIGSAW IS ONE OF THE MOST USEFUL saws in a workshop's armoury. You won't need it every day, but it can save a lot of time. For this review CM looked for comfort, ease of handling, control ergonomics, cutting ability and interesting extras.
Most models can cut up to an angle of 45° so we also tested them on this, as well as checking if they can cut right up to the forward edge.
We have listed the cutting thickness of steel (double this for aluminium). The more expensive jigsaws use a pendulum action in which the blade cuts on the upward stroke and descends clear of the material.
Derek Brooks, foreman mechanic of Coombe Valley Transport in Dover, put the saws through their paces. Two general points he made were that the cases provided with many power tools are too small, so you have to wind up the cable in just the right way or the lid won't close. His other beef is that the plastic guards fitted to most jigsaws soon fall off, get lost in the swarf and sawdust, and simply don't guard as effectively as they should.
BLACK & DECKER
CONTACT: 01755 567055
MODEL: KS638 SE
Price £69.99 Motor 400W Length of stroke 18mm Strokes per minute ...1300-3,200 Max depth of cut 65mm Cutting capacity (steel) 4mm Cutting capacity (wood) .65mm Weight 2.2kg
Star rating * ** FOR: When bought in Argos Stores it comes with a case, has reasonable power, unusual scrolling ability and good dust extraction. Easy blade change; a good quality DIY tool.
AGAINST: Vibrates a lot.
VERDICT: Good for domestic and light professional work.
MODEL: KS 656 PE
Price 159.98 Motor 450W Length of stroke 70mm Strokes per minute ...800-3,200 Max depth of cut 70mm Cutting capacity (steel).....4mm Cutting capacity (wood) 70mm Weight 2.4kg Star rating..
FOR: Pendulum action to reduce splintering, excellent value, reasonable power, good quality, easy to use with good blade location.
APARIST: Blade guard.
VERDICT: Domestic tool.
BOSCH
CONTACT: 01895 1134466
MODEL: P8165 PE
Price £64.95 Motor 450W Length of stroke 18mm Strokes per minute ...500-3,200 Max depth of cut 65mm Cutting capacity (steel ) .....6mm Cutting capacity (wood) 65mm Weight 1.9kg
Star rating ** FOR: Cuts well, good power, very low vibration and feels solid in use. Good quality DIY tool. AGAINST: No dust extraction, VERDICT: Good, with limitations.
MODEL GST 100 B
Price £199.75 Motor 600W Length of stroke 26mm Strokes per minute 3,100 Max depth of cut 110mm Cutting capacity (steel ) 10mm Cutting capacity (wood)...110mm Weight 2.3kg
Star rating *** FOR: Solid die-cast base plate, easy blade change, pendulum action, good dust extraction and very comfortable handle. AGAINST: No variable speed, which is surprising at this price. VERDICT: Too expensive.
CLARKE
CONTACT: 01992 565300
MODEL: CJS 350
Price 146.95 Motor 350W
Length of stroke 18mm
Strokes per minute 3,000 Max depth of cut 55mm Cutting capacity (steel) 6mm Cutting capacity (wood)...55mm
Weight 1 5kg Star rating ** FOR: Low cost, easy to use, light, variable speed, comes with blades for wood, metal and plastic. Simple with no frills. AGAINST: Low power, fiddly blade location, poor dust extraction and no case.
VERDICT: Low cost but limited.
DEWALT
CONTACT: 01753 567055
MODEL: OW 321
Price £160.00 Motor 650W Length of stroke 26mm Strokes per minute 500-3,100 Max depth of cut Depends on blade fitted Cutting capacity (steel)....10mm Cutting capacity (wood) Depends on blade fitted Weight 2.4kg
Star rating ***** FOR Comes in a case, variable speed, pendulum action, base plate cover, good dust extraction, cuts wood well with antisplinter action, excellent saw High quality at a fair price. AGAINST: Poor plastic blade guard. VERDICT: Top quality saw at a lower than average price.
MODEL OW 323
Price £200.00 Motor 650W Length of stroke 26mm Strokes per minute 500-3;100 Max depth of cut Depends on blade fitted Cutting capacity (steel)....10mm Cutting capacity (wood) Depends on blade fitted Weight 2.4kg
Star rating **** FOIL High quality, but no better than the 321. Easy blade change, does the job well, comfortable to use and efficient.
AGAINST High cost.
VERDICT: Good saw.
FESTO
CONTACT: 01284 760791
MODEL: PS2E
Price 1282.00 Motor 450W Length of stroke 26mm Strokes per minute....1,200-3,100 Max depth of cut 85mm Cutting capacity (steel ) 10mm Cutting capacity (wood) 85mm Weight 2.2kg
Star rating *** FINE Rolls Royce quality with low vibration, good depth of cut, very solid but light, variable speed—a well made tool. AGAINST: Price and the fact that the operator will need hands the size of shovels to hold this saw comfortably. A top handle would make this machine perfect. VERDICT: Excellent quality but at a price.
HITACHI
CONTACT: 01908 660663
MODEL:12065
Price £133.95 Motor 400W Length of stroke 18mm Strokes per minute 0-3000 Max depth of cut 65mm Cutting capacity (steel) 6mm Cutting capacity (wood)....65mm
Weight 1 6kg
Star rating ............... ....***
RA One of the few that comes with a case as standard. Low vibration and low weight; DIY machine with pendulum action. AGMNST: Power is only adequate and this is a little expensive for a DIY machine.
VERDICT: Good quality: average cost.
MODEL: CJ 65 V2
Price 2293.75 Motor 570W Length of stroke 26mm Strokes per minute ....700-3200 Max depth of cut 65mm Cutting capacity (steel) 10mm Cutting capacity (wood) 65mm Weight 2.4kg
Star rating *** FOIL Like its stablemate, it comes in a case. Reasonable power, cuts well, compact and comfortable to use with an average depth of cut.
AGAINST: Rather expensive. VERDICT: Average saw at an above average price.
SEA LEY
CONTACT: 01284 757525
MODEL: SJE 500
Price £87.45 Motor 500W Length of stroke 19mm Strokes per minute ....700-3,200
Max depth of cut 50mm
Cutting capacity (steel) 5mm Cutting capacity (wood)..50mm Weight 15kg Star rating...
FOR: FOR: Small, domestic lightweight saw; good for small jobs. Not too expensive, cuts well at low cost. AGAINST: Too small and low powered for a professional tool. VERDICT: A good lightweight DIY saw at a fair price.