Customer Reviews
GREAT Saw, can be used in lieu of a circular saw and can cut through anything ! But the blades take practice changing ! 
2007-09-08
GREAT Saw, can be used in lieu of a circular saw and can cut through anything ! But the blades take practice changing !
The secret is the blades and Bosch now makes the blades available for different manufacturer jig and saber saws.
Let me say there has never been any piece of wood or board this thing hasn't been able to rip through, I've even cut down mid size tree and the stump with the rough wood blade.
The variable speed trigger is smooth so you can use this saw for fine craft work too.
Just like every other reviewer, I have to reiterate the blades are tedious to change, it is a tool less system that has to be finessed. TIP: When it arrives and you've made a few cuts, practice removing and replacing the blades until you have the routine down. This is important because the blade will warble if it isn't tight, this happened to us but no one was injured.
If you already have a nice jigsaw and want the same cutting power, see if Bosch is offering their blades for your model, the bi-opposition teeth design is the real secret.
Would give it 4 1/2 stars 2007-07-15
Pro's
- Great balance and feel
- Super accurate cutting
- Quick blade changes
- Solidly built - very high quality. I just dropped it from the surface of my table saw onto concrete and it barely scuffed the housing.
- Nice storage case
Con's
- Blade change lever doesnt really seat itself - just kind of flops around. This really seems out of place as everything else on the tool is so solid.
- The speed dial is right on bottom of the trigger. In the process of cutting I find myself accidently changing the speed sometimes. Would like to see it offset a little.
Very nice tool 2007-05-14
I'm not a hard-core tool kind of person -- I tend to buy tools (mostly) based on need. I had my trusty Craftsman that gave me many years of service -- it finally broke and I needed a replacement. I just happened to see the Bosch on sale at Amazon and others seemed to like it, so I bought. I was struck by how smooth and quiet it was (relative to the Craftsman) -- so much so that I thought I had a defective unit. I made a test cut into a piece of wood and quickly realized this was a terrific power tool. It's balanced and easy to guide. At first I was a bit disappointed becasue the speed control was by trigger, rather than the 10 position dial on my Craftsman (yes it was a very old Craftaman). After about 2 minutes of use I realized that the dial system was hopelessly outdated. So, in case you can tell, I like it very much and am very pelased with my purchase.
A pleasure to use this saw 
2007-04-01
I forgot my trusty old Craftsman jigsaw one day on the job and had to borrow another carpenters Bosch 1587 to trim some 7 quarter mahogany. I couldn't believe how smooth and accurate the Bosch cut. I was ready for the vibration to start and it never did! On my lunch hour I went and bought my own. This tool is a joy to use, and handles woods and metals with ease. I have had this saw for almost 4 years and she still cuts sweeeeet. The only gripe I found was the blade release, which is a little finiky and gets pulled off once in a while if I pull a little too hard. The saw cuts so good that you can overlook the release though. I just ordered the new version with the ejector release, which should reach perfection status. I have not used it yet, but will post a review when I get a few tons of sawdust made with it.
Fine saw, if you can stand the blade-change system 
2007-03-18
The saw functions fine once you get a blade in, so I won't talk about that. The blade changing system is very awkward. Every other jig saw made (even cheap ones) have much more convenient ways to get a blade in and out. This saw requires you to pull up on the black thing on top of the handle, turn it three times CCW, insert the blade sideways, rotate the blade straight, turn handle three times CW until is snaps (it sounds like it's broken). Now even this might be tolerable, except that the black thing on the handle does not snap down good and spins around while you'r trying to use the saw. It also is prone to just breaking off (seen several). Go somewhere else for a saw. This one is not worth the trouble.
Helpful info 2008-05-08
All of the Bosch jigsaws receive high praise for their cutting performance, so I thought I'd provide some info I would have appreciated before making this purchase (which I in no way regret.)
First this tools "low" points, which keep it from being a perfect tool:
1. Blade changes are a bit involved. Not at all what I would call difficult or confusing, but it's certainly not like changing a quick change drill bit or Milwaukee Sawz-all blade. This is more like a three step process rather than one step. This seems to be the main item Bosch improved for the 1590/1591 jigswas, so if it's a major concern might be worth the extra 50 bucks.
2. The case. This case suffers from the same fault as so many tool cases, there is limited space to store the power cord or to store additional blades. One has to carefully organize the cord in the case and hope it will fully close every time. Not the worst case in this sense I've ever had, but certainly not the best. At least the tool can be put in the case without removing the blade, but it will need to be in the upper half of it's stroke for a normal length blade.
Finally, I thought I'd list the blades that come with this version, to see if it's worth the 7 dollars over the 1587AVSK. Especially since there are a couple typos in the official list of included blades. Price per five blade pack for each is listed.
T101AO - Wood blade, specifically for curved cuts, splinter free. 5/64" - 3/4" material. (6.05/5)
T101BR - Wood blade, downward cutting (splinter free on top surface.) 3/16" - 1 1/4" material. (8.49/5)
T101DP - Wood blade, specifically for angled cuts. 1/4" - 2 3/8" material. (8.36/5)
T118A - Metal blade, basic straight cuts. (7.00/5)
T118G - Metal blade, straight cuts in thin material. 1/16" - 3/64" material. (6.97/5)
T123X - Metal blade, fast and long life, Progressor toothing for use in thick and thin material. 3/64" - 3/4" material. (9.78/5)
T144D - Wood blade, straight and fast cuts. 1/4" - 2 3/8" material. (7.87/5)
T234X - Wood blade, straight fine cuts. Progressor toothing for thick and thin material. (9.02/5)
T345XF - Wood with nails or metal blade. Progressor toothing for thick and thin material. 3/16" - 3 5/8" material. (13.89/5)
So that's 15.49 in blades... 1587AVSK comes with 3 blades instead of 9 (and the less expensive blades at that)... so I'd say there is an extra 11 dollars worth of blades in this kit.
Clean Cuts 2008-03-02
THe Bosch jigsaw worked beautifully right out of the box. Very satisfied with the performance after using it several times. Very clean cuts using the progressor blades that came with the saw.
Best jig saw I've ever used 2007-11-18
I grew up using a plastic jigsaw. Until I read about and bought this saw, I was unaware of the differences that existed between jigsaws. This thing is built tough and has a good motor.
I really like that if you want to cut slow, it doesn't bog down and stop as soon as it hits force. A cheap jigsaw may run slow in the air, but you can't control it when you are cutting. This thing will run slow in the air and barely bat an eye when you bring it in contact with plywood all at a slow RPM. (I make a lot of slow cuts to keep the temps down)
The forward-back action of the blade (optional setting) really chews a fast line through a board.
I've made 24" cuts though quarter inch steel to the point that the motor was dangerously hot (too hot to touch) and it kept on going.
The blades are not hard to change, I don't understand why all the fuss about that. It is easiest with the carriage all the way in the up position, but I can get them in there either way.
The metal base is rigid and sturdy, unlike all plastic saws, which are lousy and wiggle all around.
I recommend this product highly. As far as I am concerned, I never want to have to make a cut with any other jig saw.
What can I add - GREAT SAW!!! 2007-11-17
I go out of my way to find reason to use this saw. It is simply a wonderfully designed machine that doesn't just do the job, it makes the job fun.
A Great Tool 2007-09-21
Just like most of the other reviewers here, I think this is an incredible tool. I never thought a jigsaw could cut so smoothly and so quickly. I have bad memories of jigsaws chattering away while making crooked rough cuts. It is well worth the money. Before buying the Bosch, I read the numerous comments about the difficulty of changing the blade. A co-worker has owned a similar Bosch for several months and he showed me a simple trick. He said eventually you can do it simply by feel, but initially you have to do a little more. Most people lift the blade change handle and turn it, but they get frustrated because nothing happens and then the blade change handle falls off. The trouble is the blade change handle hasn't been engaged correctly. As you turn the blade change handle, look underneath it. The handle has a black tube that is around an inner white tube. You have to make sure that when you turn the blade change handle, the white tube is engaged and is turning also. Just move the blade change handle up and down slightly until you feel it engage the white tube.
Also, when I ordered this jigsaw an option to purchase a 5-pack set of Bosch T234X Progressor Wood Blades popped up. They look like good blades but be warned the package says to use them with cordless jigsaws. I returned mine.
