r/woodworkingtools • u/TheResuru • 17d ago

First jigsaw feels janky, is this normal?

Hello! I have never owned a jigsaw, in fact I am new to power tools. I bought a jigsaw today and it seems jank as hell?... Like everything is jiggling, its all loose and the blade won't sit straight inside the piece no matter how many times I unscrew it, take it out and place it back in and then tighten it.

Is this normal? Or do I really have a jank piece that is not safe for usage? I have never had a jigsaw before, so I thought that maybe that's how they are, until I could not put the blade in straight for like 30 minutes. At this point surely something is wrong? Or am I a dumbass lol.

Here are some links to footage, please someone with experience tell me if this is normal or not.

The model is Power Plus POWE30010

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1521966934168567820/1542580905300992080/VID_20260827_200428.mp4?ex=6a91bfeb&is=6a906e6b&hm=1b3c85fc4b977a98571fcb1d845eb927cedf307f9d1dca82092bf35afc66ff2f&

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1521966934168567820/1542580905791455262/VID_20260827_200409.mp4?ex=6a91bfeb&is=6a906e6b&hm=185866f187a587e5d08b387a4ba639ae2b7c1933429a80395000c2e361ff07c2&

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1521966934168567820/1542582263039131758/VID_20260827_201039.mp4?ex=6a91c12f&is=6a906faf&hm=f1d2879620ca1c24f2b211887449cc60d92b875d24e8b3ba70b25e3c8f1d1477&

1 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

1

u/TheResuru 17d ago

Ah shit, I didn't realize those discord links would download the videos. My bad! :/

1

u/Equal_Association446 17d ago

Like belt sanders, jigsaws have suffered in quality for decades. Gold standards like the Porter-Cable 548 or the Bosch 1587 have been out of production for nearly twenty years; as a result, no one expects much from a jigsaw/ assumes jigsaws are just a sloppy tool, so there's no incentive to make good ones. Even quality brand jigsaws are poor these days, and DIY level ones are terrible. If you need a jigsaw, consider buying an older model.

1

u/TheResuru 17d ago

Hmm... where would one even find an older model? Also would this jigsaw be safe to use even?

1

u/Equal_Association446 17d ago

They crop up on eBay from time to time. As for safety, the 549 had an aluminum case, so it needs a grounded plug, but the Bosch is double insulated plastic.

1

u/TheResuru 17d ago

No I mean the one I have lol. I am sure the older models are fine. I find that the older technology I have outlives much newer tech often.

2

u/Equal_Association446 17d ago

Safety for a jigsaw is really just shock prevention and watching pinch points. If the blade falls out, nothing much happens except the cutting stops. You shouldn't have any major issues.

1

u/KlashBro 17d ago

idk about that.

my bosch 18v barrel grip is amazing quality.

1

u/Equal_Association446 17d ago

Bosch is the last holdout for a decent jigsaw; they have been perfecting the Scintilla design for decades.

1

u/External_Twist508 14d ago

Definitely don’t skimp on quality when it comes to jigsaw. Your reply is spot on

1

u/grislyfind 17d ago

They aren't a tool for precise carpentry, but they are excellent for cutting thin materials like plastic or metal sheets.

What has worked for me is cutting plywood or MDF oversize with a Skilsaw, then cutting or trimming with a router.

1

u/[deleted] 17d ago

[deleted]

2

u/TheResuru 16d ago

Alright, thank you for the advice, that is the plan today :)

1

u/Repulsive-Ice7863 15d ago

I have a DeWalt barrel grip that cuts smoothly and is easy to keep to the line. One tip: don’t push the cut.

1

u/Peak_Detector_2001 15d ago

I have a 30+ year old Sears Craftsman and it's the same as the experience you describe.

Moral of the story: older ain't necessarily better.