Milwaukee 6268-21 6.5 Amp Top Handle Jig Saw

I am in the middle of a major home renovation project. I am choosing to buy tools that last beyond the immediate job ( like my last set of tools - dept. store specials).

When I got the saw I inserted one of the t-shank blades that came with the saw and hit the trigger. WOW! My electric craving knife is a bludgeon compared to the finesse and control this jig saw has. My old dept store jig saw bounced around, vibrated and bucked once I turned it on , even worse when I started cutting. The Milwaukee Jig Saw was rock steady and smooth.

So onto the main project I bought this saw for:

I have a number of projects where fine precision cutting is required. One of these projects was to re-do the Master bath in my house. This meant totaly new sinks and countertop. After researching the best way to cut the countertop to size and to cut the openings for the sinks. The tool that was reccomended to me was the jigsaw. After researching and holding/using all of the various top end brands (Bosch, Freud, Ridgid, Makita, Milwaukee) I narrowed it down to the Bosch or Milwaukee. The Bosch was real close but the Milwaukee won out.

A couple of factors in the Milwaukees favor:

-- 5 Year warranty
-- L.E.D. Light
-- Fit of Milwaukee in my hand

The Milwaukee cut through the countertop with ease. The anti-splinter device was installed however I also taped all of my cut lines. The anti-mar foot was perfect on the counter top and left NO scratches behind.

I used a blade designed to cut ceramic tile and it worked well in the Jig saw. I did not rush the saw and let the blade to the work. I tested the saw out on what would be waste to determine the proper blade speed and proper force to practice (Counter tops are real expensive ;) ). Once I was confident that I had the right settings and force, I cut the holes.

The saw preformed flawlessly. The saw does have a port for dust colletion however you may need to buy the accessory kit to fit your particular shop vac. But for me the included dust blower worked fine as I made my cuts.

The Jig saw also provides attachment points for a t-square howerver that is sold separtely. But both of these items are designed to fit in the case. THe case is designed to be a "kit" case meaning that the basic tools required for more jobs will fit in the saw.

One of the major points I liked about the Milwaukee was the tool-less operation of the saw. To change a blade move a lever, to change the angle of the base move a lever. The speed control worked as described and once I figured out how to adjust the speed and the ortibiting of the saw to my work, I realized the value of the system.

My countertops look great with smooth edges. And best of all I have a tool that I have complete confidence in for the next precision cutting project.

Friends let me tell you something, this is the best jig saw ever made. Works great, accurate, smooth cutting, powerful motor. Nothing bad to say. Thanks to Amazon for the fast delivery. I `m definitely going to do business again.

I was trying to decide between this and the Bosch. this one was made in the Czech Republic, the Bosch was China (maybe Taiwan) so I went with the Milwaukee. Smooth. powerful a real pleasure. just silky. long cord id nice also.

As expected, typical Milwaukee quality. The heft of this saw takes a little getting used to, but just as with a handgun, weight buffers recoil. The weight makes this baby smoooooth. My tools are used for personal home improvement use, but I appreciate quality. This is the sixth Milwaukee tool I have purchased. They cost more, but I continue to choose to pay the difference.

I love this saw. I can't afford a SawStop table saw or a Laguna bandsaw, but if this isn't the best jig saw out there, it's got to be darned close to it. My previous jig saw was a Freud J85, and the difference is like night and day. First of all, the fit and finish: This saw is made with precision. It cuts square and doesn't drift when cutting along a straightedge (like the Freud used to). Second, the LED light and the dust blower make it easy to follow the cut line (the Freud piled the dust right on the cut line, even if the cumbersome dust collection attachment was used). Third, it is balanced well (whereas the top-heavy Freud was just too big for it's base and would tip over backwards with half a chance, especially with the dust collection attached). The tool-less blade change is positive and effortless (actually, the Freud was OK there, too, one of it's few virtues).
I bought the Freud at a "bargain" price, but it made me angry every time I got it out to use. This tool just makes me smile. :>)