nice, but pricy for what you get (Rating: 3.00)
Review : I'll start off by saying that I love DeWalt and cordless tools in general, but this one falls a bit short for me. This saw does what it is suppose to--cut, but no more. I haven't used the fabled Bosch blades that are supposed to make any jigsaw a gem so perhaps I'll give that a try. I have experienced quite a bit of chip-out, especially in plywood, with the DeWalt blades even with the orbit turned off. I also find the cut wanders a bit even when the body feels stable.
For the most part, the build quailty is typical DeWalt, which is outstanding, but there are a few exceptions. The bevel adjuster won't hold an angle other than 90 very well so I have to keep close tabs on it. The tooless blade change is a total pain. I've had the blade pull out due to it not being clamped properly. Though, in it's defense, once set up correctly, it holds the blades well.
I really prefer barrel grip jigsaws because you can use two hands on them easily. I find that this top grip doesn't allow two hands comfortably.
On the upside, the trigger action is excellent and the saw is very stable(probably due to it's mass.) For a cordless, this things has power to spare. DeWalt's 18v batteries are great and have a long life per charge so only having the one isn't bad, but two is better if you have more than a few cuts, especially in hardwood or thick ply.As a cordless saw, it's very good, but as your only jigsaw, if you can use a corded one, go that route and save [$$$]. Of course if you can afford it, get both!
If only BOSCH made a cordless jig saw (Rating: 3.00)
Review : I will statrt by qualifying my remarks. The convenience of this tool is exceptional. The execution of this tool is pretty good, hence the 3 star rating. I was disappointed with the tool-less blade changing. De Walt is nowhere close to BOSCH in terms of the 'clic' change blade change. It is difficult at times to tell if the blade isproperly installed,( I think that the dual shank flexibilty is the culprit here - works for either shank type, but not ideal for either) also, the line of site is not as good while cutting, the balance is OK, and the base locking lever can be hit or bumped which is a surprise no one likes. In terms of the charge and cutting time, this was a pleasant surprise. I purchased an extra battery expecting to need it and never did. Obviously, for extended cutting periods it will be necessary, but for the times I have used this tool so far, the battery life has been better than expected. I believe the cost of the kit separatley is not as appealing as purchasing as a combo kit, but sometimes you simply buy the ones you need. I have once again tried the DeWalt Cobalt blades and once again switched back to the BOSCH blades - no comparison here at all, in fact the BOSCH blades are often less expensive. The refresh mode on the charger is a nice touch, the tool seems to be made well, it certainly works and again the convenience is exceptional. I suppose I am so used to the corded BOSCH jig saws and their precision, durability and ease of use that the DeWalt in my eyes comes up short.
DeWalt DW933K 18-Volt Variable Speed Jig Saw Kit (Rating: 4.00)
Review : I have owned and used the DeWalt DW933 for about two years now, and it has become a very handy addition to my cordless tool collection.
It is a very good jigsaw, but it is not a great jigsaw, especially when considering it's lofty price tag. A rip fence/circle cutting accessory is not even available from DeWalt, even though the shoe has a slot for it and it is listed in the owners manual as an optional accessory. When I first contacted DeWalt support regarding the availability of a rip fence/circle cutting accessory for the DW933 their response was, "We don't offer that accessory", so any circle cutting or ripping needs must be met through your own creative devise or another manufacturer. Fortunately, this is not much of a hurdle to overcome.
From the first use, it became obvious that the real payoff of the DW933 was mostly going to be for the real reason I bought it in the first place, which was, the advantage of not having the obligatory extension cord to deal with.
With that said, and not to put the DW933 down, because it is a good little saw, I personally feel that it is not so much a tool for woodworker's as it is for contractor's, for which it's design is perfectly acceptable.
The RPM, SPM, power and overall cutting performance are much lower than that of the quality Bosch and Makita corded jigsaws I also own, but it does perform very well considering it is a cordless tool. It can cut very smoothly and accurately, with the proper blade and orbital setting, in all soft and hardwoods that I have used it on so far.
This tool is slightly heavy with or without the battery installed but the balance is surprisingly good when held upright in the normal cutting position and the extra weight seems to aid in accuracy by helping to keep the saw stable during cuts.
The tool less blade clamp can be clumsy to use and sometimes doesn't hold so well. The blade has actually popped out in the middle of difficult cuts on several occasions. This usually occurred when making curved or bevel cuts in thicker material.
The tool less shoe bevel adjustment also leaves something to be desired. Again with a somewhat clumsy lever and occasional unwanted loosening or shifting of position during use.
The saw comes with a sturdy snap on non-marring plastic cover for the shoe and a metal cutting insert. The plastic carrying case is large enough to store two batteries and fist full of spare blades, if you don't pack the charger.
Battery charge life is good when cutting thinner stock, such as, ½" ply material and soft 1X stock, but of course is much shorter with harder or thicker material.
Overall, I would recommend the DW933, even with it high price to feature ratio, to anyone who appreciates cordless versatility and safety, and especially to service and repair contractors who don't want to have to drag an extension cord with them on every job where a jigsaw would be required.
The Best Jig Saw (Rating: 5.00)
Review : I am very pleased with my Dewalt 18 volt Jig Saw. It is made solid, it cuts very well. No more cord tangling up as you make circles. I like the dust blower, you can adjust it to blow or not to blow. I will use this Jig saw over any other Jig saw on the market. I've have several saws but they don't compare to this one. Well done DeWalt!
Use Carefully (Rating: 2.00)
Review : The sole plate of this unit has a poor locking mechanism. The lever releases randomly and the angle of cut can change in the middle of the job. The thicker the wood, the more the damage to the item you are working on. A Rube Goldberg modification can be applied to stabilize the locking mechanism but it negates its use to cut wanted angles. If you are thinking of DeWalt I suggest you look for some other brand of Jig Saw.
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