[Steven Owen]

It was payday today. I decided to treat myself to a major jig saw upgrade to purchased a Bosch 572 Barrel Handle Jig Saw. I gave the Festool carvex a serious look, but there was lots of things I just don’t like about Festool’s Jig Saw designs.

The line of site is poor due to Festool’s obsession with maximum dust collection on one of the few tools where dust collection is not a huge priority. The Bosch has decent dust collection on the 572. Bosch didn’t let their design interfere with the tools line of sight.

I looked at Bosch 470 as well. The crappy Ryobi paint shaker/Jig Saw Combo influence my decision to part with the extra $110 dollars for the more refined 572. After years of suffering with a subpar jig saw, I wanted the best of the best.

There really wasn’t any real advantage to the Festool Carvex that warranted paying the extra $210 dollars for the Festool logo.

The Bosch 572 was an easy choice with similar performance to the Carvex at a very good price. I wasn’t willing to drink the green Koolaid for my Jig Saw upgrade.

 

[honesttjohn]

Another necessary tool for the shop. You did good!!!

 

[Bob Adams]

Looks like a nice saw, I will have to keep it mind if I ever need to replace mine. Congrats!

 

[Steven Owen]

I’m happy to have the upgrade. The vibration on the Ryobi never made it very useful outside of outdoor construction projects. I have to replace my floors with laminate and I want to create some unique furniture designs. These kinds of projects demand a solid performing jig saw.

Too many people assume there’s not much of a difference between the 470 and 572 since they both share the same motor. My friend has a 470 and it’s a decent Jig Saw. I rented a 572 to build some cedar planter boxes and it’s miles ahead of the 470. The blade mechanics are much smoother and there’s noticeable difference in blade deflection and vibration when cutting circles and curves.

The 572 turns and a dime producing much cleaner cuts on turns vs the 470.

The motor is only one part of the tool; it’s the sum of all of the components combined that make a great tool.

 

[chessnut2]

Thanks for the review, Steven. I've always struggled with el cheapos, and recently got pretty disgusted with the one I have. I looked up the 572, and although expensive, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. It's on my list. Thanks.

 

[kp91]

Don't cheap out on the blades.... Blades definitely make a difference.

 

[Steven Owen]

Don't cheap out on the blades.... Blades definitely make a difference.

I bought Festool Jig Saw blades.’

 

[Steven Owen]

UPS just delivered the 572 today. It did come with $2 worth of Bosch blades. It doesn’t come with a dust collector port. You have to buy it as an add-on.

Bosch is learning how or upset from Festool.

 

[DesertRatTom]

I didn't know they had a dust port. That would set it apart. I use my 18v DeWalt, but use Bosch blades. It does help, that and letting the saw and blade set their own pace, particularly on curves. I think the 572 is going on my list too. Thanks for the review.

 

[Steven Owen]

I didn't know they had a dust port. That would set it apart. I use my 18v DeWalt, but use Bosch blades. It does help, that and letting the saw and blade set their own pace, particularly on curves. I think the 572 is going on my list too. Thanks for the review.

It has a optional dust port almost identical to one on the Festool Carvex. Bosch makes you buy it as an add-on. I’ll do some test cuts with it tomorrow.

The one thing you notice immediately is the weight. The 572 is 2.2 lbs heavier than the cheaper 470 EB. The body has a lot more steel and brass parts than it’s cheaper cousin.

Regardless of some of the reviews on Amazon, the 572 is a much more robust jig saw with no cheap plastic parts. You get your $100 buck worth stepping up to the 572.

 

[BrianS]

Good choice, and one you will NOT regret. I have a Bosch barrel jigsaw and could not believe the difference between it and the el'cheapo that I had been using. Simply amazing! And, as Doug mentioned, blades make a huge difference as well.

 

[Steven Owen]

I didn't know they had a dust port. That would set it apart. I use my 18v DeWalt, but use Bosch blades. It does help, that and letting the saw and blade set their own pace, particularly on curves. I think the 572 is going on my list too. Thanks for the review.

https://www.boschtools.com/ca/en/boschtools-ocs/jig-saw-attachments-ja1012-43466-p/

The JA-1012 is the part number for the extractor for the Bosch 572 models. It’s 39 US or 49 CAN dollars. It’s not the cheapest dust post add-on. It’s the only articulating dust port aside from the Festool Carvex.