I recently sent my red barrel grip saw back and got this one instead. No where was this beauty available in the islands but Amazon pulled through for me with reasonable shipping costs and quick service. Hats off to Amazon! This saw fits great in the palm of my hands. The barrel grip is comfortable and the switch is located where it's good for me but otherwise difficult for a lefty...sorry, guys. The line of cut visibility is not bad with the help of the L.E.D. light. Like the red brand, this tool does have a lot of power along with a hint of vibration at high speeds. The vibration is acceptable considering how quiet this tool is for a jigsaw. The tooless blade change mechanism operates like the red brand and looks like an adopted concept. The clear plastic lever that doubles as a safety shield looks a little flimsy but it does the job...hopefully, it'll hold up over time. It's funny Makita didn't incorporate a similar tooless feature into the bevel shoe adjustment like the ones found on their previous saws. Well, at least the hex wrench is stored securely and nearly out of sight in the base of the shoe and not attached to the cord. I didn't know it was there until I read the instructions. I am very pleased with the fit and finish of this English made tool...yes, English! My only complaint is the cheap plastic case it came with. The plastic sliding latches looks like it wouldn't out last the metal ones found on the saw I sent back. I'll put this saw through the ringer and see if it lives up to its good looks! For me to recommend the Makita is a big step away from seeing red.

I chose the barrel grip over the handle type mainly because of the greater control in fine cuts. Plus it lets you get into tighter spots, like cutting a fixed shelf out in a cabinet. pThis is a powerful saw. It went thru 3/4" plywood on the smallest orbital setting without batting an eyelid. Would definitely use it on shorter cuts instead of pulling out my circular saw. It has the capacity do cut over 5" thick in wood ?? WOW!! pThe LED is nice and necessary if you've got distracting shadows in your line of cut.pThe vibration was very minimal and I think thats a big plus since my wrist hurts after an all day project, must be getting old.pTool change is really a snap, and takes 2 seconds. pJigsaws have come a long way since I last bought one 15 years ago. That one was a pain.

Plenty of power, comfortable to handle, and has less vibration than any jigsaw I've ever used. Even the light, which I at first thought was just a gimmick, has come in handy on several occasions. I also own two Milwaukee jigsaws, two Bosch jigsaws, and have used numerous others, and while the Milwaukee and Bosch saws are excellent tools, in my opinion, the Makita is definitely the cream of the crop.
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br /UPDATE: Well, it's been over three years since I first reviewed this saw(six or seven years since I bought it) and it's still going strong. I've only had to replace the power cord and nothing else. Even the light still works after years of near daily use. Still the best jigsaw I've ever used in my 12+ years as a professional trim carpenter. Highly recommended.

I used to own a porter cable jigsaw. After I read a tool test in one of my wood magazines, I sold my PC and bought me the Makita. One of the best decisions I've ever made. I should have bought this one the first time. It is just a great power tool. I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to anybody that is thinking of buying a jigsaw. It is powerfull, handles awesome and it is very quiet.

Upgraded to this Makita barral type saw, by necessity, after a cheaper version made by Skil began to excessively throw blades after a year of use. My cheaper version saw, and most other cheaper versions, use a different blade holding mechanism (and different blade shanks) that can be prone to letting go of the blade when hitting a knot, or binding in a curve. I haven't experienced this with the Makita.
br / The quality of cut is very good when using one of the 9 blades that they supply in the package. The fit and finish of the tool is mostly good, the only complaint is the seams between the black and teal plastics don't meet as well as I'd like, but the castings are well done and the saw feels substantial when I hold it. The saw has an anti-splintering device, like a zero clearence throat plate in a table saw, that surrounds the blade and while marginally effective it is quite fragile and probably better to leave in the box. The tool also comes with a plastic base cover that conceals the units metal base plate when working on items you wish to avoid scratching. This I've found to work quite well (Though I'm not certain that the metal base would scratch anything when new). The angle change adjustment is a solid design and requires an alan wrench that rides in a tool holder in the base. My base plate was normal to the blade out of the box. The saw also has a soft start which is nice, since this saw doesn't have a trigger type speed control, (it only has a power switch coupled with a variable speed dial) it helps keep the blade in the kerf when finishing a previously started cut. I can't say much about the orbital cutting action except that the switch to change the cutting action feels strong and well built. I don't use the orbital settings because I'd always rather have smooth cuts than rough and quick.
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br /I recommend this saw to anyone contemplating the purchase of a jig saw and wholely discourage the notion of buying a cheaper one, unless you enjoy unimpressive results and intend to replace it in the near future.

Never seen a smoother jigsaw. Cuts 45 degree angles in 2X treated lumber and leaves a smooth sanded edge. Never bogged it down. It sings and cuts like a dream every time.

This the second one that I have bought for the company and it is a very nice saw to work with. The LED light is very useful when getting in to dark cabinets or dim lighted areas. Blade changing is a breeze.I am going to buy another one for myself.
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br /Bill

This is the fourth jig saw I have owned, and I never knew they could possibly be this good. The other three were usually more trouble than they were worth. I am an avid do-it-yourselfer and have completed home projects from building a room addition to laying hardwood floors, building built-in bookcases to building rabbit cages, and just about everything in between. This saw is amazing. Its handling is unsurpassed. It cuts smoothly and is incredibly easy to manuever, making difficult angle cuts a breeze. As far as I am concerned, this saw is in a class all by itself.

I wasn't looking for a "soft start" device but it is extremely useful when resuming a cut with the blade already in the workpiece.
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br /I've had a dozen jig saws in my life and this is the best (and most expensive). The barrel grip gives very good control and reduces the size of the tool so I'll not go back to the other type again.
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br /Blade changing is a snap. Standard blades.
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br /The light is nice, and the fan really does blow the chips out of the way.
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br /A+ for this tool.