Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm looking at one for about $60 including shipping. What are the advantages of the 'orbital' type? I've got an old cheapo standard type that comes in handy for some things, but is hard to control, tiring, and cuts ragged. What tasks are they good for, and is one a worthwhile investment?
Thanks,

CrowDuck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

My suggestion would be to buy a Bosch jig saw. They are widely recognized as the best. A good jig saw is just one of those very-handy-for-all-sort-and-manner-of-things tools. I use mine a lot for non-lutherie related tasks, but it earns its keep for jig-making, hogging out waste in slotted heads, etc. It's just an incredibly versatile tool, like a little hand-held band saw... and it can do things a bandsaw can't... and it's blade can be changed to, say, a metal cutting blade, in a matter of seconds... I love my Bosch jig saw. Like many tools, you don't really appreciate a jig saw's usefulness until you have a really high quality one.

As far as I can tell, the orbital action basically makes it cut more aggressively when a clean cut isn't necessary.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Anyone using a Grizzly? How does Grizzly compare to others.

CrowDuck

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Chris Nielsen
Soquel, CA.

I second the recommendation on the Bosch. The orbital feature can be use
for fast/rough cutting, but it also can help on a fine tooth blade with little
set to the teeth. It sorta lifts the blade clear of the kerf on the backstroke,
so it doesn't overheat or chip. You can make surprisingly clean finish cuts
with it.

Neil

As far as I know, nothing compares to the Bosch.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

[QUOTE=Todd Rose] As far as I know, nothing compares to the Bosch.[/QUOTE]
I've read a couple of reviews saying the newest DeWalt model comes close, but yeah, the Bosch still always wins.

I have one of the first generation of Bosch orbitals. Probably bought it in '80
or '81...still going strong.
There's a neat little attachment that flips it upside down and clamps to a
bench top:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000223GA/
002-5748572-6925607?v=glance&n=228013
but it looks like they might not be available any longer. Wouldn't be too hard
to make, though.
-C

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Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

The festool is equal to the Bosch.
I have had my Bosch for 20 years-still going strong-one of the most versatile tools I own.Brad Goodman38808.8095601852

Yes the orbital action is to give it a kick on the upstroke to make a more aggressive action when rough cutting. But it will cause chipping. I turn my orbital action off on anything other than framing lumber.