Makita has expanded their 12V compact cordless tool lineup with a brand new jig saw, model VJ01W. The new saw joins two others in Makita’s 12V line – a mini circular saw and a pistol-grip reciprocating saw. While compact and lightweight, the jig saw offers a number of features borrowed from Makita’s larger 18V and corded saws.
Advertisement
Features:
- Variable speed motor (0-2400 SPM)
- 11/16″ stroke length
- 3 orbital + straight cutting settings
- Weighs 3.7 lbs with battery
- Built-in vacuum dust port
- Build-on blower for clear cut lines
- Low-profile design with top handle
- Die-cast aluminum base
- Bevel adjustments 0-45° right to left
- On-board wrench storage (for bevel adjustment)
- Locking continuous-on switch
- Electric brake
- T-shank blades
Buy Now(via Amazon)
The kit includes 2x 12V Li-ion batteries, a battery charger, hard tool case, and a single saw blade. Pricing is at around $150 for the kit, and it is uncertain as to whether a bare-tool model will be released.
Our Take:
There are several 12V jig saws currently available, with Ridgid JobMax, Craftsman Nextec, and Milwaukee M12 models quickly coming to mind. Cordless jig saws are not must-haves, but they do come in handy when only some light trim and cutout work is needed.
The dust collection port looks effective, but any vacuum port is better than no dust port. Not that a 12V jig saw is going to spew out copious amounts of dust, but more dust captured at the source means less dust to clean up afterwards.
Advertisement
The price is right too – $150 for the kit. Users that don’t need the batteries or charger will probably want to hold out for the bare-tool.
Thanks to Sergey for the heads-up in his comment to our post about Dewalt’s new brushless cordless framing nailer!
Allen
White ? Why white ? Is there something in Makita’s heritage that would indicate white ? I do like it better than the so-called Fisher-price colors some have adopted.
Stuart
Branding. Their other 12V and 18V compact cordless products are also black & white. When brands choose colors it’s best to stick with it.
Allen
My Makita angle grinder is chrome. Maybe it will be “in style” again someday.
mnoswad1
I like the Makita blue/green better. I never buys things only because of how they look, but I do usually NOT buy things because of how they look.
Stormtrooper……cool. Effeminent craftsman nextec influence…..not cool. Seems like someone put together sales figures for the white ipod/pad and decided white was a good idea. I’ve never looked at these tools seriously. Wont even consider them.
……..until I saw DUST COLLECTION.
Finally dust collection on non Festool cordless.
Len
I can’t help but wonder: If you’re going to drag a vac hose around, you might as well drag an electric cord around while you’re at it.
Stuart
Possibly, but there could be times when a 12V cordless jig saw will be better than a full-size corded. And not every user will opt for dust collection.
Allen
Good point.
How about a vacuum that when you plug the hose in it supplies power to a corded type motor ?
Oh, or a vac that has enough power it can run the jig saw like an air tool ?
And my wife says I’m not very imaginative.
Frank D
more or less the vac is a great option on cordless tools, firstly one less cord hose to worry about and you don’t need to spend much time after the fact cleaning up inside. When working outside unless there is some sort of problem with letting sawdust fall a vac isn’t necessary and therefore being cordless is well worth it.
With the advances in a lot of the power that goes into these saws via lithium ion and higher voltages its very easy to hardly ever have to plug in most corded power tools.
mnoswad1
I just finally finished a new kitchen, bath reno, attic conversion, new bath, 1600sf HW floor install, 100% new case and base, 10 prehung doors, new stairs, 12 new construction windows etc………….all using cordless tools except for miter saw, shop vac and flooring stapler with pancake compressor.
I’ve spent so much time cleaning dust, sweeping and vacuuming that having duct collection is now a must have for my next project.
Cordless or not……..a cutout with a sleeve to attach a vac hose to, should be standard operating design on every tool.
Cordless is so good now that I rebuilt an entire house by myself with 18 volt DeWalt, but I spent way too much time cleaning up that dust!
I need cordless dust collection so bad I might order this from the UK.
http://www.toolstop.co.uk/dewalt-dc390n-18v-cordless-circular-saw-body-only-p4444.