WHY THIS? How to choose JIGSAW

The jigsaw had never been my main tool until I bought the DeWalt DW331K. I always had simple, inexpensive models that I used occasionally for small cutting tasks. But recently, circumstances changed. I was working on a construction project, and I needed to make 120 wooden blanks measuring 660 mm by 25 mm. The only tool suitable for this task was a jigsaw.
Of course, if I had an industrial milling machine, the task would have been quick and easy. But I don’t have such equipment, so I used my small 12-volt Bosch jigsaw. It’s compact, convenient, and equipped with a sharp blade, but as it turned out, it lacked sufficient power. To cut the blanks with the required radius, I made a long arm almost two meters long for fixation, but the blade kept veering to the side. This happened even at lower speeds. The blade would first deviate and then fall out completely. It became clear that the tool was underpowered.
So, I decided to try my Chinese jigsaw. It’s a heavy, powerful 700-watt tool I bought for 40 euros. I attached the same arm to it and started cutting again. But the problem with the veering blade persisted. At that point, I was on the verge of despair: all the material was already purchased, but I didn’t have a tool that could handle the job.
I decided to look for solutions online. Many people mentioned that for jigsaws, it’s critical to have no play in the base and to ensure everything is firmly secured. In my cheap Chinese jigsaw, everything was loose. So, I made the decision: I needed to buy a new tool.
I went to a hardware store, where the selection was small. There was a top-of-the-line DeWalt jigsaw for 230 euros and a more modest model from Bosch. After studying reviews and specifications, I chose the DeWalt. It was a serious investment, but I hoped it would pay off.
Back home, I attached the arm to the new jigsaw and started cutting. The results exceeded all expectations! The blade cut straight without deviation, and the cutting angle remained perfect. I prepared all 120 pieces, approximately 90 meters of cuts, without changing the blade even once. The work was fast - each blank took no more than 20 seconds.
Now I can confidently say that this jigsaw is worth every euro I spent on it. It has a convenient blade replacement system - no tools to lose. Everything is designed for comfortable use. After the purchase, I read reviews and found confirmation: this DeWalt is one of the best in its class. Yes, it doesn’t have lighting or a laser guide, but I don’t need those. The main thing is reliability and the absence of play.
This purchase reaffirmed my rule: good tools are worth the money. People often choose cheap tools as a temporary solution for one job. But such tools break, and you end up spending more money repeatedly. If you buy a quality item right away, it will last for years.
Now I’m sure that sticking to one brand is unnecessary. Every company has both successful and unsuccessful models. You need to read reviews, check ratings, comparisons, and choose the best tool for the specific task. This DeWalt jigsaw was the perfect choice for me, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and convenient tool.