DeWalt DW331K Top-Handle Jigsaw

DeWalt DW331K Top-Handle Jigsaw

The jigsaw is one of those power tools that many people can get by without, but oh does it ever open up options for your projects when you have access to one. Think of it as a precision circular saw. Your designs can be more flowing and eloquent when you’re able to incorporate tighter curves and sharp angles.

Most people think of a jigsaw as a tool that cuts thin pieces of wood. While this is its principal use, did you know that with the right blade you can also cut metal, laminate, plastic, and plexiglass?

When it comes to power tools, I have two rules: 1.) I always buy a name brand, but I’m not beholden to any single brand. The manufacturer that convinces me that their model will outperform and outlast the competition wins my business. 2.) I own one cordless drill for when I need to work on something back in the woods where a cord won’t reach, but other than that, all my power tools are corded. I prefer the reliability and consistent power, plus I don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on batteries over the life of the tool.

The DW331K is a variable speed saw that delivers 500-3,100 strokes per minute. You definitely want a variable speed saw if you’re going to cut metal or do intricate curved cuts in wood. The shoe adjusts to cut bevels up to 45 degrees.

Cheap jigsaws like to pull to one side due to their reciprocal cutting stroke, making it difficult to do straight cuts – not so with the DeWalt. The blade moves straight forward with very little coaxing thanks to the four-position orbital cutting motion which minimizes blade wear and reduces the chattering that is common on cheaper standard-action jigsaws. The end result is a smoother cut that is easier to control.

The all-metal tool-less blade change lever is a major selling point for the DW331K. It’s conveniently located right on the front of the unit. It eliminates having to touch a hot blade when changing it out or losing the allen wrench that is used on many other saws. This lever can get a bit hot if you’re making a lot of cuts, so always let it cool down before you put it back in its case.

I have cut a cat door (link to KittyPass XL door), the body of my son’s pinewood derby car for Cub Scouts, and numerous crossbars for my garden arbors. The powerful 6.5-AMP motor powered through still-wet pressure-treated lumber of the latter with no problem.

The DeWalt 331K is the Goldilocks of jigsaws and represents a great value in relation to its performance. It’s light enough to easily maneuver in tight spaces, which is the nature of cutting with a jigsaw, but it’s heavy enough to not bounce around on your work.

Overall build quality on this jigsaw is good. The polymer on the handle feels durable and provides a stable grip. An all-metal gear case protects the internals.

I narrowed down my choices to the DeWalt and a similarly-priced Bosch barrel grip. I have a Bosch planer that has served me well over the years and I have an overall favorable opinion of their products. In the end, I liked how the DeWalt top handle felt more balanced in my hands. I’m sure I would have become accustomed to it, but I didn’t feel like the barrel grip gave me the control that I was looking for.

My only complaint with this unit is the “air blaster” feature – it’s OK, but not great. I didn’t notice a big difference between when it was on vs. off, but this seems to be a constant complaint with smaller power tools. Manufacturers continue to include this feature because it sounds like a good idea on paper and consumers have come to expect it. The reality is that a jigsaw just isn’t big enough to generate the volume of air needed to clear sawdust from the path of the cut. You actually don’t want a strong flow of air in front of the blade when cutting metal, as the airflow will blow away the oil from the cut line.

I was surprised to see there isn’t an LED light on a tool of this price. Inadequate light can be a problem with jigsaws since the tool and the operator’s hands naturally cast a shadow over your work. I solve this by cutting outside most of the time, as I have natural light from the sun and a quick pass with my Stihl leaf blower makes quick work of the sawdust.

If you don’t need quite as much power and want a slightly smaller saw body, then I recommend the DeWalt DW317K. It still has all the same important features as the 331K but the motor is 5.5-AMP instead of 6.5-AMP and it comes in a cheaper canvas tool bag instead of a molded case.

Note that this jigsaw, like most others, doesn’t come with blades included. I purchased this DeWalt 14-blade set to go along with my new jigsaw. It includes a wide variety of blades for just about any material that you will ever find yourself having to cut. The two-sided case fits conveniently in the carrying case for the jigsaw so you won’t waste time looking for the right blade.