Black & Decker JS680V 6 Amp Jig Saw with Smart Select

Monday, March 26, 2012

Product Details

Product Dimensions: 13.8 x 4.6 x 9.6 inches ; 6.6 pounds
Shipping Weight: 6.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
ASIN: B002HWS2G8
Item model number: JS680V

By : Black ; Decker
List Price : ~~$108.10~~
Price : $81.99
You Save : $26.11 (24%)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Ideal for making curved and straight cuts in wood, metal, and plastic, the Black ; Decker JS680V Jigsaw with Smart-Select Dial will give you accurate results on your first pass. Complete with a blade and an innovative feature set that includes LineFinder, a Smart Select dial, easy angle adjustments, and more, this fast, powerful, and precise jigsaw is perfect for novice cutters and serious do-it-yourselfers alike.

JS680V Jigsaw At A Glance:

LineFinder illuminates cut line for optimum visibility and accuracy
Onboard smart-select dial automatically sets optimal orbit and speed
Onboard magnetic blade storage for quick and easy access to blades
3/4-inch stroke length; accepts T- and U-shank blades
2-year limited warranty

Jigsaw automatically sets the optimal orbit and speed for your cut. .
The cast shoe provides increased durability and accuracy. .Line Finder and Smart-Select Provide Accurate, Precise ResultsIdeal for a range of around-the-house cutting projects, from deck construction to baseboard, trim, and furniture work, the JS680V improves productivity and saves you time.
First, the LineFinder illuminates your cut line for optimum visibility and accuracy. This feature also makes it easy to cut wherever you are, so you don't need to move your project to a better-lit location every time you need to make a cut.
Additionally, the Smart-Select dial allows you to get precise results with the first pass by automatically setting the optimal orbit and speed for your type of cut.
Chock-Full of User-Friendly FeaturesPowered by a robust, six-amp motor, the JS680V also includes a cast shoe that provides durability and accuracy.
Other features include an accu-bevel angle adjustment that provides accurate bevel adjustments with a quick-action lever and an indicator window. Additionally, this jigsaw allows for fast, easy, tool-free blade changes--onboard blade storage holds up to three blades and has a convenient see-through door.
This easy-to-use jigsaw has a 3/4-inch stroke length, accepts T- and U-shank blades, and is backed by a two-year limited warranty.
What's in the BoxJS680V Jigsaw, blade, and LineFinder pen.

Includes 6.0 Amp LineFinder Orbital Jigsaw - JS680V, Wood Cutting Blade, Pen, Pen Holder, (3) AAA Batteries

Technical Details

LineFinder system allows for increased visibility
Smart select technology
Cast shoe for improved accuracy and durability
Tool free blade change provides fast, easy blade changing
Accepts T and U shank blades

Black & Decker JS680V 6 Amp Jig Saw with Smart Select

Customer Reviews

3 stars overall with an extra half star for the "Linefinder." Other jig saws have lasers or lights, but this might be better because the other two techniques don't help as much when your pencil line is covered with dust. Except that the saw does a good job of blowing the dust away and that the blade release lever blocks part of the light and if you're in a brightly lit shop or outdoors, you can't see the line as well (in which case you'd probably use a pencil instead). I guess that half star is for effort - I'm going to see if I can replace the UV LED with a normal white LED.
I have been doing woodworking for 30 years and doing extensive home handyman and repairs for 15 (neither professionally) in addition to Habitat for Humanity and other similar volunteer work.
B;D make the majority of hand power tools used in manufacturing and also make DeWalt which is targeted towards the professional. B;D is targeted towards the homeowner and hobbyist - someone who is more sensitive to price rather than having something which is bulletproof. I have a number of B;D tools and, price considered, am quite satisfied with them (the 18V cordless drill I panned was because the price is ~5x what I paid for it.)
I'm afraid that my less than glowing review is because this tool falls into the "No Mans Land" between a reliable and inexpensive tool for a homeowner and something that a frequent user would be happy with. This saw has features which the entry level user probably won't appreciate (Quick release bevel, cast aluminum base and dust collection) but is priced where a "Pro" level tool is within reach.
LIKES: Very powerful. Relatively quiet. Good dust blower keeps your path clear. Onboard blade storage. Non marring plastic over cast foot, T and U blade compatible. Quick release blade holder. Quick release bevel adjustment. Dust collection. Good range of speed control for the entry level user. Ergonomic switch and lock.
DISLIKES: Dust collection port is strange, non-standard oval shape. Plastic foot cover flimsy, not flat. Plastic Blade guards obscure visibility, would prefer bent wire or clear plastic. Instead of a battery for the LED, couldn't they have made one that turns on with the saw automatically? Click stops on bevel mean you can't easily get 42 degrees since you'll slip into the 45 degree slot. (you often find that you want to butt something at 45 degrees but that in order to get a proper fit that you need to cut just over or just under 45) Whole lotta plastic going on.
For a better product at a similar price point I'd recommend either
Black ; Decker JS700K 5.5 Amp Top Handle Jigsaw
or Skil 4690-01 6 Amp Laser Guided Jig Saw
For an entry level saw I'd recommend
Black ; Decker JS660 Jig Saw with Smart Select Dial
or Kawasaki 840276 6-Amp Orbital Jig Saw, Green
As for the "Pro" level saws, you probably wouldn't be reading this review if you were planning to get a Bosch, Dewalt, PC, Freud, etc....
Disclosure: I received this item through the Vine program.
Please check out my other reviews (including several tool reviews). If you have any questions or have found this review helpful, please let me know!

I've needed a new jig saw for quite some time, since my old one gave up the ghost. But not being a serious woodworker, it was something I just wouldn't commit myself to buying. Not because I didn't need one (ask the folks I've borrowed one from), but because I just didn't have the time to sort through all the ins-and-outs of jig saws. What speed? How many amps? What tools did I need to go with it?
Well, if you need a good jig saw for those around-the-house projects such as building shelves, etc., look no more! As noted in the details, the 6amp JS680V Jigsaw will deliver any cut you need in almost any material that can be cut! Unsure what speed setting you need? It's easy with the "Smart-Select Dial", which allows you to just set it for the project you need, and the saw automatically adjusts its speed. This was awesome for me, because I don't like looking at my tools wondering where I put the manual or what a certain setting is for. Keep in mind, this is NOT a band saw. But it will make some nice cuts where you need them. Some may say that this does not compare to a $200 DeWalt or Makita, but to me I don't need that level of a saw. The Black ; Decker JS680V does the same thing those saws do for a third of the price!
This saw also comes with the "LineFinder" system, which is a rather unique concept. Instead of using the traditional laser, which of course can't follow curves, the linefinder consists of a special UV-type pen that looks like a highlighter. The light on the saw illuminates the lines that you draw on your project almost like a blacklight. It's actually pretty impressive. I can't say how well it will hold up, long term, or how much a replacement pen will cost, but I'm hopeful it will hold up. I can see it being especially helpful when making curvy cuts.
As noted, the JS680V Jigsaw feels very durable and well-built. It has rubber gripping along the handle, which allows for a solid grip while using it. It also has a cast shoe, which seems as solid as any other brand I checked out. The shoe is then covered with heavy plastic so it glides smoothly. And you don't need any special tools to change out the blades, which is nice. The saw is weighty, but is not too heavy in the hands for most folks to use.
Finally, as a casual user, there are two small features that I really like: first, the saw comes with a magnetic on board blade storage that will hold 3 blades. It's basically a little storage compartment on the side. So no more digging around wondering where I put that extra blade! The other feature is that you can easily change the angle adjustment, and it has bevel markings that show you the bevel (15°/30°/45°) through an indicator window, taking the guess-work out of whether you have it set right.
Overall, you will not be disappointed with this saw. I really feel that Black ; Decker has "stepped up" the quality of their products lately, and the JS680V Jigsaw demonstrates this as well as anything. The only thing that I can see that would add to the overall value would be for B;D to include cutting blades for metal or plastic (it comes with a blade for wood), and a kit box for storage. As it stands, you have to find someplace to put it when not in use, which of course requires that you remove the blade so it doesn't get broken or you don't get cut.