Skil 5 Amp Jigsaw

First impressions and setup

I didn’t expect a budget-friendly jigsaw to feel this put together. Out of the box, the Skil jigsaw is compact, well balanced, and light enough at just over 4.5 pounds to manage long cuts without forearm fatigue. The overmold on the top handle is grippy without being gummy, and the trigger and lock-off are where my fingers expect them. It ships with a wood blade, a metal blade, and an Allen key, so I was able to get cutting right away.

Blade changes are genuinely quick. The tool-free clamp snaps T‑shank blades in with a reassuring click and releases without fuss. It will take U‑shank blades too, but T‑shank is clearly the sweet spot for speed and security.

Feature highlights that matter

• Variable speed: A trigger-controlled range up to 3,000 strokes per minute with a brake that stops the blade quickly. The brake turned out to be more useful than I expected for avoiding overcuts on layout lines and easing into delicate corners.
• Four-stage orbital action: A simple lever switches from straight reciprocating motion to progressively more aggressive orbital action. This is the main lever for trading cut quality against speed.
• On/off dust blower: An underrated feature. Being able to shut the blower off when cutting metal (or when I want dust to drop instead of blast forward) is a small but welcome bit of control.
• Beveling shoe: The base tilts for angled cuts via the included Allen key. It’s not tool-free, but it locks down solidly and stayed square after several adjustments.

Cutting performance in wood

I started with 3/4-inch plywood and 2x SPF, using a fresh 10 TPI wood blade. In orbital setting 2 and high speed, the jigsaw tracked curves smoothly and ate through material at a pace that felt faster than its 5-amp spec would suggest. For straight cuts along a clamped guide, I toggled orbital off (setting 0) to minimize tear-out and keep the kerf clean. The brake let me stop precisely on layout marks without the usual extra stroke or two that can nick the line.

On 1-1/2-inch stock, the 3/4-inch stroke length is plenty for chip evacuation, and the motor holds speed well. If you push hard in a tight curve with aggressive orbital, you’ll see a bit of deflection, which is typical of most jigsaws in this class. Back off the feed pressure, run a slightly slower speed, and it straightens up. With a down-cut blade in plywood cabinet sides, the top surface came out cleaner than expected for a saw at this price, especially with orbital off and a steady feed.

For intricate scrolling cuts, this isn’t a specialist’s barrel-grip with ultra-low vibration, but it’s predictable. I cut a series of 1-inch-radius curves for a shelf template and found the line-of-sight good and the nose slim enough that I wasn’t fighting the housing to see my mark. The blower keeps the kerf visible, and turning it off helps when fine dust starts to obscure the pencil line.

Metal and aluminum

With the supplied metal blade, I cut 1/8-inch aluminum angle at low to mid speed and orbital off. It was uneventful—in the best way—producing a controllable, chatter-free cut. In mild steel flat bar around 1/8-inch thick, the saw benefits from fresh, fine-tooth blades and a patient feed rate. The motor doesn’t bog as long as you let it do the work and keep the speed conservative. The published capacities (about 3 inches in wood, 1/2 inch in aluminum, 1/4 inch in steel) feel realistic if you match the blade and settings to the material.

Control, accuracy, and ergonomics

The trigger has a broad usable range, so feathering into a cut is easy. I especially appreciate the electronic brake when I’m stopping mid-layout to reset a clamp or check alignment. The top handle geometry suits both one-handed freehand work and two-handed guiding with my off hand on the nose. Vibration is noticeable in aggressive orbital settings, as you’d expect, but in straight-reciprocating mode it’s well behaved. Over a full afternoon of cutting plywood parts and trimming 2x, I didn’t experience fatigue beyond normal.

The shoe is flat and glides well on material. Using a clamped straightedge, I had no trouble making glue-ready cuts in plywood with a high-quality, fine-tooth blade. No jigsaw is a track-saw replacement for long, flawless rips, but this one can produce clean, square edges with a bit of setup.

Dust management

There’s no integrated dust extraction port, but the on/off blower is a practical touch. On wood, I leave it on to keep my cut line clean. On metal, I shut it off to keep chips from scattering. If you rely on active dust collection, you’ll need a different solution, but for jobsite or garage work the blower does its job.

Blade changes and compatibility

Swapping blades is one-handed and fast, which encourages using the right blade for each task—arguably the single biggest factor in jigsaw cut quality. It accepts both T‑shank and U‑shank blades. In practice, T‑shank blades seat more positively, and that’s what I’d stick with. The clamp has kept a firm grip without loosening through multiple cuts in different materials.

Bevel cuts

Bevel adjustments are Allen-keyed. That’s a minor trade-off: slower than a lever, but once tightened, the shoe stays put. I made a few 45-degree cuts in plywood shelves. The saw tracked well, and the base didn’t drift out of angle. As always with beveled jigsaw cuts, a slower feed and a sharp, fine-tooth blade help limit wander and tear-out.

What I liked

• Honest power for a 5-amp class: It maintains speed in typical framing lumber and sheet goods without drama.
• Useful controls: Variable speed with a responsive trigger and a real blade brake, plus on/off orbital and blower.
• Good line visibility: The narrow nose and blower make it easy to stay on the mark.
• Fast, tool-free blade changes: Encourages correct blade choice, improving results.
• Light and compact: Easy to maneuver, especially on curves and overhead cuts.

What could be better

• Bevel adjustment requires the Allen key: It’s secure but not as quick as a levered design.
• No dust extraction port: The blower is helpful, but shop vac fans will miss a hookup.
• Vibration in high orbital settings: Common in this price bracket, but worth noting if you do lots of aggressive, fast cuts.
• No worklight: Not a deal-breaker, yet a small LED would improve accuracy in dim corners.

Who it’s for

If you’re a DIYer, homeowner, or woodworker who needs a reliable, versatile jigsaw for straight and curved cuts in wood, aluminum, and mild steel, this Skil jigsaw hits the mark. It’s also a sensible backup or jobsite tool for pros who don’t need premium refinements but still care about control and cut quality. If your work leans heavily toward ultra-clean tear-out–free cuts in laminates or if you want integrated dust extraction and tool-free bevels, a higher-end model will serve you better.

Recommendation

I recommend this jigsaw. It delivers solid cutting performance, practical controls, and thoughtful touches like the blade brake and on/off blower at a very approachable price. The tool-free blade clamp makes blade swaps painless, the four-stage orbital action gives you meaningful control over speed versus finish, and the variable-speed trigger is easy to modulate. Its limitations—Allen-keyed bevels, no dust port, and some vibration at aggressive settings—are reasonable trade-offs for the value. For most home and shop tasks in wood, aluminum, and mild steel, it’s a dependable, easy-to-use saw that gets the job done with fewer compromises than you’d expect in this class.