Black & Decker 4.5 Amp Electric Jig Saw

Why I picked up this jigsaw

I reached for this compact Black & Decker jigsaw to handle a run of small DIY tasks: trimming 3/4-inch plywood shelves, cutting out a circular opening in a butcher-block top, and scribing around baseboard returns. I wasn’t looking for a pro-tier saw with all the bells and whistles—just a light, dependable cutter I could control one-handed and toss back on the shelf when I was done. After several projects, here’s how it performed and where it fits.

Design and ergonomics

This is a small, 4.6-pound top-handle jigsaw with a 4.5-amp motor and variable speed up to 3,000 SPM. The compact size and weight are its immediate strengths. It’s easy to maneuver, fits well in the hand, and doesn’t tire you out on long cuts or vertical work. The trigger offers good modulation, making it simple to creep into a cut or slow down at the end of a line.

The shoe feels adequately rigid for a budget saw, and the wire guard with a sightline channel is more helpful than it looks—especially when you’re following a pencil line freehand. The dust blower is always on and does a credible job keeping the kerf clear. There’s no vacuum port, so expect chips on the bench, but you can see where you’re going.

Setup and blade changes

The quick-clamp system is exactly what most occasional users want: no tools, no fiddling. Blades lock in securely and eject cleanly. It accepts both T- and U-shank blades, so stocking up is easy at any hardware store. My sample came with a multi-pack of starter blades, which covered basic wood cuts out of the box. Blade change takes seconds; I swapped from a coarse wood blade for fast ripping to a fine-tooth blade for laminate without breaking stride.

A note on blade choice: this saw’s power and guidance are best matched to quality blades. If you want cleaner curves and less deflection, invest in thicker, high-quality T-shank blades and pick the tooth count for the job (coarse for fast wood cuts, fine for laminates and finish work, reverse-tooth for minimizing tear-out on the top face).

Cutting performance in wood

For straight cuts in softwood and plywood, the jigsaw tracks well if you let the blade do the work. I cut 2x4 and 3/4-inch plywood with a steady feed rate. The 4.5-amp motor has enough torque for these materials with a sharp blade, though it’s not a speed demon. In thicker stock or hardwoods, you’ll feel it ask for patience. Slow the feed, keep the speed up, and the saw will get you there cleanly.

Orbital action is available and useful when you need to move faster through construction lumber. As with any jigsaw, orbital mode increases aggressiveness and reduces tear-out control. For finish work, I kept orbital off and used a finer blade at moderate speed; for rough cuts and demolition-style trimming, orbital on with a coarse blade made quick work of the pieces.

Curves, control, and accuracy

Curved cuts are where this jigsaw shines for its size. The light weight makes it easy to pivot around tight radii. With thinner blades, you’ll see some deflection if you force the saw around tight curves, but that’s typical in this class. I found the best results by:

• Using a narrower curve-cutting blade for tight turns
• Easing off the feed pressure and letting the blade clear chips
• Backing out and re-approaching rather than twisting the blade mid-kerf

For straight cuts that truly need to be straight, I recommend a clamped straightedge. The shoe rides well against a guide, and at full speed with a sturdy blade, the saw holds a line with minimal wander.

Bevel cuts and shoe adjustments

The base tilts for bevels up to 45°, and the mechanism on my unit held its angle once tightened. I wouldn’t use this jigsaw for precise mitered joinery—the index marks are fine for general work, but not cabinet-grade accuracy. That said, trimming an edge at 22.5° or knocking a corner off at 45° was straightforward. As with all bevel cuts on jigsaws, slower feeds and a rigid blade improve results.

Surface tear-out and finish quality

If you run a coarse blade with orbital action through veneered plywood or laminate, tear-out will happen. With the dust blower keeping the line visible, I could dial down speed, turn off orbital, and swap to a fine-tooth or reverse-tooth blade for much cleaner edges. Blue tape on the cut line further reduces chipping. For laminate flooring and melamine, I cut from the finished face with a down-cut blade and got clean results without extra sanding.

Vibration and noise

Vibration is moderate and in line with its price point. It’s not as glassy-smooth as heavier, higher-amp saws, but I never felt out of control. The handle shape and grip help, and the sightline remains steady enough to follow detail work. Noise is typical jigsaw territory—ear protection recommended for longer sessions.

Dust management and visibility

The always-on blower is the right call here. It keeps the kerf visible even in softwood that throws a lot of chips. Without a vac port, you’ll make a mess, but you won’t be guessing where the line is. The wire guard doesn’t obstruct the view, and the sightline channel is actually helpful when you’re freehanding an S-curve.

Power and speed considerations

At up to 3,000 SPM, the saw has enough speed to stay productive. Where you feel the 4.5-amp motor is in thick hardwoods and during long rip cuts in dense material. You can still make the cut—just keep your feed rate modest and avoid torquing the blade around corners. This is a light-duty to mid-duty tool; it’s happiest in pine, plywood, particleboard, MDF, and laminate, and it’s capable in hardwood with the right blade and technique.

Durability and build

For a compact, budget-friendly jigsaw, the build feels solid. There’s minimal shoe flex under normal pressure, and the blade clamp inspires confidence. I can’t speak to years-long durability yet, but nothing about the tool feels flimsy or fussy. The cord length is practical for bench work without instantly reaching for an extension.

What I’d improve

• Add a dust extraction port for cleaner work indoors.
• More positive bevel detents would help repeatability.
• A slightly more robust guide roller would further reduce blade deflection on aggressive cuts.

None of these are deal-breakers for the intended user, but they’re worth knowing if you expect pro-level refinement.

Who it’s for

• DIYers who need an affordable, dependable jigsaw for occasional projects
• Homeowners trimming shelves, cutting sink or vent openings, shaping garden projects, or fitting laminate flooring
• Hobbyists who value light weight and easy blade changes over maximum power

If you’re regularly cutting thick hardwood, running production curves, or demanding ultra-straight, splinter-free edges without sanding, a heavier, higher-amp jigsaw with more refined guidance and dust control will serve you better.

Practical tips for best results

• Let the blade do the work; don’t force the feed, especially on curves.
• Match the blade to the material: coarse for fast softwood cuts, fine or reverse-tooth for finish surfaces and laminates.
• Turn off orbital action for clean edges; turn it on for speed in framing lumber.
• Use a guide for straight cuts and clamp your work whenever possible.
• Tape the cut line on veneered plywood to minimize tear-out.

The bottom line

This Black & Decker jigsaw is a compact, easy-handling cutter with genuinely useful features: tool-free blade changes, a clear sightline with a wire guard, an effective dust blower, and a base that bevels to 45°. At 4.6 pounds and 4.5 amps, it’s built for light to moderate DIY work, not daily jobsite abuse. Within that lane, it’s a pleasure to use. It handled 2x lumber, 3/4-inch sheet goods, and laminate flooring cleanly with the right blade and a measured feed. You’ll see some blade deflection on tight curves if you rush, and you’ll want to manage tear-out with blade choice and technique, but those are normal jigsaw considerations rather than flaws.

Recommendation: I recommend this jigsaw for DIYers and homeowners who want a budget-friendly, reliable tool for occasional projects. It’s nimble, straightforward to use, and versatile enough for most household cutting tasks. If your work skews toward heavy hardwoods, long daily sessions, or cabinetry-grade precision, consider stepping up in power and refinement. For everyone else, this compact saw hits the sweet spot of price, capability, and ease of use.