Black & Decker Cordless Jig Saw

I brought this compact cordless jigsaw into my shop for a run of light-duty projects: cutting scroll-y craft patterns from plywood, trimming shelf notches, and shaping a couple of plastic panels. Over a few weeks, it became my go-to for quick, quiet cuts without dragging out a corded saw. It’s not a powerhouse, but within its lane it’s capable, easy to handle, and pleasantly straightforward to live with.

Design and build

The jigsaw is notably compact and a manageable 3.6 pounds, which makes a real difference when you’re steering tight curves or working at a bench for long stretches. The housing incorporates Tritan Renew, with 50% certified recycled content. That doesn’t change performance, of course, but it’s a welcome step toward a lower-waste tool—especially for a DIY-focused saw that may see periodic rather than daily use. The shell feels rigid and well-finished, with no flex in the grip or shoe under normal cutting pressure.

Visibility down the cut line is decent. The shoe stayed true on my square cuts and didn’t mar the work surface. I wouldn’t call the shoe premium, but it’s flat and consistent, which matters more for most home projects. I didn’t see a dedicated blower or work light on this model; I occasionally had to pause and brush dust off the line on longer cuts, which is typical in this class.

Battery and charging

This is a 12-volt class tool with an integrated (built-in) battery rated at 18 Wh. It charges via a simple jack-style charger, and the charger’s LED clearly indicates charging status. The upside is simplicity: no separate batteries to manage, and everything you need is in the box. The trade-off is flexibility. Because the pack is non-removable, you can’t hot-swap a fresh battery mid-project. If you plan your work around that constraint—cut, charge while you sand or assemble, then resume—it’s manageable. If you routinely do long cutting sessions, a platform with removable batteries will serve you better.

Controls and ergonomics

The variable-speed trigger is the star of the interface. It offers good low-speed modulation, which is what you want for starting cleanly and negotiating tight radii without chattering the blade. The top handle is comfortable even for smaller hands, and the balance is neutral; the saw tracks predictably without nose-diving. Vibration is modest for a small jigsaw. It’s not silky, but I didn’t find it fatiguing over an afternoon of off-and-on cutting.

Blade changes

Blade swaps are tool-free and quick. The release mechanism has a positive feel, and every blade I tried from my kit clicked in securely and stayed put under load. One tip: seat the blade fully and give it a firm tug to confirm engagement before you pull the trigger. The saw ships with a wood blade that’s fine for general cuts; you’ll get better results matching the blade to the task (finer TPI for clean plywood faces, bi-metal for metal, down-cut if you need top-face veneer protection).

Performance in wood

This is a light-duty saw, and it behaves like one: tuned for control rather than raw speed. In 1/4-inch birch plywood, it was easy to steer through tight scroll patterns without wandering. Tear-out was minimal with a fine-tooth blade; for project faces I care about, a strip of painter’s tape over the cut line kept the top veneer clean. In 3/4-inch pine and poplar, the saw stayed confident on gentle curves and straight cuts if I let the blade do the work. Forcing it bogs the stroke; easing off restores a smooth feed.

The manufacturer rates runtime as up to 65 feet of 3/8-inch plywood per charge. In practice, I got through two small craft projects that included a mix of curved and straight cuts in 1/4- and 1/2-inch plywood before needing to recharge. Runtime will vary with blade choice and how much you lean on the saw; use sharp blades and moderate feed pressure, and it’s surprisingly productive for its size.

If you’re ripping long straight lines, a circular saw is faster and cleaner. But that’s not what this tool is for. Its wheelhouse is curves, cutouts, and quick fits—jobs where setup time can dwarf the cut itself.

Metal and plastic

On thin metal and plastics, the jigsaw is capable if you manage speed and expectations. With a 21–24 TPI blade, it handled light sheet steel and aluminum without drama at lower trigger speeds. Keep the cut lubricated and don’t rush it. For thicker stock or extended metal work, you’ll want either a corded jig saw or a higher-voltage cordless model. In PVC and acrylic, I got clean edges by dialing back speed to limit melting and using a fine blade. Supporting the work close to the cut helps keep chatter down.

Cut quality and control

Line tracking was consistent, and the saw did a good job holding square in typical hobby woods. The lack of aggressive “attack” makes it beginner-friendly; the blade isn’t eager to run off line when you start a cut. I didn’t see an orbital action selector on this unit, and the cut feel matches that—smooth and controlled rather than fast and rough. For most craft and household tasks, that’s a plus. If you’re trying to charge through 2x stock quickly, it’s not the right weapon.

Dust, noise, and maintenance

Expect typical jigsaw noise; ear protection is wise in a small shop. Without a strong dust blower, sawdust can cover your line on long passes—have a brush or shop vac handy. Maintenance is minimal: keep the shoe clean, blow chips out of the blade clamp occasionally, and use sharp blades. The integrated battery means there’s little to fuss with beyond charging.

What’s included and what’s missing

In the box you get the jigsaw, the jack-style charger, and a wood-cutting blade. There’s no case, which is common at this price point but worth noting if you like everything neatly stowed. Warranty is a 2-year limited policy. Given the intended light-duty use, that feels appropriate.

Limitations

• Integrated battery: convenient, but you can’t swap packs to keep working while the tool charges.
• Light-duty power: it rewards patience; aggressive feeds will stall or deflect the blade.
• Minimal dust management: plan to clear your cut line manually.
• Accessories: no case, and only a single blade included.

None of these are deal-breakers for the target user, but they’re real constraints if you’re pushing beyond DIY tasks.

Who it’s for

This jigsaw suits homeowners and hobbyists who value light weight, simplicity, and clean control over speed and all-day runtime. It’s ideal for craft projects, making templates, cutting vents and outlets, trimming shelves, and shaping small parts in wood, plastics, and thin metals. If you’re a contractor or a serious renovator who needs to run a jigsaw for hours or chew through thick stock quickly, look to a 18V/20V-class model with a removable battery and more aggressive cutting dynamics.

Recommendation

I recommend this jigsaw for light-duty DIYers and crafters who want an easy-to-handle, cordless tool for occasional projects. It’s compact, genuinely lightweight, and the variable-speed trigger provides the kind of control that keeps cuts on line and edges cleaner. The integrated battery and simple charger make ownership friction-free, and the claimed runtime aligns well with small project work. You do give up hot-swapping batteries and brute-force cutting speed, so it’s not a fit for heavy users or long, continuous sessions. But judged on what it sets out to do—provide cordless convenience and approachable control for everyday materials—it delivers reliably and with minimal fuss.