TOOLS
Bosch GST18V-37N Professional cordless jigsaw
Carl Duguay
The Swiss Army knife of saws — great for curves, patterns and on-the-go cutting.
A jigsaw is a super versatile power tool that’s mainly used for making curved cuts, irregular shapes, and cutting out patterns in wood, plywood, MDF, plastic, and even metal (with the right blade). It’s kind of like a handheld scroll saw or bandsaw, but more portable and often used in rougher construction or hobby-level work.
There are a host of jobs you can do with a jigsaw: you can cut curves and circles (freehand or with a guide), make plunge cuts (start in the middle of a board, like for sink cutouts or handles), rough out shapes for scrollwork or signs, cut sheet goods like plywood or OSB, trim notches or fit irregular pieces, and do quick work onsite without hauling heavy tools.
It’s a great starter tool for anyone new to woodworking and for DIYers, as it’s affordable, doesn’t take up much space, and can handle a surprising number of jobs. For anyone who works with sheet goods, needs to make non-linear cuts, or just wants a flexible saw for around-the-shop tasks, it’s a good investment.
The Bosch GST18V-37N Professional cordless jigsaw is a solid choice, especially if you’re looking for a cordless, high-quality tool that’s well-suited to both general woodworking and more refined tasks.
Manufacturer: BOSCH
Model: GST18V-37N
Price: $159.00 (bare tool)
Warranty: 5 Years
Source: Find a Retailer
Battery platform: 18V
No-load speed: 3,300 SPM, variable speed
Bevel angle range: 45° left and 45° right
Blade type: T-Shank
Max. cut capacity: 3-3/4″
Stroke length: 0.75′
Weight: 3.5 pounds (battery not installed)
Includes: blade, wrench
Features:
- Brushless motor
- Dust blower
- 4 orbital-action settings
- Tool-free blade change
- LED light and blower function
The Bosch GST18V-37N comes as a bare tool and runs on Bosch’s 18V battery platform — great if you already have Bosch tools and batteries. If not, you’ll need a battery and charger. A 4.0Ah starter kit (GXS18V-15N15) typically sells for around $120.
One of the big advantages of a cordless jigsaw is flexibility — perfect for awkward cuts or working on-site without being tethered to an outlet.
As expected from a premium tool, the GST18V-37N features a brushless motor, delivering better efficiency, longer life, and superior battery performance compared to brushed models.
I prefer the barrel grip design over a traditional top-handle. It gives excellent control and greater precision, especially for curved cuts and fine detail work.
The four-position orbital action is a standout feature. It lets you adjust how aggressively the saw cuts, making it easy to switch between rough and fine work. For the smoothest cuts, I use a fine-tooth blade with the orbital action turned off (0). For curved cuts, I set it to 1 or 2 for a good balance of speed and control. For rough, fast cuts, I crank it to 3 and use a coarse blade.
Blade changes are tool-free and quick. The onboard LED light and dust blower keep your cut line visible — a huge help for accuracy, especially on curves and patterns.
Selecting the right blade to use with a jigsaw will significantly enhance its performance. This model uses standard T-shank blades, which are widely available. You can buy multipacks, combo kits, or individual blades. I use a 6 TPI Bosch T114D for fast cuts, a 10 TPI T101BR for a clean top surface, and a 12 TPI T308B for ultra-smooth, splinter-free finishes.
Dust collection is handled by a 1″ diameter outlet, but no vacuum adapter is included. Fortunately, Bosch sells the VAC024 adapter to connect standard 1-1/4″ or 1-1/2″ hoses.
A clear plastic front-end deflector snaps in easily to direct dust back toward the tube. You’ll need to pop it off whenever you change blades — easy enough.
The GST18V-37N doesn’t come with an anti-splinter insert or footplate overshoe, but Bosch offers them separately: the Rip Guide (JA1010), Steel Overshoe (JA1011), and Anti-Splinter Insert (JA1002).
I almost always use a zero-clearance insert (ZCI) with my jigsaw. It minimizes tearout and gives a cleaner, more precise edge — especially on thin or delicate materials. You can make a quick ZCI by taping a thin piece of plywood to the base.
If you’re after your first jigsaw — or you want a well-balanced, reliable cordless model for curved cuts and light- to medium-duty woodworking — the Bosch GST18V-37N is an excellent choice. It’s not the cheapest out there, but it’s dependable, capable and a no-brainer if you already own Bosch 18V gear.
