Bosch 06033A0200 Review

Straight lines are easy — any circular saw or handsaw can manage a straight cut. The real test of a saw is what happens when the line curves. Cutting a sink cutout in a kitchen worktop, shaping a decorative arch in a garden gate, scribing a worktop to a wonky wall — these are jobs that demand a jigsaw. Unlike a circular saw that only goes straight or a reciprocating saw that is too aggressive for finish work, a jigsaw combines a narrow, vertically reciprocating blade with a flat base plate that glides across the workpiece, letting you steer the cut with precision. Add an orbital action — where the blade also moves forward on the cutting stroke — and the same tool chews through thick timber at surprising speed. A variable-speed trigger and tool-free blade changes turn what was once a fiddly, single-speed tool into a versatile workshop companion. For anyone who does kitchen fitting, laminate flooring, carpentry, or general DIY that involves anything other than straight lines, a decent jigsaw earns its spot on the tool shelf in the first weekend you own it.

Choosing a jigsaw means weighing a handful of features that directly affect how cleanly and quickly you can work. Motor power — measured in watts for corded models — determines how hard the saw can push through dense material without bogging down. Stroke rate, typically variable from around 500 to over 3,000 strokes per minute, controls the cutting speed and finish quality: slower for metal and plastics, faster for softwood and chipboard. Orbital action settings let you dial in how aggressively the blade moves forward on the upstroke, giving you a choice between fast rough cutting and fine, splinter-free finish work. Tool-free blade changes have become the standard — any jigsaw worth buying today should let you swap blades in seconds without reaching for an Allen key. Bosch's green range occupies the sweet spot between budget no-name tools and the professional blue Bosch line: designed for ambitious DIYers and home improvers who want German engineering without the professional price tag.

In this review we examine what makes a well-equipped corded jigsaw a versatile addition to any DIY toolkit. We cover the motor power and stroke rate, the blade change system, the orbital action and its effect on cut quality, the dust management and visibility features, and the accessories that come in the box. By the end you will know whether this jigsaw has the features and performance to handle the curved, angled, and plunge cuts that your next project demands.

The Bosch PST 900 PEL is a corded jigsaw powered by a 620-watt motor that delivers a variable stroke rate from 500 to 3,100 strokes per minute — a wide enough range to handle everything from slow, controlled cuts in metal and plastic to rapid cutting through 50-millimetre softwood planks. The variable-speed trigger gives you fingertip control: squeeze lightly for a slow start when cutting delicate materials or when beginning a plunge cut, then press fully for maximum speed on long straight runs. The 4-stage orbital action is the feature that transforms this from a basic jigsaw into a genuinely versatile cutting tool. At setting 0 (no orbital movement), the blade cuts straight up and down for a clean, splinter-free finish on laminates and veneered boards. At settings 1 through 3, the blade tilts forward increasingly on the upstroke, aggressively clearing chips and dramatically increasing cutting speed in thick timber, at the cost of a slightly rougher edge that may need sanding.

Bosch has equipped the PST 900 PEL with their SDS tool-free blade change system — a lever on the side of the blade housing that ejects the old blade and locks a new one in place with a single motion. No tools, no screws, no fiddling with a hot blade after a long cut. The saw accepts standard T-shank jigsaw blades, the most widely available type, so finding replacement blades for wood, metal, laminate, or ceramic in any DIY shop is never a problem. Up to six spare blades can be stored in a dedicated compartment built into the tool body — a simple but genuinely useful feature that means you always have the right blade for the material at hand. The CutControl system is Bosch's integrated guide: a transparent plastic shoe that attaches to the front of the base plate and displays a projected cutting line, letting you follow a pencil mark with greater accuracy than the standard notched guide in the base plate alone. A blower function directs a stream of air across the cutting line to clear sawdust, and it can be switched off when connected to a vacuum for dust extraction.

In the hand, the PST 900 PEL feels balanced and manageable at 2.2 kilograms. The top handle design — with the grip positioned above the motor — is the traditional jigsaw layout that most users find intuitive, providing a natural downward pressure that keeps the base plate firmly in contact with the workpiece. The handle is rubberised for grip comfort, and the trigger is positioned for single-finger progressive control. The base plate is steel for durability and stability, and it tilts up to 45 degrees in both directions for bevelled cuts — essential for scribing worktops and cutting compound mitres. A transparent splinter guard inserts into the base plate around the blade opening, pressing down on the surface of the workpiece to prevent the top veneer or laminate from chipping during the upstroke. Combined with a fine-toothed blade and the zero-orbital setting, this produces a remarkably clean cut on melamine-faced chipboard and plywood — materials that are notorious for splintering with lesser jigsaws.

The PST 900 PEL comes in a proper plastic carry case with dedicated compartments for the saw, blades, and accessories. Inside the box you will find the jigsaw, a starter saw blade, the shatter guard device, the transparent CutControl guide, a transparent protective cover, and the plastic transport case itself. The on-board blade storage holds up to six spare T-shank blades. A dust extraction port at the rear connects to standard vacuum cleaner hoses (an adapter may be needed depending on your vacuum), and when connected, the blower function can be turned off so airflow is directed entirely into the vacuum rather than across the work surface. The cable features a new guide system with an integrated hanging loop for tidy storage — a small detail that shows Bosch has thought about how the tool will live in a cupboard or on a workshop wall between jobs.

The PST 900 PEL measures 38 by 24 by 11.5 centimetres in its packaging and weighs 2.2 kilograms. It holds an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars rating from over 7,200 customer reviews and ranks #5 in Jig Saws on Amazon France — a position that speaks to its popularity and proven reliability in the real world. Bosch provides a 2-year manufacturer's warranty covering parts and labour, with EU spare parts availability guaranteed for at least 2 years. The tool is manufactured in Hungary. For the DIYer fitting a kitchen, laying laminate flooring, building garden furniture, or tackling general home improvement projects that involve curved and angled cuts, the PST 900 PEL offers a compelling combination of power, precision features, and the peace of mind that comes from a best-selling tool backed by thousands of positive reviews.

The Bosch PST 900 PEL is a versatile corded jigsaw built for DIYers and home improvers who need a single saw that handles curved cuts, straight rip cuts, bevels, and fine finish work in wood, laminate, plastic, and thin metal.