Makita 4351FCT Review

A jigsaw is one of those tools that you do not reach for every day, but on the days you need it, nothing else will do. When a kitchen worktop needs a sink cut-out, when skirting board must be scribed to a wavy wall, or when a curve needs cutting in a piece of plywood for a furniture project, the jigsaw is the only handheld saw that can follow the line. The narrow reciprocating blade turns on a tight radius, plunges into the middle of a panel, and reaches into corners that are off-limits to every other saw. For serious users — carpenters, kitchen fitters, furniture makers — a corded jigsaw still holds a compelling advantage over its battery-powered cousins: unlimited runtime. When you are spending a morning cutting a dozen worktop apertures or an afternoon scribing metres of skirting, the last thing you want is to stop and swap batteries. A 720-watt corded machine delivers consistent power from the first cut to the last, with no drop in performance as the day wears on. Combined with variable speed, pendulum action for faster cutting, and a tool-free blade change, a premium corded jigsaw is a tool that rewards the investment every time you use it.

When choosing a corded jigsaw, motor wattage is the starting point — 700 to 750 watts represents the professional tier, providing enough torque to maintain blade speed through dense hardwoods and thick worktops without stalling. Stroke rate, measured in strokes per minute, determines cutting speed: a range from around 800 for delicate starts up to 2,800 or more for fast ripping gives you the control you need across different materials. Pendulum or orbital action is the feature that separates a professional jigsaw from a basic one. It tilts the blade forward slightly on the upstroke, making the teeth bite more aggressively into the material. More pendulum means faster cutting in softwood and chipboard; zero pendulum means a cleaner, more controlled cut in laminates, plywood, and metal. A tool-free blade change is essential — jigsaw blades wear out, snap, and need swapping between materials regularly, and a system that works with one lever is vastly better than one that requires a hex key. A variable-speed trigger with a lock-on button for long straight cuts, an LED work light, a dust blower, and a sturdy base plate that bevels to 45 degrees are all features that add up to a smoother, faster, and more accurate cutting experience.

This review examines a professional-grade 720-watt corded jigsaw from a Japanese manufacturer with a strong reputation among carpenters and joiners. We will look at its specifications, pendulum system, blade change mechanism, and how it performs on the kind of curved, angled, and plunge cuts that define what a jigsaw is asked to do.

The jigsaw is powered by a 720-watt electric motor that drives the blade at electronically controlled variable speeds ranging from 800 to 2,800 strokes per minute. The electronic speed control maintains the set stroke rate under load — so the blade does not slow down when it hits a knot or a dense section of hardwood — which translates directly into a more consistent cut and less blade wander. The stroke length of approximately 26 millimetres provides a good balance of cutting speed and control. The saw accepts standard T-shank jigsaw blades and comes with six blades included in the case, covering a range of wood and metal cutting tasks straight out of the box.

The 4351FCT's pendulum action system is adjustable through multiple settings — from zero for clean, splinter-free cuts in veneered boards and laminates, up to the maximum setting for aggressive, fast cutting in softwood and chipboard where edge quality is not critical. The adjustment is a simple dial on the side of the body. Combined with the variable-speed trigger, this gives you a wide operating envelope: slow speed with zero pendulum for a delicate cut in plywood, high speed with maximum pendulum for ripping through 40-millimetre pine. The base plate is a substantial aluminium casting — more rigid and warp-resistant than pressed steel — and it bevels smoothly to 45 degrees in both directions for angled cuts.

Makita has incorporated several usability features that make a real difference during extended use. A built-in LED work light illuminates the cut line — useful in workshops with less-than-perfect lighting and essential when cutting inside cabinets. A dust blower directs a stream of air across the cut line to keep it visible; this can be switched off when a dust extractor is connected. The tool-free blade change uses a lever on the side of the blade housing — push to eject, insert the new blade, release to lock. It is fast enough that switching between a coarse wood blade and a fine metal blade mid-project does not disrupt your workflow. The handle is aluminium rather than plastic, which adds to the tool's overall rigidity and durability.

Weighing 2.5 kilograms, the jigsaw is substantial enough to feel planted and stable during cuts but light enough for one-handed operation when following curves. The soft-grip surfaces on the main handle and the front knob give you secure contact points. The trigger includes a lock-on button for long straight cuts, saving your finger from fatigue. The saw ships in a Makita carry case with moulded cutouts that hold the tool and the six included blades securely. The case is sturdy enough for professional transport and stacks neatly with other Makita cases.

The jigsaw holds a 4.7 out of 5 star rating from 473 customer reviews on Amazon and ranks at number 90 in the jigsaw category. Makita backs the tool with a limited warranty, and spare parts — including replacement base plates, blade clamps, and motor brushes — are available through Makita's global network of authorised service centres. At around 179 euros including the six blades and the carry case, this sits in the professional price bracket for a corded jigsaw — competitive with equivalent models from Bosch Professional, DeWalt, and Festool's entry-level range. For a carpenter or serious furniture maker who values unlimited runtime and consistent power, this is a tool that will earn its keep over years of daily use.

A professional-grade 720-watt corded jigsaw with pendulum action for carpenters, kitchen fitters, and furniture makers who need unlimited runtime and consistent power for curved cuts, worktop apertures, and scribing work.