Bosch 06033A0700 Review

Cutting a straight line is what circular saws and handsaws do best. But the moment your cut needs to curve, turn a corner, or follow a wavy outline, you need a different kind of tool entirely. A jigsaw is the answer: a nimble, upright saw that drives a thin reciprocating blade up and down, letting you steer through tight radius curves, cut out sink openings in a worktop, trim laminate flooring around door frames, or shape a custom shelf bracket from a piece of plywood. Unlike a circular saw that locks you into a straight path, a jigsaw follows your hand — the cut goes where you guide it. For DIYers, a corded jigsaw is often the most versatile cutting tool in the shed after a drill. It handles wood, plastic, laminate, and thin metal with the right blade, and it costs a fraction of what a good circular saw or track saw demands. The question is not whether a jigsaw is useful — it is which one gives you the best balance of power, ease of use, blade change convenience, and cutting accuracy for the kind of projects you actually tackle on weekends.

Bosch's green range is their DIY and home-user line — distinct from the blue Professional tools aimed at tradespeople — and the PST 650 has been the entry-level jigsaw in that range for years. It is a 500-watt corded jigsaw built around a 65 mm stroke length, capable of cutting up to 65 mm in wood, 10 mm in steel, and 4 mm in aluminium. The tool incorporates Bosch's SDS system for tool-free blade changes — push a lever, the old blade ejects, slot the new one in, and it locks automatically. At around 1.7 kg and 19 cm long, it is a compact, manageable saw that does not intimidate first-time users but has enough power for serious DIY projects. It ships with a single wood-cutting blade and a plastic storage case.

In this review we look at how the PST 650 performs on the jobs a DIY jigsaw needs to handle — curved cuts in plywood and MDF, straight rip cuts with a guide, laminate flooring notching, and worktop cut-outs. We cover the SDS blade change, the effectiveness of the dust extraction port, vibration levels, and whether the single-speed motor is a limitation or a simplification for the home user. With over 11,800 customer reviews and a #4 bestseller ranking, there is plenty of real-world feedback to draw on.

The PST 650 houses a 500-watt motor that drives the blade at a single fixed speed, producing a stroke rate that delivers a maximum cutting depth of 65 mm in wood, 10 mm in mild steel, and 4 mm in aluminium. There is no variable-speed dial or orbital-action selector — this is a deliberately simple tool. The fixed speed is well-chosen for general-purpose cutting in softwood, plywood, MDF, and chipboard, and the motor has enough torque to maintain momentum through 18 mm ply and 40 mm worktop without stalling. The blade stroke is 65 mm, which is the standard for jigsaws in this class. The T-shank blade fitting is the industry standard, so replacement blades from Bosch, DeWalt, and other brands fit without adaptors. The saw takes blades up to approximately 100 mm in length for deeper cuts in soft materials.

Blade changes are where the PST 650 pulls ahead of budget no-name jigsaws. The SDS system — a spring-loaded lever on the side of the blade housing — ejects the old blade with a push and locks the new one with an audible click when you insert it. No Allen key, no screw clamp, no fumbling with hot blades after a long cut. This matters because jigsaw blades wear out and need swapping between materials — a coarse wood blade for rough cutting, a fine-tooth blade for clean edges, a metal blade for steel. The less friction there is in changing blades, the more likely you are to use the right one for the job rather than soldiering on with a dull blade that burns the wood and wanders off the cut line.

Weighing 1.73 kg and measuring approximately 19.4 cm in length, the PST 650 is compact enough to use one-handed for quick cuts and light enough to follow a curved line without your arm fighting the tool's momentum. The grip is a simple D-handle design with the trigger switch under the index finger and a lock-on button for continuous cutting. The base plate — or shoe — tilts to 45 degrees for bevelled cuts and has a smooth underside that slides across the workpiece without marring if you keep it clean. A clear plastic blade guard helps with visibility of the cut line, though like most jigsaws the blade itself blocks some of your view — a pencil line and careful following is the standard technique. The integrated dust extraction port connects to a standard vacuum hose nozzle, pulling sawdust away from the cut line and keeping the workspace clearer.

The PST 650 comes in a sturdy plastic storage case that holds the saw, the included T144D wood blade, and a few spare blades you might add. The case is stackable and protects the saw from workshop dust and knocks when not in use. A thoughtful detail is the cable guide with a hanging loop at the back of the tool — you can hang the jigsaw on a wall hook for quick access without the cord tangling. The tool also features a dust blower that directs a stream of air across the cut line to keep sawdust from obscuring your mark, though connecting a vacuum to the dust port is far more effective. The single included T144D blade is a general-purpose wood blade suitable for straight and gentle curved cuts in softwood and plywood.

The PST 650 has earned an exceptional 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 11,800 customer reviews on Amazon and holds the #4 position in the Jig Saws bestseller category — remarkable for a tool that has been on the market for well over a decade. It is manufactured in Hungary and backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty covering parts and labour, with spare parts guaranteed available for at least one year. At 1.73 kg with a 500-watt motor, this is a lightweight, no-frills jigsaw that prioritises ease of use and reliability over advanced features. The kit includes the saw, one T144D wood blade, and a plastic storage case.

The PST 650 is the quintessential home DIY jigsaw — ideal for curved cuts in wood, laminate flooring, worktop cut-outs, and general weekend projects where simplicity matters more than advanced features.