GST 12V-70 barrel grip jig saw

The GKS 12V-70 is a cordless barrel grip jig saw manufactured by Bosch as part of the Bosch Professional product line.

The machine has a brushed electric motor that is powered by a 12V Max battery. It is the first and only jig saw in the 12V Max battery system.

Exterior

The machine has a dark blue plastic barrel shaped housing with black rubberized areas on he top sides. A 12V Max battery is inserted horizontally in the back of the housing.

On the sides there are some vertical ventilation slots to help keep the motor cool. Underneath that, on the left side  is a red overload indicator LED. Next to that is abattery charge indicator consisting out of two green LEDs and a small red membrane button that toggles the work light on and off.

The base is made out of aluminium and can be tilted up to 45º by loosening a nut on the underside with an included hex. On the underside there is a black plastic cover called a "glide shoe" that can be installed to prevent the work piece against scratching.

The included vacuum adapter slides into the base from behind. When used a transparent cover can be installed to optimize the airflow.

An anti-splinter guard can also be fitted in the base.

Operation

The machine is activated pushing the red slide switch on the left side of the body forward. It will keep running until it is pushed back to the off position.

The maximum stroke rate is set with dial on the back of the body under the battery

For faster but rougher cuts in wood the orbital actions can be selected with the the black lever in the side.

The saw blade can be ejected without any tools by twisting the red collar around the saw blade chuck.