Bosch 7.0 Amp Barrel-Grip Jig Saw (JS470EB) review

The Bosch JS470EB is the barrel-grip member of the JS470 corded jigsaw family. Bosch distinguishes it from the JS470E with a different handle and control layout: the EB uses a variable-speed dial and slide on/off switch, while the E is a top-handle saw with a speed-controlled trigger and lock-on button. Those differences are more consequential than treating “B” as a package suffix.

Barrel grip and control arrangement

Bosch’s exact US page identifies the JS470EB as a 7.0A, 120V barrel-grip saw and gives product number 3601E12011. It lists 500–3,100 no-load strokes per minute and a one-inch stroke. The speed dial selects operating speed and the slide switch starts or stops the tool; this is not the trigger-controlled layout of the JS470E. If you are comparing the pair, inspect the actual handle and controls rather than assuming the two pages describe interchangeable versions with only different storage accessories.

The barrel-grip format and dial may make sense for a shopper who already prefers that grip style and control pattern. That is a fit distinction, not a claim that the EB produces straighter or smoother cuts than the E. Bosch describes a low-vibration mechanism and precision features, but no measurement or comparative test was conducted for this assessment.

Blade fit and material-specific orbit settings

The linked JS470E/JS470EB manual says this jigsaw takes T-shank blades and does not accept U-shank blades. Bosch’s product page lists one T-shank blade with the EB. The included anti-splinter insert is not a universal guarantee against tear-out: the manual says it works only with blades that have ground sides and gives examples. Match the insert to the actual blade and workpiece before counting on it.

There are four orbit positions, with setting 0 providing straight motion. Bosch’s manual recommends 0 for hard material such as metal or thin sheet. It describes setting I as a cleaner-cutting choice for soft materials or delicate scrolling, setting II for medium-density material such as harder woods or particle board, and setting III for soft wood and plastics when faster cutting matters more than a clean edge. It explicitly calls this a guideline and recommends a scrap test. The practical implication is that the EB has options for changing stroke character, but the setting should follow the blade, material and finish priority—not a blanket “more orbit is better” assumption.

Dust handling and bevels

The integrated chip blower helps keep the line visible; it moves chips but is not a vacuum. Bosch’s manual says switch it off for metals and when dust collection is used. Bosch’s current JA1007 dust-extraction page names JS470EB as a compatible tool and lists a hood, tube and VAC024 hose adapter in the separate kit. Those pieces do not appear in the JS470EB’s included-items list. The manual calls its dust kit “JS1007,” however, so check the exact accessory identifier with Bosch rather than assuming the two strings are interchangeable solely from their similar names.

The footplate can be angled up to 45 degrees in either direction. Bosch describes stops at 0 and 45 degrees and additional angle markings at 15, 22.5 and 30. The manual says to remove the dust shroud, if used, before changing the footplate angle. It does not clearly establish whether the hood can remain installed while a bevel cut is underway, so a vacuum-plus-bevel setup remains an unresolved combination here. For metal cutting, follow the manual’s setting-0 guidance and switch the blower off; for wood or plastic, the blower can serve the cutline-visibility role without implying dust capture.

What is in the box—and what is not settled

Bosch lists the saw, non-marring overshoe, anti-splinter insert, T-shank blade, bevel wrench and carrying case for the US JS470EB package. It is corded, and the optional extraction kit is separate. Confirm the exact EB suffix, voltage marking and package list if an offer description uses a family-level “JS470” name; the JS470E is the top-handle sibling, not the same photographed configuration.

The current product page and its linked manual also disagree on maximum capacities. Bosch’s current page lists 5-7/8 inches for soft wood, 7/8 inch for aluminum and 3/8 inch for mild steel; the 2020 manual lists 3-1/2 inches for wood, 13/16 inch for aluminum and 5/16 inch for mild steel. I do not choose one set of figures as the definitive limit without an exact production-version bridge. Check the tool nameplate and the matching instructions before using a depth figure to size a cut.

Who should compare it with the JS470E?

The JS470EB is worth considering when a corded barrel-grip layout and dial-based speed selection are specifically wanted, and when the T-shank-only interface and documented orbit choices match the work. The JS470E provides a top handle and trigger-based speed control; both models are listed with the same 7.0A power rating, speed span and one-inch stroke, but the grip and switch differences justify separate assessment.

Its main compromises are the cord, unsupported U-shank blades, an extra purchase if vacuum extraction is wanted and unresolved capacity figures. Bosch’s product page is not proof of current retailer stock or price, and no hands-on cut or grip test is claimed here. The assessment can help narrow the control and accessory questions; it cannot promise a particular finish, runtime or comfort level.