Bosch 7.2 Amp Barrel-Grip Jig Saw Kit (JS572EBK) review

The Bosch JS572EBK is a corded, 120V barrel-grip jig saw sold as a kit. Bosch lists a 7.2A motor, one-inch stroke, 800–3,000 no-load strokes per minute and a die-cast aluminum footplate with a 45-degree bevel range. Its documented controls differ from the top-handle JS572EK: the JS572EB uses a speed dial and a separate slide on/off switch, rather than the EK's speed-controlled trigger. This is a source-based assessment, not a report of test cuts or personal use.

Barrel-grip controls and blade guidance

The lower, wraparound barrel-grip format is the most immediate distinction from a conventional top-handle saw. Bosch's product page describes a soft-grip area near the front, while the manual diagram identifies the insulated gripping surfaces, the dial and the slide switch. The barrel model's switch locks on for continuous operation; the dial selects one of six speed levels, from 800 to 3,000 SPM. That is a different control routine from the JS572E top-handle version, where the trigger varies speed up to the limit set on the same kind of dial and a lock-on button is shown. Neither layout makes a cut automatically accurate: blade choice, work support, speed and operator control still matter.

The clamp is tool-less but accepts T-shank blades only, not U-shank blades. The manual says the blade must be completely seated and its back must sit in the double-roller guide before use. Bosch describes the Precision Control II pair of rollers as limiting blade deflection; that is a design claim rather than an independent measurement of cut accuracy. The package page lists three assorted T-shank blades, but a buyer should inspect the actual box and select a blade suited to the workpiece and desired edge.

Orbit settings, speed and capacity evidence

This saw has four orbital positions: 0 for straight action and I, II and III for progressively more orbital movement. Bosch's manual presents these as guidance, not a fixed recipe: setting 0 is for hard stock such as metals or thin sheet; I is for softer material when cleaner cutting or delicate scrolling matters; II is for medium-density stock such as harder wood or particleboard; and III favors fast cutting in softer materials such as wood or plastics. Bosch recommends trying scrap first. The chip blower should be switched off for metal, cooling agents or dust collection. For that reason, this assessment does not treat all materials, orbit levels and dust choices as one interchangeable setup.

There is an important source-version caveat on cutting depth. The current JS572EBK product page lists 5-1/2 inches in softwood, 7/8 inch in aluminum and 3/8 inch in mild steel. The linked 2020 JS572E/JS572EB manual instead gives 3-1/2 inches in wood, 13/16 inch in aluminum and 5/16 inch in mild steel, and instructs the reader to check the tool nameplate for specifications. The sources do not establish which production revision bridges those numbers. Treat the figures as conflicting manufacturer publications—not as test results—and check the exact saw's nameplate and applicable instructions before relying on a capacity limit. No unlisted material capacity is inferred.

Blower, vacuum kit and beveling are separate decisions

The built-in blower is an adjustable chip-clearing aid, not dust collection. Bosch says the saw itself has no dust collection; the manual describes the separate JA1012 kit, consisting of a dust shroud and extraction tube. Bosch's JA1012 page names both JS572E and JS572EB, and explains that the tube connects to Bosch vacuum hoses or to 1-1/4- or 1-1/2-inch hoses with the separate VAC024 adapter. The JS572EBK package list does not include JA1012 or a vacuum. Check the hose, adapter and accessory before treating the machine as a vacuum-ready setup.

The manual requires removal of the dust shroud and anti-splinter insert before tilting the footplate; Bosch lists JA1013 in the kit. The 45-degree bevel range is therefore not represented as usable with the JA1012 shroud attached. The optional JA1010 cutting guide is separate; the kit also lists a plastic shoe and case.

How it compares with the top-handle kit

The JS572EK shares the 7.2A/120V rating, one-inch stroke, four orbital positions, T-shank-only clamp, 800–3,000 SPM range and current capacity table. Its top handle and variable-speed trigger/lock-on differ from the JS572EBK's barrel grip and slide switch. Bosch lists a non-marring overshoe, anti-splinter insert, three blades and case for the EK; its dimensions and tool weight also differ. Check the exact suffix and package rather than substituting a sibling's list.

A distinct historical suffix, JS572EBL, packages the JS572EB barrel-grip body differently from JS572EBK. Bosch's 2012/2013 U.S. catalog lists an L-BOXX-2 and insert, non-marring overshoe, anti-splinter insert, three assorted blades, dust hood, VAC024 adapter and suction nozzle for that L-suffix package. Lowe's exact U.S. listing identifies model JS572EBL as item #495912, and its listing image shows the marked saw with an L-BOXX-2. The photo does not show every catalogued accessory or prove the contents of a particular used offer; inspect the exact suffix, included parts and condition before buying. JS572EBL is package evidence for the JS572EB body, not a new jigsaw mechanism or a substitute contents list for JS572EBK.

Who may shortlist the JS572EBK?

Consider this model if a corded tool, barrel grip, T-shank blades, four action positions, switchable cutline blower and the JS572-series bevel range fit the job. It offers a documented separate-vacuum route only with JA1012 and compatible hose hardware. It is a poor match if you require U-shank blades, a cordless battery system, a vacuum connection included in the box or a bevel adjustment while the extraction shroud remains installed. A buyer choosing between the JS572EBK and JS572EK should decide grip and switch arrangement first; a buyer choosing between JS572EBK and Bosch's smaller JS120N should also account for the former's corded power and the latter's 12V battery requirement.

Verify the full JS572EBK code, kit contents, tool nameplate and applicable manual. Bosch's current listing is not proof of inventory, price or what an individual seller ships. No rating, customer experience, ASIN or retail claim is made here.

Sources and assessment limits

This review uses Bosch's exact JS572EBK US product page, its linked JS572E/JS572EB operating and safety manual, the JA1012 extraction-kit page, Bosch's US jigsaw category, the 2012/2013 Bosch U.S. catalog, page 211, Lowe's historical exact JS572EBL listing and an exact-name CPSC recall query that returned an empty array on 2026-10-28. That bounded search is not a guarantee against future or differently indexed notices. Capacity differences between the current page and manual remain unresolved. No ownership, personal use, testing, measurements, price, stock, rating or customer experience is claimed.