High Value Hero: Skil 20V Brushless Jigsaw JS8290B-10 Review

Over the years, Skil has built a reputation for offering feature-rich cordless tools at prices that are simply too hard to ignore. The Skil 20V brushless jigsaw (model JS8290B-10) fits that mold perfectly. It promises versatility, speed, and everything you need to tackle your next woodworking project, all without the premium price tag.

Of course, we at Pro Tool Reviews don’t assign value to a tool by its spec sheet alone. With that in mind, I spent some time with the JS8290B-10 here in the shop, putting it through its paces to see what you should know before you pull the trigger.

Pros

Excellent kit value
Lightweight design
Flagship specs
Wide range of uses
Orbital action

Cons

No significant drawbacks

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Skil 20V Brushless Jigsaw Performance

Cutting Speed

The no-load speed on this cordless jigsaw tops out at 3000 SPM with a 1-inch stroke length. While these specs are consistent with Skil’s previous 20V model, it’s a little slower than some of the Pro brands I’ve tested in the past. With that said, it still delivers solid cutting performance.

In our testing, we found that backing off your feed rate slightly compared to faster models produced the cleanest cuts. If you’re after the best possible results, take your time and avoid pushing it too hard. That’s solid advice for any jigsaw, considering you’re often making more precise cuts than with other handheld saw types.

Orbital Action

Skil’s JS8290B-10 features three orbital action settings, adjusted using the lever on the left side of the motor housing. Increasing the orbital action makes the cut more aggressive, but it also sacrifices some cut quality and precision while increasing the likelihood of tear-out.

Flipping through the manual, Skil provides recommendations on when to use each mode. What’s interesting is that Skil states that you can use the first orbital action setting while cutting mild steel. While I’m sure Skil has data to support this claim, we generally don’t recommend using orbital action when cutting metal to keep the blade engaged and vibration to a minimum.

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Vibration

Overall, this saw has a relatively low vibration compared to similar DIY-focused jigsaws. While the vibration isn’t a major issue here, it’s important to keep in mind that engaging the orbital action modes will naturally increase vibration levels.

Hands-On Impressions

To get a feel for this saw, I set up a few common cutting tasks here in our shop to see and feel how the Skil’s newest jigsaw would perform. These tests included some sweeping scroll cuts, short rip cuts, and I even broke out some steel tubing to test its metal-cutting abilities.

Scroll Cuts

For the scroll cuts, I made simple S-curve markings down the length of a scrap piece of 3/4-inch plywood. I varied the markings between soft, sweeping curves and tighter-radius cuts to showcase its cutting performance across multiple applications.

Overall, this saw handled the more gentle curves well. There’s a very clear sightline to the blade, which allowed me to stay on my line with minimal variance. That said, the tighter curves posed a greater challenge, and I had a much harder time staying on my line. In the end, I really had to slow down and move the saw deliberately to get the best results.

Get in some practice on scrap materials to really get to know the saw’s characteristics before tackling those tight turns. Of course, remember that relief cuts will help you take those turns more precisely if you have room for them.

Rip Cuts

Next, I moved on to making a few rip cuts. Nothing too crazy like we’d use a circular saw for, but more along the lines of a sink cutout. My goal here was to see how the saw would react under load during a longer cut. Keep in mind, we’re talking roughly a 2-foot cut in the same sheet of plywood as before, but it was enough to gauge this saw’s appetite for endurance. I put the orbital action to the max setting and got to work.

Unsurprisingly, the blade chewed through our board with ease, but every tool has its limits. The 3,000 SPM ceiling became ever clearer the harder I pushed the saw. Again, the name of the game here was simply to see how hard I could push the saw, and the motor’s struggle to keep pace was audible.

This isn’t exactly a surprise, and I always recommend you let a saw cut at its own pace. But Skil proved that for those kitchen and bath remodels, this jigsaw is perfectly suitable, even if it’s a notch slower than top-tier competitors.

Metal Cutting

For my last test, I clamped down a section of steel tubing and made a series of cuts with the stock metal-cutting blade. This saw is certainly capable of making this cut on paper, but I needed to know for myself.

Once again, I had nothing to worry about. The saw plowed through the steel without issue. Granted, it wasn’t the fastest jigsaw I’ve ever used, but on the high end of DIY options, it certainly held its own.

Skil 20V Brushless Jigsaw Design Notes

Size and Weight

The Skil JS8290B-10 weighs 3.4 pounds as a bare tool and a modest 4.2 pounds with the recommended battery. This is almost 1.5 pounds lighter than Skil’s flagship model, the JS820202, which clocks in at 5.8 pounds with the same battery.

As for ergonomics, Skil didn’t stray too far from the norm. The saw sports a D-handle grip and a variable speed trigger. I tend to prefer this style over barrel-grip saws because I find I have more control during precise cuts (Kenny is glaring at me over this comment because he prefers a barrel-grip design for the same reason, but to each their own).

As usual, the motor housing and grip are covered in a generous amount of rubber overmolding for added protection and comfort.

Bevel Adjustment

Looking down at the bevel adjustment, Skil didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. The shoe bevels 45 degrees left and right, and there are three positive detents that lock it in at the 0 and 45° marks. You can lock it in between those points, but you’ll need to double-check your setting with an angle finder if you need a precise angle.

This is a change from Skil’s flagship model, which features positive detents at common angles between 0 and 45°. It’s not an issue for many users, but it does take a few extra steps if you need them.

Blade Changes

Another carryover from Skil’s previous jigsaw is the push-up blade release. To install a new blade, firmly push the blade shank into the chuck until it locks in place. When it’s time for a fresh blade, simply push up on the collar and pull the old blade free.

The one thing to be mindful of here is your hand placement. I’d recommend removing the battery before swapping blades to prevent accidental trigger pulls.

Additional Features

LED Worklight: Maintain a clear sightline on your workpiece
Trigger Lock: Prevents accidental activation between uses

Should You Buy It?

The Skil 20V brushless jigsaw doesn’t try to compete with the fastest or most feature-rich jigsaws on the market, and to us, that’s perfectly fine. Rather, Skil focused on delivering the core fundamentals: confident cutting performance, comfortable ergonomics, low vibration, and an approachable design.

During our testing, this saw proved its merit across a variety of common tasks, but it also reminded us of one key factor… this is a tool that focuses on improving value by trading off some creature comforts.

Skil’s performance level is perfect for the average DIYer who needs a jigsaw from time to time and doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on it. If you’re a DIYer, hobbyist, or homeowner looking for a reliable, high-value cordless jigsaw that won’t break the bank, the JS8290B-10 is an easy recommendation.

However, you should consider stepping up to a model with higher performance and a deeper feature set if you’re serious about your woodworking projects.

The Skil JS2890B-10 retails for $109 as a kit and comes with a 2.0Ah battery, charger, and a 5-year limited warranty.