RYOBI R18JS-0 Cordless Jigsaw, 18V ONE+, 25 mm Stroke, 1100-3000 spm, 101 mm in Wood, Bare Tool - 5133002158

RYOBI R18JS-0 Cordless Jigsaw, 18V ONE+, 25 mm Stroke, Bare Tool

RYOBI R18JS-0 (article number 5133002158) is a cordless jigsaw from the ONE+ 18 V platform. The stroke length is 25 mm, the stroke rate is variable from 1100 to 3000 strokes per minute, and the maximum cutting depth in wood is 101 mm. The "-0" suffix in the model code and the word SOLO mean the same thing: the tool ships without a battery and without a charger. RYOBI states this explicitly - "Number of batteries supplied: 0" and "Charger included: No". This is the version for people who already own ONE+ 18 V batteries and do not want to pay for them twice.

What this tool is for

A jigsaw exists to cut along a curved line. The narrow blade moves up and down, so it can turn, follow closed outlines and cut openings in the middle of a panel. Typical jobs are an opening for a sink or hob in a kitchen worktop, a recess for a switch or socket in panelling, shortening boards and laminate, rounded shapes in plywood, cutting chipboard and MDF during furniture installation, and small cuts in thin sheet metal.

The stated maximum depths are 101 mm in wood, 10 mm in aluminium and 6 mm in steel. In practice 101 mm covers a joist, a thick worktop and several glued panels at once; 6 mm in steel covers sheet metal and thin-walled profile, but not heavy structural steel.

What makes this jigsaw easier to work with

Four-stage pendulum action. The selector on the side, with positions 0, 1, 2 and 3, sets how far the blade swings forward on its upstroke. At position 0 the blade moves straight up and down - the cut is cleanest and most accurate, which is what you want for metal, plastic and tight curves. The higher the setting, the faster and more aggressively the tool cuts in wood, but the cut edge gets rougher. This is the most useful control on any jigsaw, and here it has four stages.

One-handed speed control. The stroke rate is set by a wheel you can reach without putting the tool down - slow for metal and plastic, fast for softwood. The trigger locks on, which matters on long straight cuts when your finger gets tired.

Base that tilts to 45°. The manufacturer states an adjustable base for bevel cuts up to 45 degrees - the plate is released, swivelled to the angle you want and locked again.

LED light and dust blower. The light illuminates the cut line, and the built-in blower clears chips ahead of the blade - otherwise a pencil line disappears under dust after the first few centimetres. The tool also has a dust extraction port for a vacuum hose.

Tool-free blade change. The holder releases the blade with a self-ejecting mechanism - no key to look for and no touching a hot blade.

Important note on the motor

The R18JS-0 has a brushed motor. This is not RYOBI's brushless series - there is no brushless row in the manufacturer's specification table, and an independent retail source also states "Brushless motor: No". We say this plainly because the difference in service life and efficiency is real. For home use and occasional installation work a brushed motor is enough; for all-day daily use the brushless series is the better choice.

Technical specifications

What is in the box

• RYOBI R18JS-0 cordless jigsaw - 1 piece
• Wood cutting blade - 1 piece
• Hex key - 1 piece
• Manufacturer's documentation

What is NOT included: battery, charger and carry case. The tool is supplied in a cardboard box, not a case. The application photo shows a battery fitted to the tool - it illustrates use only and is not supplied with this article. To run the tool you need a RYOBI ONE+ 18 V battery and a charger, bought separately.

Working tips

• Pick the pendulum stage to match the material. Stage 0 - metal, plastic and tight curves; 1 and 2 - chipboard, MDF and laminate when the edge has to stay clean; 3 - fast ripping of solid timber where the cut will be sanded or covered with edging.
• Slow down for metal. At 3000 strokes per minute a metal blade overheats and goes blunt quickly. A slow stroke rate plus a little oil on the line extends blade life many times over.
• Mark the face that will stay visible. The blade cuts on the upstroke, so splintering happens on the top face. With laminate and veneered panels turn the workpiece face down, or run tape over the line.
• Let the blade reach speed first. Start the tool and let the blade get moving before it touches the material. Starting with the blade resting on the work breaks it.
• Blade length. The blade must clear the underside of the material through the whole stroke. In 60 mm stock a 70 mm blade is too short - with a 25 mm stroke some teeth stay in the kerf and it clogs.
• For an opening in the middle of a panel, first drill a starter hole slightly wider than the blade and begin the cut from there. That saves you from plunging in at an angle.
• Wear hearing protection. At 97.0 dB(A) sound power this is not a formality. Goggles too - a jigsaw throws chips upwards, towards your face.

Batteries and run time

The tool runs on every RYOBI ONE+ 18 V battery - one and the same battery powers over 200 tools in the system, including drill drivers, drills, angle grinders, lights and garden equipment. For short installation cuts 2.0 Ah is enough; for a full day of ripping, 4.0 or 5.0 Ah is the sensible choice.

RYOBI publishes the following run time on one charge - number of cuts in 38 x 89 mm pine and metres of 13 mm plywood cut:

RYOBI offers ready-made blade sets compatible with the tool: RAK10JSBWM (10 pieces, for wood, metal and plastic), RAK6JSBW (6 pieces, for wood, metal and plastic) and RAK10JSB (10 pieces, for metal and plastic).

Frequently asked questions