Makita compact reciprocating saw vs Milwaukee Hackzall.

[Voi]

I'm likely going to upgrade from my Bosch 12V and Hitachi 18V cordless systems by spring. It is down to Milwaukee vs Makita at this point.

I currently have the Bosch 12V single hand reciprocating saw and use it a lot on my two wooded lots. I also use it for trail maintenance in our national forest. It is under powered so I've been drooling over the M18 Hackzall.

I see that Makita has their compact reciprocating saw with two positions, one for trigger use and one for paddle use.

I'm worried about the bulkiness of the forward paddle position which is how I would use the tool most of the time. Also worried about the bulkiness when I carry it in my backpack.

Has anyone used one of these and have comments on the ergonomics of the forward paddle position? This is the one tool I'd use a lot that is really swaying me towards Milwaukee over Makita.

https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/XRJ01Z

 

[Ainsley]

I have the older 12V max version and it is severely underpowered. that said it has saved my *** a few times with its compact size.
for 12V I think milwaukee fuel as the edge.

 

[Voi]

I have the older 12V max version and it is severely underpowered. that said it has saved my *** a few times with its compact size.
for 12V I think milwaukee fuel as the edge.

I wouldn't go 12V with this tool. It would be the M18 as mentioned or the 18V Makita in the link.

 

[Ainsley]

sorry, i missed that. The new 12VCXT and 18V makita look the same at quick glance.

I'd assume the 18V has considerably more balls.

 

[Voi]

I have the older 12V max version and it is severely underpowered.

I'd assume the 18V has considerably more balls.

Did your 12V Max have the same trigger/paddle arrangement as the new models? If so, did you like it?

 

[KnurledNut]

I have used the Makita and with the 3ah battery the tool is somewhat unbalanced.
It does seem well built, but i dont like that it only has a 1/2 stroke.
The Milwaukee has a 3/4 stroke. The M12 model had some quality issues. Im not sure about the M18.

 

[IndyGarage]

I have the Makita 12v max recip saw and also a Milwaukee M12 hacksall.

As someone pointed out above the Makita is a bit underpowered with the 12V max battery - it would do much better with in the Makita CXT battery - although I don't really like the CXT line of tools.

Same thing with the Hacksall, it's easy to overpower it in the standard M12 version, but works much better when using an XC battery.

As far as ergonomics, the Makita wins hands down. The forward paddle switch position is great for control and the trigger position is in line with the blade so it's easy to use with two hands.

The Hacksall is just awkward to use. Yes it works, but the trigger is at an odd angle to the blade and you can't really get any leverage at all if you try to use it one handed. If you use it two handed there's not a real good way to hold onto it.

Note that both of these tools are for light duty cutting. They have an extremely short cutting stroke compared to a standard sawsall. I've always heard that the longer stroke sawsalls were better. As a result they tend to be really "buzzy" and hard to make good contact into the work - it's hard to keep the blade from simply yanking the workpiece back and forth.

Hope that helps

 

[Voi]

As far as ergonomics, the Makita wins hands down. The forward paddle switch position is great for control and the trigger position is in line with the blade so it's easy to use with two hands.

The Hacksall is just awkward to use.

It does help, thanks. I have used the M12 Hackzall but just briefly. I liked it enough to go out and buy the Bosch version when they were offering a free PS20 with the purchase of any other 12V Max tool. I've had it for years and have learned to like it for limb cleanup, which we do a lot of around here.

I do a lot of cutting where I'm breaking down fallen limbs to fit in my Tundra. Often holding and turning the limb with my left hand while cutting with my right.

If you were doing cutting like this with the Makita (assuming it was powerful enough) would you hold it in the rearward trigger position or the forward paddle position?

I assume I'd use the forward position. The Makita looks like it would be awkward to hold with one hand in the rearward position.

 

[Voi]

I just looked up the stroke length of some of the various options.

The M12 I borrowed many years ago has a 1/2" stroke.

The M12 Fuel has a 5/8" stroke.

The M18 has a 3/4" stroke.

My Bosch 12V has 9/16" stroke.

Makita 18V compact has 1/2" stroke.

Just in case anyone else is looking in on the thread with curiosity.

 

[IndyGarage]

If you are using the Makita with one hand and holding the workpiece - a limb - in the other, then you would use the paddle position, which is perfect for that kind of work. That's exactly why I like the Makita so much.

I don't know if the 18V battery would throw off the balance or not.

The one thing I don't like about the Makita is the safety lock outs - the one on the trigger control is very difficult to reach. The one on the paddle switch is not difficult, but sure is inconvenient. Every time I use it I think I need to take the thing apart and take them out.

I'm not sure you would notice much difference between 1/2 inch and 9/16 or 5/8 stroke. You might notice a bit of difference if it was the m18 3/4. But I do notice a big difference from these and the 1 1/8 stroke of my sawsall.

 

[kctyphoon]

The m12 and m12 fuel are not the same size.. the fuel is slightly larger, and much stronger from what people have said.. I see the m12 fuel with electrical contractors a lot..