Need New Sawzall

[gdocktor3]

After quite a few years of abuse, my Ridgid sawzall is finally ready for retirement. Coincidentally, I was using it today and not only did the shoe assembly break off, but the batteries stopped locking into the handle. So, like a fool I was using one hand to control the trigger and the other to hold the battery in place. Anyways, I'm looking at the Dewalts and wondering what the differences are between the regular and compact recip saws. Other than the obvious physical differences in size, weight and design, the only thing I've noticed is the compact cuts 0-2,900 SPM vs the full size at 3,000 SPM. Both have 4 position blade clamp and 1-1/8" stroke length, but only compact has led light. Anyone know of any other differences? If they are the same performance wise, I will get the compact. I have an almost mint condition 18v Dewalt that was given to me, but I really never used it because I had the Ridgid. If for some reason I should need a full size, I can grab that and/or buy the 20v adapter.

Plus, its my 30th birthday tomorrow and my girlfriends parents insist on buying me a gift. Guess the Ridgid **** the bed just in time...

 

[tvtaurus]

Do you really need a cordless model?

 

[gdocktor3]

Do you really need a cordless model?

Yes it makes life much easier. I have a corded Dewalt also.

 

[jeeper46]

Sawzalls are red...just sayin'......

 

[tvtaurus]

Sawzalls are red...just sayin'......

So your suggesting milwaukee route.

 

[Carquest]

I have the Milwaukee corded and cordless, no compaints whatsoever. Of course I don't use them all day, every day, but they have seen some tough jobs.

 

[jd_1138]

I'd imagine the full size reciprocating saws have more torque? If not, I'd go with the compact model.

 

[txvwnut]

Sawzalls are red...just sayin'......

Yes they are.


A friend of mine has a Dewalt cordless and its an okay recip saw but not a great one. I have a Milwaukee corded unit and Ryobi cordless since I have a bunch of the Ryobi platform. The Ryobi cut circles around my friends Dewalt and has held up rather well to the abuse of cutting up cars with it. The Milwaukee one needs no write up as its all in the name... Sawzall.

 

[shawhite]

I have the compact Dewalt recipe saw and love it.

 

[PureLeaf]

Because Ryan won't let user's control their own posts for editing, deleting, etc

 

[Dirtydan69]

I haven't used my corded sawzall in over five years.

 

[tonyciambrone]

I thought Ridgid had some kind of "LSA"?

Anyways I have the m18 Fuel Sawzall and it is really nice. I like the fact that the blade guard can be extended and contracted to act as a sort of depth guide or keep the blade a bit more firm when cutting through shallow material.

 

[DFB]

I know the OP likes the yellow tools but I'll second that Milwaukee FUEL sawzall

And they still have that deal going with the 9.0ah battery

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...-M18-9-0Ah-Starter-Kit-48-59-1890PS/300134833

 

[Strouty]

What do you usually use it for? There are many styles and I am also a red pusher, but the fuel M12 version is a pretty nice unit and a bit lighter. I would rather use it unless I really need the extra umpf that my 18 or 28 volt versions have.

 

[scissorman]

I own both a corded and cordless Milwaukee (non fuel model) and the cordless is real nice and has treated me well so far. I was just using it last weekend to cut down some small trees.

 

[Eric29]

I have a cordless Hitachi that works well. I also have a corded red one that I use hard but not everyday. It's now about 30 years old and gives me all the power I need, and it's never given me a problem.

 

[gdocktor3]

Yes they are.


A friend of mine has a Dewalt cordless and its an okay recip saw but not a great one. I have a Milwaukee corded unit and Ryobi cordless since I have a bunch of the Ryobi platform. The Ryobi cut circles around my friends Dewalt and has held up rather well to the abuse of cutting up cars with it. The Milwaukee one needs no write up as its all in the name... Sawzall.

The Dewalt is 20v? And the Ryobi cuts circles around it?

 

[rsanter]

I have the decant corded and cordless ones, and I use the **** out of them

Bob

 

[jw3]

I have had numerous recip saws. Several dewalts, Milwaukee, and even a ryobi. I'm a plumber by trade, so a sawsall is the most abused tool on my truck. In recent years I have found the Milwaukee fuel m18 to be the better offering. The dewalts were getting 12-18 months use. My current ones are 3 years old and still going strong. I cut everything from PVC,steel, cast iron, wood, and drywall. Many times it is in wet and muddy environments. It hasn't let me down yet. My only complaint is Milwaukee's warranty service is terribly slow. I haven't had issues from the sawsall, but my circular saw and hammerdrill have both been to the shop once. It was a less than desireable experience. Hope this helps


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[Strouty]

20v is a marketing ploy.
18v and 20v are the same at 20.1 volts.

Well the 20.1 only lasts for a few seconds, then it is 18 volt. Of course Milwaukee messes with the same **** with the M12 tools, they are actually 10.8 volts with a 12 volt surface charge.

 

[gdocktor3]

Anyways, I knew this would turn into a red vs yellow ******* match. All I want to know is if the Dewalt compact and standard size "reciprocating saws" have any differences in performance? It's obvious that the 2900 spm compact unit is a tad slower than the standard size at 3000, but is that really enough to make a noticeable difference in performance? I do have 2 - m18 batteries and a charger, but my drill and impact driver are Dewalt. I think it makes more sense to keep building off one platform.

 

[DFB]

Which one are you looking at the new 20v max XR brushless or the original one

Overall performance doesn't seem to be a factor with these compacts. The negative either of these reviews mention is the vibration.

https://www.protoolreviews.com/tool...ss/dewalt-xr-20v-max-compact-recip-saw/28227/

https://www.protoolreviews.com/tool...v-max-compact-reciprocating-saw-review/12914/

I have a Hackzall. Guess that would the red compact recip
I like it a lot, pretty smooth for what it is

 

[Ericgst]

I have had both the standard 20v and compact saws. I notice no difference in performance. The compact is typically much more pleasant to use.

I also have the M12 hackzall, it is nowhere near as powerful and has a shorter stroke. It is good for light work as it works well one handed.

 

[BadBrains]

Been happy with my Makita. Bought it simply because I use their 18v line.
I do use Milwaukee blades though.

 

[WittHay]

I have the Milwaukee Fuel and the DeWalt standard 20V. I find the Dewalt is lighter and handier than the Fuel for most household tasks and would recommend it.
My guess is the compact would have more vibration than the standard model

 

[driftpin]

I can't answer about the yellow or red cordless models. I have a Craftsman 19.2 V cordless which uses a Li ion battery. For times when it is more convenient to use the cordless, it's worked OK for me. I also have an elderly Sawzall corded which still works fine. I was facing some remodeling awhile ago and I chose to buy the Porter Cable articulating recip. saw. It allowed me to work in confined areas where I wouldn't have been able to use any sort of recip. saw which didn't have the articulating handle and barrel. For that reason alone, I value it highly.

The Porter-Cable® TigerClaw™ 9750 Variable Angle Tiger Saw® combines two adjustable gear housings to handle cutting situations other reciprocating saws can't:

120VAC, 11.5A motor - 1-1/4" stroke.
0-2,900 SPM electronic variable speed.
Rear gear housing adjusts 180° with 13 positive stops.
Front gear housing scrolls 360° with 12 positive stops.
8-1/2" length at 90° - blade can be installed upside down for better reach in tight-fitting applications.
19" long.
9.3 lbs. net weight; 14 lbs. shipping weight.

 

[pistolpete1313]

I have the brushed cordless dewalt and it is nice and a good price but damn it goes through batteries quickly.

 

[gearhead1]

I bought a Ryobi corded saw and got two (not a lot of cutting) uses out of it before the brushes started making terrible noise. I bought because I was just out of school and didn't have much money. I then ponied up for the DeWalt and it's still going strong. Later I bought a DeWalt cordless kit with the saw in it, and it's still going strong. I have mostly DeWalt and a little Milwaukee and it seems to me they are at the top or at least for what you can get readily (not tried Fein, Metabo, etc).

 

[gdocktor3]

I have the Milwaukee Fuel and the DeWalt standard 20V. I find the Dewalt is lighter and handier than the Fuel for most household tasks and would recommend it.
My guess is the compact would have more vibration than the standard model

I'm thinking that's why they reduced it to 2900 spm. I noticed the Milwaukee compact has 3000 spm and only a 3/4" stroke length vs the Dewalts 1-1/8" stroke length. That means it cuts crazy fast. I'd have to assume the M18 burns through blades faster because of this increased number of strokes and the shortened stroke length wears teeth quicker.

 

[johninct]

I have a Milwaukee corded and it is too powerful....... Great tool!!! The only thing about it I don't like are that it came with a plastic case rather than a metal box with room for extra blades and I need to use a #10 extension cord with it.

 

[Firebrick43]

As far as corded sawzalls, Milwaukee. We have half a dozen at work, used for industrial maintenance. Someone will want a new one and they will buy something cheap. In six months we are using the old milwaukees again. They are so old they have the Allen screw blade change which is 20+ years ago?

I know my sawzall is 16 years or more and has the quick twist blade change. Corded ones still made in the USA as well.

I don't know what you use a sawzall for but I recently got an m12 fuel hackzall and I think I will be using it more due to low vibration and one handed use. It will also displace my dewalt portaband for the same reason. Cutting pipe, conduit, and tubing it's the berries. Pruning trees with the right blade will be awesome as well.
I will save the sawzall for heavy demo and the portaband for larger structural steel.

 

[DFB]

Thinking the Hackzall was pretty much designed for the plumbers and electricians crowd cutting pipe and conduit. If you had too you can hold your piece with one hand and easily control the tool with the other.

But they do make petty good tree pruners too

I seen somewhere the M12 Fuel is supposed to be about as powerful as the M18 version. Maybe a Tool Inaction video.

A M18 brushless Fuel Hackzall with 1 inch stroke and adjustable shoeplate might be a competitive demo tool, don't know if they would ever make something like that though.

Holding the smallest brushed M12 vertically I have used it as a makeshift jigsaw to cut notches flooring. If I remember right they come with just a 4 inch? blades.

 

[shawhite]

I have both the compact and regular cordless. I prefer the compact because you can get it in more places and it's easier to use one handed

 

[gdocktor3]

I have both the compact and regular cordless. I prefer the compact because you can get it in more places and it's easier to use one handed

Will they both do the same work, or is one more powerful?

 

[shawhite]

I do not notice any difference in power. Have cut just about everything with both and they both do there job. The compact can however fit between 16in centered studs if needed.

 

[bobcatdan]

Metabo. 360° rotating handle on display. Also, made in USA.

 

[PureLeaf]

Because Ryan won't let user's control their own posts for editing, deleting, etc

 

[gdocktor3]

Update - On Monday night I ordered the Dewalt DCS367B 20V XR Brushless compact recip saw for $155 on eBay. It arrived in an unbelievable 3 days on Thursday and this thing is awesome. Cutting with it is like no other recip saw I've used before. It's so powerful, yet so smooth. I will say this though. I was surprised at its weight. While the saw can be managed with one hand, it isn't balanced as well as a Milwaukee Hackzall. While the Hackzall is designed to be a one handed saw, the Dewalt is designed to be compact. Now I understand why the Hackzall has a 3/4" stroke vs the Dewalt 1-1/8" stroke. The Dewalt is a full size saw, in a compact unit. I love it.

 

[6PTsocket]

So your suggesting milwaukee route.

I think he is saying that only a Milwaukee is really a Sawzall. It is one of those names that people use to describe a product name from one company for any similar product, regardless of who made it. Kleenex,Romex, and Ping Pong come to mind.

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[jd_1138]

I think he is saying that only a Milwaukee is really a Sawzall. It is one of those names that people use to describe a product name from one company for any similar product, regardless of who made it. Kleenex,Romex, and Ping Pong come to mind.

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Like when people say "Coke" when they really mean a soft drink.