Reciprocating Saw or Cut-off Wheel

[hosz]

I need to cut off some rusted suspension bolts and have the money to buy either a reciprocating saw or cut-off tool, but not both.

Is one better suited for the job? Which one is more useful overall? Both would be pneumatic.

 

[signcrafter]

Both have their place depending on what you can get in there with. I've used a sawzall with a long blade when I couldn't get anything else in there, the long blade was all that fit. I've also used a cut off tool many times where a sawzall wouldn't fit. For bolts I would like a cut off wheel if it will fit. If you go the sawzall route make sure you buy really good blades. Cutting suspension bolts can be rough on blades.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Cut off, all the way. Wheels are cheaper than blades, you'll cut bolts off faster, and can get into more cramped spaces.

Sawzall is great for cutting exhaust, tubing or wood, but dealing with automotive you'll bend more blades in tight spots than work you'll get done, and the cost of that adds up FAST.

 

[metaleltr]

An air recip saw will be disappointing for suspension bolts, but a cut off wheel may not reach the bolts well. I would say go for an electric sawzall or a 12v mini sawzall such as the m12 hackzall.

 

[fourjeepin]

Pneumatic cut offs are stupid cheap, but use lots of air. If you have a big compressor, get the cut off. Add electric saw when you need it.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Both.

LOL. But true.

Cut off wheel for most bolts in tight areas. Air saw for small bots in really tight areas.
SawZall when you have lots of room like ball joints, A-Arms and exhaust.

SawZalls are not tiny tools unless you go all-in and do the smaller 18v battery sawzall. If space is an issue, I'd go cutoff wheel with no shield and a face guard and welder sleeves unless you wanna feel like you're trying to fit a full size matress thru a doggy door with a full sized recip. saw..

BTDT.

LOLOLOLOLZZZZ.

 

[Mastermind]

harbor frieght cutoof wheel-$6-10 on sale, awesome. i have 4 or 5. never had an issue with them. boss has one thats 10 yrs old, just starting to slow down.

harbor frieght air saw, $20 on sale. got one a long time ago that works great after alittle lube and adjust, had a budddy who bought one and returned 4 times to get one that worked, barely, after way too much time adjusting lubing and grinding to fit.

recently got a long reach right angle cutoff tool (wheel) from matco, pricey, but awesome. great for those hard to reach bolts, and comfy for long sheet metal cuts. HF has one, never had one outta the store though, about $50-60.

 

[darkk]

I could only fit an angled air powered die grinder with a cutoff wheel in to get the rear hanger bolts off my Dodge pickup.

 

[cheechi]

harbor frieght cutoof wheel-$6-10 on sale, awesome. i have 4 or 5. never had an issue with them. boss has one thats 10 yrs old, just starting to slow down.

harbor frieght air saw, $20 on sale. got one a long time ago that works great after alittle lube and adjust, had a budddy who bought one and returned 4 times to get one that worked, barely, after way too much time adjusting lubing and grinding to fit.

I would suggest both of these and the sawzall. They're among the best HF tools for the price. I use the Northern blades in my HF air saw. You could also even get an angled die grinder from HF (have one of those too, also very good) in case that gives you another option. Just don't get wheels from there unless you're very well protected. I've had a few different brand cutoff wheels break on me, but everyone here makes noise about the HF wheels so there's probably something to that.

If you bought the cutoff, air saw, blades, and angle die grinder from HF you'd spend $54 without any coupons. so if you bought just the one you need and/or got the appropriate coupons you definitely can afford 'all' of what you want.