sawsall question

[lt1driver]

is a sawsall the same thing as a reciprocating saw??? what is blade length I should get and how critical, if at all, is a variable speed on the saw.

 

[fflintstone]

is a sawsall the same thing as a reciprocating saw???

yes

what is blade length I should get

depends on what your cutting. shorter fine tooth for metal, longer less teeth for wood.


and how critical, if at all, is a variable speed on the saw.

Wouldn’t buy one without.


I am partial to Milwaukee.

 

[Rhyno37]

Yes, a "Sawzall" is what Milwaukee calls their reciprocating saw, they were the first to make one, and for the most part make the best ones. I will say I really like Makita's locking mechanism, it ejects the blade when you release it. Hate the mechanism Dewalt uses, it tends to break easily.

 

[Engineer61]

I believe Sawsall is a trademarked name for a reciprocating saw - so a sawsall is a reciprocating saw but not all receiprocating saws can legally be called a sawsall.
Blades are replaceable, length depends on what you are doing and what is available - I've never seen a 12" metal cutting blade even though I've really wished for the extra reach at times as it can be difficult to get a sawsall into place in crowded engine bays to cut off exhaust pipes etc where you want instead of where you can.
Variable speed is a great option as it lets you get a cut started much easier than if you have to go full speed without the kerf (sp?) to hold the blade.

 

[mrodgers]

Yup, Sawzall is to reciprocating saw as Kleenex is to facial tissues as Styrofoam is to expanded polystyrene. Everyone calls facial tissues no matter the brand, Kleenex, expanded polystyrene no matter the brand, Styrofoam, and reciprocating saws no matter the brand, Sawzall.

 

[ford33]

Here's a practical use for a reciprocating saw - cut the bow off a navy ship.

Navy mine sweeper ship ran around on a Philippine reef. They couldn't float it off the reef so they are cutting it in sections and are barging them out. Mine sweeper hulls are wood and fiberglass not metal. Sawzall to the rescue!

http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/27/world/asia/us-navy-ship-aground

 

[HMCFab9]

Yep... same thing.
Get a Milwaukee & yes, they are variable speed.
(by the way... the dewalt one *****, IMO)

 

[superdutymike27]

May be one of the best tools invented in my opinion?

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

They are also referred to as a "saw-saw" , at least by my inept mother-in-law

 

[Kevin54]

If you are going to get one, get a good one. Look at it as an investment. I bought a Milwaukee a few years back and love it. Before that I had a HF and it stripped out the gears in a few months time. I also have a Craftsman, but never use it.

When you get one, get an assortment of blades and don't cheap out on them either. I have real good luck with DeWalt blades. I have anything from short blades, fine tooth for metal, to 10" or maybe longer, coarse for wood.

 

[Norcal]

Sawzall® is a registered trademark of Milwaukee Electric Tool, who I now call Bejiing Electric because they are all made in China now.

I have older pre ChiCom models which am quite happy with.

 

[St-rider]

13 or 15 amp. rotating handle would be a plus.

 

[BFBOB]

Sawzall - made by Milwaukee. All others are imitators. Useful tool - variable speed is a must, for starting cuts with precision, also avoiding hacking stuff inside walls where you can't see it. Watch out for blade orientation. Some go with teeth up, used to be all had teeth down. Some rotate, can go any direction. If you put the blade in backwards, it will hold, but not very well, and will damage the blade holding mechanism. Don't ask how I know this.

 

[NHBandit]

Here's a practical use for a reciprocating saw - cut the bow off a navy ship.

Navy mine sweeper ship ran around on a Philippine reef. They couldn't float it off the reef so they are cutting it in sections and are barging them out. Mine sweeper hulls are wood and fiberglass not metal. Sawzall to the rescue!

http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/27/world/asia/us-navy-ship-aground

They work pretty good on those pesky police cars too...

 

[ForceFed70]

Great advice here. My only other advice is to look at the blade locking mechanism.

I love my dewalt, but the blade is a pain to change as I have to dig out an allen key each time. You'll be surprised at how often you swap between blades. My friend has almost the exact same saw but it came with a toolless lock that makes blade changes super quick and easy.

 

[rlitman]

Sawzall - made by Milwaukee. All others are imitators. Useful tool - variable speed is a must, for starting cuts with precision, also avoiding hacking stuff inside walls where you can't see it. Watch out for blade orientation. Some go with teeth up, used to be all had teeth down. Some rotate, can go any direction. If you put the blade in backwards, it will hold, but not very well, and will damage the blade holding mechanism. Don't ask how I know this.

First, the PC Tigersaw is easily the equal to a Milwaukee.

Second, depending on how the blade clamp is made, your advice about how to chuck the blade may be incorrect. My Work saw is actually made to grab the blade in either direction.

 

[Ign]

Other factors to consider are orbital action or no (I've honestly not seen much benefit from it but it makes sense) and stroke length, generally 7/8 or 1 1/8" IIRC. Some people like the shorter stroke as it's less likely to hit things behind your cut, others believe the longer stroke increases blade life - - which it should in theory but anecdotal evidence suggests it may not matter much.

 

[barks]

Milwaukee is excellent. The next question is whether you need a battery saw (useful for cutting boots off tires/wheels when over parked) or a corded model.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

I'll parrot what others have said: Milwaukee (spelled) sawzall (with a 'z'). I bought my 'Super Sawzall back int the late 80's and have used the **** out of it. Absolutely great tool. I have used a Dewalt, once, and I ended up throwing it in a dumpster. I have also used cordless varieties and really they just don't have the power/stamina for my uses.

 

[Duck72]

I have a Black and Decker 18v cordless. I like the clamp. Easy to insert and remove blades. It has decent enough power for my needs. I'm not in any construction or industrial work., Just normal at home DIY stuff. Although if I used mine more than I do now I would purchase a corded Milwaukee based on all of the good recommendations here.

 

[some zilch]

the italian guy i work with (who speaks rough english) calls our cordless dewalt recip a "wireless soo-soo". we laugh at him, he laughs at us

 

[FryZ]

I have a Milwaukee corded that my dad gave me as a Christmas present my first year in my house many years ago...I've used/abused that thing and it still works flawlessly.

 

[NHBandit]

I used to manage auto salvage yards where we used reciprocating saws HARD on a daily basis. Cutting off catalytic converters, cutting cars in half, cutting off body panels, etc. Get a Milwaukee saw and buy Lennox bi-metal blades and never look back. You might pay a little more upfront but you will save a bunch in the long run. If you're cutting alot of metal buy the "rescue" blades like the rescue squads use. They are thicker and from my experience you trash as many blades by bending them accidently as you do by wearing them out.

 

[reddog289]

One of my favorite tools, Hands down. Had my Sawzall for 20yrs. It has served me well. Don't know about the other brands.. Never used them.

 

[JasonTX]

Yep. Corded Milwaulkee, Lennox blades.

 

[harleycontracter]

Have a a Hilti for awhile Works great and take a beating

 

[pepi]

I have a Milwaukee corded that my dad gave me as a Christmas present my first year in my house many years ago...I've used/abused that thing and it still works flawlessly.

Milwaukee corded great tool gets the job done...

 

[pitterpat]

Just scored a old Milwaukee off of CL for $25.00. The guy is a retired building contractor superintendent. 4 amp but plenty enough power....came with a metal case too!

 

[billspit]

Don't know if its still true, but at onetime the higher quality sawzall was still made in the US. It may be called heavy duty or professional model.

 

[NitroShark]

I use the 28V cordless Milwaukee.... works great.

Shawn

 

[M17715]

Like they said- Milwaukees are great. Although mine is a DeWalt. It is great, too. My drill is a Milwaukee, though and it is really tough.

 

[D.J.]

When I buy blades for the Fire department I like to get the lennox demolition blades. If not in stock I go for the milwaukee sets with both bimetat and wood in the assorted packs, the longer the better for us.

 

[air]

I bought a Milwaukee when I bought my house. Outside of a screwdriver and a hammer, it's probably my most commonly used tool around the house. Although more of a destruction tool than a construction tool, it comes in REAL handy...I wouldn't be without one. EVER.

 

[ddawg16]

It's one of those tools that once you have one....you wonder how you got by without it....

I have they Ryobi cordless....I have used the dog **** out of it.....

If your making a living....yea, maybe Milwaukee....for the DIY guy....Ryobi is also fine...

Unless your doing some heavy duty stuff like cutting a cop car in half, you really don't need a corded one.

One of the more common uses for mine? My wife....she uses it to cut branches on the trees...it's light...no cord...slap a nice long wood blade on it....have fun....

 

[mobiledynamics]

I've had 2 Milwaukess and have always considered them the best in the class.
Picked up a Hilti WSR 1400 about a month back. By far, a much better tooling/saw than the Milwaukee.

 

[HeelSpur]

Sawzall® is a registered trademark of Milwaukee Electric Tool, who I now call Bejiing Electric because they are all made in China now.

I have older pre ChiCom models which am quite happy with.

I thought they were made in Mississippi. Anyways the show Modern Marvels had a show on about saws and that's where they said they were made. Could've been an old show too.

 

[lotsoftools]

The blade quick release on my Dewalt seemed like a good idea, but it broke way too easy. My next one is going to be a Milwaukee.

As for blades, Diablo for me. I've used all the brands and like them the best.

 

[finn]

I second the thought that unless you are a professional, most any brand will get you started. I have a 25-30 year old (at least) Craftsman professional that still works great (after I replaced a cord that my friend cut in half while demolishing a house), and a Bosch.

The Craftsman is my go-to unit because it is lighter and easier to handle.

The toolless blade change of the Bosch is nice to have.

I'll bet my old Craftsman has less than 20 hours of actual run time, and that includes demo'ing a house, probably 15 exhaust system removals, many plumbing jobs, and numerous weld / fab projects. A typical cut is probably 20 seconds or less.

If money is no object get the Milwaukee. If money is tight, most any major brand will do the job.

 

[dittle fart around]

Got the Dewalt 18 volt cordless about 15 years ago. Works great. Best use I got out of it is cutting roots in ground. Made a two foot deep trench 2 foot wide across the back yard through the roots of 90 foot tall Douglas Fir trees. The trees had been removed and the stumps left in place on the other side of the fence.

 

[BigMike782]

Bought a broken Sawzall at the pawn shop in 1991,put a new bearing in it and bought a shoe for ........beat the piss out of it for 15 yrs then bought a DeWalt 18 volt because it was in the case with the drill and circ saw I needed.

Lennox blades rock!