Sawzall: Refit or Replace

[The Rusty Gear]

Currently I have a made in China (Jobmate) Recip saw and was looking to upgrade to a "real" saw so that I would not be afraid that it would quit on me in the middle of a job, so I (foolishly?) picked up a used Milwaukee 6509-21 for $30.

When I got it home, I noticed the quick lock blade clamp needs to be replaced. Ok, probably a $30 repair, or more since the pivot shoe is pretty banged up and could use replacing too. I was still thinking this was a decent deal as even with the repairs, It'd cost about 50% of new . . . . Until I noticed that this was an older model that only has a 6 amp motor and not the snazzy 11 amp motor like the new ones at Home Depot for $140

So, do you think it is worth it to refurb the old 6A saw ($30-$40) or should I bite the bullet and get the shiny new 11A one($140)? ie are the 5 extra amps worth the upgrade? I think my cheapie Jobmate saw has 6.5 amps . . . .

 

[Mike83]

I would get a new one rather than dink around with parts. I got a refurbished Milwaukee 13 amp Sawzall for $125 from Amazon. Has a 5 year warranty, but that was right before Milwaukee reduced the refurbished warranty to 1 year. The one I bought has the handle that rotates 360 deg to make awkward cuts easier.

Something like this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009RWLGU/?tag=atomicindus08-20 or the 15amp without rotating handle for less $. Amazon rules for power tools imo!

 

[sk farmer]

tough break! i think you are stuck with fixing your milwaukee or tossing it . unless you are ito some real heave work every day the 6a should be ok. by the time you repair you will have close to 100 bucks in it with time and parts. you can usually get into the cheaper dewalt for around 99 bucks and it will accept a blade in four directions rather than two. i also like their blade clamp handle a little better than on some milwaukee if you find the right deal you may even get some bonus goodies. dewalt some times even throws in some extra goodies. mine came with an ext. cord with , but i have also seen them with extra blades. i think i even saw one with a3/8 drill one time. good luck

 

[Danglerb]

If it works, at all, then you have a spare in case the cheap China one croaks. If it won't work as is, then you have spare parts. I can't see fixing common old tools with new parts.

If its not a tool you plan to use a lot, why bother to buy ahead on a premium tool? I'd just keep my eye open for a better used one.

 

[64merc]

If you know places that sell used power tools I would look for a broken Milwaukee and use it as a donor for the clamp. Hmm, never mind, when they are broken the problem is usually the clamp. In that case, I would keep using the cheapy until it breaks and then buy a new Milwaukee if you're in the middle of a job.

 

[GDA]

Pick up a Milwaukee on sale and you'll be good to go for long time.

 

[Major Ramifications]

The pawn shops are full of Milwaukees around here for $30 and up. They give a 30 day warranty. It's up to you if you would rather get a used one or a new one, I don't know how much the money means to you. My first recip was a well-used third hand Milwaukee that I bought about 20 years ago and I still use it at work occasionally.

 

[3/8"indestro]

$16 part at this place:
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/milwaukee-650921-ser-962a-sawzall-parts-c-131_5093_14916.html

they have 13 in stock.don't think you can get a sawzall for $16.

 

[The Rusty Gear]

$16 part at this place:
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/milwaukee-650921-ser-962a-sawzall-parts-c-131_5093_14916.html

they have 13 in stock.don't think you can get a sawzall for $16.

PLUS $16 for shipping to Canada, convert that to Canadian Dollars and you are OVER $40!!!

That'll teach me to look ALOT closer before I buy something . . . .

 

[64merc]

Hey, that part is cheaper than I thought. At about $22 shipped I may have to keep an eye out for a Milwaukee with a broken blade clamp.

 

[Bustawrench]

E-Bay the Milwaukee and pick up a $99.00 DeWalt at the Home Ripo..............sometimes you can get them for $79.00 w/out the case.

I've got one I use for nasty boiler demolition jobs and cutting oil tanks in half. It's beat to s***, but still works after 7 years of total abuse. Best $100.00 bucks I ever spent at the Home Ripo.

 

[russlaferrera]

Sell it on Ebay. Buy a refurbished unit. It will last a lifetime.