Snap-On CTRS761

[hautpot]

Got my hands on this mini reciprocating saw for about $250. I haven't put it through tons of work, but it has been sufficient enough for foliage branches and thin iron scrap metal.

It was mainly designed by Metabo, then redressed by Snap-On.

Features:

• 10.2" / 260mm long
• 2.5" / 63.5mm wide
• 5.7" / 145mm tall
• 3.5 lbs /1.6 kgs with battery
• 0.625" / 15.8mm stroke length
• 0-3,100 strokes per minute
• $439.95 USD MSRP
• Tool assembled in USA
• Battery made in Taiwan

Blades can be placed in either two positions. The chuck is a fast removal and secures blades well. There is some wobble as to be expected. Jigsaw blades may also be used.

The stop has six notches and is quickly released by the triangle tab. It does not pivot like the Hilti.

After using it once or twice, I noticed the notch on the stop (at the most compact position) has smashed the aluminium housing.

The housing is held together by eight T10 fasteners. It appears to be constructed quite well. Power comes from a brushed motor. The safety switch has a satisfying snap.

Similar models to the Snap-on include the Bosch 12 volt Saw, Milwaukee 12 volt Sawzall and obviously the Metabo PowerMaxx ASE Saber Saw. Most people would be better off with the anything other than Snap-On. Nearly all other competitors have an undeniably better warranty on both the tool and battery in addition to being half the cost of the Snap-On. The Snap-On does fit my hands better and I already have some of the other 14.4 volt tools, otherwise I would have went with Bosch or Makita.

 

[Rosso]

Thanks for the post on this, interesting stuff.

I've been looking at a cordless saw to replace my PTS1000 and the CTRS came up.

Pricing no doubt is different on your side of the pond but here in the UK, the body only from snap on is nearly £200, yet the whole kit from metabo with batteries and charger is only £130 ! And if you buy from Metabo you get a 3 year warranty.

Im in two minds which to get as i already have 14.4 kit and spare batteries, but the Metabo is cheaper however it'll mean another charger kit in the toolbox.

 

[introvertedtraveler]

will it cut 2x4s and 2x6s?

 

[daddy2coull]

Thanks for the post on this, interesting stuff.

I've been looking at a cordless saw to replace my PTS1000 and the CTRS came up.

Pricing no doubt is different on your side of the pond but here in the UK, the body only from snap on is nearly £200, yet the whole kit from metabo with batteries and charger is only £130 ! And if you buy from Metabo you get a 3 year warranty.

Im in two minds which to get as i already have 14.4 kit and spare batteries, but the Metabo is cheaper however it'll mean another charger kit in the toolbox.

how does the price compare to milwaukee over here?

 

[WhiffySpark]

430 for the kit. Milwaukee doesn't compare to metabo on any level.

 

[Dusty61]

One of the techs at work has this saw, he hates it. I usednit and it dosent cut worth a damn, mind you I work at Monro, which is a Muffler shop...we cut a lot of exhaust pipe...that being said, I bought the dewalt 12 volt Li-ion drill and sawzall kit off Amazon for like 110 shipped, really for the drill. The saw has turned out to be worth its weight in $20.00 bills, that damn thing can cut! Mind you a lot of it is technique, a proper blade that isn't dull. My little dewalt cuts pipe very nice.

 

[Rosso]

I can understand his pain, my SO PTS1000 is a piece of junk, won't cut a damn thing even with brand new blades. I'm sick of it, hence why looking at replacements.

I had considered a Bosch unit, or even the SO 18V cordless (Bosch) but I'm not sure.

I can see the CTRS761 being OK for small stuff and pipes that are thin but i doubt it will cut through say a seized wishbone bolt etc. That's really what i need a tool to be able to do for me.

 

[daddy2coull]

I can understand his pain, my SO PTS1000 is a piece of junk, won't cut a damn thing even with brand new blades. I'm sick of it, hence why looking at replacements.

I had considered a Bosch unit, or even the SO 18V cordless (Bosch) but I'm not sure.

I can see the CTRS761 being OK for small stuff and pipes that are thin but i doubt it will cut through say a seized wishbone bolt etc. That's really what i need a tool to be able to do for me.

i don't understand you not getting on with the pts1000, mine will cut through a land rover chassis like its butter

 

[hautpot]

I had considered a Bosch unit, or even the SO 18V cordless (Bosch) but I'm not sure.

I can see the CTRS761 being OK for small stuff and pipes that are thin but i doubt it will cut through say a seized wishbone bolt etc. That's really what i need a tool to be able to do for me.

Hi Rosso,

I recommend you obtain a higher voltage saw because they are heavier and will cut faster than the mini saw. The shear weight of the higher voltage saws will aide in keeping the saw stationary. Additional power of a bigger motor, longer stroke travel, and more amps will cut faster whereas the mini saws you have to slow your cuts.

 

[hautpot]

will it cut 2x4s and 2x6s?

I used some Diablo pruning blades on some scrap 2x4, it cuts them with ease.

Also cut some plaster board for disposal with lennox blades. The dust from that kinda gunked the sliding stop.

 

[Rosso]

Hi Rosso,

I recommend you obtain a higher voltage saw because they are heavier and will cut faster than the mini saw. The shear weight of the higher voltage saws will aide in keeping the saw stationary. Additional power of a bigger motor, longer stroke travel, and more amps will cut faster whereas the mini saws you have to slow your cuts.

Might just go with a Bosch corded unit.

@ daddy2coull - do you use sawzall blades ?

 

[Rosso]

What do you guys think of a Bosch PSA 900 ?

https://www.bosch-do-it.com/gb/en/diy/tools/psa-900-e-3165140606516-199895.jsp#tab_technical

28mm stroke, can cut 20mm steel

 

[hautpot]

Hi Rosso,

I have no experience with the Bosch you showed (as most of the Bosch tools in USA are teal blue, red, and black). But the performance of that is pretty much on par with other saws in that tier being 2,700 strokes per minute and 1 1/8" / 28mm stroke length.

Also as an update, one of my (fully charged) battery I put in my mini saw was drained within 1 minute of cutting some 3/8" bolts I couldn't believe how power hungry that thing was, so I tried all my other batteries and to my relief it was a one time thing. The battery life give me about 8-13 minutes of hard cutting (tested with old batteries and new batteries).