Reciprocating saws

Does selecting a recip saw have you checking specs back and forth? Saw experts help cut through the specs to help you find the saw you need.

Demolition is many times the first step of a construction project. Additions, updates and rehab projects all require building materials to be removed before workers can get to work. Recip saws are one of the first tools of choice for demolition work.

From $89 wonders to top-end models that cost three or four times that amount, there is a wide variety of recip models available. Industry experts agree that durability and power are what separate the men from the boys with these tools. But they also advise you look at ergonomics and the value of tool-free adjustments as well as other features when making your final tool selection.

Many refinements on new models increase their versatility, so consider what these new features offer you on your jobsite.

“It’s best to select the saw based on your application. Some jobs don’t require higher amps or orbital action found on some models. These jobs can often be completed by smaller models. For example, an installer who makes occasional cuts in tight spaces may like a smaller saw. But a bigger saw should be used for demolition and jobs with lots of cuts,” says Vince Caito, Makita marketing communications manager.

Durability
A well-built saw can take the rigors of a tough demolition job. That’s why $89 wonders don’t last long or aren’t even allowed on serious jobsites.

“Recip saws take a beating like few other tools. In demolition, the blade often gets pinched and the tool stalls which wreaks havoc on the gears. A clutch greatly improves durability,” says Boyd Miller, Milwaukee Sawzall product manager.

Power
In heavy-duty demolition jobs, the tool experts agree that power is king. “Amp rating doesn’t tell the whole story, but it does give you a general indication of the power of the tool,” says Miller. “Recip saws with 10 amps or greater rating are well-suited for heavy-duty commercial use.”

David Johnston, director of product development for construction tools at Porter-Cable, concurs. “The price-point models are lighter in weight, power and durability. They are fine for occasional demolition or for some installation jobs done by plumbers and electricians. However, top-of-the-line models have articulating handles and heads that can be adapted to get between joists or behind toilets. Generally, amperage is a general indication of power. If you are doing lots of demolition, go with a higher-amp model,” he says.

Ergonomics
Power is one thing; controlling it is quite another. That’s where good tool design can help you work as comfortably and safely as possible.

“If you are doing demolition, the recip saw is likely to be in your hands all day. Look for a soft, tactile grip that will help you hold on to the tool, even with sweaty hands,” suggests Terry Tuerk, Metabo manager of technical services.

“If you are going to use a recip saw day in and day out, get one with a counterbalanced system that reduces vibration. It operates more smoothly and helps reduce fatigue. Milwaukee tests show that a counter-balanced tool produces two-thirds less vibration than one without a counter-balanced system. Even if you use it only 30 minutes a day, you will notice a big difference,” says Miller.

Several new models have changed recip saws from being staightforward cutting machines. Porter-Cable and Milwaukee started the fray with tools that have handles and/or blade mechanisms that twist, swivel and bend to make the tool easier to use in tight spaces.

Metabo’s new recip saw has a rear handle that rotates 90 degrees in either direction, allowing the user to twist the tool body to get the saw in the best position to make a cut without compromising a comfortable grip on the tool.

DeWalt recently added its four-position blade clamp to its new recip saw model, the DW304PK, says Mike McDowell, DeWalt assistant product manager for recip saws. He says the new blade clamp allows the unit to be used in tight spaces and for more effective flush cutting with less blade breakage. “When we were testing it with end-users, they would take us right to the application where they would use it. It works well wherever users need to make a flush cut.”

Bosch just introduced the RS5, a smaller recip saw with a patented 360-degree scroll collar that helps users cut effectively in tight spaces, says Ed Pchola, Bosch product manager for circular and recip saws. “This is a good saw for making curved cuts in drywall,” he says.

Stroke length and speed
The saws offer a stroke length ranging from 3/4" to 1 1/4". The shorter-stroke models are often preferred by plumbers and installers, while demolition crews prefer the longer-stroke tools because they cut more aggressively with every pass.

“Stroke length affects cutting speed,” says Miller, “For fast cutting, use a tool with 1 1/8" or 1 1/4" stroke. If you are cutting in tight areas or confined spaces, a 3/4" stroke may be better. Plumbers, electricians and even fire and rescue personnel prefer the 3/4" stroke for their work. Also, 2,800 spm is optimal for fast, efficient cutting.”

Variable-speed control is helpful in many applications. “If you are using an aggressive blade, it helps the saw start the cut without jumping all over the work, It also helps control the cut and, in metal and stucco, it reduces blade burn-up,” says Caito.

Tool upgrades improve
performance, productivity
Basic models can cut, but more sophisticated models have user-friendly features that help workers stay at the job longer.

Perhaps the handiest upgrade is the tool-free blade lock. Available in a variety of styles, it eliminates the need for a screwdriver, hex key or wrench to remove and install saw blades.

Two of Bosch’s new recip saw models take the tool-free blade changing system to the next level. They have the LockJaw blade system that allows one-handed blade changes.

Although tool-free blade locks are handy, Miller recommends taking some preventive maintenance to keep them operating trouble-free. “If water gets into the lock mechanism, apply a bit of powdered or liquid graphite to keep it operating correctly,” he says.

The second most popular tool upgrade is the adjustable shoe. “An adjustable shoe allows the blade to be used completely before it’s replaced. For example, if the recip saw’s stroke is 1 1/8" but the blade is 6" long, the adjustable shoe lets you use more of the blade before replacing it,” says Tuerk.

Two manufacturers offer quick-replace cord sets on selected models. It’s easy to cut the saw cord if you’re not paying attention, so Milwaukee offers its Quik-Lok cord system that allows users to simply twist off the damaged cord and replace it with a new one. Bosch does away with the cord altogether on its Direct Connect system, where the extension cord plugs directly into the saw.

“By plugging the extension cord into the saw, you do away with the knot from the saw cord and extension cord that tends to snag during cutting,” says Pchola. The Bosch R10 saw has a swivel built into the cord to help prevent it from tangling as operators twist and turn to complete jobs.

Other creature comforts on today’s saws can make the tool handier and less likely to be dropped. For example, Bosch’s RS10 and RS20 recip saws have a built-in rafter hook for easy on-site storage; the RS20 has an on-board LED light to illuminate the blade in dark work environments.

Orbital action for wood work
For heavy demolition in nail-embedded wood, the experts suggest a recip saw with orbital action. This adds a chopping motion to the reciprocating action of the blade, increasing the blade’s aggressiveness.

“For demolition and rough cutting, orbital action offers a circular motion that cuts faster and gets more sawdust out of the cut,” says Johnston. However, the orbital action should not be used when cutting metal.

Click here for Recip Saw Specifications

Published in the September/October 2004 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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