Reciprocating Saw?

[ivwshane]

I'll be doing some demo work soon for a remodel project (as well as future remodel projects) and a reciporcating saw would really come in handy. Since I think my usage wouldn't be heavy (cutting through studs/headers and small tree branches) I figured I could get away with something cheap.

I'm looking to go with a corded one but other than that I'm not sure what to get. Right now I'm looking at some of the saws on hf.

Any suggestions?

[drumpriest]

I have the cordless ryobi, and it's been well up to the task of a light user. My father has a dewalt, I believe, but he tends to do much more construction related work these days than I do.

[Popeye]

I have what I think was an inexpensive (wife bought it) corded Makita that I bought maybe 10 years ago. It's kinda like the Energizer Bunny, it just keeps going etc. I've done three bathroom remodels. Cut down small trees, leaped short buildings etc. For any remodeling task a recriprocating saw is a must have tool.
I've got a number of HF tools myself but I've not been real impressed by their small hand held power tools. Pat

[os1kne]

I've used both the cordless and corded DeWalt, a corded Makita, and a cordless Ryobi. I would rate the corded DeWalt and corded Makita equal, followed by the cordless DeWalt and then the cordless Ryobi.

The cordless Ryobi would be fine for a few small remodel jobs if you already have other 18v Ryobi tools, or wanted to get it in a bundle with other cordless Ryobi tools for a good price.

I've seen some corded recip saws made by DeWalt, Makita, and some other big brands going for $60-$100 on sale - all of these saws are well made and will likely outlive most non-professional users.

Be sure to get a recip saw with a tool-less blade change ability.

Good luck!

[JimD]

FWW rated two Makita models as their Best Tool and Best Buy recently. The Best Buy was about $100. I have a DeWalt that was about this price and I like it - does whatever I ask. It is older and doesn't have tool-less blade change. I would like that feature but not enough to get a new saw.

Ryobi also has a corded model that might be OK, I think Home Depot has it for about $60. I personally would try to scrape up enough money to get a DeWalt or Makita or PC but my experience indicates to me that it may not be that hard to make a decent recipricating saw - FWW's advice was they all worked if I remember right - but they only reviewed the "better" brands.

Jim

[scorrpio]

I like PC's Tiger Saw. Variable speed, well-cusioned grips, quick blade change, and handle rotates for cutting upwards/sideways.

[bthere]

I like PC's Tiger Saw. Variable speed, well-cusioned grips, quick blade change, and handle rotates for cutting upwards/sideways.

I agree with the Tiger saw. I've had one for years and it is solid as a rock. I almost got another just because I was in the local Lowe's a couple of weeks ago and they had marked the rotating PC as "Non Stocked" and reduced the price down to about $50. If it is still on the shelf the next time I go in, I may get it anyway. You can tell I'm in sad shape when I think I might need two of an item that I may use once a month.

[messmaker]

I don't know about where you live but the pawn shops are full of R. saws. I would look there first. I bet you can get a nice one for $40 or so.

[Whaler]

I have the DW303 and it hasn't failed me yet. It was under $100.00.

[Cheeky]

the Worx deal of the day on amazon seems pretty sweet. 89 bucks ($60 off) for a highly rated recip saw.


get yourself a nice free metal cutting blade too

[ke4rdb]

I have two of the HF saw's, paid I believe $29. each for them. Have used one heavly cutting metal for couple of years still going strong. I also have a cordless B7D Firestorm, best I can say is it works but not enough battery life. I would go with a HF

JW

[WayneJ]

H.F. sells two different models One is on sale now for 19.99 The H D model is about twice the price..If it does the job , for 20 bucks it paid for itself. I have the P.C. tiger and its a brute.
Wayne

[rockjaw]

I have had 4 in recent history. 2 cheapies (one of them the cheap HF model), the heavy duty HF model and a PC TigerSaw. Save your money on the cheap ones since I have killed both in short order. The heavy duty HF model is still going with LOTS of use and abuse but doesn't have quick blade change capability (at least mine doesn't). VERY robust and it gets the call when the going gets dirty or rough. The TigerSaw is MUCH nicer though and of even better quality. I'm trying to get all the life I can out of the HF model before I put the TigerSaw into full duty. I have different blades in both and use the TigerSaw for metal cutting at this point (which doesnt happen often).

My advice, get the HF heavy duty model and it should do everything you need for many projects but mabye not with the smoothness of one of the more expensive saws.

[Hellrazor]

I have a 10-12 year old Makita corded and a cordless 18v Ridgid. I rarely use the makita anymore.

[thestinker]

Dad had a couple of coreded that are older than dirt, and still run like champls. One is a millwalke (sp?) and the other is a PC. I have a cordless B&D14.4 volt that won't hold a charge and I wouldn't give to my worst enemy. I don't feel this is going to stick around for long...just don't know the best way to unload it.