Thread: Reciprocating saws

G'day.

I'm not sure if it's anything like the one's you've looked at but I have an AEG Saber Saw & it's the scariest piece of machinery in my shed.
I'd rather use a Jig Saw, Band Saw, Circular Saw, Table Saw or a Chain Saw.
It did cut a nice hole in a wall for an airconditioner in a cramped corner but it's a bugger to control if you get the revs wrong for the number of teeth on the blade... it jumps & bucks & kicks like a wild horse.
It also weighs heaps more than my little electric Chain Saw so I don't even use it for pruning.

A quick search on google gave some good reviews for the
Makita JR3000V & mixed reviews for the JR3030T.

Maybe some one on this forum can give you some positive feedback.

I have a Makita that is about 8 years old which does not get a lot of use these days but is the sort of tool that is ideal for task that you have described. I used mine for cutting out stairwells in houses being renovated.

The only problem is you need nerves of steel somtimes because as Cliff said it jumps & bucks & kicks like a wild horse.

Mind you its better than this option, I was on a job about 10 years ago and the builder had a 9 inch angle grinder with a saw blade attached to do the same task, It still sends shivers up my spine.

Have a look at the GMC unit that is similar to the Makita, that might be the best option, when I bought mine the general consensus then was go with the Milwalki, why I do not know but things have certainly changed since then.

As far as pruning goes, only once because I have better tools to do the job.


Daniel

Burn
I have a Bosch one that I bought about 1990. I used it to cut through a cutlass bearing, rubber and bronze that was seized solid in a Yacht stern tube without damaging the stern tube. ( The yacht was out the water...lol.).
At that time there were none other available in my then home country and I was desperate. It sure did the job. I have used it now and again when nothing else does the job as good as it.......but I agree with the previous posts if you're not wide awake, surprises come in dozens!
It definately has its place in the tool range, but not really my favourite tool. If you give it half a chance, you'll have to change your name from Burn to Amputee.
Good luck
Cya
Joe

I've an 18 volt cordless makita and it's worked well and makes light work of demolition jobs. For most of the last year it has sat under the console of my boat as it works wonderfully at slowing down sharks. Probably not an original design function but it goes to show how versatile they are.

I've had a Bosch for many years and for renovating, cutting holes into walls etc, there is none better. There is a range of blades to suit many tasks and with the variable speed control I feel it is one of the safest tools to use.
Maybe mine is different but I don't have the problems that Cliff and Daniel have with theirs.


Regards,


Peter.

As far as hand tools go, I'd consider a recipro saw to be at the heavy duty end, given what you would normally use one for - ie. cutting holes in walls through frame members and god knows what else. I wouldn't even consider a cheapy unless it was for a one off job.

My brother in law is a builder and he has a Makita. If it wore a skirt he would sleep with it I think, if that helps you at all.

Sounds like Makita is the saw of choice on this forum. One of our local tool retailers is having a supplier sponser sale this weekend, so I may end up with a Makita 3030T this weekend.

Thanks to all who responded.

I must ask, Eastie, how does a cordless recipro saw slow down sharks?

Burn

I've used my dad's Bosch for a couple of weeks of demolition and borrowed a friend's Makita for a few days for a similar task. I preferred the Makita over the older (c.1990) Bosch but neither of them were really comfortable for long durations due to vibration. If I had the need for one and the money I'd get the Milwaukee Sawzall with the quick changing blade. They are a lot smoother and more balanced than most models I have tried out in showrooms, but they are also at the higher end of the price scale.

All recipro-saws are just demolition tools (or shark repellents????) because it's difficult to cut a straight line with a vibrating blade that is inherently prone to deflection. If you know what they're limitations are they can be very useful during rennovations/repair work. The ones I have used a I found a bit unnerving, especially on wet tree branches, because when the blade binds they tend to jump violently out of your hand. :eek:

I think they are really designed to be used in situations where the foot can be held against the surface of the material you are cutting, same as a jigsaw. If you hold it freehand, they are going to be a bit unpredictable because of the way the blade reciprocates.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't use them that way but don't be surprised if one minute you're holding it and the next minute you're not. It also doesn't mean they wont bind if used as intended. They tend to behave much the same way if you try to cut through a load-bearing stud with one, just ask my brother in law.

I've not used it for pruning but could see that it would not be the most appropriate tool for reasons stated above.

On the other issue having a 1.6m live mako in any boat is not wise, let alone into a 4.5m boat not fitted out with a mallet or baseball bat. After a few minutes of standing on the seats avoiding both ends my mate (who gaffed and lifted it in) managed to get up enough courage to grab an oar and kill it – good in theory - not in practice. Anyhow I received the tip from a builder who witnessed the whole event (he managed to get some of it on video) that a recip saw is the way to go. I thought he was crazy but the idea made sense. Lean over the side of the boat (being careful to not to get the saw wet – shows how much I look after it) and cut from the far side gill slits through the back of it's head and spine in one swift stroke - a manoeuvre that is quick and not possible with a knife - at least with any safety.

Lean over the side of the boat (being careful to not to get the saw wet – shows how much I look after it) and cut from the far side gill slits through the back of it's head and spine in one swift stroke.

Now THAT's fishing! UDAMAN!

Lean over the side of the boat (being careful to not to get the saw wet – shows how much I look after it) and cut from the far side gill slits through the back of it's head and spine in one swift stroke.

And if you slip you either become shark bait or you have a choice of which half of the boat you go home in! Must be a very calm ocean.................

I do pick my days very carefully - mostly 5am flat seas sort of stuff. This technique wouldn't work otherwise.

Oh yeah, Disclaimer: I don't recommend anyone else try this, ever. Seriously. Enough said.

I have the porter cable & yes it is a hand full.
I would hate to try the model without variable speed.

The recipro saw is a great device when you need it. It will cut things in places wher nothing else will.
You throw the blades away so you can take some risks you wouldn't with a nice tool. like cutting roots in a trench.

It the dirty harry of power tools.

If you are cutting a lot of steel you will go thru blades like they are going out of style unless you use a lubricant.

Make sure you get one with variable speed.


I don't use mine much but I am very happy I have it when I do