{"id":19970,"date":"2018-09-09T19:59:59","date_gmt":"2018-09-10T01:29:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youthfulhome.com\/?page_id=19970"},"modified":"2020-02-28T19:38:46","modified_gmt":"2020-02-29T01:08:46","slug":"reciprocating-saw","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/youthfulhome.com\/guides\/reciprocating-saw\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Reciprocating Saw Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Select the Best Reciprocating Saw?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The success of your project depends on using the right tool. Since we know it is time consuming to find the best reciprocating saw, we put together a buying guide that will help you get a good comparison of each tool and buy the best sawzall for your budget and project need. A reciprocating saw is also known as a recip saw, sawzall, or saber\/sabre saw. We will refer to this power tool in this guide using all of these words.<\/p>\n

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Reciprocating Saw Uses<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Originally a sawzall was designed for rough cuts on a wide range of materials. Most often it is used in remodeling, demolition (cutting nail-embedded wood) and for pruning. It can also be used by hunters to cut up large animals or by anyone else for cutting frozen meat in the kitchen.<\/p>\n

What can it cut?<\/strong><\/p>\n

This type of power saw can handle almost any material. This includes softwood, plastic and most kinds of metal including stainless and hardened steel, cast iron. Also, it can cut through abrasives like tile, masonry and concrete.<\/p>\n

The most important thing is to choose an appropriate blade for your job and workpiece material. Read our detailed reciprocating saw blade guide to know how.<\/p>\n

The reciprocating saw isn\u2019t as versatile and sophisticated as the jigsaw. You shouldn\u2019t use it for a job that requires too much precision, like cutting an acrylic sheet or curves. However, it lets you make simple straight cuts, especially if you use a cutting guide.<\/p>\n

Non-Cutting Types of Work<\/strong><\/p>\n

Various sawzall accessories, like chisel, scraper, brush, rasp and many others, allow you to extend the functionality of a saber saw. The power tool reduces the amount of effort you have to put into your job that requires a lot of repetitive hand movements, like brushing and scraping. The attachments can save you from muscle strains, as well as wrist and elbow inflammation.<\/p>\n

Accessories are usually installed into a sawzall\u2019s blade holder, just like a regular blade. But some manufacturers make them with a different mount. These styles will require an adapter that usually comes in the same kit. You can read more in detail about every kind of attachment in our recip saw accessories guide.<\/p>\n

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Efficiency of a Saber Saw<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When you are deciding which type of saw to buy, you should consider the voltage or amperage to estimate the power. The manufacturer will specify the volts for a battery powered saw. For specifying the power of corded tools, manufacturers use amperes, which are units for measuring the current of a motor.<\/p>\n

18-20V cordless and 12-15 Amp corded models are the most popular among buyers. Saws with less power than these are best for light use. More powerful models are used mostly by professionals to perform heavy duty jobs on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

Strokes per minute (SPM) is the number of strokes a saw makes for the given time. More strokes mean a higher cutting speed. On average electric sawzalls have around 2700-3000 maximum SPM, and pneumatic – around 10,000 SPM.<\/p>\n

Stroke length is the distance a blade covers for one stroke. This influences how much of the material will be removed with a single blade movement. This also means faster cutting speed. Also, a longer stroke means more even wear of blade teeth; which makes for a longer lasting blade. If you are limited in space, buying a smaller stroke length may be more convenient for you so you do not hit the wall. Usually, the stroke length varies from \u00be to 1 \u00bc inch.<\/p>\n

Finally, the way a power tool is designed also influences the efficiency. Imagine you have two saws of the same power, SPM and with same features. They are made by different manufacturers: a tool of a well-established company and a cheap no name brand model. The cheap product will cut the same material at a lower speed and with more effort because of higher rate of power loss occurring while transferring the power from the motor to the blade, as well as within the motor.<\/p>\n

This happens because lower end models are designed badly and are made of cheap materials. A good tool is always not the cheapest on the market, but it works better and lasts longer. We recommend to consider first of all products of top rated brands on the power tool market.<\/p>\n

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Sawzall Features<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Reciprocating saw models vary by features. They may be crucial for you, depending on your project. Some of the features are common for all modern models, while being absent in older generation tools.<\/p>\n

Orbital vs Non-Orbital<\/strong><\/p>\n

Orbital action is a cutting mode in which a blade moves not only back and forth, but also slightly up and down. As a result the tip of the blade is drawing an oval \u201corbit\u201d in the air. This feature helps cut through wood and other soft materials much quicker, making the cut more aggressive.<\/p>\n

However, it is not recommended if you need to make a precise cut. It also should be turned off while sawing metal, including the occasional nails you run across in wood during demolition. Most of the modern sawzalls have orbital action. We don\u2019t recommend you to consider one without it.<\/p>\n

Brushless vs Brushed<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cBrushless\u201d and \u201cbrushed\u201d are terms to characterize types of electric motors. Brushes are parts of a motor that wear out over time. If you are going to use a sawzall quite often on a regular basis, you may come to a point when they wear out and will need to be replaced. Apart from that, necessary friction between the brushes and the commutator slows down the rotation, reducing the motor\u2019s efficiency.<\/p>\n

Brushless motors are not a new invention, but they became more popular in the last decade. They are more efficient and reliable than brushed. However, they are also more expensive. It is not important to choose a model with a brushless motor, but if a sawzall features one, it\u2019s usually a higher end product.<\/p>\n

Adjustable Shoe<\/strong><\/p>\n

A shoe is used as a fulcrum, or support for certain cuts. You can pin down the materials that are more flexible while you make the cut. Sheet metal is a good example of the type of material the needs additional pressure.<\/p>\n

The benefit of an adjustable shoe is that it lets you use different parts of the blade, which can extend the life of the blade. Another reason that an adjustable shoe is helpful is that it allows you to limit the depth of the blade. If you are cutting on a wall that has wires behind it, you will want to keep the tip from going too far. Otherwise, you\u2019ll end up damaging wires or pipes in the process.<\/p>\n

Variable Speed<\/strong><\/p>\n

For more accurate cuts you may need to go slower than the maximum speed. Variable speed mechanism lets you control the number of strokes per minute. Most reciprocating saws come with this option these days, but it\u2019s better to make sure that it\u2019s featured.<\/p>\n

There are two types of controllers that can adjust the speed of your blade – dial or trigger. A dial controller requires you to turn the dial on the tool to increase or decrease the speed. A trigger control is located on the handle. The further you push down the trigger, the faster it will go.<\/p>\n

The advantage of a trigger controller is that you can adjust the speed in the process. If you have a dial controller, you will need to stop cutting in order to change the speed.<\/p>\n

Anti-Vibration Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n

The vibration from a fast moving blade can wear out your arm quickly. This is especially true if you are cutting through thick materials. Anti-vibration technology absorbs the vibrations from the tool to keep the user from feeling it as much. This feature is best for those who use a recip saw on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

No Tool Blade Change<\/strong><\/p>\n

Newer reciprocating saws have a no tool blade changing system unlike older models. Older saws require a Phillips head screwdriver or a flathead depending on the type of screw used to hold the blade in place.<\/p>\n

The no tool blade changing system allows you to easily replace a blade. Some models require you to remove the shoe before blade installation. It\u2019s best to check how convenient it is before purchasing.<\/p>\n

Multi Position Blade Clamp<\/strong><\/p>\n

The multi-position blade clamp allows you to install a blade in different angles. This feature allows you to change the blade to cut up, down, left or right without rotating the saw itself.<\/p>\n

Electronic Speed Compensation<\/strong><\/p>\n

The electronic speed compensation allows the blade to maintain its speed no matter what type of material it is cutting. Generally this feature is found on higher end models.<\/p>\n

Rotating Handle<\/strong><\/p>\n

A rotating handle allows you to turn the top of the saw so that the blade is facing a different direction. There is a rotation lock on the handle that must be pushed in order to turn the top of the saw around. If you are working in a tight space, you can adjust the handle rather than twist your entire arm. You reduce the risk of injury when you can hold the saw comfortably.<\/p>\n

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Safety<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Before using a sawzall, you should know what safety measures to put in place.<\/p>\n

Here are the things you need to know to stay safe:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n