What Can Be Done With A Reciprocating Saw

What is a reciprocating saw for: selection, rating and reviews
A short, but most informative educational program, telling in detail what a reciprocating saw is and what it is for. How to choose an inexpensive and good tool for home and permanent work.

Rating of reciprocating saws for home and garden

AEG US 1300 XE

Quick release mount: yes
Speed ​​control: yes
Pendulum stroke: no
Soft start: no
Backlight: no

Tool tips

Before choosing a model, the user must clearly decide for what and in what situations the tool will be used. If the equipment will be used rarely and only for household needs, you can purchase an inexpensive model. However, it should be said here that a low-power saw needs a pause in work every 20 minutes of continuous operation. A professional tool has a lot of power and many useful functions, however, its cost is quite high.

When choosing a saw, the main thing to pay attention to is the power indicator. For household needs in a house or apartment, a 600 W instrument is quite suitable. As mentioned earlier, the greater this indicator, the greater the weight, therefore, the purchase of equipment with increased power (from 1000 W) is advisable mainly for construction. The choice of a reciprocating saw depends in part on the material being cut. If cutting not only metal, but also wood will be carried out, it is necessary to take a model with an adjustable cutting blade stroke. To reduce the strain on the hands, preference should be given to a tool with rubber pads.

A parameter that is important when using an electric tool is its safety. It is achieved when the following nuances are present in the equipment:

• Double electrical insulation
• Smooth start of equipment
• Isolation from vibration
• Instant tool stop
• Restricting accidental launch

It is ideal if the purchased model contains all of the above functions, however, the cost of such a tool may not justify itself in the future.
It is worth saying a few words about the nuances of choosing a model depending on the needs of the user:

• The basic model, designed to solve everyday problems in an apartment, will cost from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles.
• A saw of medium power, which should be chosen by those who have a household farm with a large amount of vegetation, will have a cost of 5,000 to 8,000 rubles.
• The powerful professional tool is more suitable for those who are going to use it in construction and demolition work. In this case, the price tag varies from 8,000 rubles.
• If you need powerful professional equipment, the capabilities of which include cutting bricks or making a doorway in any wall, with the exception of monolithic concrete, the choice should be made in favor of an alligator saw. However, its cost is much higher than that of the models mentioned above. From 25,000 rubles.

Thus, there are a large number of models of an electric tool that differ in power and functionality. To select a specific tool, it is necessary to determine how often and under what conditions the equipment will be used.

Hitachi CR13V2

Quick release mount: yes
Speed ​​control: yes
Pendulum stroke: no
Soft start: no
Backlight: no

Makita JR3050T

Quick release mount: yes
Speed ​​control: yes
Pendulum stroke: no
Soft start: no
Backlight: no

GRAPHITE 58G960

Quick release mount: yes
Speed ​​control: yes
Pendulum stroke: no
Soft start: no
Backlight: no

Assortment of reciprocating saws. How to choose?

In order to make the right choice in favor of a particular model, you need to clearly define the tasks where and in what conditions it will be used. If the tool is purchased for the home and will be used irregularly, then a more budgetary option can be purchased. But it is worth considering the aspect that such a reciprocating saw will need to rest every 20 minutes of continuous work. If the choice is made towards a professional model, then the advantages of such a saw are much higher, however, as is the price.
First of all, you should pay attention to the power declared by the manufacturer. For domestic use, a reciprocating saw with a power of 600 W will be sufficient. When choosing a more powerful tool, its weight also increases, this nuance is justified only in the case of professional use. If the work will be carried out not only on metal, but also on wood, then preference should be given to a reciprocating saw with adjustment of the working blade stroke. To keep your hands from getting tired, you should choose a tool with rubber pads. You also need to pay attention to safety when using a saw, it is determined by such criteria as:

• The presence of a soft start mechanism.
• Electrodynamic brake (instant stop).
• Accidental start blocking.
• The presence of vibration isolation.
• Double electrical insulation.

Reciprocating saws. How to choose the best one?

A tool such as a reciprocating saw can make life easier not only for an ordinary user, but also for a professional. The reciprocating saw is a convenient body made in the shape of a pistol, under the index finger there is a working trigger and a power adjustment mechanism that allows you to make the appropriate settings depending on the specifics of work. To ensure an adequate level of safety, most reciprocating saws are equipped with a safety lock that prevents accidental pressing. Details on how to choose the right reciprocating saw model will be discussed below.

Popular brands of reciprocating saws

Today, there are not so many brands of reciprocating saws on the market and the question of how to choose the right one does not cause any particular difficulties. Reciprocating saws of the following brands are considered to be the best: Makita, Dewalt, Metabo and Hilti. But these tools belong to the professional class, and accordingly their price is one of the highest. Their cost on average ranges from 8000 rubles. Up to 28,000 rubles, some models are capable of exceeding the upper price point. These models have high power and a significant degree of reliability.

Bosch brand tools have proven themselves well on the market and have a significant plus in their arsenal, which consists in a price of 4000 r. Up to 10,000 p. This manufacturer also has professional models that are close in price to those discussed earlier.

AEG reciprocating saws are in roughly the same price range as Bosch. The brand has a wide range of battery-powered saws, but those who use them say AEG lacks functionality.

As a tool for home use, the Interskol brand reciprocating saws are the leader. Their pricing policy ranges from 4000 rubles. Up to 6000 rubles, which makes them accessible to the masses. They combine reliability and minimal functionality.

Reciprocating saw care rules

Like all tools, a reciprocating saw is afraid of water and high humidity, so that rust does not form on the tool, you need to store it in a dry room and protect it from water. You should also not expose the tool to overloads; in order to extend its service life, you need to give it a rest in time. When using the reciprocating saw, wear protective clothing and goggles to avoid injury. After the work with the reciprocating saw has been completed, you need to clean the tool from the dirt received during the work and carefully pack it in the case until the next time. Always check the integrity of the power cord before use. These recommendations will keep the tool in working order for a long time.

Pros of a reciprocating saw

The reciprocating saw has a number of advantages over other tools of a similar type. If you compare it with a conventional hand saw, the superiority is obvious. This tool allows you to complete work much faster and better, spending a minimum of effort. Comparing a reciprocating saw with a jigsaw, it can be noted that the weight of the saw significantly exceeds the weight of a jigsaw, but at the same time, the scope of application of a reciprocating saw is much broader, due to its shape, it can perform work where a jigsaw cannot do it.

Improving models

Designers are constantly working to improve any tool, not about Bosch or reciprocating saws. Industrial electric hacks are, after all, a tool of destruction, first of all, therefore, they are produced with a power of over 1000 watts. Household “sabers” have a lower power (about 500 W), but in many modifications an electronic travel regulator is installed, which selects the optimal cutting frequency depending on the load.

For the convenience of work and greater mobility, the ability to turn the canvas (up to 45 °) to either side is provided, therefore in especially inconvenient places you do not need to take intricate poses, it is enough to turn the canvas.

Many models are equipped with a quick blade change mechanism. The universal clamp makes it possible to change the blade without using additional tools. This greatly reduces the time to get the job done.

The function of a dust extraction (or rather, sawdust) or, on the contrary, blowing them off helps to see the markings and protects health.

The only major drawback of a reciprocating saw is that when working with a narrow blade, the saw is pulled to the side. So, the stop increases accuracy, facilitates work and, in addition, they adjust the length of the cut, moving it back and forth, if necessary, along the saw axis.

The rubberized saw handle is an insulator, dampens vibration, eliminates the possibility of slipping out of hands. The power and lock buttons located on it negate the possibility of a dangerous accidental activation.

And, of course, the pendulum stroke inherent in all the latest models greatly improves the work of reciprocating saws.

Reciprocating saws

There are never too many tools. Never. The time comes and you find yourself in a situation where you need what has long been given away as unnecessary. Or, conversely, you regret that some instrument was not purchased, but how useful it would be today. This also applies to the electric hacker, or, in other words, the reciprocating saw. Of course, the hand saw has long been forgotten, because there is a grinder, a hand circular saw, an electric chain saw. Now imagine how you work with them, for example, under the sink. The grinder and the circular are interfered with by the casing, the electric chain saw will not take the steel pipe. With a saber saw, you can easily get into this obviously inconvenient place, and replaceable or universal blades will “gnaw” any material, be it concrete, metal or wood.

Applications

Reciprocating saw will be in place for any assembly and disassembly, construction, finishing and repair work. Thanks to its “omnivorousness”, it becomes indispensable in the hands of an Emergencies Ministry fighter. It can be called a summer resident’s tool: minor repairs, sawing firewood, pruning garden trees. But you never know where it can come in handy, replacing a hacksaw.

For example, how can a reciprocating saw be used in roofing? Try with some other one tool to make an even hole in the roof. It is unlikely that it will work: the roof is a real sandwich made of tin, roofing material, boards with nails, insulation, that is, from completely different materials. A reciprocating saw will do this job gracefully, just drill a few holes through and through as preparation.

Types of saber saws

Sometimes the concepts of “electric hacks” and “reciprocating saws” are separated. This is not so essential, their device and principle of operation are absolutely the same. It’s just that narrower blades are used for reciprocating saws. The presence of a stop, which limits the cutting depth and helps to distribute the force of the working part, is also attributed only to a reciprocating electric saw.

Due to the low prevalence of reciprocating saws in the post-Soviet space, they are classified here so far only by the type of power supply:

• – rechargeable;
• – network.

Chain saws make it possible to work for an unlimited time with a working tool. But in the event of a power outage or far from the outlet, the saw is inactive. These factors are not terrible for a cordless saw, but it has its drawback. A limited time resource. True, this drawback can be easily eliminated if there are several replaceable batteries.

The benefits of the pendulum stroke

It looks like this: with the forward movement of the blade, a cut occurs, with a return motion it rises slightly above the cut and goes back absolutely freely. There are many advantages to this course of the canvas:

• – it experiences friction almost two times less than in the absence of a pendulum stroke. This increases the service life of the blade, as it heats up less and abrades less;
• – with free running, the energy consumption for moving the web is reduced;
• – easier removal of sawdust and dust from the working area;
• – the cutting speed increases, because the blade does not grind sawdust at the same time as cutting.

Although the pendulum movement is undoubted progress, you should be aware that it sometimes needs to be turned off. When? With curved sawing: after free play, the side of the cut will press on the blade under load, that is, the blade will succumb to the pressure to break.

Main characteristics of reciprocating saws

Choosing any tool, we always focus on the ultimate goal of the work. It can be achieved by choosing a tool with the desired characteristics. For reciprocating saws, these are:

• – weight and ergonomics. Both of these characteristics are important for the convenience of work, because the heavy weight of the saw and the awkward grip of the handle equally quickly tire the worker;
• – power that affects tool performance;
• – cutting depth, depending on power, blade length, processed material and the presence of a stop;
• – the size of the stroke, that is, the amplitude of the reciprocating movements, in mm;
• – the number of round-trip movements per unit of time at idle speed.