Read this article for using Reciprocating Saw

It is a piece of equipment capable of completing many different tasks. This multi-use machine comes in handy even for doing little works around your house as you will find out in this post.

It is also known as Sawzall saw or short version is recip saw. It can cut through materials really fast. The shape of this reciprocating saw is almost like the power drill with a slight difference. The power drill has drill bits at the front of the equipment, but the recip saw does not have these drill bits. Rather it has a blade sticking out of the front instead of the drill bits.

Essential Features

Your saw should have some features. It will have a shoe. The shoe controls your cut, and also it will direct how much the blade should enter the material you are cutting. The best reciprocating saws have an adjustable shoe.

Blade clamp is another feature your saw might comprise of. Once you have put the blade onto the saw, you can use the clamp to hold your blade in place.

The Sawzall has a nice place to allow you to grip the saw firmly. It is called the grip. Better saws will come with softer grips allowing more comfort in your cutting. Then there is the power source generally located towards the back of the saw.

Another important part of the saw is the orbital action. If you desire a very aggressive cut then this is for you in particular. The orbital action allows and helps you to cut through a material (especially wood) with much greater force than usual. In addition to moving back-forth, the blade also moves up-down when the orbital action is in effect. Furthermore, it is better to not cut hard materials like metal with orbital action. As metal-like materials require slow pace cut.

The main two parts or features are the trigger and the blade itself of course. The trigger is used to start the sawing. The Sawzall typically uses pressurized triggers. The trigger allows you to control how fast you will saw.

And last but not least is the blade. Yes, you thought right! The blade is that with which you cut materials. The blade comes in different sizes depending on the manufacturer. Also, one advantage is that the blade can be changed when needed. At least most reciprocating saw will have this option.

Types

The reciprocating saw has a variety of types. They may differ in size, shape, etc. The comfort in using will also differ. It depends on the maker more than anything else. But here we will divide it into two types based on how they are powered.

I.    Corded

II.    Cordless

The first is the one with a cord. These are in most occasions more powerful than the cordless ones. The good thing with a corded saw is that you do not have to worry about wasting the battery. Also, there is no need to worry about changing the batteries from time to time. But even though it is not that big of an issue, the corded ones will need a power source nearby. You need to connect the cord to a power source and sometimes you might find your cord a little bit short.

The cordless saw obviously works or operates using batteries. They are more convenient. But one issue is that the batteries will run out from time to time. And you will have to change the batteries which might give you a little headache. But if you buy more powerful batteries then you will obviously get better results. Also, different Sawzall will have different battery capacity. It depends on the model you buy.

So which one should you use? It is a question that you need to answer yourself, my dear friend. Because it all depends on how you plan to use the saw and your own preferences. But, you can take a look at these top reciprocating saws

How the blade moves

The reciprocating saw has an exceptional type of feature. And it is the movement of the blade. Your Sawzall’s blade moves back and forth when the trigger is pressed. It has a push-pull motion and that is actually what defines it being called a reciprocating saw (remember that Sawzall and reciprocating saw are the same thing).

The back and forth movement of the blade has an advantage. This advantage is that you will not need to move the blade itself back and forth. Rather you only have to hold the saw still in place. And the blade with its movement will do all the cutting itself. Nice and easy, isn’t it?

You can create holes in plane surfaces with ease. This is because of this back-forth movement and because the blade is locked in one end. Another advantage of this is that it allows you to make plunge cuts.

[Note: It is in fact because of this movement that your recip-saw will not be capable of making angled cuts. And this movement is also a reason for the low precision of the saw].  

Capability

This section is about the types of different materials the Sawzall is capable of cutting. Remember we talked about precision and cutting through materials quickly? Well, this quickness allows this saw to cut metal with ease. Your reciprocating saw can also cut through other materials like wood, plastic, etc.

There is only one thing you need to know before you start cutting any material with your saw. And that is what we will discuss in the next point.

Choosing Blade

We discussed that the recip saw can cut different materials. But for this, you must know the blades you are using. There are different blades for cutting different materials. Each blade gives a better result when cutting the material it is best suitable for cutting. Only one specific blade will not give you the same result for all different materials. Here we will see how you can choose the right blade.

The first concept that you need to know is the TPI (Teeth per Inch). This concept is pretty simple. A blade that has fewer teeth will help you cut through materials faster with rougher cuts. And a blade with more teeth will allow you to have finer cuts but at a slower speed. The knowledge of this TPI concept matters for choosing the right blade. For example, if you want to cut a piece of material fast then the right blade is the one with fewer teeth.

Now which blade you should use depends on the material you are cutting. For example, some blades are better for cutting wood. If you start cutting metal with these blades then you risk damaging the blade. Here are some materials and the blade you should use when cutting them.

1)    Have you ever seen a good old hacksaw? If you have then you must know that they use a fine-tooth blade. You can use a similar type of blade with your Sawzall to cut through pipes and nails.

2)    A toothless blade is a fine choice for cutting stones, tiles, and even cast iron. This blade will be better if it is with tungsten carbide coat and has an abrasive grit.

3)    Wood materials are most common. If you want to cut wood-type materials then you should use a coarse blade. This blade will work perfectly.

These are a few tips that you should remember when choosing the blade. It is even better if you see some other factors too. These factors also contribute to cutting materials. These include blade material, tooth material, tooth patterns, and even blade length.

Reciprocating Saw as an Exception

With a Sawzall, you can perform many different works. Some works can be done using other power tools too. But there are some jobs which are done best with a Sawzall. We will discuss some here.

Master of Tight Space work

Your recip-saw is awesome at working in tight spaces. For example, you need to cut a pipe from the inside. This is a simple job for the reciprocating saw. You just need to put the blade into the pipe hole and then press the trigger button. As you do not need to move the saw itself at all, this is easy. Because the blade with its back-forth motion will cut the pipe with ease. Like this, this saw is excellent in all tight spaces. This comes handy in the plumbing work especially.

Using Reciprocating Saw for Drywall

Sometimes you might need to remove a piece of drywall that is damaged. The problem is that you can cut through the wires, studs, etc. that might be present under the drywall. But your reciprocating saw can get this job done without any trouble whatsoever. With your Sawzall, you get to replace damaged drywall and also keep safe that which is underneath the wall.

Framework

The recip-saw is perfect for fitting windows or doors. It is perfect for adjusting the cut to your door or window’s size. Because you have to get things exact, this kind of job can frustrate you. If you are even an inch wrong, it could mean that you have torn the whole frame down and start over.

But this is as easy as a pie if you do it with a Sawzall. You can only trim down the area and try again. There is no need to tear the whole wall down. This saves a lot of time and keeps you from getting unnecessary anger.

Variable Speeds

This is one of the few awesome elements that so many DIY worker love. I am sure that you love it too. And if you have not learned much about it then I am sure you will love it after reading this passage.

The variable speed control offers you the chance to control the very speed at which you are cutting any material. This comes in handy especially for those people who use their saw to cut many different materials. But why?

The variable speed control will allow you to cut through materials at your desired pace. But that does not mean that you should cut all materials with the same speed. Wood type material, for instance, can be cut at a fast pace. But hard metals, for example, require you to cut at a much slower pace. So, you will need to reduce the speed when cutting hard materials and increase it when cutting softer materials. And the variable speed control makes this job very easy for you.

Generally, it comes with either of two ways for you to control. There could be a rotating dial or a trigger to control the speed. With the trigger, the speed is in your complete control. In an instant, you can adjust the speed with a little squeeze of your fingers. On the other hand, the dial is used to fix any speed number. It is done by rotating the dial at either side and so the desired speed is selected.

Take a look at these best variable speed containing reciprocating saws.

PVC

For plumbers and electricians, the Sawzall is an important tool. Because a lot of the times they need to work in places that are not so easy to access. And they might need to make indentations on those tight places. A recip-saw with a double-faced blade is perfect for such kind of works.

For cutting PVC pipes or making access holes for electric work, a strong blade will suffice.

Nails and pins removal

 When you are cutting wood or some other types of material, you may find nails or pins that are pinned too hard in the material. And it may be difficult for you to pull them out. In such cases, the reciprocating saw is very handy. Instead of pulling out, you can use it to cut the head. Also sometimes you may nail down in the wrong place. You can use your saw to cut through the nails.

Demolish

Demolish materials with your demolisher! Yes, your Sawzall is very handy for demolishing works. As I mentioned earlier, this particular saw is not for making pretty cuts. It is not for making precise cuts. But it is a beast when it comes to demolishing. The advantage is that it can cut through heavy materials with ease. And it can do so with a very fast pace too.

Also, the reciprocal saw has the perfect accessory to remove tiles fast. It has a high success rate in removing ceramic tiles that are stuck on the floor. Your Sawzall will give you the perfect result and will allow you to avoid any mess.

A Surprise!

The recip-saw is known to be a tool not for precision. That is why this point is a surprise for many. And this surprise is the fact that the Sawzall can be used for gardening! Told you it is a surprising point. This is a lightweight tool that is easy to handle and even could do a better gardening work than a chainsaw. 

Why precision is absent?

We talked about how this tool is not the best when it comes to precision. It is tool ideal for quick jobs. But we haven’t discussed the reason for this tool to be inaccurate, have we? Well, let’s do that.

The reciprocating saw has no guiding system. On top of that, it is used with your own two hands. So it is a saw that is maneuvered freely with your hands. And so this absent of guiding system works as the main reason for the saw to not have precision.

Change the Blades

You need to keep your eyes open with regards to your blade. Because like many other saws, your recip-saw blade will also eventually get dull. You need to make sure that you know when it is dull. Then change the dull blade with a new one.

If you do not change the dull blade then it will wear out the machine. Also, it will be a risk for you.

If somehow you bend your saw then you do not have to worry about changing. You can use a hammer or something hard like that to straighten the bent blade.

Sawzall vs. Jigsaw

The jigsaw is often compared with the Sawzall saw. And many people wonder which saw they should choose. That is why it is important to know the differences between these two machines and how they provide help to you.

Before mentioning the differences, you should know that both are likewise to each other. As we already mentioned, the reciprocating saw has a push-pull motion of the blade for cutting. Similarly, the jigsaw also has a push-pull motion.

Furthermore, the adjustable speed of the blade that is present in Sawzall is also similarly found in the jigsaw.

In addition to these, there is another common feature that both of the tools have. And it is that they both consist of a foot. The foot is a pretty useful feature to have. It helps you to guide the blade with ease and also provides more stability when cutting.

Okay then, let’s get started with the differences now so that you can be the judge yourself as to which is more suitable for you.

The Key Difference

The main distinction between the two saws is the purpose for which they are used.

The reciprocating saw is used as a powerhouse. In the demolition work, there is none likewise. In addition to demolition, it is also handy in remodeling and the pruning of trees.

But the jigsaw is more about delicacy. It is most often used to get intricate cuts. Shapes on table tops, wood, and other materials are done to serve the purpose of the jigsaw.

Difference in Use

A jigsaw is handy for cutting templates. It is used for artwork in addition to the intricate cuts.

But the reciprocating saw is mostly used for making door and window frames. Moreover, its use extends to cutting drywall as well as masonry.

Power difference

Well, you must already get the idea about reciprocating saw with regards to its power. It has a significant amount of power for doing hard works like in demolition.

In comparison to the Sawzall, the jigsaw has less power. As it is used in artwork type works, it does not come with a lot of power.

Accuracy

The reciprocating saw with its heavy power and rough cuts is not a tool that gives good accuracy. It has good speed, but not so much precision.

The jigsaw is not the best tool to have for accuracy. But it gives a better precision outcome than the reciprocating saw. In fact, it is actually pretty necessary to get the accuracy right since it is used to make artworks.

Cons and Pros Comparison

The jigsaw is able to cut out curves. Consequently, it is also handy for making complex shapes. But the reciprocating saw does not have such an ability to make complex shapes. Moreover, it cannot cut curves with enough accuracy.

But when it comes to demolition, your choice should be the reciprocating saw. While flush cuts are not possible for the jigsaw to make, Sawzall is pretty good at them.

Safety

With any saw, you have to take precaution. Your safety is pretty much the number one priority when using any power tools.

Since the reciprocating saw is for works that require heavy-duty and it has a lot of power, it is important to take better safety precautions when using it.

On the other hand, while it is still necessary to take the necessary safety measures when using the jigsaw, it is still a safer tool compared to the wrecker known as Sawzall.

Still cannot decide which tool is better? This is actually what is expected. It depends on a lot. Besides, both tools are useful in their own ways. So, it comes down to the type of work you want to do. That will dictate which saw is more suitable in your particular case.

Cutting with the Sawzall

Let’s discuss the steps which you need to follow to cut materials with your reciprocating saw.

• Choose the right blade. We discussed how to choose the right blade. Again it depends on the material you are cutting.
• Insert the blade. There is no need to worry because this is easy to do. Put the back end of the blade into the slot of the blade or blade slot. Make sure it enters all the way. Clamp it. And that is it.
• Trigger on! Press the trigger button and you have a saw with its blade moving back and forth. One thing you can do before triggering is adjusting the shoe. It will control the depth of the cut.
• Do I have to say it? Make the cut already!

Advantages

There are nice advantages that come along with your Sawzall saw. Here are some benefits of having a reciprocating saw.

• They are portable. Besides the awesome level of uses, the saw is extremely compactable. So, when you are done working, they can easily be put into small spaces.
• Long and short, both strokes are on the plate. The saw allows you to make longer strokes which give faster and rougher cuts. Consequently, the short-stroke is also possible with it. Plunge cuts are much easier having short strokes ability.
• Gonna have to reiterate myself here. But the fact that this power tool comes with the capability of cutting different materials is a massive advantage.
• The versatility and reliability that it has only makes a person want it even more.
• It is a user control tool. A much better user control than a chainsaw and some would even argue the jigsaw too.

Stay Safe

This has really become a mandatory thing for using power tools. So read and keep yourself from unnecessary harm.

• Gear up. Safety goggles are necessary. When you cut metal, wear hearing protection because it will get real loud.
• When you change the batteries, power off the saw or unplug if it is a corded one.
• Before starting, check if your blade is at the right speed for the material you are about to cut.
• When cutting or finishing walls, stay alert and be careful because there might be important wires that you can cut unintentionally.
• If you use a saw that runs on batteries then try to take them out after each session of work. It is better to not leave the batteries on if the saw is not in use. This is especially true if your saw sits idle for a long period of time.
• Don’t get burn. The blade is going to get very hot after making a cut. Even if you cut for only a minute or so. It is still going to get hot. So avoid touching the blade after making a cut.
• Keep it out of reach. After you are done with your cutting session, put it somewhere safe and out of children’s reach.

A Sawzall is a versatile tool. It is handy in its own way. It is a saw that wrecks stuff. Even though it is not that accurate, it is still useful when it comes to quickness. It is a metal-eating machine. Stay safe and use your reciprocating saw the right way.

If you are interested in buying a reciprocating saw then we’ve just the perfect review article for you. Check out the best reciprocating saws in the market with just one click!