Festool reciprocating saw?

[impecunious]

Hi guys,

I'm going to be changing out a sliding patio door later this spring, which gives me the convenient excuse of being in the market for a reciprocating saw.  [big grin]

Does Festool actually have their own version of a reciprocating saw?  If they do, I sure can't seem to find it.  If it's an issue of availability for the U.S. market, I actually visit Europe on a fairly regular basis and I've been known to pick up a few Festools overseas.

If there isn't a Festool equivalent ([sad]), I'll probably opt for a DEWALT instead.

 

[RKA]

Well, they call it a jig saw. Does that count? 

 

[impecunious]

Well, they call it a jig saw. Does that count? 

Well... if it can do everything a reciprocating saw can do, sure.  [huh]

 

[Throwback7r]

Check out the Milwaukee fuel recip saw. Its pretty nice.

 

[bobfog]

Milwaukke brushless Fuel 2 is excellent for 18v and their 110/240v  Sawzall is superb. They actually invented the recip saw.

It is surprising Festool don't do one. Maybe they consider them too blunt an instrument to add one to the range. Or maybe with their apparent need to "improve" upon existing conventions , they simply can't think of a way that improves upon or adds a marketing gimmick to the existing products on the market.

 

[impecunious]

Thanks for the tips on Milwaukee and Sawzall, guys.  My biggest reason for leaning toward DEWALT is to keep my battery arsenal to a minimum by sticking with one brand.  That is, assuming I get a battery-powered recip.  Hmmmm....

 

[RussellS]

It is surprising Festool don't do one. Maybe they consider them too blunt an instrument to add one to the range.

Not surprising.  As you say, Festool is not a blunt tool manufacturer.  Reciprocating saws are destruction tools for the most part.  No one cuts a piece of wood with a reciprocating saw that will be used in the finished construction of a piece of furniture or even house.  Would you cut a piece of plywood to sheath a house with a reciprocating saw?  Festool does not make concrete cutting saws either.  Or air nailers for framing or finish work.

 

[neeleman]

Well Festool does make concrete cutters these days, there only NAINA and not even available in the UK.
It's the heritage from Protool which was more aimed at the Construction market.
In Europe this division is called Dry Construction and Renovation.
Look at these 3 DSC models.
Two with 125 mm discs and one with a 230 mm diamond cutting disc.
The last 2 can even be used on the regular guide rails.
So maybe one day there will be a reciprocating saw?

 

[bobfog]

It is surprising Festool don't do one. Maybe they consider them too blunt an instrument to add one to the range.

Not surprising.  As you say, Festool is not a blunt tool manufacturer.  Reciprocating saws are destruction tools for the most part.  No one cuts a piece of wood with a reciprocating saw that will be used in the finished construction of a piece of furniture or even house.  Would you cut a piece of plywood to sheath a house with a reciprocating saw?  Festool does not make concrete cutting saws either.  Or air nailers for framing or finish work.

Maybe not finish work, but I have used a recip saw for making tenons and other joints in large oak beams. Doesn't strike me as any different in terms of "bluntness" to the sword saw Festool make.

 

[Birdhunter]

I have a Bosch reciprocating saw and it is a blast to use.

I had to demolish a large, very large, TV credenza that I made when TVs were about the size of a small car. I had more fun ripping it into small pieces than I did building it.

Safety glasses are a must! Also, a good dust mask is advised ..... no dust collection on these babies.

 

[DB10]

If you do consider a reciprocating saw, think about a cordless version because if you have a garden they come in very handy for quick trimming jobs.

 

[ear3]

+1 on the Cordless.  And I've found that the M18 version of Milwaukee's Hackzall actually handles most jobs that call for the Sawzall.  I very rarely have had to pull out my corded Super Sawzall since I got the Hackzall -- though I don't do a lot of heavy demo work, of course.

I understand the desire to minimize the number of battery platforms, though.  I'm probably being unfair given how the battery technology has evolved, but I had a horrible experience with the Dewalt cordless recip. saws around 8 years ago, where I ran through something like three 18V batteries to cut just a few large openings in a plywood backed drywall at an art gallery I was working for at the time.  When I needed to use the saw again, I had to round up every battery and charger I could find in the place so as to maintain a fresh charge.