Need recommendations for a reciprocating saw

[mungk]

Just trying to get recommendations for a recip saw. Current project will entail cutting a 13" circle in a flat roof for vent install. Other projects will be future demo of an apartment. Mainly looking for a 18v - 20v cordless model that is fairly lightweight, not too much vibration, and good reliable battery life.

Thanks in advance.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

If you have any 18V tools I would suggest looking at any reciprocating saw within that line for starters.
Other than that my experience with battery operated ones are slim.

Milwaukee, Hilti and Flex come highly recommended usually but I think any major brand name with the correct demolition blade would do the trick. I have used Flex, Milwaukee, Bosch and Makita and none have "failed" but I preferred Milwaukee. If I were to buy one today I would get a Bosch simply because I have other stuff that runs on batteries from them.

With a good selection of blades I find that the 18V ones are strong enough.

 

[HDClown]

Just trying to get recommendations for a recip saw. Current project will entail cutting a 13" circle in a flat roof for vent install. Other projects will be future demo of an apartment. Mainly looking for a 18v - 20v cordless model that is fairly lightweight, not too much vibration, and good reliable battery life.

Thanks in advance.

Milwaukee's M18 Fuel Sawzall is pretty much the best thing out there as far as cordless Sawzall's go here in the USA.  So if you're not already invested in someone's 18/20V system, then I'd consider that.    There's also the regular M18 Sawzall, which is brushed, vs the M18 Fuel model which is brushless.

You could also expand into the M18 system if needed, and Milwaukee has the widest 18/20V offering here in the USA.  More tool options in the line than Dewalt, Bosch and Makita.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Milwaukee 18V would  be my choice too, (if I wasn't invested in Bosch 18V already) based on my very positive experience with my corded Milwaukee, it isn't the most powerful one, it is the second most powerful they have and I tore down a whole house with it a couple of years ago, beams, rafters, roof, floors, studs and walls. Everything and all only wasting three Sawzall demolition blades! [eek]

 

[Mort]

I have the regular Milwaukee M18 (not Fuel), and it's great. More power than the Makitas we use at work. The Fuel is supposed to be way better.

 

[gsdvorak]

I have the Bosch 18V and like it- only cordless one I have experience with.  I do prefer the trigger on the Milwaukee corded unit I have, but find myself reaching most of the time for the Bosch out of convenience.  I got it as part of an 18V set and, frankly, the only reason I keep the set.

Good Luck with your purchase.

Regards,
Gerald

 

[mungk]

Thanks for the recommendations guys.

 

[sae]

Milwaukee invented the category, they still do it very well.

Their M18 Fuel saw is really nice, but probably the heaviest of them all.

I'd do what Henrik said though, and get the one that fits in your cordless lineup the best (unless you want to deal with multiple battery platforms). No one manufacturer does the best of everything, pick the brand that fits your needs best, and deal w/ less-than-the-best for the non-essentials.

 

[TelcoRandy]

I know this is a little off topic but if Festool made a cordless reciprocating saw, I would buy it.
The same goes for a cordless portable band saw.

I know it's not likely to happen as those 2 tools fall outside of the fine carpentry/finishing/cabinetry lines of business they're targeting but I gotta keep asking for this just in case someone in Germany is listening.

 

[Kev]

I know this is a little off topic but if Festool made a cordless reciprocating saw, I would buy it.
The same goes for a cordless portable band saw.

I know it's not likely to happen as those 2 tools fall outside of the fine carpentry/finishing/cabinetry lines of business they're targeting but I gotta keep asking for this just in case someone in Germany is listening.

With the Protool range being folded in its more like to happen than before. As with several tools of that ilk, immediate need would drive me to buy "other brand" as I currently wait in hope for battery, storage, etc compatibility with my Festool's.

Not seeing a Festool hedge trimmer in the future though - not in this or any other parallel universe [wink]

Some clever tool manufacturer will come up with the idea of a skin + battery adaptor plate one day ... Wouldn't that stir things up [big grin]

 

[Holmz]

Just trying to get recommendations for a recip saw. Current project will entail cutting a 13" circle in a flat roof for vent install.
...

How thick is the flat roof?

If it is under 5" then a jig saw could do that, and maybe with more precision for a circle than a reciprocating saw.??

 

[Kev]

Beware of the mistake of cutting a flat circle on a sloping roof to install something vertical and round !!

[wink] [big grin]

 

[Holmz]

Yeah [member=13058]Kev[/member] that would be an ellipse, and the sides would be different angles all the way around.
Makes sense once you wrote it.

 

[Paul G]

In the greatly reduced kickback but corded category there is the dualsaw reciprocating saw. I don't have one yet but my GC friend absolutely loves his, I have two of the circular saw variety and they have been amazing for demo work especially. The latest chore I put my dual saw to work on was removing an abandoned bike lock from an iron fence, cutting time less than a minute, pictured below. A few months back used it to demo damaged 16' steel garage door panels for my neighbor to stuff in his little trailer, made quick work of it. Neighbors quote was 'I now have lost all sense of security'. Not what I would call a precision tool but eats through material like nothing else. http://www.dualsaw.com

 

[mungk]

good call on the flat roof circles. I think I should be ok since the vent i'm using has a square base that's 24" and I just need a 13" opening. The m18 fuel looks like a solid option but at 9lbs i think it would be a workout to use all day for demo. I do own a makita drill set but I'm open to other battery platforms since I'm not that heavily invested in cordless tools at the moment.

So far the front runners are
makita xrjo2z
m18 fuel
bosche crs180k
dewalt dcs380b

 

[wkearney99]

For demo there's a lot to be said for an AC powered recip saw.  They tend to have more power and, of course, don't need recharging.  I have a DeWalt 18v that does a fine job for most situations that call for the "Destroyzall".  But for demo it got old, fast, not having enough power and running down the batteries every half-hour.  I dug out an ancient Bosch AC-powered recip, cobbled together a 'replacement trigger switch' and went to town with it.  And by 'switch' I mean a half-assed job of a button switch and a ridiculous amount of electrical tape.  Still, with the demolition blades it was MUCH, MUCH more effective than battery powered.

So I'd caution against thinking you'll get effective double-duty with a cordless recip saw.

Meanwhile, cutting down the Xmas trees goes fantastically well with the DeWalt and a tree pruning blade.  Beats the crap outta kneeling down in the freezing cold, muddy forest with a bow saw... 

 

[sae]

For demo there's a lot to be said for an AC powered recip saw.  They tend to have more power and, of course, don't need recharging.  I have a DeWalt 18v that does a fine job for most situations that call for the "Destroyzall".  But for demo it got old, fast, not having enough power and running down the batteries every half-hour.  I dug out an ancient Bosch AC-powered recip, cobbled together a 'replacement trigger switch' and went to town with it.  And by 'switch' I mean a half-assed job of a button switch and a ridiculous amount of electrical tape.  Still, with the demolition blades it was MUCH, MUCH more effective than battery powered.

I had the M18 Fuel saw. It's bested in power by only their super sawzall according to Milwaukee. It's really worth looking at if you want the baddest of cordless sawzalls, but again consider the other tools in the lineups as well.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I run the Milwaukee on a Plug It cord, as solid as the original Milwaukee Plug it:

Out of your runner ups I would suggest the Makita if you are planning on sticking with Makita. Unless you work a whole lot with the recipro saw I think most are good enough nowadays. If I really needed one today I'd go for the Bosch, since I have that rough carpentry on site kit but I can't really say one is better than the other - except I trust Milwaukee a whole lot. Their non FUEL version might be the ticket - if both cheaper and lighter than the FUEL version. 

I have use for a recipro saw maybe twice a year and I don't like the hassle of renting gear but I don't get any urge to upgrade my battered Milwaukee. I bought it used and spent $30 on spare parts to bring it up to spec and it has performed EDIT: (f)lawlessly for a couple of years now. EDIT:  

Next one will be a battery saw though, but I don't foresee buying one unless I make a real bargain.

 

[stillwaterBR]

Nothing beats a corded recipe for power. Downside is the cord of course. We use recips day in and day out. Hands down the Milwaukee fuel 18v cordless is the closest thing to a corded recip as far as power plus you are free from the cord. We've killed pretty much every other brand of recip out there and have standardized on the Milwaukee.

We still have some non-fuel milwaukee 18v recips kicking around.  If you are an occasional user they suffice.

 

[Throwback7r]

I use and abuse my 18v Hitachi reciprocating saw. I have held others and it just keeps on going. I know one day it will die but i sure hope it does not.