Replies

1. 
   Phill_Giles | Mar 08, 2001 05:21am | #1

   *
   If you don't need the Sawz-all, then just buy anything.

1. 
   Little_Joe | Mar 08, 2001 07:58am | #2

   *Sounds like you're not too particular, so anything will do. I would recommend staying AWAY from Chicago Electric tools. Cheapo.Later. LJ

1. 
   Joel_Greer | Mar 08, 2001 09:14am | #3

   *Buy the Milwaukee. It's the best, and you will be glad you got it every time you use it.

1. 
   Joe_Hennessey | Mar 08, 2001 06:01pm | #4

   *I've got a Milwaukee, a Dewalt & a Makita. Buy the Milwaukee, you get a nifty red metal case. And changing the subject, anybody have one of those Makita 9.6 sawzalls? I was wishing I had one the other day, but don't know if they are worth having... Joe H

1. 
   The_Tennis_Court_Builder_...on_t | Mar 08, 2001 06:58pm | #5

   *Joe...I have the Makita...I will sell it to you for $40 plus shipping. It is usefull for goofy little jobs...As to big saws...Milwaukie...great deal...any of them...Bosch is mankiller and great for extreme demo work..near the stream with way more tools than braincells,aj

2. 
   lonecat | Mar 08, 2001 07:40pm | #6

   *Joe, I'm on my second one of those little Makitas. When the first wore out after 12 years of abuse, I didn't think I'd get another. But I missed it too much. I use it mostly for rocking and as a hacksaw.

3. 
   GACC_DAllas | Mar 09, 2001 12:08am | #7

   *Milwaukee. Don't waste your money on anything else.Ed. Williams

4. 
   Jeffrey_DeMeyer | Mar 09, 2001 05:41am | #8

   *Milwaukee, the best made

5. 
   andrew_d | Mar 10, 2001 03:00am | #9

   *Milwaukee sawzall, very nice tool. The caveat is that the plastic tool-free bladeholder -- if they still sell it -- breaks easily. Get a metal one, I upgraded the chuck for about $5.If a "professional" tool seems expensive, I know the hard way that they cost more when you buy one to replace a cheaper one you broke or don't like. (I sold a DeWalt bought back when I figured, "How often am I going to use this thing anyway?") P.S., some like aggressive orbital cutting, like the PC Tiger.

6. 
   bill_burns | Mar 10, 2001 03:56am | #10

   *joe, i have been using the 9.6 makita reciprocating saw for years, and i think it is worth having. i use it for cutting panels for repairing cabinets mostly. i clamp it to the side of a folding horse, wwith blade up in the air, and i use it like a small table saw to cut to a scribe line on 1/4 " or less panels. i use a metal cutting blade and get a smooth line. it is great for small trim jobs, and i even use it for come coping on moldings. i do a lot of old house work, and find myself using it a lot, for things like cutting plaster lath, and old pipes.

7. 
   Nick_Markey | Mar 11, 2001 01:18am | #11

   *I like my Porter Cable. I started off with my first PC a few years ago. It got stolen and I replaced it with the new "improved" Milwaukee Super Sawzall. I had the Milwaukee for about a week before the blade chuck bought the farm. I brought that back - this was before the repair kits - and got the bigger of the DeWalt saws. That was a pretty nice saw for a while, but it eventually blew up. Now I'm back to the Porter Cable. I might give Milwaukee another try now that they figured out the blade chucks, but I'm very happy with the PC.

8. 
   Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Mar 11, 2001 03:32pm | #12

   *Ditto on the P-C. I've had mine for a long time and love the agressive orbital action, when I needit.

9. 
   andrew_d | Mar 12, 2001 09:35am | #13

   *Doesn't Milwaukee have an orbital now, too? Someone here commented they use a jackhammer to settle down after cutting a while with the PC. :)

10. 
    Richard_Romanko | Mar 12, 2001 01:32pm | #14

    *Well I made the plunge and ordered a milwaukee 6521-71 from toolsteal.com. It is a refurb which saved me a bunch. This model does have variable orbital action, removable cord and all-metal quick lock blade clamp. Even with shipping, save a ton compared to what I can get in the pittsburgh area. Thanks for all the input.

11. 
    Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Mar 12, 2001 01:32pm | #15

    *Andrew,They may have. I'm not familiar with their saw. Now I know the reason I've got the jitters after using my P-C.

12. 
    Richard_Thomas | Mar 29, 2001 02:55am | #16

    *The Milwaukee sawzall was the first tool I ever bought 17 years ago when I first started in the business. I still use it every day though I've replaced the switch and cord a couple times. You can't go wrong with this saw. I have a cordless version too which is alright but the batteries don't last at all. I am going to buy a new Hitachi sawzall in the near future. I'll let you know how it works out. Looks like a monster saw. Buy the best you can afford. The cheap crap is cheap crap. You will just have to replace it. The Milwaukee you can give to your Grandchildren.

13. 
    James_DuHamel | Mar 29, 2001 08:46am | #17

    *I love the PC I have. Had a Makita, but burned it up too easily. I use my recip saw mainly for heavy demolition, so I like the aggressiveness of the PC. I have a great relationship with my PC saw - I beat the heck out of it, and it beats the heck out of me. Got to love it, it is definitely a man's saw... ARGH ARGH ARGHJames DuHamel

14. 
    Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Mar 30, 2001 04:06am | #18

    *James,I sure do have to agree with you on the PC recip, I love mine also.Frank

15. 
    splintergroupie_ | Mar 30, 2001 10:35am | #19

    *I bought the Milwaukee, then did a test on cutting 4x4 treated posts with it and my neighbor's Tiger Saw. Milwaukee took 16 seconds to cut through the post, and the PC with the same blade took 4. I gave the Milwaukee to my roofer and bought a Tiger Saw. I now wish i'd kept it for tricky work up on a ladder, however--much smoother and safer.

16. 
    Michael_Prisbylla | Mar 31, 2001 12:43am | #20

    *Richard,In Pittsburgh, try Daniel's Discount Hardware in Baldwin or Bethel Park (near the corners of Curry and Brownsville roads) Best prices on everything from blades to Emglo compressors to wide screen TVs.Seriously, it's worth the ride. I have no connection with them other than as a loyal customer.Mike, the idiot DIY guy

17. 
    Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Mar 31, 2001 04:19am | #21

    *SG, Doesn't your PC have a moveable lever to change the saws stroke to orbital? I have an older PC and the lever is on my older model. I'm curious if maybe the newer saws are different.Frank

18. 
    splintergroupie_ | Apr 04, 2001 12:14am | #22

    *MDNear as i can recall, i bought this PC about ten years ago and it has the orbital/straight lever on the side--still was rougher than the Milwaukee i pitted it against, but oh-so-fast! Haven't gotten another since then so don't know what they are doing now, though i hope it involves shock absorbers...

19. 
    James_DuHamel | Apr 04, 2001 10:43am | #23

    *Hey Frank!Glad to see ya. I need to come over here more often and chat with ya.James

20. 
    Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Apr 05, 2001 03:14pm | #24

    *James,Ditto.

21. 
    Rick_Louquet | May 08, 2001 03:48am | #25

    *Started with a regular Milwaukee which I loved and had for years before losing it somewhere. Got the SuperSawzall from Milwaukee, and found it too agressive, couldn't plunge cut to save my life, plus burned out switches every 9 or 10 months running off the generator. Stolen. Got cheap Dewalt, started rattling within the first week. Got the PC Tiger and have been happy with that. If I need to get ANOTHER one ever, it'll probably be the original Milwaukee.Rick

22. 
    Kyle_Bartlett | May 14, 2001 02:30am | #26

    *I just have one thing to say: Milwaukee is the best

23. 
    Tim_Carr | May 19, 2001 06:57am | #27

    *PC's tiger saw or milwakees super are fine. the truly important thing is the quick change twist chuck. they should all have them. if they did, I would get a dewalt.

24. 
    CA_Bill_Houghton_Sebastopol | May 29, 2001 06:34am | #28

    *I picked one up at a garage sale. I've already got the cordless drill, charger, battery, so this is an "extra." It's surprisingly punchy, but not real fast. I'd expect to use it more as a trim saw -- 1/2 inch ply, soft trim wood, that sort of thing -- than a sawzall.

25. 
    Crusty_ | May 31, 2001 07:41am | #29

    *Buy the best you can find, and don't even look at the price. Never be afraid to buy the best -- you'll always be happy with it. When's the last time you said, "Man I wish I'd bought that cheaper.... (whatever)!"

26. 
    Jerry_Albrecht | Aug 02, 2001 05:42pm | #30

    *I recently bought the Milwaukee with the new chuck and case at Home Depot for about $100 got them to price match a competitor. I use mine for wood, steel, plastic you name it. I've tried others, got tired of looking for the allen wrench. Your never disapointed with Milwaukee.

2. 
   Richard_Romanko | Aug 02, 2001 05:42pm | #31

   *
   I am looking to purchase my first reciprocating saw (getting tired of borrowing everyone else's) and wanted to get some suggestions. I was looking at Milwaukee's 6521-21. It is probably more than I need but I figure that since I am not a professional, I don't have to justify the cost too much. Will be using it for odd jobs around the house, trimming trees, etc. thanks.