Replies

1. 
   Sphere | May 25, 2004 12:05am | #1

   most have done way with the screw..I'd swap it for a better one..NOW

    

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

2. 
   BillHartmann | May 25, 2004 12:10am | #2

   Get a tooless one.

   Is this a cap screw.

   You can get ones that are 'self-locking'. They have a slot in them and a strip of a soft plastic (nylon?). MS21262 or MS21295

3. 
   RW | May 25, 2004 01:04am | #3

   or if you really want to go on the cheap, paint the threads with some of your wifes fingernail polish. Like cheap loctite, and yes, you can still unscrew it with the hex when you need to.

   "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain

4. 
   calvin | May 25, 2004 04:22am | #4

   What brand of saw is this.  The old milwaukee's, pc's and makita's all had the screw lock.  If the pin isn't in the blade hole, they'll work themselves loose.  Are you getting the blade down in there all the way?

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time

1. 
   FastEddie1 | May 25, 2004 03:45pm | #5

   I have an old (10 yrs) base level Milwaukee, and the screw has never loosened.

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

2. 
   Senna | May 25, 2004 08:21pm | #7

   It's a cheapie "Power Fist". I'm going to take it back and get a new one. If the screw still comes loose on the replacement I'll try loctite. I was just wondering if this was a common problem on recp. saws.

   Thanks.

1. 
   IMERC | May 25, 2004 09:08pm | #8

   No

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming....                                                                   WOW!!!   What a Ride!

2. 
   FastEddie1 | May 25, 2004 09:19pm | #9

   "Cheapie" is a big clue here...  Who makes it?  Can you swap it for a base model Milwaukee?  They start at about $95 if you don't go for the detachable cord and quick release shoe and high amp rating.Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   Senna | May 26, 2004 06:01am | #11

   Put it this way. I have never seen a recip. saw for less than $100 CDN. I saw this on sale and paid $44 from Princess Auto - a wanabe Canadian Harbour Freight clone.

   How many times have I actually had the need to use a recip saw?

   A handfull of times and have had to rent them. The saw has already paid for itself in terms of rentals.

   Maybe I didn't have the blade in correctly or the threads are cut too course. I'm going to take it back tomorrow. They have a rotary tool ( Dremel clone) on sale for $22!

1. 
   joeh | May 26, 2004 07:36pm | #12

   Good idea, trade in one piece of sheet for another.

   Joe H

2. 
   FastEddie1 | May 26, 2004 08:03pm | #13

   How old are you?  Over 50?  Then go ahead and buy cheap.  Under 40?  Then bite the bullet and get a decent tool...I didn't say expensive...you can get quality withoiut all the bells and whistles.  There was an article in FHB or JLC recently about recips, and the slammed tyhe base Milwaukee for vibration and hex-key blade changes, but it's a workhorse and one of the least expensive available.  Regardless, get a name-brand tool and it will last for the rest of your life, especially if you're not a full-time user.

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

3. 
   Senna | May 26, 2004 11:48pm | #14

   I know it's a piece of crap. The replacement warranty however is the key. I'm there often and if the thing breaks I just take it in for another. They are very good handing out replacements.

4. 
   MarkH | May 26, 2004 11:55pm | #15

   You might try getting a couple of high quality screws to replace the probably crap one on the saw, and also get a good allen wrench too while you're at the store.  You are guaranteed to loose one (screw or key) eventually in an attic full of loose fill insulation, or down inside a wall, in a pile of horse crap etc.

   A trick to keep screws tight longer is to stick a piece of fishing line through the hole before screwing the screw in. It's sort of like nylon loctite.

   Edited 5/26/2004 4:57 pm ET by Martha Stewart

3. 
   calvin | May 26, 2004 04:40am | #10

   I would say no.

   The allen screw may have been a chore to tighten on most models (don't loosen the screw on the old rockwell/PC too much) but would only loosen if you didn't have the blade seated correctly.

   This Milwaukee of mine is 30 years old.  Been in the shop once for a gear problem from abuse by a dip #### garage builder we tried to keep on the job.  It cost 95  bucks then.  If you can get one for that now, and it's made somewhere in this hemisphere, you might expect the same service.  Something as courageous as a sawzall should warrant a long term smart choice.

   Now blades...........................Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   Quittin' Time

5. 
   csnow | May 25, 2004 06:58pm | #6

   Never had that problem with my old Makita.  Put a little locktite blue on it.  Enough should remain to keep it a bit 'sticky', even after many blade changes.