Replies

1. 
   myhomereno | Aug 06, 2007 06:54pm | #1

   How about you rent one?

   No need to buy one if you only use it very 3 years.

   Martin

1. 
   jimmiem | Aug 06, 2007 10:14pm | #5

   This project could span a few weeks.  It's at my nephew's house which is a 75 mile drive from my house.  The deck is roofed and screened and has an addition and other hodge podges. so we're doing it one rotten 4x4 at a time so we'd end up renting lots of days and the rental places aren't all that close by. So I figures I'd just buy the tool.

   Thank You for your reply. 

1. 
   myhomereno | Aug 06, 2007 10:26pm | #7

   Buy the Porter Cable.
   I bought mine used at HD 7 years ago, somebody returned it there. So far it fell of a two story roof and had lots of abuse over the years but keeps on going strong.Martin

2. 
   FastEddie | Aug 06, 2007 06:55pm | #2

   Buy a basic Milwaukee sawzall.  You don't need the swivel head, or the quick-change power cord, or extra HP.  Look at their web page and find the basic tool.  It will last forver.  Hand it down to the grandkids.

   "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

3. 
   DDay | Aug 06, 2007 09:09pm | #3

   If you have a little flexibility in your time, check ebay or your local craigslist.org tools section. Milwaukee and porter cable are usually the two best, I have a milwaukee and a hitachi that is pretty good. If you don't want it long term, buy used and sell it again after you use it and you'll probably break even.

1. 
   jimmiem | Aug 06, 2007 10:16pm | #6

   Any opinion on the DEWalt?  I've got a lot of their other tools...router,cordless drill, biscuit joiner, sander and like them.

    

   Thank You

1. 
   DonCanDo | Aug 07, 2007 01:09am | #8

   I have the Dewalt recip saw.  No complaints.  There are more powerful saws out there, but they're heavier.  For the price and weight, I think the Dewalt is a perfectly reasonable choice.

2. 
   DDay | Aug 07, 2007 04:53am | #16

   Not a big fan of the Dewalt recip. Every tool company makes good, bad and so so tools, the recip is one of dewalt poorer tools IMO. I forgot about the rebuilts on ebay or their own CPO site. One thing that makes life much easier is the orbital action. If you spend a little more for the orbital, its worth it. The cutting action is much faster and easier.

4. 
   bobbys | Aug 06, 2007 10:04pm | #4

   There is a black and decker outlet mall here you can buy a cheap one that will work, I use a 14 volt battery one for just a cut or 2, Actully i keep a nailcutting blade in that one and a wood blade in the corded one.

5. 
   jhausch | Aug 07, 2007 01:39am | #9

   The bosch is usually at a good price at HD.  (I think I paid under $125)

   tool-less blade change, nice case, mine came with 25' ext cord because of the "no-cord" version.

   I bought a cheap tool shop version from menards once - what a mistake.  stripped out the gears on the first cut when the blade got bound.

6. 
   ZEEYA | Aug 07, 2007 01:58am | #10

   This saw is on sale for $99.00 until Aug. 27th at Home Depot   Model DW304PK SKU 299965   The lightweight design (7.0 Lbs.) on this reciprocating saw certainly does not make the tool a light weight! At 10.0 AMP and 0-2800 SPM, this tool makes cutting through practically anything easy. Stroke length is 1 1/8 In. Lever action keyless blade clamp makes blade change a breeze. Metal cutting blade and case included.   10.0 AMP and 0-2800 SPM Stroke length is 1 1/8 In Lever action keyless blade clamp makes blade change a breeze Metal cutting blade and case included.   View Image   View Image

1. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Aug 07, 2007 05:49am | #17

   I have that saw and I love it.  It doesn't say so in that list, but it has a 4 way blade holder, one of the positions is near the top edge so you can easily do flush cuts.  NO other saw on the market does this, and it is extra handy for selective dismantalling... like the kind the poster has in mind.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

   Also a CRX fanatic!

   Captain America!  I command you to... WANK!

1. 
   ZEEYA | Aug 07, 2007 01:48pm | #18

   Paul

   I also have that saw I bought it a couple of years ago and your right for the money and the punishment I put it through you just can't beat it

   zeeya

2. 
   jimmiem | Aug 07, 2007 06:54pm | #20

   Good point.  I like the idea of the flush cut.  And yes we'll be doing 'selective' dismantling and hopefully not do any unintended damage. I'm sure a Pro would get it done in no time at all with time left over to take care of the collateral damage.  But we're not sure what we're going to find as we go slooooowly.

    

   Thank You for your reply. 

   Edited 8/7/2007 11:55 am ET by JIMMIEM

7. 
   alrightythen | Aug 07, 2007 02:56am | #11

   Milwaukee Super Sawzall, with orbital action. I know you don't want to spend the money. but if you do, you will love the tool so much you will find uses for it. The thing is a monster of a saw, chews up the wood and nails like no tomorrow.

   and If you don't end up using it, you can always hang it over the mantle in your living room, with a spotlight shining down on it. that's how awesome the tool is!

      View Image                                          View Image    
1. 
   MarkH | Aug 07, 2007 03:00am | #12

   And I got mine with a case for $99 with free shipping from amazon.com  But it was a super saver deal on a refurb.  It looks just like a new one.  Everything you say, but it is a beast, and BIG.

2. 
   jimmiem | Aug 07, 2007 06:51pm | #19

   What does the orbital action do?  I've read that it moves the blade up and down?

   How important a feature is this?

1. 
   Redwood Curtain | Aug 07, 2007 11:55pm | #21

   Consider a reconditioned DeWalt - I got one from Tool King out of Denver.  Perfectly acceptable tool for the homeowner user at a very nice price.

2. 
   JohnSprung | Aug 08, 2007 12:49am | #22

   The orbital action moves the blade up away from the bottom of the kerf during the outward part of the stroke, and pushes it back down into the wood for the inward part, when the cutting happens.  That tends to pull the sawdust out of the kerf, and out of the way, instead of just sliding it back and forth.  That really speeds up cutting thru big stuff. 

   I have both the Milwaukee orbital and the PC that twists and bends.  I love the Milwaukee for working on trees, because it's not delicate like a chain saw.  Run the blade into the dirt, and it's not instantly ruined.  And it's not too expensive when you do need to toss the blade.  The downside is that it's huge and can't get out of its own way.

   Given that you're doing selective demo with a lot of other structure in the way, the PC may be a better choice.  The twist and bend feature can get you into places where no other recip can go.  If I could have only one, it would be the PC for that reason.   

    

   -- J.S.

    

1. 
   jimmiem | Aug 08, 2007 01:01am | #23

   Thank You for the explanation.

    

    

3. 
   woodway | Aug 08, 2007 04:38am | #27

   I have to agree with you 100%. I've had mine and never, repeat never, regretted the purchase. It's the greatest demo tool ever made. Sheetrock, old fences, decks etc. get cut up in short order and the saw keeps begging for more. Even used it to cut up some old grocery store carts, six of them to be exact, that I recovered from the creek last year and sold for scrap. I couldn't get the suckers in the truck in one load so I took the saw out of the carrying case, attached the cord, installed standard metal cutting blade into the quick change head and 20 minutes later, nothing but nice size pieces of shopping cart ready to load into the truck. Solid saw and have never any problems except a lot of bent blades from my own out-of-control screwups. Burned my fingers a few times too while attempting to remove dull blades and replacing with new ones.

8. 
   MarkH | Aug 07, 2007 03:05am | #13

   Best bang for the buck is a Harbor freight unit.  They use one at the factory to cut open crates for equipment.  Cheap little noisy thing, but it keeps taking abuse.  $39

   Dont buy their blades.

   http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=4095

   http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42597

1. 
   DrynDusty | Aug 07, 2007 04:32am | #15

   I got a used Super Sawzall about 6 years ago. I've used it doing demo on my porch, pruning, metal cutting and anything else I could think of, which is a lot. It was beaten up when I got it and looks like it might outlast me. It weighs a lot, but won't quit.
   Norm

9. 
   CAGIV | Aug 07, 2007 04:28am | #14

   Keep an eye out at Amazon.com for re-con models, usually can be had for 80-100 in various makes and models, if you're not going to use it much it probably doesn't matter on the brand you purchase.

   Hell for you're limited usage you might even look at Harbor Frieght for a POS cheapy... Sure it won't last long but I bet you can one project out of it for maybe $40 or so.

   I hate saying stuff like that though, I usually purchase the best tools I can even if I will only use them a few times, cause you just never know when it will come in handy again....

   plus, I have a tool fetish

   

10. 
    renosteinke | Aug 08, 2007 03:00am | #24

    1) Since no one has yet mentioned it, the Makita AVS is great, and was chosen as "Best Overall" by Fine Homebuilding;

    2) I once has the FireStorm cordless version. Withing six months, I had stripped the plastic gears, and the batteries are junk;

    3) Harbor Freight has a 'regular' and an 'industrial' model. They cost maybe $20 and $40, respectively. I've used the cheap one, and it's more of a bother than it's worth- especially if you try to change a blade; and,

    4) There are plenty of accessories available ... blade extensions, blade offsets (for flush cuts), rasp blades, etc.

11. 
    Miroho | Aug 08, 2007 03:45am | #25

    Try Craig's List http://newyork.craigslist.org/ this is the home page.  Find the state you reside in on the right side and go from there.

12. 
    loucarabasi | Aug 08, 2007 03:58am | #26

    Jim,   Whatever you do try not to purchase one with a quick change blade. There is so much slop in the blade. I couldn't find one without it, so I settled for a rigid.

    -Lou

13. 
    grpphoto | Aug 08, 2007 05:29am | #28

    Just about can't beat Harbor Freight for something you won't use a lot. Check out the "Chicago" brand tools.

    George Patterson