Hi, guys. We need to cut up our old deck, do a few other crude cutting chores. Thinking about a Sawzall-type thing. Is Milwaukee the “only way to go” or is there another brand you’d recommend? Nick uses his tools pretty hard, so it’s gotta stand up to that. Last night, I was looking at the model that’s in the middle — longer stroke than the lowest model Home Depot had, but not the big one with the 360° swivel handle.
Recommendations?
forestgirl — you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can’t take the forest out of the girl 😉
Replies
Milwaukee ....do they make anything else?
sawzalls and right angle drill for plumbers and electricians.
the tiger saw has swivels at 2 joints I've heard some guys are quite fond of, for workin gin those real tight spots.
more than just sawzalls....
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!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I know.. I know...
But really what do we all call em?
and who makes em?
The helper I had always called it a " recip".... It's not a recip ( even thought it is) it's a "SAWZALL" made by MILWAUKEE :D
so that settles it.. Done deal...
all Sawzalls are Sawzalls and there is nothing else...
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!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"all Sawzalls are Sawzalls and there is nothing else..."No. There are a few models of Sawzalls and the Super Sawzall is the one everybody, including myself, raves about. I have had the regular models and they are good, but nowhere near the Super Sawzall. It has an adjustable orbital action that can be very aggressive.
key word being Sawzall....
mine is about 30 years old and still at it....
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!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"The helper I had always called it a " recip".... It's not a recip ( even thought it is) it's a "SAWZALL" made by MILWAUKEE :D"
I have a friend, (born and raised in Milwaukee, too) that calls them "Saws-ease". I cringe every time she says it. Not that we talk about Sawzalls that often but is has come up multiple times, LOL.
TFB (Bill)
That's me -- Milwaukee orbital super sawzall for heavy demo, PC tiger to boldly go where no other recip saw can fit.
-- J.S.
I would think going back and forth with a circular saw would be faster to take off the top planks.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
This deck is in pretty bad shape -- gave way when we were moving a refrigerator across it. Going to have to cut some things from below probably, sideways and the like. C'mon now, don't deny me the "need" to get a new tool! ;-) forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I'm with you - a worm drive circ for that job. But as far a recip saw, I've had a Milwaukee before I was old enough to use it. Super Sawzall will cut the butt out of a grizzly.Carl
Hubby hunts elk. How will it do on that? <g>
So many people, here and in emails, have said skip the Sawzall, I think that's exactly what we'll do. We need a grinder too (not for the deck) so I'll shop for that instead. Makita, methinks.
Hey, y'all have a great Thanksgiving, ya hear?!! Thanks!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
IIRC, Milwaukee did well in the recent review in FHB. I've used mine to cut pretty much everything. It'll probably come with a few blades. It's a good idea to get more to suit your application. The ones that are designed to cut wood *and* nails are probably what you want.
Stop by HD, Lowes, or wherever and pick up Taunton's 2007 Tool Guide - also available right here; click on "Books & Videos" tab at the top of the page. Detailed testing of all recip saws as well as sanders and a host of other tools.
Best rated recips were Milwaukee Super Sawzall and, IIRC, Makita or Bosch. PC Tiger can get into small spaces, but vibration is noticeable and cutting performance is not very good.
Sawzall by Milwaulkee is the only brand I have ever owned and have been quite pleased with. This is the one tool I beat the pizz out of. The Super Sawzall is the one to get. A world of difference.
I have used the PC Tiger saw and it is a very good saw. It's nice because of the adjustable head.
I'm partial to Milwaukee...I've even used one of the originals, from 1951 or so. They are incredibly tough, and worth the money. I have used the PorterCable mentioned frequently, and there are definately some circumstances that it shines, but it vibrates like a son-of-a-gun, and wouldn't be my first choice. I also have a cheapo Dewalt that I got for free through an Amazon promotion...I'm sort of ashamed to admit it, but I don't pass up a free tool. It's decent, but not great. Take the advice of the consensus, go for the SuperSawzall. You won't be disappointed.
I have used the Milwaukee and it is a fantastic tool. However, I just purchased a Makita AVT, orbital action, 6 speed....Wow! Having used both, I would say they are both quite capable....The Makita has been great and at this point, would highly recommend it!
Hey, FG
what ya doing slumming over here?
Be careful, or you won't be allowed back to Knots.
But about recip saws, I think Milwaukees are the best. I've currently got a Super Sawzall, and it will cut thru anything if you've got the right blade.
It's also got a counter balace system to cut down on the vibration.
The cheap Dewalt is pretty fair. I think they are all good, but everyone likes one better than another. I had a milwaukee that got stolen, it was nice, and it was the cheaper model, not the super one. Got the Dewalt for a cheap price though. It works good, but the longer stroke makes it harder to use for finer work than the shorter stroke milwaukee. Milwaukee tools sound better than most others, a smoother tighter machine.
I would go Red-Milwauke super sawzall. Only other contender might be the new Makita 15 amp job.
If the deck is that funky you can probably have it torn up and sittin in a pile before you got back from the store with the saw. That said, the recip saw should be my entry into the "what do you wish you had" thread. When I was doing this full time I always had a partner who had one, so I never bothered. Now I'm working hard to stay away from any jobs that require one - LOL.
Maybe I will be the only one to say this.
I had a Milwaukee for years, it was so good that after 10 years when it broke I bought one I thought was just like it.
This tool is two years old and has been fixed three times. Seems it has plastic gears now and I am not at all impressed with it. I have gotten the old one fixed and that is used more than the new one now.
Hilti makes a kick azz saw, it is a bit heavy, but it will eat thru anything.
I also have a Bosch from blowes and have been quite satisfied with it.Friends help you move.
Real friends help you move bodies!