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On the cutting edge
Reciprocating saws take a powerful bite out of most materials
When it comes to portable tools, the reciprocating saw is a workhorse. Nothing beats it for versatility and speed for fast demolition or modernizations and alterations. Available corded and cordless, reciprocating saws (commonly called recip saws) can cut conduit, threaded rod, drywall, the back or sides of panel boxes for trough connections, stubbed pipe in a deck, 2x4s, and other dimensional lumber.
With the appropriate blade, you can also cut plaster, plastic, composition materials, hardwood flooring, cast iron, stainless steel, angle iron, aluminum, brass, fiberglass, ceramic tile, stone, slate, clay, brick and marble, and through nails embedded in wood.
Advancements and advantages
Todays recip saw is not your fathers recip saw. Refinements and improvements abound. Current units feature, in various combinations, larger motors for more cutting power, variable-speed settings through both adjustable triggers and speed-setting knobs, quick-lock (or keyless) blade installation and removal, quick-lock power cord change, soft grip handles, and counterbalance mechanisms that rotate in the opposite direction of the blade to nullify handle vibration.
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Tips for recips
" Always brace the saws shoe firmly against the workpiece being cut. This prevents the saw from bouncing, improves the blades cutting efficiency and saves time. Remember, the saw cuts on the pull stroke. If the shoe isn't planted, the saw slips forward with every pass and reduces the cutting force.
" Be wary of kickback, especially when cutting overhead or working on a ladder. If the blade tip hits something behind the piece youre cutting or if the shoe lifts off the surface, the blade tip can strike next to the cut with enough force to knock you off a ladder.
" Before cutting into a wall, ceiling or floor, create a small access hole for viewing or probing and make sure the cavity is clear of electrical cables, plumbing pipe and gas lines.
" Modern recip saws are double insulated to reduce electrical shock risk. But to be safe, dont cut water-filled pipes using a corded saw.
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Some saws offer longer strokes (up to 1 1/4 inches) and/or adjustable strokes. Many units provide both orbital and straight reciprocating motions with the flip of a switch. Longer strokes, more strokes per minute (SPM) and orbital action allow for faster cutting into wood. For metal, generally, a shorter, reciprocating stroke and lower speed does the trick. When cutting conduit, a shorter blade is less likely to hit the inside wall and bend.
Some saws sport a pivotal shoe for better support against the work surface and adjustable in-and-out shoe control for controlling depth of blade.
Going cordless
If you are looking for cordless convenience, youll find its easier than ever to get a battery-operated reciprocating saw with reasonably long run time and high performance. Rechargeable battery units now are rated up to 24 volts, hold the charge much longer than previous units, and are better able to transfer power from the amp draw due to improvements in internal resistance.
Batteries are rated by the voltage and amp hours, which is a conversion into run time. The more amp hours, the longer it will run in a given application.
Though all manufacturers post unit amperage, this is not an accurate measurement of a recip saws performance. The overall engineering of a unit that converts the amperage draw into performance is what an end-user notices. There is no industry standard rating that converts amps into a measurement that compares performance among units.
Factors to consider
The aim for cordless units is to match the performance of corded models. Manufacturers are getting closer all the time. When evaluating corded and cordless reciprocating saws, consider factors such as stroke length, variable speeds, variable speed triggers (which give more control over the saw) and ease of switching blades.
Comparing a corded, 11-amp orbital recip saw to a cordless, 18-volt saw, the corded model offers greater stroke length (1 1/4 inches vs. 1) and speed (zero to 3,200 strokes per minute vs. zero to 2,000 spm), but the cordless model goes practically anywhere.
The more options available, the easier it is to start and proceed with a variety of cuts.
Just about every manufacturer offers flexible blades, which are desirable for several applications, including making flush cuts.
Also, look for ease of shoe adjustment, which is handy if you need to adjust the shoe when working in a tight area or if something is behind the material on which you are working.
This information provided by the Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation.
This article appeared in the February/March 2001 issue of MRO Today magazine. Copyright, 2001.
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