reciprocating saws

[sawdustus Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sawdustus]

My corded Makita bit the dust and it's only 23 years old, so I am looking for a new reciprocating saw. Does anyone have any recommendations for a brand or model? I mostly use it with a 12" wood blade to cut small logs into movable or usable pieces for scrolling or recutting on the bandsaw, but it does need to do some demolition work in the near future. I don't want a cordless one since they eat batteries. Price is not a real problem for me since the most expensive ones seem to be under $200.

george

[Terry Murphy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Terry Murphy]

Pawn Shop!

[Bill Wilson Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bill Wilson]

Milwaukee Sawzall has been pretty much the gold standard for recip saws for a long time. Mine is probably 7-8 years old. Not sure what models they offer now, but if I was looking for a new one, I'd probably start with Milwaukee.

[ncsealeveler Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ncsealeveler]

Milwaukee Sawzall has been pretty much the gold standard for recip saws for a long time. Mine is probably 7-8 years old. Not sure what models they offer now, but if I was looking for a new one, I'd probably start with Milwaukee.

Ditto on Milwaukee.
Tony

[Michael Moscicki Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Michael Moscicki]

From what I can tell, the Milwuake Sawzall is the go to tool as far as reciprocating saws go. As for which exact model I have no idea.

http://www.milwaukeetool.com/tools/s...procating-saws

[Jim Finn Old Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jim Finn]

I have been using a Milwaukee Sawsall at work since 1964 and still have one. For cutting small logs, an electric chain saw is a better choice. Cutting logs will kill a reciprocating saw.

[loftyhermes Member Find all posts View Profile Close loftyhermes]

If the Makita lasted 23 years then I get another Makita.

[sawdustus Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sawdustus]

Thanks for the advice folks. I have not been able to find another Makita and have been leaning towards the Milwaukee 6509-22 at $110 with it's short 3/4" stroke. The other Milwaukee I have thought about is the 6523-21 with a longer 1 1/8" stroke for about $175, but I'm not sure I need the extra power, stroke length or weight.

george

[NC Scroller Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close NC Scroller]

Sawsall is great. Check these form CPO Outlets.

Factory Reconditioned Milwaukee 6519-831 12 Amp Sawzall Reciprocating Saw with 1-1-8-in Stroke

Factory Reconditioned Milwaukee 6538-821 15 Amp Super Sawzall Orbital Recip Saw with Case

[KJS Member Find all posts View Profile Close KJS]

I don’t know if I would use it for cutting logs, but I have the 13 Amp Dewalt DW311 that I will use with a 12-inch pruning blade to trim a few branches occasionally. It has a 1-1/8-inch stroke with an orbital cut, which is something I think all reciprosaws should have if you plan on doing any real cutting.
FYI: The newer Milwaukee reciprosaws have had a lot of problems with the gear protecting clutches they use breaking under heavy use.
DeWalt DW311K Heavy-Duty 13.0 Amp Reciprocating Saw Kit


I would agree that a small chain saw is probably a better option. I have a little 10-inch Remington electric chainsaw that works really well for small stuff. It is actually a pole saw, but is also detachable for use as a regular saw. You can get this exact same Remington saw with either a 12-inch or 14-inch bar for around $55-65.00 at Wal-Mart.
Walmart.com: Remington Limb N' Trim 12'' 8-Amp Electric Chain Saw: Garden Center