Reciprocating saws, Sabre saws....

[oldbikedavey]

Are they worth their keep ?
Primary interest at the moment is for chunking up aluminium scrap for turning into ingots, but might be able to use the plasma cutter for that rather more effectively.....

 

[MattF]

Yes.

 

[zzr1200]

Definitely but get a decent one.

I own a corded Makita one....

Possibly a Milwaukee cordless, but you'll have to wait for others to confirm this option (I've never used a cordless one)..

 

[MattF]

The cordless are so handy, obviously due to being cordless.

 

[Nomad]

I have a 18v makita cordless and it’s invaluable - mainly for trimming trees and cutting firewood but it also works well on solid chunks of metal.

For thin sheet steel I’d use something else..,

 

[Craig-SM]

There a bit like multitools that you don't realise how useful and time saving they are until you get one. You then need to remember that you have it.

I'm sure there is a recip saw in the sales section. edit. yes there is

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/power-tools.146683/

 

[Robotstar5]

There a bit like multitools that you don't realise how useful and time saving they are until you get one. You then need to remember that you have it.

I'm sure there is a recip saw in the sales section. edit. yes there is

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/power-tools.146683/

My Erbaur saw is in the sales section it's not one of the big names, but I've found their stuff OK for hobby use.

 

[harveyp6]

I've got a Screwfix Titan, I read the reviews and it seemed that if it worked straight out of the box it would be OK. Mine did, and for under forty quid it's been amazing, cutting up a speclift and recovery body, plus bits of chassis all into manageable pieces. I can't think how I managed for so long without one.

 

[winchman]

As mentioned they are like a multitool, we used one to cut a hitch plate off a Unimog as it worked out it was far quicker then the grinder.
Its a Milwaukie one only gets occasional use.
Just remember to use good blades on the important jobs

 

[Cobbler]

I’ve got a Bosch recip saw, only bought the make because I had the batteries, use it a lot, both in the shed & pruning in the garden. I recently used it when repairing some wrought iron gates & the welds were so hard it wrecked blades instantly, so I bought a tungsten carbide blade, much dearer, but worth every penny, just cuts & cuts.

 

[Trevorleach]

If cutting aluminium then it is all going to be about the blade.

The Milwaukee Sawzall is a brilliant tool, but I have never used it on aluminium!

 

[Memmeddu]

Invaluable tool
I have two of them and my brother as well.
You can cut everything an angle grinder can and more.
Useful when you can't produce sparks like cutting open propane or fuel tanks.
I'd go with a Makita or a Milwaukee corded.
Cordless are useful but those are toys compared to corded ones

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I used my DeWalt cordless with an extra long blade to cut the back off a nissan Figaro....very quick and very easy Vs a grinder.

 

[MetalMonkey]

I have a cordless one, very seldom use it when compared to something like a multi-tool which I wouldn't be without.
That said, when you do need it, they are very handy and can do work that would be difficult to do otherwise.

 

[MattF]

That said, when you do need it, they are very handy and can do work that would be difficult to do otherwise.

That's it. They're like multitool's. May sit there for yonks, untouched, but a certain task crops up, & they're the perfect tool for that task.

 

[Robotstar5]

That's it. They're like multitool's. May sit there for yonks, untouched, but a certain task crops up, & they're the perfect tool for that task.

Last time I used mine was to trim a wooden pallet at the stables, I could have took the circular saw, but that would mean firing up the genny and running an extension lead, a couple of minutes with the battery saw and the job was done

 

[tom2207]

once you get one you will wonder why you didnt get one sooner,,, its that simple

 

[Kram]

Nope they are a bit rubbish. Most have a very short stroke. If your trying to cut metal it will generally just vibrate your arms off and not clear the chips particually well due to the short stroke. A better tool would be a Makita metal cutting circular saw or plasma.

For wood, I woodnt bother! A sharp handsaw will beat it or, a chainsaw, even the baby battery ones or circular.

The only good use for them is cutting roots, due to the saw blades being so cheap and far less sensitive to dirt than a chain.

 

[tom2207]

Nope they are a bit rubbish. Most have a very short stroke. If your trying to cut metal it will generally just vibrate your arms off and not clear the chips particually well due to the short stroke. A better tool would be a Makita metal cutting circular saw or plasma.

For wood, I woodnt bother! A sharp handsaw will beat it or, a chainsaw, even the baby battery ones or circular.

The only good use for them is cutting roots, due to the saw blades being so cheap and far less sensitive to dirt than a chain.

If you can keep up with my hilti recip with a hacksaw ... Ill buy you a beer ,,,

but you will be in no state to drink it

 

[oldbikedavey]

Nope they are a bit rubbish. Most have a very short stroke. If your trying to cut metal it will generally just vibrate your arms off and not clear the chips particually well due to the short stroke. A better tool would be a Makita metal cutting circular saw or plasma.

For wood, I woodnt bother! A sharp handsaw will beat it or, a chainsaw, even the baby battery ones or circular.

The only good use for them is cutting roots, due to the saw blades being so cheap and far less sensitive to dirt than a chain.

Used to use cheap axes for root cutting on stump winching jobs, way back when.
Keep the roots being cut in tension, though, or you'll be there until Hell freezes.....