reciprocating saw

[lawnduster]

Buying new reciprocating saw and thinking of going with eaither the Skil or the Northern tool brand any opinions on either one.

 

[_RaT_]

I have bought one Skil 77 worm drive, three or four 1/2" drills, 2 routers, and a host of other tools. The tool that by far takes the most abuse is a recipricating saw or "Sawzall". I have had B&D, Bosch, Milwaukee and Porter Cable reciprocating saws. Thus far the Porter Cable has been the most durable. I personally would stick with PC, Milwaukee or Makita. Reciprocating saws are easy to break, difficult to justify repairing. Get a good one at twice the price and feel the pain only once.

 

[Bird]

One of my brothers has a Milwaukee Sawzall and it's a fine tool. However, it's also expensive, so I bought a Makita JR3000VT reciprocating saw from Lowes in July '03 for $95.68 including our 8.25% sales tax. So far I've liked it at least as well, if not better, than his Sawzall. And if you have electric power close enough (I have over 100' of heavy duty extension cord), I'd rather use it than a chain saw for pruning trees.

 

[Dozernut]

I have a DeWalt that is getting some age on it. It has been a good saw and I have cut wood, steel, plastic and aluminum with it. Like Bird said, I have used it as a pruning saw also. The only advice I would give is, which ever brand you buy, get one that you can change the blades on without a wrench. I am always misplacing that darned Allen wrench.

 

[johndeere2210]

I have a Dewalt with quick change blade holder. Have cut just about anything that can be cut with a recipricating saw and it has performed well. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Mike_C]

One of the best features to look for is the quick-change collar which allows you to change blades without a wrench. I have the Porter Cable (Tiger) version, and it's wonderful.

 

[kenmac]

The northern tool brand may be chinese made & may not last very long .If you plan on using this tool At all, I would stick with name brand. I hve a couple of B&D' s for 10 yrs That have seen extensive use.

 

[RichZ]

It probably depends on how much and how hard you're going to use it. I have a Harbor Freight "heavy duty" reciprocating saw, and I'm very happy with it. I don't use it daily, but on my farm, it probably gets used several times a month. I've never had a problem with it in about a year, and the price couldn't be beat.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( get one that you can change the blades on without a wrench )</font>

Yep, that's a nice feature on my Makita. I don't guess I've cut any aluminum with mine, but I've used it on steel, PVC, and the vinyl skirting for mobile homes, as well as tree pruning and lumber.

 

[DAP]

Same here. my dewalt also is battery operated....