How to Buy a Reciprocating Saw

One of the most useful tools that a do it yourself homeowner can own is a reciprocating saw. These saws, commonly referred to by the brand name Sawzall, have many applications in demolition, plumbing, and other home improvement projects. In this article we will look at everything you will need to know in order to make an informed decision when purchasing a new reciprocating saw.

Reciprocating saws come in two basic types, corded and cordless. Cordless types generally come in anything from 12-volt all the way to 24-volt models. Corded models offer the ability to cut for as long as you might need them. Cordless models offer the flexibility of not having to have a cord, and to be able to be used just about anywhere, albeit with a limited run time (unless you have spare batteries). Prices for corded or cordless models are in the same range from $75 to around $350 on the high end. The price will vary quite a bit depending on the features and manufacturer of the saw that you select.

When you are looking for a new reciprocating saw one of the most important things to look for is how many amps of power the saw is rated for. You can find saws which will vary anywhere from around 5 amps of power on the low end, to around 15 amps of power on the high end. Generally speaking, a saw with a higher amp rating is a more powerful saw. The more power you have, the less likely that the saw will struggle cutting though any given material.

Another great option to consider is a variable speed control. Variable speed control allows the stroke speed of the saw to be varied, to better adjust to the type of material you are cutting. You can select a faster speed for material, which is tougher, and a slower speed for material, which is less difficult to cut. There are some models of reciprocating saw that offer speed control via the trigger. This is inferior to a control via a dial or buttons. The reason is that when you have the speed control though the trigger you are more likely to have a more difficult time controlling the speed consistently because of the vibration of the saw when in operation. With the dial you can just set the speed and concentrate on your cut with out having to worry about how much trigger pressure you are using on the saw.

Another nice thing to look for when purchasing a reciprocating saw is to look for a keyless blade change option. One thing is for certain; you will go though a lot of blades when you are using a reciprocating saw. The keyless blade change option makes it a snap to change out a dull or worn blade without requiring any other tools.

Where is the best place to purchase a reciprocating saw? You need look no further than your local Home Depot or Lowes stores. Either chain has very low prices on saws, and wide varieties of models available. Both stores also have very liberal return policies in case you are unhappy with your saw purchase.