jakesmommy403 Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 My husband has mentioned that he would like a reciprocating saw for Christmas, but i don't know anything about this and don't want to ask him much because then he'll know what he's getting. So I need some help. What are some good brands? Is this something that might be a good black Friday deal or should i buy any time? Where should I buy from? And cordless or corded? Thanks so much for any help!
noehlp Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 Hmmm, well I don't know squat about saws. BUT, I can tell you what the prices were last year for BF: HarborFreight - Chicago Electric 6 Amp Electric Reciprocating Saw - 19.99 HomeDepot - Dewalt Reciprocating Saw Kit - 99 Kmart - Craftsman Reciprocating Saw - 29.99 hth some. Hopefully another GottaDealer will come along w/ brand info.
laddhorn Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 Dewalt is a good brand. They do have them on Black Friday also. You can check last years Lowes and Home Depot ads to get an idea for this year. Corded/cordless is more of a personal preference. You can always get him a "package" that includes a reciprocating saw if you are going to go cordless. That way, he has everything using 1 battery. You can also get extra batteries later. You can look at the brand of the power tools he has currently and get him the same brand. He probably prefers whatever brand he has the most of.
Iliveforblckfri Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 I love Sears for tools on Black Friday. Second to that is Home Depot. If you buy a DeWalt set that has the saw in it, buy extra batteries that have the black rather than yellow on the bottoms. They hold more power.
racerfan Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 I would go with a Dewalt. DH loves them and has a their reciprocating saw
mcwalker Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 The suggestion of looking at your husband's tools to see what brands he uses is a good suggestion. Also note whether his more recent tools are corded or cordless. If he uses cordless with interchangeable batteries (such as Craftsman C3), I would seriously consider getting a saw of the same brand that uses the same batteries. As noted by others, Dewalt is is good. I also like Sears Craftsman, but their cheapest tools might not be the best anymore (and avoid anything from Sears or K-Mart that is not Craftsman brand). Milwaukee is also good, I believe--I have borrowed one of those of few times. Stay away from Black & Decker, which are cheap but not as good. You might also find a good deal on a Sears Friends and Family sale or special tool sale when one comes along. Makita is a step above B&D, but I think it is a bit below Dewalt, Milwaukee, and some others. (I have a small portable table saw with Craftsman brand, but made by Makita, I think. It has been OK for my use, but not professional grade.)
jakesmommy403 Posted October 16, 2012 Author Posted October 16, 2012 I checked his tools and I'm seeing Craftsman, Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Husqua-something (don't remember now, even though I was just in the garage. Mom brain.)
jakesmommy403 Posted October 16, 2012 Author Posted October 16, 2012 I'm having a hard time with the corded or cordless thing. Looks like he has an equal amount of both. I really appreciate everyone's help with this!
chachn8r Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 I only buy Dewalt and I prefer corded power tools. The upside to a corded tool is it not dying on you in the middle of cutting something, that just sucks.
jakesmommy403 Posted October 16, 2012 Author Posted October 16, 2012 I only buy Dewalt and I prefer corded power tools. The upside to a corded tool is it not dying on you in the middle of cutting something, that just sucks.That was kind if what I was thinking with the corded ones but I wasn't sure if the cord would be a burden. I know his hedge trimmer is corded and he has the world's longest extension cord that he plugs into the garage for that, so maybe he would go the same with this. He also needs a new power drill. I'll check the Dewalt stuff since a lot of you are saying they're good! I really appreciate the help.
racerfan Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 I just asked DH and he said if he is going to use it at home a lot then he would go cordless. Check to see if he has a cordless drill and what brand, the larger drill batteries will fit the saw which will come with its own battery but he would then have a backup if they are the same size battery.
peppysfireball Posted October 16, 2012 Posted October 16, 2012 My husband is a union carpenter. His reciprocating saw is corded and a Milwaukee but he says they arent as good now. His best tools are Dewalt and Makita. He takes those to work
mcwalker Posted October 29, 2012 Posted October 29, 2012 The Ace BF ad has a Milwaukee Sawzall reciprocating saw for $89.99 ($30 off regular price of $119.99). This is a corded model. Ace Hardware SKU 2033090, Milwaukee model number 6509-31. Note that this model has a 3/4 inch stroke length, which according to the Milwaukee web site, is the shortest stroke of all their models (all others are 1-1/8 to 1-1/4 inch).
jakesmommy403 Posted October 29, 2012 Author Posted October 29, 2012 The Ace BF ad has a Milwaukee Sawzall reciprocating saw for $89.99 ($30 off regular price of $119.99). This is a corded model. Ace Hardware SKU 2033090, Milwaukee model number 6509-31.Note that this model has a 3/4 inch stroke length, which according to the Milwaukee web site, is the shortest stroke of all their models (all others are 1-1/8 to 1-1/4 inch).I saw that too and was wondering if that's what I want for him. Is that a good one? Maybe I need to get up there and see it in person after Sandy moves through. I don't even know what you use this kind of saw for, so I don't know what a good stroke would be. Thanks so much for telling me about that being the shortest, I didn't know there were different ones.
peppysfireball Posted October 29, 2012 Posted October 29, 2012 My husbands is a Milwaukee, but it is 20 years old. He says Milwaukee tools are no longer made well and not to buy them. You can use them for anything. Cutting a bolt, a tree limb, a small piece of plastic, it's like a small electric hand saw. He used it today to cut the tail pipe on my son's project truck.
mcwalker Posted October 30, 2012 Posted October 30, 2012 I saw that too and was wondering if that's what I want for him. Is that a good one? Maybe I need to get up there and see it in person after Sandy moves through. I don't even know what you use this kind of saw for, so I don't know what a good stroke would be. Thanks so much for telling me about that being the shortest, I didn't know there were different ones.The short stroke length (the distance that the blade moves back and forth) gives me pause on this particular model. I am not convinced that Milwaukees are not good as some others say, but this is clearly the cheapest of their many models. Be sure to consider both horsepower and stroke length and keep in mind that all Milwaukees are not equal, nor are all Dewalts or Craftsmans. Unfortuntely, nothing is that simple. Most important, and especially because this is for your husband, no matter what you buy, put the receipt in an envelope and tell him that if he wants a different model he should not hesitate to return it! (I do that with many gifts.)
Iliveforblckfri Posted October 30, 2012 Posted October 30, 2012 [quote name=mcwalker;1973354Most important' date=' and especially because this is for your husband, no matter what you buy, put the receipt in an envelope and tell him that if he wants a different model he should not hesitate to return it! (I do that with many gifts.)[/quote] I agree with this. We made an agreement early in our marriage that I wouldn't purchase tools for my dh. I have asked if he wanted something before the holiday, but if I give him something, I would give him the ability to return it. Good luck with the choices out there.
BLKFRI Posted October 30, 2012 Posted October 30, 2012 What I would do, is look and see what brands of cordless tools he has now.Then find out which are 19 volts and above. Higher voltage is better.Check these brands for reciprocating saws, and see if the saw battery will fit both items.Then I would get a saw based on my findings as long as it was not Black and Decker, Sears, not Craftsman, or any from Harbor Freight.Batteries are expensive, and chargers take up an outlet and counter or wall space, so you are trying to save future money and space.I bought the Craftsman 4 pc. 19.2 volt combo years ago. Needed the reciprocating saw, used it to cut a car in half at the junk yard. I needed the rear of the car, used two batteries, was very easy to cut thru the sides and frame. Flashlight comes in handy.Replaced my 14 volt Craftsman drill with the new 19.2 volt one, Never used the 14 volt again. I also have a corded reciprocating saw. Never have used it. Always have used the cordless.
Recommended Posts