*OT* - I need a sawzall...

So I had to borrow my brothers sawzall Friday to cut some stuff in tight areas and it was the best thing I've ever used... so practical I'm wondering how I've been able to do my work without one...

I'm torn between the 10/11 amp one and the heavier duty 15 amp one.

I found the 11 amp one on eBay HERE for $100 shipped

I found the 15 amp one on eBay HERE for $150 shipped

EDIT: Looks like there is a 12 amp model TOO

Now I'm really confused... lol. All I can see is that they range from 2800 strokes per minute to 3200 SPM... hmmmmm

SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM! GAH!

What do you all think? Experience? Tips?

I checked home depot but they want $20 - $50 more...

 

Since I don't use mine that much, I bought a cheap Harbor Freight one. I figure why spend $100.00 on a tool I use 6 times a year? Of course I tend to be poor and cheap. So far it has worked fine. It is made in China like they all are. I got the $39.99 version which is now on sale. I bought it local and did not pay shipping.

reciprocating-saws

I guess with a sawzall, we can take Toughbook modding to a whole new level.

 

Find a 18V DeWalt Cordless with one battery and then when you need a spare battery buy a skil saw or drill w/bat. Or look for a combo kit. Otherwise the Milwaukee is a good choice. Don't leave the batteries in the snow for a week. They don't like it and it voids the warranty.

Hey ma! what's them yeller things settin on the fence post.

Jeff been there done that

They make a carbide blade that will cut yust aboot anyting. Gate? what locked gate?

Oh yeah, if you use a cigarette lighter charger only do it with the engine running. The 18V will suck a weak car battery dry while you're eating lunch. VOE (voice of experience)

 

When I'm using one the cordless won't "cut" it. I've got a DeWalt corded one which has been truly abused and keeps on trucking. Since you just found out what they are you will probably be happy with a lightish one.
CAP

 

I'm not a friend of cordless anything... I have a generator I carry with me everywhere I go anyways...

I thought of getting a harbor freight one (Cuz I have a harbor freight sidewinder saw and it works great for the little use I use it for.)

Maybe I'll just go cheap... I can get that 6 amp one for $20... or the "heavy duty" one for $40...

After all I probably won't use it that much...

 

I got a 3,000 watt inverter (modified sine wave)and bolted it into a Coleman ice chest, installed a plug on the batteries of my F250 and use it to brand cattle and run table saw, skil saw, branding irons, cattle scale etc. A generator would do the same but just makes another noise source. Of course the turbo diesel ain't quiet either. The ice chest holds a 30' heavy extension cord with two receptacles, two branding irons and the welding cable used to attach to the truck. Grab the box and good to go. I also have a 300/600W true sine wave in the cab for electronics.
I am not against corded tools by any means. I prefer them inside but I like not being attached to an ubilical cord when working outside on barns,corrals and such. Shockingly a lot of time I am working on wet ground (or other wet stuff) and the battery rigs are safer.
Quality wise Bosch is hard to beat but hard on the pocket book.
Milwaukee is maybe second in my experience. The contractors around here like 'em.
DeWalt is third but again suits my work.

FWIW

Jeff
Buy a cheap one if you are only going to use it a couple times a year.

 

I picked up the cheapest one from Harbor Freight a couple years ago for $12 on sale; I've used it pretty hard the couple dozen times I've used it and it still works like new.

I've used the Milwaukee & Bosch & Hilti branded units every day as a welder & as a mechanic; they are clearly better quality, but I sure don't think they're 10-20 times better quality.

My HF unit came with the old-fashioned Allen-screw blade collet; most all the newer ones (expensive or cheap) have a hand-tight spring-loaded collet so you can change blade types easily for different work.

I am of mixed feelings regarding this; I really do like the convenience of the quick-change, but I've NEVER seen one that holds a blade tight. Sooner or later the blade cracks right at the locking hole with the Quick-Change collets; I've found that doesn't happen near as fast with the set-screw type collets and I almost always get to "wear out" my blades. This doesn't sound like a big deal, until you start paying $12 a pack for Piranha or Milwaukee blades; then you suddenly want to get EVERY cut that blade has in it.

My experience has shown that you can save a lot of wear and tear on your Sawzall (whether its a good one or el-cheapo) by spending the money on good blades; they cut quicker with less drag, which is less wear and tear on your saw and on YOU.

mnem
Penny-wise. Pound on the foolish.

 

MORE POWER = 15AMP!

<Insert grunting gorilla sound here>

 

I've done the DeWalt and it's held up when I had to replace the telephone poles in a tractor shed ,5 bay, when hurricane Floyd just about took us away in '99. still using it and its held up well. Got a couple of clearance items at Sears cheap 15 amp for 35 bucks a couple of months ago, still in the box but waiting for a project. I'm an old schooler and oddly enough some of the best deals I've come up with has been at Sears..........Driller,Sawer,Slicer,Dicer, whatever

 

I have a complete set of 18V DeWalt Cordless tools and they work great but on the big jobs I use electric one with variable speed....that's a must. A 11 amp one is smaller and much easier to handle than the bigger 15 amp one.

 

I have used many different makes and models of "sawzalls" in my line of work.
In my opinion get the real thing. The Milwaukee Sawzall is the best, and always will be.

Bob

 

In my line of work I like to have a back-up. Mine is an Echo. 14" Bar. I covet the gas drill the pole guys use. gorilla sound here
Of course this is just for wood and the occasional nail.

Jeff....sharpen mutter sharpen grumble

 

I used my dads old old old old milwaukee sawzall last night which only had 2 speed settings and was only 4 amps... it was powerful enough to rip your arm off if used foolishly...

Anyways I cut a huge piece of my boat lift leg into 4 pieces (VERY THICK aluminum...) and it worked like a champ at 1200 SPM...

I think I'll get the "heavy duty" harbor frieght one that is 7.5 amps.

Thanks guys! Mods you can close this thread!