A Reciprocating Saw is excellent for both Home Construction and Demolition
By Mark J. Donovan
|
|
A reciprocating saw is a great tool to have in your toolbox. It’s an excellent type of saw for getting into hard to reach places and cutting both wood and metal material. A few years ago for example, I needed to quickly take down an old deck so that the excavation could begin on my new family room addition. With a few strategic cuts using my reciprocating saw, and the help of a backhoe, I was able to remove the old deck from the home literally in minutes.
Besides being an ideal tool for demolition work, a reciprocating saw is also useful in the actual construction of a home. They are the perfect tool for cutting away sole plates underneath door frames and even removing excess sheathing over door and window frames during the rough construction phase of a project. |
Reciprocating saws work by the blade being pushed forward and pulled back at an extremely high rate of speed. Some models also support an orbital blade motion, where the blade moves in an elliptical pattern. The orbital motion is ideal for quickly cutting wood.
Reciprocating saws are frequently referred to as a “Sawzall” after the reciprocating saw manufactured by the Milwaukee Electric Tool Company.
| There are a variety of reciprocating saws on the market today. There are corded types, and there are also cordless types. There are also models that are straight angled and others that are variable angled.
What really makes a reciprocating saw a cool device is the numerous types of blades that can be used with it. Reciprocating saws support a wide variety of blades with the blades resembling a jigsaw blade. Some blades can be up to 10-12” long. There are reciprocating saw blades with many small fine teeth for making clean cuts and there are other blades with large coarse teeth for making rough cuts. |
In addition, there are blades made for cutting sheet metal or metal pipes. There are also blades that are designed to cut through both wood and nails. This type of blade is excellent for demolition work. And there are even blades designed for trimming trees.
Some of the key features to look for when shopping for a reciprocating saw include:
- The Amp Rating – The higher the amp rating the more powerful the saw. Most reciprocating saws have an amp rating between 5 and 15 Amps.
- Variable Speed Options (which is measured in strokes per minute) – Having a saw that has an adjustable speed option, such as the DEWALT DW304PK Heavy-Duty 10 Amp Reciprocating Saw, can enable you to better control the saw when making a cut.
- Orbital Blade Movement – An orbital reciprocating saw, such as the Milwaukee 6520-21 12 Amp Sawzall Orbital Recip Saw with Case, makes quick work of cutting wood due to the elliptical blade motion.
- Hand grips – There are a variety of styles with different hand grips. Look for ones that offer the best safety protection while satisfying your cutting applications.
Safety Precautions
Reciprocating saws can be very dangerous since the blade is fully exposed. You can easily cut yourself with one if not used properly. Fortunately the saw is designed to enable a firm grip both at the trigger and blade end. When holding it properly injury can easily be avoided.
When changing the blades, always unplug the saw first.
Always wear hand, eye and ear protection when using one.
Also, if you are cutting drywall you may also want to use a dust mask.
A reciprocating saw is an excellent tool to own. It can be used for a variety of cutting applications and it is a safe tool when used properly. So good luck with finding the right reciprocating saw for your application.
| Safety Precautions
Reciprocating saws can be very dangerous since the blade is fully exposed. You can easily cut yourself with one if not used properly. Fortunately the saw is designed to enable a firm grip both at the trigger and blade end. When holding it properly injury can easily be avoided. When changing the blades, always unplug the saw first. Always wear hand, eye and ear protection when using one. Also, if you are cutting drywall you may also want to use a dust mask. |
 |
A reciprocating saw is an excellent tool to own. It can be used for a variety of cutting applications and it is a safe tool when used properly. So good luck with finding the right reciprocating saw for your application.
For more help on building a home addition, see HomeAdditionPlus.com’s Home Addition Bid Sheets. Our Home Addition Bid Sheets provide you with the knowledge and information on how to plan a home building project, and what to look for when hiring contractors. They also include detailed cost breakdown tables and spreadsheets for estimating your own new home construction building costs.
Related Information
- Tips for Buying a Carpenter’s Level
- How to use a Chalk Line for Framing
- Tips on Buying a Circular Saw
Additional Framing Resources from Amazon.com
  |
  |
Free Home Addition Price Quotes with No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote on a house addition from one of our prescreened and licensed home addition contractors. This process is free and there is no obligation to continue once you receive your home addition price estimate.