I have a few small projects around the house that a reciprocating saw would make things go a lot easier. The link below shows 4 corded saws in stock at my local Home Depot store. Any features that would make one standout amongst the rest?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/co...=reciprocating%20saw

I have not used a Makita recently, but a number of years ago, the one I used had the trigger lock on the side of the D handle where my palm often hit it. This trigger lock is not to unlock the trigger, but to lock it on for extended cutting. I nearly cut myself a number of times due to this "feature." You might want to verify they have changed, if you want to go that route.

I have the Milwaukee, which I love. Many people really like the Porter-Cable Tiger Saw, as well. Don't know anything about the DeWalt or Ryobi.

I think these option are needed:
Trigger lock
Quick change blade release
Two speeds or one with variable speed
Metal case

I have a Milwaukee. Love it even without some of the of the features listed above.
Get the correct blades for your particular job to make things better. I like Diablo blades.

Whenever possible I buy quality tools. Milwaukee is the best of the bunch. I have numerous Milwaukee tools and have not ever regretted buying one.

Stay away from Ryobi.
The others are all decent.
I have a Milwaukee, but I also like Makita very much.

If you have cordless tools, get one of the same make and use the same batteries. My Ryobi saw has been great for everything I've asked of it.

Jim

Have a wired Makita and it works great but I bought some blades that were "slightly" too thick and did not stay in, got some different ones and they worked fine but the thicker blades may just have be an anomaly.

My battery operated one from Milwaukee works great but runs out of juice too much on "heavy duty jobs".
It can do the work but I have to install a fresh battery kind of frequently.

Makita for me. The last few months I’ve grabbed the sub compact impact, 7.5” rear drive skill saw, reciprocating saw, multi tool and their dual bevel sliding miter saw. All of mine are cordless and are much better than the Milwaukee stuff I carry for work.

quote:

Originally posted by Crom:
Stay away from Ryobi.
The others are all decent.
I have a Milwaukee, but I also like Makita very much.

Do you any experience with Ryobi tools? I have around 6 or 7 of the ONE+ 18 volt tools and they have all been great home owner type tools. They always perform the job I use them for with zero issues.


Jim

I have the Milwaukee listed in the Home Depot link. It's been good for me.

If you like cheap and poorly made then buy Ryobi.
I guess there is a market and price point for everything.
YMMV

I think the other three besides the Ryobi are comparable. The warranty on the Milwaukee would make me lean towards it.

I have never owned anything Ryobi but the other three make quality tools. I'm not trying to get into that debate I just don't have any experience with them.

I have a Dewalt saw and one of the things I love about it is that you can put the blade in 4 different directions. At 0, 90, 180 and 270 if you will. That way if you are cutting something across, like say a small tree or something, you can still hold the saw correctly while the blade is turned instead of having to turn the saw. I find it especially nice when I need to cut something that would require I turn the saw upside down. I didn't buy it for that feature but have ended up really liking it. If the DeWalt ever dies I will be looking for that feature on my next one. I have not had any issue with any manufacturers blades in it.

The DeWalt you linked to seems to have it too. This is one of the bullet points:

4-position blade clamp allows for flush cutting and increased versatility

The others don't mention that but they may as well. I would look because it's been a very nice feature to have.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
If you like cheap and poorly made then buy Ryobi.
I guess there is a market and price point for everything.
YMMV

My guess would be that neither you or Crom have used Ryobi cordless tools for homeowner type projects. That's what they are for and that is what the OP needs. I've had them for a number of years and they get regular use with no issues.

Jim

My dad has a Dewalt battery powered saws all and he hasn’t killed it. He uses it at work, sewage and plumbing....

I have a corded one and I will buy it again if needed. I used it all thru my big kids house Reno....I couldn’t hurt it. Drug it around under the house in the sand and cut old heating piping, wood, plaster lathe...well worth the money.

Of that list, I'd go Milwaukee, though any of them would be better than the Ryobi.

With that said, I've had great luck with Bosch corded tools as well.

I have the Milwaukee Super Sawzall:

Amazon link

It's best feature is a counterbalance mechanism that decreases vibration and it really works.

I’ve got a DeWalt cordless, and it uses the same battery pack as my driver drill. So that’s good. Since you’re considering a corded tool, any of those would probably be fine, the only question I have is: are all 4 saws capable of rotating the blade both vertically and horizontally. I would tend to eliminate from consideration any that cannot do that.

I checked all the specs and saw nothing about blade direction travel. Some recips move the blade in a straight line back and forth. Others use an elliptical motion.

The sawzall would be my choice. I noted it has a 5-tear warranty. Mine is older than that and has never seen service.

I have had a Makita corded for around 30 years and never had a problem with it. I don't know if they still build them as good.