Reciprocating Saw ?

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Hi Everyone !QUESTION:  Would a reciprocating saw be a worthwhile additionto my home shop ?   I've never used one.I've got a 14" chop-saw, a metal-cutting blade for my circular-saw,a metal-cutting blade for my angle-grinder, a cutting torch...(and, of course, a hacksaw) !I'm asking because recently, I started a project involving4"x2" box tube, 1/4" wall.  To my surprise, the chop-saw really wasn't up to the task.   The torch slices it like butter, but Iwould like a little better edge left.   Seems to me like double-workif I have to cut with the torch, then get out the grinderto prepare it for welding !   Give me some input guys. I'll be the LAST one to let you down !
Reply:Recip. saw is a good addition for your workshop, but I don't think you'll like cutting 1/4 wall tube with it very time consuming and hard on your hands and wrist. Difficult to cut very straight i'd thinkStill lookin for Rock!
Reply:My vote for the best sawzall is the Hitachi.  Awesome saw.But at about $130, you'd probably be better off adding another $20 and picking up the HF bandsaw, currently on sale for $150.
Reply:Never mind, I thought yall were talking about a reciprocating power hacksaw.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:I suppose I'd ask what other projects you get yourself into.  I've got next to no experience working with metal, and am here to learn, but plenty working with other things.  I can't fathom not having a sawzall.  I couldn't begin to tell you all the crazy things I've used it for other than straightforward cuts on metal.  For instance, a 12" blade takes out small stumps fast and easy.  And so forth and so on.  There is usually a better tool for each individual job, but a sawzall has versatility like few others.JMHO, Tol
Reply:Well, I just thought I'd ask.   Maybe I'll just practice mycutting-torch skills more, and buy a BIGGER grinder...(i've only got a 4 1/2" now).   Thought there might be an easier way to bevel before welding.If I had a Bridgeport, that would solve the problem REAL NICE I'll be the LAST one to let you down !
Reply:I use one (a Milwaukee) about every day at work. I don't have one in the shop ,as I have a chop saw,band saw and a plasma cutter for steel. The Sawsall might be ok for cutting some thin material but it would be hard to cut things straight without a jig. It would need a blade with a lot of teeth/ inch for steel and will rattle your teeth a little while cutting. I think I would do as someone above stated and save a few dollars and get a bandsaw. The sawsall is good for re-modeling work on wood and houses. DavidDavid
Reply:Marcopolo,If you do decide to get one. The Milwaukee is the easiest to use for plunge cutting, as it has the shortest throw. The Portercable Tiger is the fastest cutting.
Reply:Thanks, Scott....Not quite sure I've talked myself into onejust yet.....I'm wondering just how useful one might be ?I play with steel most of the time, and (very) ocasionally, aluminum.I'll be the LAST one to let you down !
Reply:The only use i have for my sawzall is cutting random stuff up. Probably the least used of my electrical tools.I'd say pick up a 7 or 9" grinder and a nice 24 grit disc (i got my 7" HF from 40$ on sale). It will eat metal. Just yesterday I beveled some 3/8 c channel, and it went very very fast. A 9 incher is too scary to use on something as thin at 1/4".As a side note, you might was to investigate making yourself a torch trolley to ride a guide fence. A torch is quite capable of beveling that thickness with no post-cut grinding, but its pretty hard to freehand it. You'll be amazed how clean they come out when the only parameter you have to deal with is travel speed.
Reply:joehobart....Thanks a bunch for the reply !   You're tuned into my line of thinking exactly !   I did fab. a sort of "half-***"bevel guide for the torch, and, to be honest, it didn't do all that bad.   I really appreciate your take on the 7"-9" grinders....I'm thinking a nice 7" DeWalt or Milwaukee (or even a Craftsman) may be "just what the doctor ordered" p.s.   Does your's run at 6000 or 8000, or does it matter much ?Last edited by Markopolo; 01-16-2004 at 01:39 AM.I'll be the LAST one to let you down !
Reply:OK, we can ignore this thread now !   Just came home with areal nice Milwaukee 7" angle-grinder.  (Model  #6088-20)I'll be the LAST one to let you down !
Reply:Go Make some sparks with it!
Reply:cool. Post a followup after you've used it a bit and let us know if it was what you needed
Reply:OK guys,  I gotta' be honest with ya'....It'll take a few daysfor the "New Toy" syndrome to wear off,.....but asof right now...........WHEEEEEEE !    This bitch GRINDS ! !  I'll be the LAST one to let you down !
Reply:Don't rule out a reciprocating saw in your future.  They are very handy at times.
Reply:i got a ridgid recip saw last week and i have to say that it has quite enough power to take steel with ease, it even sliced through a piece of 3/4" rod i had like it was a wooden dowel, it is kinda hard to make a straigh cut though....but it sure beats a hacksaw with a steel stick!!StangnetShop Full Of Stuff. Joey
Reply:Milwaukee super sawzall is ****.  Will cut 2" square straighter than average band saw, with a little practice and some guide lines.  No, I don't use it all the time but it never lets me down.
Reply:I dissagree with that. About all I use my "Sawzall" for is in restricted areas that I can't get a "Porta-band" into. Marko; If your going to be cutting a lot of stock. Get a cheap Hf bandsaw. You'll be real pleased with it. And the noise won't disturb the neighbors. The Elderly up there in Beverly Hills (AKA Gods waiting room) will appreciate that. Harbor freight has them on sale now for a hundred and fifty bucks. There's a HF store up in Ocala on 40 on the way out to Silver Springs.Last edited by fla jim; 01-18-2004 at 08:26 AM.
Reply:I second the motion for a HF bandsaw. I got one for Christmas and I must say I wonder how I did without it all these years. It is a awesome tool for the money. Sure it has quirks but at that price you can't go wrong. Ken
Reply:I can just picture the folks at Harbor Flotsum eyeballing Marko parking the hurse out front so he can go in to look at bandsaws.Thise casket rollers oughta come in handy for loading the saw too Marko.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:I vote for the hacksaw.  But no one appears to have mentioned the blade on that HF model.  If you don't crowd it, it may last until you can get a bimetal replacement for it.  Either order it or call around town & locate an industrial supply that can weld you up one on the spot as soon as you tell them the length, width  and TPI.  Should cost you 20 - 25 bucks tops & outlast 15 cheap ones.Come to think of it, that's what I paid for a 93 1/2 inch one so you might get out around $15.  You can pass out your cards & tell 'em about your layaway plan while you're there.
Reply:Up there in that part of Florida most people wouldn't bat an eye at a hearse. Most would be curious where the estate sale is going to be so they can rob the widow blind
Reply:Hmmmm, so Marko could also open up an estate sale business."Honest Marko's Wido Protection Estate Sales"I like the concept, around here we have a little hobby of sittin in the darkened house with a 12 gague during the viewing, just in case any of the local pissants read the obit and figure on doin a bit of shopping.  Works out really well, and has cut down on that type of shopping activity.Will Marko give us all ID discount cards to use at the estate sales?Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:Say what ya' want about them estate sale's......one of the otherguys I work with picked up a mint, AND I MEAN MINT ! conditionCaddy. Eldorado convertible.  1984 model....garaged since new.16,000 true miles on the meter.  Price ?........(hold on to yer' gonads)......... $5000Still had the original window sticker that showed the price,back in '84 at $35,000 !I'll be the LAST one to let you down !dont rule out a cordless saw zall.while i use a porta band, plasma, & chop saw10 times as much,you cant beat it for 'juckyard shoppin'!"extracted" a 12 bolt from a mangled '70 chevelle last month in 15 min!Just my thoughts (which aint worth much)Shane
Reply:God's waiting room, I mean Beverly hills is a treasure trove of stuff brought down by retired Yankee's. when I was working up the road at Citrus Springs. I Picked up some good deals at yard sales. Morse taper drill bits, reamers, a broach set, and a couple of vintage stanley planes
Reply:Like surfrfred said, I have a cordless sawzall that I always take to the local auto wrecker with me. It has gotten me many things that would be impossible without it. Unless I wanted to pay the yard guy to come out and burn it for me. Customers are not allowed to bring torches into the yard (I tried once  ) But anyway, mine is a Milwaukee and it likes it's batteries. If I don't take 3 batteries along I will get nothing. All cordless tools have thier place, their place is for when you absolutly cannot get electric. Or a torch MillerMatic 175Thermal Dynamics Drag-Gun PlasmaAirco Bumblebee AC/DC SMAWVictor Super-Range II oxy/act
Reply:speaking of hearses, i've seen one painted electric yellow with chrome rims, and another old white one that had a tag that said. can't knock it though, i've got a cousin in the business.StangnetShop Full Of Stuff. Joey
Reply:hummm Attached ImagesRobert D
Reply:that yours robert??StangnetShop Full Of Stuff. Joey
Reply:No ....I was keeping it for a man down south texas...sure glade he pick it up last sunday :}Robert D