I am going to buy a decent reciprocating saw and have narrowed my choice to the Porter Cable 9750 or the Bosch RS15. I have other Bosch and PC tools, and like them both. Can anyone offer experiences with either saw? I am a little concerned about the articulated drive system in the PC, and have read some reviews that it really vibrates. I am interested in a good reliable, blade clamp system that WORKS. I am sick of my Craftsman with the allen screw blade clamp that doesn’t. I am a homeowner and will be using the saw intermittantly for remodeling, tree branches, metal work, and the like.
Ed in AZ
Edited 5/17/2006 9:41 pm by grog85361
Replies
Ed
I like the PC a lot. I've lost a lot of faith in PC but I still think there sawzall is a good tool.
BTW, I think they all vibrate a lot!
Doug
I have the PC and it vibrates a lot no matter what I'm cutting with it.
Really can't see how theres that much difference between brands on recip saws as long as the amps are the same.
Live the Good Life in the Permian Basin.
I've got to say that I like the PC better, even though I wanted to go with milwaukee, cause they invented the sawzall. PC just seems to cut faster and last longer.
Then again, FHB gave top awards to two Makitas. Makita makes good tools, might be worth a look.
zak
"so it goes"
I wouldn't base my decision on FHB reviews. I have found them to be contradictory. I forget which review it was but they picked a brand and model that had lower category ratings accross the board then one of the competing models...how do you justify that?
I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket as far as FHB reviews go, but I would consider them as one source of information. There are a lot of contradictory things out there as far as tool reviews go. This thread by itself shows some of that.
Nobody with a makita has peeped up yet, I don't think they're a real big seller in the sawzall category. If somebody did have one, it would be totally possible that they had a bad experience with it. It's hard to be statistically accurate with samples of one, so I don't put a lot of weight on it.
At work, our PC tiger saw has outperformed and outlasted our Milwaukee super orbital sawzall, but I'm willing to admit that might be a fluke. My mil. sawzall at home has done fine, and it's their most basic model.zak
"so it goes"
Yes, I suppose I should refine my comments to 'could' crap out quicker.
I was recalling a few years back when I went into a tool shop asking about recommendations for a sawzall.
The salesman after inquiring what the major use of the saw would be mentioned the fact that more moving parts lent to a greater chance of possible malfunction.
My bad.
be standing corrected
half of good living is staying out of bad situations
Edited 5/18/2006 7:43 pm ET by rez
You owe it to yourself to look seriously at Milwaukee, the guys who invented the Sawzall. Quick blade changes yet holds them firmly.
I use my 18V cordless Milwaukee Hatchet for tree pruning - light weight, cuts well, no cord to tangle in branches and the folding handle gets into tight places.
Vibration in any recip saw can be minimized if you keep the shoe pressed firmly against the work so the blade has something to pull against other than your arms.
BruceT
I have the corded Milwaukee Hatchet. It works great for getting into tight spots that a larger saw can't.
The PC does cut fast, but at a price - in the oribital function, the gearing takes a beating and eventually gives up. I am gravely concerned about the whole PC line as they are now part of B&D. And B&D's hisory going back to the 60's is reduce costs at the expense of making a durable machine - and by this I mean holding up in extreme situations which PC, Milwaukee, the old B&D Industrial all did.
I now have 2 MIlwaukee sawzalls - one battery and one corded. They both perform well, particularly in cutting heavy timbers for framing and equally well in cutting heavy pipe, etc. But then Milwaukee is owned by the same investment group that owns Ridgid.
Buy something from a local vendor - not a big box store - where you can get quick turn around on repairs and is close by. I buy MIlwaukee because I have a local shop who repairs all makes but will give me a "loaner" if need finish a job - usually a rebuilt Milwaukee. For the extra $10 I pay him for a new machine, I have a solid back-up system for my power tools.
On the other hand, if it's not used much at all and you don't care if it breaks, buy Harbor Freight.
I use to have an older PC recip and it served well, never used the Bosch myself. I would take a serious look at the Hilti saws I bought one to replace my PC and it is hand's down the best recip saw I've used
The orbital PC will have more moving parts and crap out on you quicker.
For durability and long term performance get a high amp Milwaukee SuperSawzall that will take you the places you need without a hefty pricetag. Check the internet.
be satisfied
half of good living is staying out of bad situations
Edited 5/18/2006 12:17 pm ET by rez
Can I ask why you are limiting your choices to Porter Cable and Bosch? Just curious.
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Just playing with the display models at Lowes:1) The PC and Bosch had a good feel in my hands.
2) Both had very little slop in the blade shaft.
3) Both had what looked like substantial blade clamps.
4) The blade clamp on the Milwaukee made me uneasy, but now I can't say exactly why. With all the recommendations for the Mil that have been offered, I'm going to go look at it again.
5)I own other Bosch and PC power and air tools and I have been very satisfied with both. It looks like either would easily suit my needs, but when asking the little lady for that much coin for an occasional use tool, I want to make sure I don't goof. I have already broken a Harbor Freight cheapie, and the blade clamp in the Craftsman I bought to replace it drives me crazy. I guess I'm looking for reasons not to buy one or the other.Ed
I don't know if they carry Makita at Lowe's, but if they do please give those models a look as well. They received best overall, and best value when tested earlier this year by Mike Guertin and Rick Arnold - and I take their recommendations pretty seriously. It's worth a look.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
They do carry Makita at Lowes. I just picked up a JR3060T yesterday-not the same as the "best value" one; a little bigger. 12 amps, orbital action, variable speed trigger, clutch. No AVT though. Sort of the little brother to the AVT model. I think it was $134. Nice saw, though I am not a fan of the case-it's too long.
To the original poster, I would give that one a look. That orbital action really makes a difference (not sure if the PC or Bosch have it??). Maybe someday I'll know a little something.
I think the PC does. If the Bosch has it, it would be a constant feature because I don't recall seeing a switch on there (I just used a Bosch two weekends ago - nice saw, but I don't like the blade release much, and don't see much use for the detachable cord to be honest)Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
I use a Milwaukee and have not had a problem. My vote is Milwaukee.
Yeah that cordless feature has cost me some serious down time.The extension cord has welded up to the male end and I had todestroy the cord and plug to separate them ,ot it fixed under warranty.Just not a very smart design.The blade holder is pretty cool as it pops the blade out without touching the hot blade but the ring has chipped and it is now hard to function.
I also have the PC adjustable and it is definately useful for hard to get areas but it is not a smooth cutter.
I am contemplating the makita as they are suppose to be very smooth and well built.
ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
Remodeler/Punchout
> 4) The blade clamp on the Milwaukee made me uneasy, but now I can't say exactly why.
Interesting.... My Milwaukee blade release is getting difficult to turn. That and the cheesy foot assembly that jams are its weak points.
-- J.S.
Give that blade release a quick shot of WD40 or silicone spray lube and it will work as slick as new.BruceT
Makita AVT
The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
- Fyodor Dostoyevski
i have owned one milwaukee, one Bosch, and three PDs.
I use them hard doing lots of demo on remodeling. Plaster and beams - even cast iron pipe, a steel beam now and then
The Milwaukee was well used when I got it, but I had a few good years of occasional use out of it.
The Bosch handled nice and cut smooth, but the front end burned up in a year.
The PC will haul you right througha wall if you aren't anchored. It is the most brutal destroyewr of them all. They generally last me about five years - that's almost daily hard use. Three of the guys I work with regularly also have PCs. They are something to hold onto ( vibrations) but so is a 454 big block.
I sent one in when a front end went bad (those tricky moving parts) and they sent it back with straight drive - no cost. I got another few yeasrs out of it. The second one seemed to go out every way at once, right after I put a new cord on her tail. She had four years of very heavy cutting and plaster dust.
my current PC has been around for six years. I got to thinking about the averages and lifespans the other day when I saw a Rigid on sale for $99. it's still sitting in the box. A Sawsall is not the kind of tool I can afford to be without.
I have also used Makitas and the newer breed of milwaukee. That red one is impressive. Very smooth cutting and good control for plunge cuts. The makitas are junk, IMO, unless they have been rebuilt in the last few years. I've seen more than one get tossed in the dumpster, chased there to hide from four letter words.
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I got the orbital Milwaukee just before the articulated PC came out, and ended up getting it, too. If I had to keep just one, it would be the PC, because it can twist and bend and get into places no other saw, recip or circular, can reach. If you're remodeling, that's the one to get. I do use the Milwaukee when I don't need the articulation, just to save the PC for when I really need it. It's what I use on trees.
-- J.S.
Another vote for the PC. Like Pif said it is a 454, goes through anything. As much as I detest B&D, I still have a 20+ year old one that I can't kill. Must have been the one tool they did half right.
Currently have a Milwaukee Super Sawzall, previously had a PC Tiger Saw, and a non orbital Sawzall before that. The PC cut faster than the old non orbital Sawzall but it shook you to pieces- a day of demo work and you knew it. The Super Sawzall is far smoother yet imho cuts faster. If I were in the market for a recip saw the the Super Sawzall would be at the top of my list along with the new Makita JR3070CT which I had a chance to try out. Too new a model to know about longevity but I found the Makita very smooth, powerful, cuts fast, and comfortable with a nice feel and balance.
I'm not familiar with the Bosch saws,
and having used Dewalt, Milwaukee SuperSawzall and the PC Tiger.....I would choose the PC. Because I think it simply outpowers the others
.
.
'Wer ist jetzt der Idiot?'
I have used makita, milluakee ,and porter cable the pc tiger saw is by far the baddest bully on the block yet still easy enough to use for more delicate work.
I have a PC. It has done me very well. My brother recently got the Bosch. I used it, and now I want to trade him. But he won't trade. So I am trying to kill my Porter Cable. But it just won't die. Here's why I like his Bosh better than my trusty porter cable.
1) Nice Positive Blade Lock
2) No slop in the blade
3) Adjustable (and removable foot) A Very nice freature for cutting out Junction Boxes
4) Lots of power (13 amps I think!)
5) Slick little fold out rafter hook
I would buy the Bosch
--Andy