Replies

1. 
   JDRHI | Apr 24, 2002 05:14am | #1

   "Is it time to buy the red and grey boat anchor?"

    If you are refering to the Milwaukee, I`d have to say yes. They truly are the standard by which all recip. saws are measured. I`ve worked with nothing but for years and never have flames shot from the tail. IMHO.

   J. D. Reynolds

   Home Improvements

   "DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"

2. 
   coonass | Apr 24, 2002 05:24am | #2

   Tommy,

   No big deal, the wires are just shorted. Easy to fix and nothing to buy, cord just ends up a few inches shorter.

   KK

1. 
   Lunicy | Apr 27, 2002 01:37am | #3

   Go with Mil. I haven't had a problem with them. Stay away from Ryobi, (blade holder breaks, twice,) Makita (Same prob as ryobi) PC (Striped gears cutting PVC, Returned, Burnt motor, Same damn pipe) On the third trip to the store that day, bought a new Mil to replace the one that was stolen 4 yrs ago.

   Can't I go 1 day without spilling my coffee?

1. 
   KenHill3 | Apr 27, 2002 01:43am | #4

   Geez......Is there any other than the original SAWZALL, that by which all others are to be judged? There IS no substitute.

   Ken Hill

1. 
   JeffBuck | Apr 27, 2002 08:39am | #5

   I'm a big DeWalt fan.......but......I returned their sawzaw 2 weeks after I got it. Foot adjustment kept getting jammed.

   Old Mil is the one and only sawzaw there is. I got the new(er) 11 amp monster.......very comfortable and very powerful. First day I had to cut thru an I beam that we left sticking out out the roof......had to be cut at the roof-line angle.........like butter. The other guys tiger cub couldn't take it. Jeff                             "That's like hypnotizing chickens........."

                                                     

1. 
   KenHill3 | Apr 27, 2002 08:54am | #6

   Jeff-

   Yeah, ya get the biggest one ya can. All the MW's are smoooooth. Used the Dewalt alongside the MW on a demo job- Dewalt went back in the box and was never used again.

   Ken Hill

2. 
   Woodbutcher | Apr 27, 2002 09:56am | #7

   I guess it must just be me...

   I've had three of those 11-amp milwaukees (all three brand new), and the $99 dewalt  absolutely ran circles around them.   I'll never waste my money on a red one again.

3. 
   dustmonkee | Apr 27, 2002 02:48pm | #8

   The Milwaukee SuperSawzall has always worked well for me.  I installed headers to make it flame! My buddy has a Porter Cable which he works very hard; he has had no problems with it.  I think any of the major tool mnfg's probably make a good recip. saw by now.

   Regards, monk

2. 
   crankbait642 | Apr 28, 2002 05:26pm | #14

   Abused a porter Cable for 16 years and was very happy with it. Liked the option of orbital or straight action.  It finally stripped out something in the front end last month. Motors still strong. Used my buddies Red & Grey machine and thought it fine but ended up sliding the rubber grip sleve forward to keep my fingers out of the recip action. I really got used to getting my hand safly right up to the blade on the PC for better overhead leverage.

3. 
   JasonMis | Apr 27, 2002 08:34pm | #9

   Ive been framing for a number of years now and have used every different kind of recip saws known to mankind....out of all of them...i prefer porter cable...

                                            jason

1. 
   sjmerrette | Apr 28, 2002 05:07am | #10

   11 1/2 amp PC has cut anything I've put in front of it for over a year now and it still kicks A$$!Steve

   S.J.MERRETTE Carpentry & Construction • Robesonia, PA

   Nothing is impossible...It just hasn't been done yet.

1. 
   nigelUsa | Apr 28, 2002 05:10am | #11

   Got the right blade? Makes all the differance!!

1. 
   Timuhler | Apr 28, 2002 05:53am | #12

   Go with the newer Hitachi.  I forget the model number CV something.  They have it at Amazon.  It is a little heavy, but we love it.  The Hitachi is the best recip saw out there.

1. 
   Americandown | Apr 28, 2002 12:11pm | #13

   Bought the original Sawzall(3/4"stroke) back in '87 or '88. Built like a tank! Never a problem or complaint. Took apart the front end only once and greased it.Bought the low end DeWalt -650 watts,1 1/8" stroke,2 speed(0-1800 & 0-2400 SPM) in early'99,a short time after moving here to New Zealand.IMO,built like a piece of fine German machinery,powerful, fast,smooth cutting,blows through old rimu 2x6 and 3x6 studding like a banshee,and put it head to head against a Makita and it blew the Makita away.Used the PC tigersaw too.Was very impressed.IMO,you can't go wrong with any of these saws.

2. 
   nigelUsa | Apr 29, 2002 07:26am | #15

   Funny you say that. I sent the Hitachi back because it jumped around like a road hammer. Never even tried to cut anything because it felt so out of control! Ended up with a PC tigercub old new stock for $60. Then spend 2 hours fixing my sears pro unit. Blade pin had come loose and worn the hole for it. Spend most of the time cleaning and re-lube. Now it works like new again.