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| Hello,
We recently bought a home, and the need to get things done around the house are never ending. I need to get some minor framing done (cutting 2x4's), and I also need to cut some metal shelving brackets. I was thinking of getting a plain old hack-saw and another wood saw, but I thought I might as well get a powered (cordless or corded) one. But I can't decide between a reciprocating or a jig saw (or maybe handheld circular). Which of these is most versatile/useful one for light-duty housework? I want to buy just one power saw and get the most uses out of it. The guy at Lowes said buy a cordless jig saw, not reciprocating. Just wondering if other people had opinions/ideas? Thanks lzk |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| There are special blades that can be fixed to a cut-off saw, for cutting metal. But the blades are expensive, so you will more likely end up using a hand-power hacksaw for your metal cutting. A corded(not battery) cut-off saw is perhaps the most useful tool, and they aren't very expensive. To do good work, safely, will require a bench, or maybe some solid saw horses, on a level surface. |
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| I own a circular saw, recipricating saw, a table saw, a sliding compound miter saw and various hand saws. If you are just starting out with electric saws and want to build your skills over time, I suggest a 7 1/4 " circular saw (corded). I would not suggest a recipricating saw, they can be very dangerous and not very precise. |
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- Posted by Talley_Sue_NYC (My Page) on Mon, Nov 22, 04 at 12:03
| I have a jig saw, and it's OK, but a circular saw would be light years better for cutting straight lines in stock lumber. I needed a jig, for some small cuts, and didn't have room or money for two saws (and I live in an apt. , so I don't do much woodworking). I've never figured out what a reciprocating saw is best for, but I'm betting it's stuff I'd never do. If I lived in a home w/ a garage, I'd have a circular saw, a jig saw, and start saving up for a table saw. |
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- Posted by Back_Yard_Guy (My Page) on Mon, Nov 22, 04 at 12:46
| A circular saw, reciprocating & jig saw each serve a unique function. It's kind of like asking, should one use a fork, spoon or knife? They're not intended to accomplish the same task. There is no one tool that fits all projects. The wrong tool - for the wrong job - will do nothing but disappoint. Reciprocating saws are really great for demolition activities (like tearing out before remodeling). |
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| Thanks to all for your replies. While surfing some more, I found that Black and Decker makes a combination hand saw / jig saw called Navigator SC500. See Link. Seems to be exactly what I need, but it does seem underpowered. Any opinions? Thanks lzk |
Here is a link that might be useful: Navigator SC500
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| I had a B&D jigsaw once that was so underpowered and awful that I returned it. If you're going to get a jigsaw get a Bosch. I have a circular saw too but I actually hardly ever use it since I got the jigsaw. I'm planning on getting a reciprocating saw but that would be for the express purpose of demolition. You should buy the tool for the job at hand. For framing I think I'd want a chop saw, but since you're on a budget and looking for flexibility the jigsaw and circular saw will also work. For the shelf brackets you can either buy a hacksaw or a metal blade for the jigsaw. And above all, "don't forget the most important piece of safety equipment... safety glasses" [Norm Abram]. |
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| A circular saw will cut 2 by lumber and plywood faster and better than other saws. A jig saw(technically it is called a saber saw) will cut shapes in thin wood/plastic/metal and can be used for plywood cutting. A reciprocating saw is basically a demolition tool. There are not many construction uses for this type. An inexpensive circular saw is the more versatile tool---on a limited budget. And an inexpensive jig saw and circ. saw can be purchased for under $70. However, you get a cheap saw on both accounts. The suggested Bosch jig saw, for instance, is what most folks consider the Cadillac of jig saws---and retails for $150+. My circular saw cost $189 six years ago, I got it in a closeout sale for $100. But I use it at least every week, on jobs. B&D saws are decent homeowner tools. Get corded tho---the battery types are junk. |
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| I checked out jig-saws and found them with and without orbital motion, scrolling feature etc. Are these features useful or necessary? Also, is 3.5Amp sufficent? Thanks again lzk |
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| Orbital is good---makes the cutting more aggressive and faster. It does make more splintering, however. Scrolling is more a blade size function. The saws with the top knob for turning the blade always were much more difficult for me to use---required both hands and two actions. It is easier to just tirn the saw. 3.5 amps is ok, jig saws are not designed for long cuts and speed anyway. |
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| I second the vote for the Bosch saw. It has proven to be worth every penny of the $160 that I spent on it. A bit pricey compared to others I guess, but it operates so smoothly and cuts so precisely.....man, what a saw. Who knows, with the right tool you may find lots and lots of uses for it. Aubrey |
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| I have the circular, both corded and cordless, saber, mitersaw, reciprocating, and hand saws, plus an old radial arm saw and a band saw. (that's a whole lot of saws, now that I think of it!) I use the reciprocating saw for tree pruning, and rough sawing, like taking apart pallets (just cut through the nails!)to reuse the wood. I've also used the recip for cutting a glass rod, 1 inch diam. with a carbide grit blade,which didn't work really smoothly, but it got through. It cuts metal like butter, too. I used to use the jigsaw when I didn't have anything else and it worked OK, not great, though. Crosscutting boards with a guide, ripping boards is really slow and wavey. Can cut metal pipe. Norm |
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| I would suggest if you are going to purchase a jig saw to get the variable speed model. Each saw is usually designed for a special purpose and not a combination of purposes. Oh yea they will work but not very good. As for B&D, They use to be a good brand, not anymore as far as I am concerned. Bought a B&D orbital sander and it lasted almost 2 minutes!! No more B&D for me!! Plastic fibre gears I think. Circular saws are used for straight cuts. So as you can see, a "good mulitpurpose saw" will probably not meet up to your expectations. |
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| I just about tore my hand off tonight with a wild Skill jigsaw while trying to cut straight lines into an aluminum threshold. As you can imagine, it didn't come out very well. I live in a condo and all I have is a foldable workbench. Damn thing was moving all over the place. I can't wait to get a regular circular saw. I think it would be far more useful as I only seem to make straight cuts. I am not sure I could have used it on metal, though. Probably should have used a hacksaw tonight, but it takes me FOREVER to cut through anything with it, and I can't imagine how long it would have taken with metal. What I should probably do is take a course on tool safety! Luckily my husband wasn't around to watch. |
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| Darthjenn - did you have a metal-cutting blade on the jigsaw? You need to use the right blade and reduce the speed and orbital action when cutting metal with a jigsaw. If you do those three things and take it slow, the jigsaw shouldn't be dancing all over the place like you experienced. |
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| Thanks, chiefneil! I used the metal-cutting blade, but I did NOT reduce the speed OR the orbital thing. I was WAY too impatient, pressing forward instead of letting the saw do the work. I am a new user of saws, definitely. I am fascinated by them. I just love having using my own tools. I may have to make peace with the jigsaw, yet. My husband doesn't think it's a good idea for me to get a circular saw as he says it's too dangerous. Still, he hasn't used a circular saw in a good twenty years himself, since he moved out of the "country". Perhaps they have new safety features now that they didn't have then. I hope so. Otherwise I won't be able to talk him into it. He loves all of my DIY adventures, but he's completely paranoid about my getting hurt. |
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| Darthjenn, you just keep practicing and good results will come. This is not a testosterone-propelled craft. Norm |
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