Reciprocating Saws – the Jig Saws Mean Big Brother

The reciprocating saw is an adaptation of the saber saw, or jig saw, for heavy duty work such as construction. In this article I'll cover the types available as well as blade types and their uses.

Reciprocating saws range widely in power, speed, and features, from less powerful portable, to high-power, high-speed, corded models. Modern reciprocating saws almost all have variable speed, using a trigger or preset using a dial. Another feature that has become important to the way these saws are used is the inclusion of an orbital action. The action consists of oscillating the traversed reciprocation in up and down fashion causing the tip of the blade to move in an oval pattern, up and down as well as back and forth. This feature is primarily for wood, allowing quick cuts.

The blades for these saws are range in length from 2 ½ to 12 inches, and are generally heavier than saber and jig saw blades. They range in purpose from cutting metal and wood as well as manner of materials in between.

Blade Types

Course Tooth – Typically used for cutting green wood.

Hack Saw – Used to cut metal, typically up to 1/8 inch in thickness.

Knife – This blade has the greatest range of uses. It cuts leather, rubber, cloth, linoleum, and many more similar materials.

Fine-tooth – When a smooth cut is need for wood, plastic, or hardboard this is the one for the job.

In many models, blades may be mounted to cut up, down, or horizontally, and flush with an adjoining surface. In structural work and remodeling, long blades are sometimes used to cut right through a wall, after of course making sure wire or plumbing won't be damaged. Blades for such use can cut right through any nails they encounter. Blades manufactured specifically for cutting heavier metal, such as pipe or bar stock, need to be lubricated regularly with light oil.

These saws today almost always come with variable speed control. Speeds range from around 2300 strokes per minute down to a few hundred (for cutting steel and some plastics).

Picking the right saw for your own use really depends on the type of job(s) you intend to accomplish. A larger, more robust model is probably overkill for most around the home projects and not to mention the price for these puts them out of reach of most budgets. The smaller, lightweight, more affordable versions on the market today offer the typical handyman more then enough versatility to handle any "honey-do" list.

There you have it. Reciprocating saws are not for everyday use in most cases, but having one in your tool box is a smart decision for the avid do-it-yourselfer. Just remember to choose the right for your needs, and above use it and any power tool in a safe and controlled manner.