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Cordless Recip Saws

Reciprocating Saws Frequently Asked Questions

What is a recip saw used for?

A recip saw, short for reciprocating saw, is a hand-held saw used for making quick, rough cuts through various materials such as wood, metal, plastic, and concrete. Their main use is in demolition work. The backward-forward motion of the blade cuts through joists and plasterboards with ease, as well as the material around windows and doors. Recip saws make lightwork of ripping out old fittings – a task that would otherwise be arduous and time-consuming with a hammer and crowbar. They’re good for shaping plasterboard and for cutting plastic piping when doing any plumbing work.

You can choose from a huge variety of recip blades to cut quickly and effortlessly through any materials, whether it’s frames, walls, or fixings. Just look out for the material the recip blade is designed to cut through and how long the blade is.

What is the difference between a reciprocating saw and a jigsaw?

Both reciprocating saws and jigsaws are both popular cutting tools capable of many professional and DIY tasks. Both tools use a back-and-forth motion with the blade to make their cuts and are also both available in corded and cordless models.

Reciprocating saws, however, are much larger and more powerful than jigsaws. They have bigger blades capable of cutting through a wider variety of materials than jigsaws and are a great choice for demolition and remodelling work, and for cutting through pipework and conduit. They have a horizontal design with the blade in front of the saw and are designed to be used with two hands – one gripping the rear handle and trigger and the other hand supporting the body closer to the unshielded blade.

Jigsaws are more often a woodworker’s or carpenter’s tool used often for laminate flooring and more intricate jobs such as creating curved cuts or straight, accurate cuts in wood. On a jigsaw, the blade is at 90 degrees to the body of the jigsaw, sticking out vertically from underneath. A transparent shield that slides up and down is a common safety feature.

Is it worth buying a recip saw?

A recip saw is a very useful tool to have around the home or the jobsite, reducing the time and effort required for demolition or remodelling projects. Despite their light weight, recip saws are extremely powerful and designed to rapidly saw through thicker materials. If you’re a professional tradesman keen to speed up your work, a DIY enthusiast looking to make your life easier, or you’re suffering from joint pain and wanting to reduce the effort that you need to put in when you work, a reciprocating saw is almost certainly going to be a worthwhile investment.

The cuts might not be the prettiest, but if you’re looking to cut quickly through metal, timber, plasterboard or plastic tubing, this handy power tool gives you the power and versatility to effortlessly cut through most materials. Their ability to cut all kinds of materials is what makes this tool popular with professional tradespeople. If you’re wanting a neat, clean finish from your cuts, a recip saw might not be for you – try a circular saw or jigsaw instead.

What are the best power tool brands for recip saws?

At Toolstore UK, we offer a wide range of reciprocating saws from all the leading power tool brands. DeWalt recip saws are renowned for their power and are designed to tackle the most demanding cutting applications and are a popular choice for both professional users and DIY enthusiasts. Makita recip saws are robust and designed to handle even the toughest demolition job, from breaking through boards to rapidly sawing through thicker materials.

Both power tools brands offer incredible power and ergonomic design. Which one is best will come down to personal choice. If you already have a range or power tools from a particular manufacturer, you may want to choose a recip saw from the same range so that you can use the same batteries. If you would like any help or advice choosing the right recip saw, please contact our friendly team who will be happy to help.