Decent Sawzall for a good price?

[Yooper]

We are having Christmas at our place in about a month. Since we go away in the winter, but are leaving by November 1, we decided to have our holidays all at once. So we are celebrating HalloThanksMas on October 12th.

We'll trick or treat around the house, have Thanksgiving dinner, and open our Christmas presents.

I want to surprise Bob with a sawzall. He used a friend's a few months ago, and talked about how awesome it was. I never saw it, so I don't know the brand or anything. I'd like to get him one, but want to stay under $90 or so. Normally we don't even exchange gifts, but this would be from the family.

I don't even know where to start! Can you help me choose one?
Thank you!

 

[smurfjuice]

Yoop, does Bob want corded or cordless. i would say Dewalt. i have had good luck with them ... ... altho they may be li'l over $90.00

 

[Wayne1]

Milwaukee owns the Sawzall name and probably makes the best version.
Here is a reconditioned corded one for $80.00
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200733733_200733733

 

[passedpawn]

Yoop, does Bob want corded or cordless. i would say Dewalt. i have had good luck with them ... ... altho they may be li'l over $90.00

I've got a DeWalt recip saw. I've cut pretty much everything with it - metal, wood, concrete. Never had one issue with it.

I'd recommend corded unless he has a need for cordless. Of course, cordless tools are convenient, but I suggest always starting with corded one first since it will always be able to get the job done. Cordless devices can't always do it. And, of course, cordless is going to be more due to the $$ lithium batteries.

 

[OG-wan Kenobi]

In that price range Makita, but if you want cordless I think your limited to Ryobi




https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-...Cutting-Blade-and-Hard-Case-JR3050T/100594827

 

[BrewerBrad82]

I have both a corded DeWalt and a corded Makita. I have put them through the ringer for many many years and both are still going strong.

 

[kh54s10]

I have a Ryobi cordless, it works fine. I bought cordless years ago and only used them once in a while. In those days batteries didn't last long so it was costing me tons per use. The batteries are better these days and I have quite a few Ryobi tools.

If you go with cordless you are pretty much limited to staying with one brand for all the tools. Unless you get separate battery packs and chargers for each. But then you have to keep each separate brand charged. I have four batteries that fit all my tools, so I always have at least 2 of them charged while using the other two.

Also get at least an 18 volt Lithium-Ion tool.

 

[Dland]

Cordless DeWalt has taken a lot of abuse on fencing, steel edging jobs, still going strong. I will say it pays to have multiple batteries if using a lot, so the price gets up there.

The Milwaukee corded is still the best if doing heavier shop work, cutting thicker steel etc, and you don't need to be portable.

 

[matt_m]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy any of the "pro" brands--Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch and wouldn't hesitate to buy recon. cpooutlets.com is a great place for recon, bought several things from them over the years.

I found several options that are at or even beat your price range:
https://www.cpooutlets.com/makita-j...procating-saw-kit/mktnjr3050t,default,pd.html
https://www.cpooutlets.com/factory-...ng-saw-with-case/milr6519-831,default,pd.html
https://www.cpooutlets.com/factory-...ocating-saw-kit/mktrjr3050t-r,default,pd.html
https://www.cpooutlets.com/factory-...reciprocating-saw/dewrdwe305r,default,pd.html
https://www.cpooutlets.com/factory-...ng-saw-with-case/bshrrs325-rt,default,pd.html

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I'd go Dewalt or Porter Cable.

I have a Ryobi coordless, and it is a good saw, but I also find it has some issues with off branded blades.

 

[matt_m]

I would have put PC on that list 10 years ago but Stanley Black and Decker has really moved the brand downward. Makes sense since they don't want to compete with Dewalt which they also own in the pro space.

 

[balrog]

another vote for corded DeWalt. $100 buh.

 

[mirthfuldragon]

If he already has cordless tools of a sufficient level (DeWalt, Makita, etc.), buying a cordless saw in that system makes sense, i.e., if he already has an 18v DeWalt drill, getting an 18v saw works really well. I've had middling luck with the low-market brands (Ryobi, etc.). My sawzall is a corded Makita and it's a great tool.

 

[schematix]

Great tool.

If he's going to be using it outside you probably want to get a battery powered one. They aren't as powerful as their corded brethren but you'd be amazed how much damage they can still do.

I don't think it has many indoor uses because of how rough it cuts. 99.9% of the cuts i've made with it are tree branches in the yard. If it were corded it'd be 100% useless. It's amazing for the task though.

I bought a set of Dewalt 20V cordless tools a few years ago on black friday. Got the drill, impact driver and recipe saw for about $300. They go on sale every year with a massive discount. I don't think $90 is going to get you there though.

 

[Yooper]

I thought corded- he would use it outside, but not in inclement weather. He doesn't have any other cordless tools except for a cheap weedeater.

I see that everybody does like the DeWalt and Milwaukee, and I'll dig into those reconditioned ones posted above as well.

Thank you all!

 

[Yooper]

Next question- does he need the 'blade set'? That never occurred to me!
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWE30...gZQK7IJfkMcJgAKog&slotNum=0&tag=sawingpros-20

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

They usually come with a blade but, the blade set wouldn't hurt because it'll provide a better variety of blade types suited for certain jobs.

 

[mirthfuldragon]

Next question- does he need the 'blade set'? That never occurred to me!

Blades are consumable. Depending on the job and task, one blade might last 10 minutes, an hour, a day, etc.

 

[Yooper]

I found a great price on the Makita- but it's confusing the way the description is in Amazon. It's 11 amp, so enough power for him. But underneath:

And in another place, it says something about needing batteries(?). Very confusing to a non-tool person.

 

[balrog]

ignore battery comment
That is definitely a corded model (JR3050T)

 

[passedpawn]

I found a great price on the Makita- but it's confusing the way the description is in Amazon. It's 11 amp, so enough power for him. But underneath:
View attachment 644080
And in another place, it says something about needing batteries(?). Very confusing to a non-tool person.
View attachment 644081

240V?

 

[z-bob]

https://www.cpooutlets.com/factory-...ng-saw-with-case/milr6519-831,default,pd.html

I've bought reconditioned tools (and a couple of new ones) from CPO and been very happy with the prices and the service.

 

[Yooper]

240V?

Yeah- but it can't be. Or somehow, somewhere that would be mentioned, right?

 

[Yooper]

Lowe's doesn't sell Makita, apparently. I get a discount at Lowe's of 11%, so I often shop there.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Lowe's doesn't sell Makita, apparently. I get a discount at Lowe's of 11%, so I often shop there.

Home Depot carries some Makita. And will usually match any offers Lowes honors.

 

[Yooper]

Home Depot carries some Makita. And will usually match any offers Lowes honors.

They will NOT match my veteran's discount, except on the Fourth of July. I can't find makita reciprocating saws on their site.

 

[Yooper]

I ordered the Dewalt- with two different packs of blades.

He'll be so surprised! Thank you all so much.

I hope he lets me use it. I have some pallets to cut up....................

 

[lump42]

I ordered the Dewalt- with two different packs of blades.

He'll be so surprised! Thank you all so much.

I hope he lets me use it. I have some pallets to cut up....................

Dewalts a solid brand, especially if you're not using it everyday on a jobsite. If you have a harbor freight, I use their pruning blades since those always get so beat up. Their great for clearing out old bushes.

 

[MT_Keg]

Here is the DeWalt I have, no complaints!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-12-Amp-Corded-Reciprocating-Saw-DWE305/205580808

 

[Gravitysucks]

I have a Milwaukee Sawzall as well as several other Milwaukee tools that are still going strong after 20 years but I also have some newer Milwaukee tools that haven't lasted any time at all. Entirely anecdotal but in my experience the quality of their newer tools is not what it used to be. Just something to consider when researching.