Getting started with using a reciprocating saw is mostly a matter of learning how to securely holding the tool as you make the cut, but there are a few things you can do to make your sawing tasks go faster, too.
Reciprocating saws are versatile power cutting tools that can make many rough cutting and demolition tasks a breeze. From breaking down stud walls and cutting pallets down to size to pruning branches and tree roots, a reciprocating saw will do it all in a way that’s easier on your back – and it’s a lot of fun to use too!
A reciprocating saw has its blade moving parallel to the main body of the tool, and just like with a power drill, a bit of skill is involved in order to guide this tool along the line of cut you want to make.
Unlike precision tools like, say, a jigsaw, you may need to bear down on a reciprocating saw to help it along instead of simply letting the blade do all the work. Once you are comfortable enough with the tool, you may use a more aggressive approach to handling it – rocking it up and down to finish the cut faster, for instance.
How to Use a Cordless Reciprocating Saw
To use a cordless reciprocating saw, you will need to install a blade and a charged battery pack first.
To install a new blade into the tool, make sure to remove the battery first. Check with your user’s manual on how to remove or attach a battery pack to your cordless reciprocating saw. Once the battery is removed, then it’s safe to insert the blade into the tool chuck, right into the slot at the center of the shoe.
Once more, check with your user’s manual on how to attach a blade – most reciprocating saws come with a tool-less blade attachment system that lets you install a new blade without having to reach out for a wrench or screwdriver. Reciprocating saws also allow you to install the blade facing downwards or upwards, as well.
Give the blade a tug or two to confirm that it is securely attached.
Attach a charged battery pack to your reciprocating saw. If your tool or battery comes with a fuel indicator, verify that you have enough charge to run the reciprocating saw, and recharge the battery as needed. Slightly depress and release the on switch to confirm that you have a working tool.
How to Use a Corded Reciprocating Saw
To use a corded reciprocating saw, you will need to attach a blade before plugging the tool into a suitable outlet. Always check that the tool is unplugged before attaching or changing the blade.
Refer to your user’s manual on how to attach the blade or attachment to your reciprocating saws. Almost all newer models of reciprocating saws have tool-free chucks, which lets you securely attach the blade with a simple quarter or half turns without the need for tools.
You can install the blade facing down or up depending on the cut you need to make, and some models also allow you to install the blade facing sideways.
Confirm that the blade has been securely attached by giving it a quick tug or two to make sure it doesn’t come off during operation.
Check that the outlet matches the voltage of your tool before plugging it in – if you’re not sure, you can always consult the manual or the packaging to confirm. Once you have the tool plugged in, give the switch a quick press to confirm that you have power running to the tool.
How to Use a Reciprocating Saw for Pruning
To use a reciprocating saw for pruning, or for any outdoor work for that matter, you may find that a cordless tool will give you that much-needed portability, especially if you will be working on mature trees. You can use a rough cutting general purpose blade for this sort of task, but there are also reciprocating blades made for pruning that can give you faster results.
Always wear eye protection when pruning trees, especially if you are doing overhead cuts. If you are working on top of a ladder, it also helps if you can brace the ladder or your body against a wall. Start the cut from the top of the branch, and gently rock the saw up and down to speed up the work.
How to Use a Reciprocating Saw to Cut Drywall
There are two ways you can use a reciprocating saw to cut drywall. You can do a straight cut if you have access to an edge of the piece. You can also do a plunge cut, as well.
For drywall, you can use a rough general-purpose saw blade for demolishing walls. There are also drywall blades specially made for the purpose. To keep vibrations to a minimum, keep the shoe pressed against the material – this also makes the cut go faster.
To make a plunge cut, place the shoe of the reciprocating saw against the drywall. Turn on the tool, and using the shoe as a pivot, press the running saw blade into the drywall to start the cut.
Always be careful that you don’t cut into electrical wires or plumbing when cutting into finished walls.
How to Use a Reciprocating Saw to Cut Metal
You can use a reciprocating saw to cut nails and other metal fasteners using bimetal blades to slice through both wood and small metal pieces alike.
For cutting into metal pipes, though, you will need to use blades designed to cut metal. These blades are similar to hacksaw blades in that they have smaller teeth spaced closely together.
Always wear eye protection if you are cutting into metal pipes. Also check that you are not cutting into pipes that are currently carrying water, gas, or live electrical wiring.
To cut into a metal pipe, install the metal-cutting blade into your reciprocating saw. Position the blade along the line of your cut, then start slow.
Depending on the size of the pipe, you may position the blade to only work on one side at a time, instead of trying to cut down on two sides at once. Brace the tool against the pipe using the shoe to minimize vibrations and get the cut to go faster.
How to Use a Reciprocating Saw to Cut Pallets
It’s easy to tear down a pallet with a reciprocating saw and still get usable materials out of it once it’s all done. You will be cutting into nails as well as wood, so you will need a bi-metal blade or a demolition blade for your tool. Longer blades around 12 inches or so will work particularly well for breaking down pallets into useful wood pieces.
Always wear eye protection when using a reciprocating tool to cut into wood and nails.
To quickly break down the pallet, you want to cut right into the nails. The easiest way to do it is to place the pallet on the ground with the sides facing up, such that you have the nails parallel to the ground. Then, start cutting into the nails from the top to free the wooden slats from the pallet frame. Do the same for the center support and the other frame as well.
How to Use a Reciprocating Saw to Cut Tree Roots
To use a reciprocating saw to help dig out a tree or a shrub, first, you will need to expose the roots. Dig up the dirt and soil around the trunk, and take care to remove any rocks that can get in the way.
Bimetal blades and demolition blades are good for working on tree roots and soil. Start the cut from the top and dig the blade into the root – the blade is tough enough to dig into the soil if it does not have a lot of rocks in it.
How to Use a Reciprocating Saw to Cut Trees
Reciprocating saws can also be used to cut smaller trees. Demolition blades will also work for cutting branches and tree limbs, but for cutting into green lumber, a pruning blade will work better for your purposes. Pruning blades are also less likely to get caught in the tree, sparing you from a potentially dangerous kickback.
You can generally cut down a smaller tree up to 5 inches in diameter with a reciprocating saw. Start the cut from one side, and cut into the trunk partway with the tool. To control the direction that the tree would fall towards, you can finish the cut by pulling down the tree with rope.
Avoid trying to cut trees in windy weather.
How to Use a Reciprocating Saw to Cut Wood
To use a reciprocating saw to cut wood, you can use a general purpose blade for the task. Demolition blades will quickly cut into dimensional lumber, as well as the nails and fasteners holding them in place.
Longer blades will let you cut wood flush to a surface, and you can guide the saw blade along door jambs or framing that way. You will only be able to do rough cuts with a reciprocating saw, but in the demolition business, that is all you will need.
A Note On Reciprocating Saw Safety (Have To Do It)!
A reciprocating saw blade has a rather limited range of motion, which makes it relatively safer compared to a chainsaw or rotary tools like angle grinders and circular saws. That said, it’s still a power cutting tool, and an aggressive one at that. There are several things you will need to keep in mind at all times in order to use a reciprocating saw safely.
Reciprocating saws are some of the best demolition tools you can use in the worksite. This also means that you are likely using the tool in areas where dust and debris can be released as you break down existing structure, especially if you are working near old ceilings and drywall.
Before picking up the tool, make sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask – especially if you are cutting into metal pipes or nailed-down studs. The same goes for if you are using the tool to break off ceramic tiles and old paint, as well.
The blade of a reciprocating saw is exposed, which lets you guide it into narrow spaces. This also means that you don’t get a blade guard to protect you from the blade once it gets up to speed. Only start the reciprocating saw once you have the tool braced with both hands, and you have a firm footing.
Reciprocating saws can give you a nasty kickback if the end of the blade slams against something. While you can brace for kickback if you are working on the ground, the force can possibly throw you off-balance if you are working on a ladder.
Keep this in mind when working on ladders or in any place where you don’t have a secure foothold. If you have access to the top of the ladder, you can also brace the arm holding the butt of the reciprocating saw against the top to help absorb the impact.
Aside from kickback, another important possibility you have to watch out for is when the blade binds into the material. This can happen if you are cutting into weight-bearing structures, for example – once the supporting material gives halfway into the cut, the rest of the material may press down on the blade, again causing the tool to buck violently.
The blades used with reciprocating saws are tough and many of them are designed for heavy-duty work. That said, you may need to change them often, especially if you are cutting into a lot of nails.
Just remember that the blade on a reciprocating saw can get extremely hot, so keep that in mind before reaching for it with bare hands. Always unplug the saw before changing the blade – for cordless reciprocating saws, take the time to detach the battery pack and safely change the blade that way.
Finally, always be careful when cutting into existing finished walls, ceiling, and floors. There are a lot of things that can go wrong if you accidentally cut into plumbing pipes, electrical wiring, heating vents and telephone lines hidden behind them.
