A lot of the features of a reciprocating saw have a lot to do with how effective they are in demolition and construction tasks. If you’re looking to buy your first reciprocating, it pays to read up on some of the important features in order to get yourself familiar with them.
But first, what is a reciprocating saw? If you are already familiar with an electric saber saw or a jigsaw, then you will find the reciprocating saw to be a familiar tool. A reciprocating saw cuts through material just like a power jigsaw would – by moving the blades in a pushing and pulling motion.
This rapid motion, combined with the larger, more substantial blades made for the tool, makes it possible for a reciprocating saw to quickly and roughly cut through wood, nails, drywall, metal pipes and even brick or concrete.
What is a Brushless Reciprocating Saw?
A brushless reciprocating saw simply means that you have a saw equipped with a brushless electric motor. This newer type of motor technology is not limited to just reciprocating saws – nowadays, you will find brushless versions of just about any consumer grade power tool, from drills and circular saws to angle grinders and sanders.
One of the main advantages that a brushless motor gives you is higher efficiency. Since there are no brushes in a brushless motor (hence the name), there are no physical contacts between the rotor and the armature.
This means that there is less power lost to friction, and the motor generates less heat as well. Brushless motors require no brush changes, too, which means less maintenance for the owner of a brushless reciprocating saw.
Brushless reciprocating saws also give you more power for the same input, which extends the running time of cordless models.
Plus, brushless reciprocating saw motors also come with a few nifty features too, owing to the more advanced electronic controls built into the motor. These tools will typically offer automatic speed control and overheating protection, features that you may not find in a reciprocating saw that uses traditional DC motors.
On the other hand, brushless motors are expensive to design and make. Expect brushless reciprocating saw models to cost significantly more than ordinary electric motor models, especially if you’re shopping around for a cordless variant.
What Does An Orbital Reciprocating Saw Do?
A tool that’s called an orbital reciprocating saw simply means that it has an orbital action feature. A reciprocating saw that can cut with an orbital action can cut through softer materials faster while also keeping the blade cooler. Turning on the orbital setting on a reciprocating saw, however, may leave you with rougher cuts. You may also find your tool harder to control, as well.
An orbital reciprocating saw means that it is capable of orbital action, which is a specific movement that the tool can impart on the blade. Normally, reciprocating saws move their blades in a push and pull movement that’s straight and parallel to the chuck, which gives you straight strokes.
Turning on the orbital action, however, makes your reciprocating saw move it up and down in addition to forward and back. This moves the tip of the blade in an elliptical fashion, hence the name.
The semi-elliptical movement accomplishes two things...
First, it slightly lengthens the stroke length of the tool while also pressing the blade against the material. This lets you cut softer materials faster, if a bit rougher than the usual straight stroke.
Secondly, the movement also helps the blade eject chips and debris from the kerf, which helps keep the material from choking up the blade gullets as well.
An orbital reciprocating saw usually comes with a lever that lets you access two or more orbital action settings. This way, you can set the tool to only do straight cuts, or use increasingly more aggressive orbital action with every stroke.
Orbital action is very useful for quick, aggressive cuts in soft wood, plywood, drywall or other softer materials. There are times, however, when you are better off with a straight stroke setting. Cutting metal pipes, for instance, are better done with the orbital action turned off. The same goes for doing plunge cuts with the tip of the blade.
What is the Stroke Length of a Reciprocating Saw?
The stroke length of a reciprocating saw refers to the distance of travel the blade makes with every cycle. The longer the stroke length, the faster and more aggressive the tool can cut through the material. The stroke length of a reciprocating saw, combined with its speed in terms of Strokes per Minute (SPM), can give you a general idea of how fast the tool can cut.
Having a long stroke length is not always an advantage, however. If you often use your reciprocating saw in tight areas, having a tool with a shorter stroke length can actually give you better control. A tool with a shorter stroke length is also less likely to throw you off if it binds or kicks back, as well.
A longer stroke length on your reciprocating saw, on the other hand, gives you more aggressive cuts. A reciprocating saw with a longer stroke length, combined with an aggressive blade and high SPM, makes short work of many demolition jobs.
A stroke length of around 3/4 of an inch is typical of smaller reciprocating saws designed for short blades. On the other extreme are the more powerful saws that can do 1 1/8 of an inch per stroke – these ones will do short work of demolition jobs, and are ideal for quickly cutting through tasks where precision is not too important.
What is an Adjustable Shoe on a Reciprocating Saw?
An adjustable shoe on a reciprocating saw does more than just help you keep the blade perpendicular to the cut. Depending on the setting of the shoe, you can have it set forward or backward to make better use of the different areas of your blade. This helps extend blade life and make the most out of your blades by letting you distribute and spread out the wear on your current blade.
An adjustable shoe will also let you adjust the depth of cut of your reciprocating saw. This can be handy if you are cutting into an existing wall, by letting you avoid any wires and pipes hidden behind it.
Having an adjustable shoe on your saw also helps you control the blade better when doing tricky cuts, from plunge cuts to angled cuts or for holding down thin metal sheets and other flexible materials.
What Type of Motor is in a Reciprocating Saw?
A reciprocating saw will come with an electric motor. It can either be a DC (direct current motor), an AC, (alternating current motor), or a universal motor that can run off either DC or AC current, within the proper specifications, of course.
A reciprocating saw may also come with a brushless electric motor. In a brushless motor, the contact brushes are replaced with an electronic circuit that precisely controls the direction of the current to keep the motor spinning.
To see which type of motor your reciprocating saw comes with, refer to the user’s manual that comes with the tool. As a general rule, though, cordless reciprocating saws will often come with DC motors, while corded models may have AC, DC or universal motors.
What is a Compact Reciprocating Saw?
A compact reciprocating saw is a smaller saw designed to be used with one hand. These smaller saws can be useful if you are working in tight spaces, or if you often have to work in or around tightly spaced studs. Compact reciprocating saws also come with cordless models as well, which will give you extra maneuverability with no cord getting in the way of your work.
On the other hand, compact reciprocating saws usually come with smaller motors and are often able to use only the smaller blades. Compact reciprocating saws are designed more for convenience and portability, and you may find their power a bit limited, especially if you are working on tougher materials like metal pipes and hardwood.
What is the High Speed Setting on a Reciprocating Saw Used For?
A higher speed setting on a reciprocating saw can be useful for quickly cutting through softer materials like wood and plastic. Many reciprocating saw models come with a speed control dial, which helps you set the maximum speed of your tool.
Using the high speed setting on your saw is best done in combination with aggressive blades with a lower teeth per inch count (TPI). A higher speed setting, combined with a sturdy, aggressive blade and orbital action, will make quick work of softer materials like wood, wood with nails, drywall, PVC pipes, baseboard and trim and similar materials.
On the other hand, you want to stick to a lower speed setting if there is a risk of overheating the blade. Cuts done using fine teeth blade or abrasive grit are best done with a low speed setting to help preserve the life of your blade.
