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Maker’s Toolbox: Reciprocating saws

SCHOOL OF MAKING

Whatever needs cutting, this’ll (probably) cut it

f one power tool epitomises the word

‘hack’ in the physical sense, then it’s the

reciprocating saw. It’ll tear through most

materials pretty quickly, with enthusiasm rather

than accuracy. Want to hack through metal

pipes? Go for it. Does a tree need hacking

down? This’ll do it. Wood with nails in it? Hack away.

When thinking of power saws, you might

automatically think of circular blades of whirling doom,

or the endless spin of a band-saw, but this one is far

simpler. Reciprocating saws (sometimes know as

a sabre saws) are a type of electric saw mimics the

action of a manual saw by repeatedly pushing, then

pulling, a blade through your material. Depending on

the type of blade, they can cut through a wide variety

of materials, including wood and metal.

Because it’s so similar to manual sawing, it’s one

of the easier power saws to use – you line it up as

you would a manual saw, ensure that the foot is on

the material, and start cutting. Almost all reciprocating

saws have a two-handed setup, where one is on a

vertical handle, while the other grips the body of the

saw. Typically, these saws have a variable speed trigger

on the vertical handle, so you can start slowly at first,

then build up. You can even start your cut in the middle

of a sheet of material with a plunge cut (start with the

saw roughly parallel to the material, and slowly lever

the blade downwards).

Reciprocating saws are powerful and can often cut

wood up to 30 cm thick. Many reciprocating saws are

able to cut through wood with nails in it (though check

that your blade can handle it), which adds to the speed

of taking things apart. However, they are a very rough-

and-ready tool, and they’re not designed for millimetre-

perfect accuracy, That said, with a little care, they’re

not far off.

These saws are probably most famous as tools of

destruction – their portability and ability to cut through

a wide range of materials make them perfect for taking

things apart. However, these same traits make them a

versatile tool for building as well.

If you’re after a powerful, quick saw and prepared

for the fact that accuracy is a flexible concept, then a

reciprocating saw could be what your toolbox needs.

Above

The Bosch

GSA1100-E is a

tough saw, suited to

heavy use

Ben Everard

@ben_everard

Ben loves cutting stuff,

any stuff. There’s no

longer a shelf to store

these saws on (it’s now

two shelves), and the

door’s in danger.

TOOLS

Provided by

Maker’s Toolbox:

Reciprocating saws

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