How to choose an electric saw

The best professional reciprocating saws

Such a tool is made for long-term use during the day. To cope with serious tasks, professional-type reciprocating saws are equipped with a high power from 1000 W, a large sawing stroke over 30 mm, long blades that allow sawing tree trunks up to 255 mm in diameter.

For convenience and productivity, companies endow them with many additional functions: adjustable pendulum stroke, soft start, maintaining constant speed, regardless of the density of the material and the force of pressure on the web. This functionality and power affects the weight of reciprocating saws, which often exceeds 4 kg. They are used on construction sites and in professional furniture manufacturing workshops.

Makita JR 3070 CT

This is a functional reciprocating saw from a Japanese manufacturer with a power of 1510 watts. The tool has a variety of settings, including: adjusting the oscillation frequency of the pendulum stroke, setting the speed of revolutions, extending the stop by pressing a button, which forms the cutting depth. The 32mm stroke contributes to productivity.

+ Pros of Makita JR 3070 CT

1. Powerful reciprocating saw adapted to continuous use throughout the day.
2. The soft start helps you start the cut exactly where you want it.
3. Setting the cutting depth occurs without the use of keys - by pressing one button, the stop along the length is extended (5 positions are provided).
4. 3 pendulum positions for different material densities.
5. AVT's patented vibration dampening system promotes precise cuts and less hand fatigue.
6. The revolutions are regulated by a wheel on the main handle, so the trigger can be pulled with constant force.
7. There is a lock button that prevents accidental start-up and locks the on position for working with thick materials.
8. The electronics are protected against dust and water ingress.
9. Easy access for changing brushes.

- Cons of Makita JR 3070 CT

1. A short power cord almost always needs to be connected to a carrier.
2. The weight of 4.6 kg quickly tires the hands and requires breaks from work.
3. Large dimensions 485x99x181 mm are more difficult to place when working in a narrow space.
4. Often, when turned off, the chuck stops inside the housing, and to change the blade, you have to catch it from the outside, turning on the tool again.
5. Sometimes the original canvas can jump off its mount.
6. The support sole without floaters always rests perpendicularly and does not adapt to the terrain.
7. The stop is made of soft material and is deformable.
8. The characteristics indicate automatic blowing of the working area to remove sawdust, but in fact it is not there or it is very weak.

Output. A reciprocating saw is especially useful on a construction site. In addition to thick beams with a thickness of 255 mm, it can cope with plastic pipes with a diameter of 130 mm, drywall sheets, aerated concrete blocks, steel pipes. Due to the ability to maintain constant speed under load, the saw is convenient to cut a brick or aluminum profile.

Bosch GSA 1300 PCE

Reciprocating saw for professional use, has a power of 1300 watts. To increase productivity, the saw is equipped with a pendulum stroke. There is a possibility without key regulation of the support sole.The handle of the tool has a closed shape and is equipped with rubberized pads.

+ Pros of Bosch GSA 1300 PCE

1. Adjustable hacksaw blade overhang.
2. There is a pendulum motion.
3. There is a built-in flashlight.
4. Vibration is present, but it is small and does not get tired during work.
5. 2 files included (for metal and wood)
6. There is a huge selection of saws for a saw in a wide variety of materials.
7. Long enough cord.
8. Many users emphasize the good cutting speed of metal parts.

- Cons Bosch GSA 1300 PCE

1. Not a convenient and low-quality case.
2. Insufficient quality of plastic from which the body is made.
3. Heavy, not possible to hold with one hand.
4. The pendulum stroke cannot be turned off.
5. It is sometimes difficult to start a cut at the marked location.

Output. The main areas of application of this saw are straight and curved cuts when performing rough work. The saw is suitable for cutting metals flush with the surface.

Drank varieties

As usual, the gradation of reciprocating saws goes according to engine power:

1. For household work, equipment with an engine power of 400-600 watts is intended. For small locksmith and carpentry work and for pruning trees, this is quite enough.
2. If you plan to carry out small repairs or the range of daily tasks is wider, then you will need an electric hawk with an engine power of 700-1000 watts.
3. For heavier work, you need a tool with an engine power of more than 1200 watts. He is hardy, reliable and not afraid of long-term work. It can easily cut aerated concrete and brickwork. Even in appearance, you can distinguish a saber electric hawk. It slightly resembles a chain one, as it has a wide hacksaw blade and wide grips-arcs.

And this equipment also differs in the number of working blades. In the standard case, the tool has only one blade. The powerful Alligator reciprocating saws have two cutting blades. They move in the opposite direction. It is because of this that the cleanliness of the cut is increased and vibration is reduced. The third stationary blade, located in the middle, is responsible for the exact direction of the cut.

Saw selection

To choose a unit, you need to decide on the technical characteristics that it must meet. Need to know:

1. What is the rated power of the installation.
2. Belt or gear drive.
3. Is it possible to adjust the number of revolutions and what is their maximum number.
4. What is the size of the outer and bore diameter of the disc.
5. Dimensions of the structure and its weight.
6. The dimensions of the workpieces and the type of material you will have to work with.
7. Is the cut-off unit moving in relation to the product.
8. What are the dimensions of the built-in vise for fixing workpieces.

If you plan to purchase a cutting machine, then you need to know the type of CNC unit. This affects the quality of the machine.

Device Models

Electric professional tools of the Japanese company Makita Corporation are very popular on the market. Today, Makita's assortment includes more than a thousand items of various types of tools, among which there are saws.

Reliable and compact model Makita L. C. 1230. It has a powerful motor, dust filter, carbide saw blade, which has a carbide edging. The blade has an increased service life, the cut of the material made by this saw element is obtained without burrs and burning. By detaching the protective cover and removing the blocking from the spindle, the disc is easy to replace. Technical indicators of the model:

• engine - 1.75 kW;
• revolutions - 1300 rpm;
• disc blade - 305 mm;
• cutting depth and width - 115 mm.

There are other models of this company with different technical characteristics. For example, Makita 4131 - for cutting steel, Makita 2414 NB - for vertical cutting of ceramics, stone, PVC, metal.

Highly professional equipment includes Mac model saws, made by a UK company.They are distinguished by good assembly, as they are completed with elements from European manufacturers. For example, the Mac NEW 350 S is a professional machine with a large saw blade that can handle large workpieces. The gearbox of this device is contained in an oil bath, which increases its service life. Engine power - 2.2 kW, cutting width and depth up to 120 mm, maximum speed reaches 3000 per minute, disc - 350 mm. The motor in such machines is three-phase.

Other saw models are available on the professional power tool market.

Criteria for choosing jigsaws

The main characteristics of professional jigsaws.

If you need to make a figured cut of the material or cut out radial and curved holes, you need to purchase a jigsaw.

This tool is a structure containing an electric motor, a gearbox and a crank mechanism, with the help of which a reciprocating motion is given to the cutting blade. The operation of the device implies a tight fit of its base plate to the material to be cut. In the process of cutting, the jigsaw is advanced in the desired direction; for accurate work, some devices are equipped with a laser pointer that helps to accurately control the place of the cut.

Technical data to look out for:

• power;
• cutting depth;
• cutting angle.

The power of the devices is in the range of 400-900 W. If you plan to cut metal or long-term operation, then you need to choose a powerful option.

Sawing depth from 60 to 140 mm. It is better to choose a jigsaw with a high depth indicator in advance, as unforeseen cases may arise when it is required to cut material with a large section.

The sawing angle characterizes the ability to cut at the desired angle. Most manufacturers allow tilt angles up to 45 °.

Which electric saw to choose for working with different materials? To do this, it should be borne in mind that specialized manufacturers of jigsaws use the pendulum motion of the saw in the design, while it is possible to adjust the angle of the saw when cutting materials of different composition. So, for example, for wood, you need the maximum angle of travel of the blade, and for metal, the minimum.

All jigsaws are equipped with a soft start and power button latching, which allow the most precise control of the tool.