rrich1 Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 are the compact recip saws worth it? what applications have you used them in? since buying the makita kit it has given me more options for tools that bosch doesnt have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffmcmillan Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 In my opinion it depends more on how heavy the cut is than needing one handed operation or close quarters. If you're cutting PVC, conduit, or unistrut it leaves your other hand free to hold the workpiece down and the lack of power and short stroke length don't make a big difference. If you need to cut in a small space a barrel grip jigsaw is much better. I rarely have the option to use one, but when I do I remember there's a good reason for that. If you want something for close quarters, I hear makita's barrel grip jigsaw will cut large timbers faster than their recip saw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp56 Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 I have the milwaukee hackzall and for what it's worth it is worth every penny......especially if you need the smaller size.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 The Milwaukee Fuel M12 Hackzall has more than proven itself to me. Good blade with nail embedded stacked 2x4s don't start a chance. Really need 4.0s with that guy though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 I have the non fuel and it is a nice little saw, great for little areas, it cuts EMT and pvc pretty easy, wood obviously it struggles because you can bog it down, but that's where the fuel comes in, fuel is a little bigger though as well.JimboSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnarlyCarl Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 I have the non fuel version as well, (12v) and I use it on emt whenever I do emt.A big thing is using it to cut small diameter pipes that have been in use for years, and my hand shears would crack and split the pipe, because it becomes brittle over the years. Use the m12 hackzall on it and super effective. So I don't use it for real high power demand jobsSent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Jass Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 Just stay away from Dewalts compact recip, it's crafted to produce as much user punishment as possible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 I have noticed you get a little more power with the XC packs than the smaller packs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regopit Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 It depends on the size of the job. I have the Milwaukee M18 fuel sawzall and hackzall. On big demo jobs I use the sawzall but for just about everything else I like using the small guy. One hand control makes it nice to use. It allows you to hold the saw and the work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Glassey Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 I actually have several battery operated hacksaws, the ones I use the most are my m12. I have 2, 1 setup to cut metal and the other to cut wood. And I have the Ridgid one that is nice and small for tight spots that is part of a really cool interchangeable head system. John, Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk[emoji848] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryNY Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 I love my m12 hackzall, it's not even the fuel but it comes in handy anytime you have a tight spot or need to go one handed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 I actually have several battery operated hacksaws, the ones I use the most are my m12. I have 2, 1 setup to cut metal and the other to cut wood. And I have the Ridgid one that is nice and small for tight spots that is part of a really cool interchangeable head system.John, Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk[emoji848] Fuel or no fuel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Glassey Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 No fuel. I got them on a deal just as they were switching over. Buy one get one free. John, Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk[emoji848] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 Nice, I have the brushed, but want to pick the fuel up if i can pick a deal on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmikez Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 My brushed m12 hackzall took a dump on me about a month ago and I've already ran into about 5-6 times that I needed it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisK Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 Warranty that tool Mike. I'm sure it's still covered bro and no receipt needed just the SN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmikez Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 I tried bro emailed them the SN but was Out of date plus this is the one I found in a auction car at the shop a few years ago when u and Jason hooked me up with battery and charger for it.... Hopefully in the near future I can replace with a fuel version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMack37 Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 I've had my non-Fuel Hackzall for two weeks, don't know how I lived without it. It's more powerful than you imagine, I'm working on a project where I'm having to cut 2" X 2" wood that is really wet, it flies through it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrich1 Posted January 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 I ended up going to HD today. The promo brushless kit I just purchased last week dropped another $30 to $249. I returned the kit and the ryobi driver. I repurchased the makita kit and bought a makita compact sawzall with part of the price adjustment. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamianD Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 I have the non fuel m12 hackzall and love it. Great being able to one hand cut. Although its seriously no replacement for a full size recip. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Glassey Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 I have the non fuel m12 hackzall and love it. Great being able to one hand cut. Although its seriously no replacement for a full size recip.No it's not but it's really nice when you don't have to pull out the full size zawsaw. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comp56 Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 ya it has its benefits especially if your cutting in tight spots....or small short cuts overhead... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheng Liu Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 They are good for stuff that requires 1 handed operation. I have a Ryobi Job Plus with the recip. saw head that I use primarily for pruning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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