I'm in need of a new sawzall/reciprocating saw. My old trusty made in the USA dewalt 20+ years old finally quit. I'm looking for opinions on a new one that might make it that long too. I'm debating about a porter cable tiger saw, another dewalt or a bosch. Not really sold on the tiger due to some bad reviews. Milwaukees seem to have issues with their keyless system, which by the way I really don't even want, I never had an issue losing keys or screws in all the years I owned mine. So the last thing besides it burning up is having a jammed up keyless or it having blades pull out on me. Or just plain old breaking. rant over.. My saw makes me money so I want it to be there when I need it and I'll pay for that. Minus a hilti..
I've had a porter cable Tigersaw for ever. Occasionally the keyless will get tight but definitely not a deal breaker. It is one tough saw! I have a Milwaukee also. Runs very smooth. I've used plenty of Dewalts. Of those three, the Porter is the toughest by far!
I've had the Tiger saw for many years and it has given good service. Not sure how it compares to the newer ones. It has many good years left.
The newer tiger saw reviews are not really favorable. They don't sound like the old ones. I know the old ones were good saws. Which sounds like you guys both have. I feel like I'm going to be gambling on anything I choose from what I am reading. I guess it's always a gamble but who has time to deal with that on major name brands? I think the armature burnt up in my dewalt, I have to do more testing for certain but it seems that way.
I know, glorified black and deckers. I'm not brand loyal on this. I am looking at the 1 to 3 star reviews on amazon, those seem to be the honest ones. I look for recurring complaints. How recent they were. The milwaukee, has the best warranty so if the reviews are right the warranty might be worth it. I think the porter cable has the next best one.
I'm not sure about that. I believe the B&D line is probably more of a home owner line. I'm also not brand loyal. I like to buy the longest lasting tools and the one that fits my hand the best. I feel Dewalts are heavy, overpriced and never seem to fit my hand.
They are owned by B&D, that was my point. B&D bought them back in the 90's to get them into the "professional" market. B&D is absolutely geared to the homeowner. When B&D bought them, that was the joke in the trades. I really like mine. If they still made that kind I'd buy it again. It took a ton of abuse.
They're "ok" got a bad rap from professionals using the cheaply made homeowner price point crap from the box stores. The primary function of my drills at work was to drill out lead intercell connectors, pretty hard on a drill for sure. I used cordless and corded, depending on where I was, or how many I needed to do. 90% of it was cordless though. My first drill was a Dewalt, it lasted about 3 years before it died. I replaced it with a Ridgid, and I loved that one in comparison. It was still going strong 4 years later when I got out of a van and trained my replacement.
I have the Porter Cable Tiger saw that I bought in 1998, Good Saw, Good Power, Decent Weight/Not really heavy. As for newer ones they make? I don't know, have not had any reason to replace it. As for Cordless/Batter tools, all the big names seem to have good years of quality then poor years...not always easy to catch the good wave.
We've got a Milwaukee 18v in the shop that's put up with alot of crap and keeps on going, lady's a good long while with the big battery on it to, impressive tool. Got a couple corded Bosch saws to that have been through alot and keep on cuttin also, I wouldn't be afraid to but either of those. The one I personally own is the most idiotic one I've ever seen, it's a dual saw 2 bladed sawzall. Its by far the smoothest sawzall I've ever used, but that's the only positive I know of. The blades get really hot rubbing together, come apart while cutting, pull out of the saw, and when you bend one you've pretty much ruined the set, the saw is pretty weak also. Bad design, but you can operate it one handed using the middle or ends of the blades if that interests you.
cordless is out, the batteries wouldn't keep up with my use. I found a couple of "reasonable" priced hiltis even though it's a bit more than I want to spend. It will pay for itself. Anyone have experience with Hilti's warranty? Is it original owner only or transferable? Does it need bought from an authorized distributor and do they need registered?
Got a Milwaukee corded.. Big thing for me is a cord that plugs in both ends. So when not if cord get cut, you can have throw spare cord on and keep working.. Mines 15 and been abused..
Another vote for PC Tiger... The articulating and swiveling head is especially nice when trying to get into tight spaces. Mine is probably 15 years old and is ready to go at a moments notice. Stock image from internet-
Sawzall, Milwaukee. Circular saw, Makita or Porter cable matched set, great for building staircases and cutting hip roofs. Drills, Dewalt
I have a blue ryobi sawzall and drill that I've had for about 15 years. Most of my battery power tools are ryobi since the batteries are interchangeable.
I buy a lot of tools for our crews... we beat the snot out of them being in the steel business... no doubt Milwaukee corded is the one you want if you want the tim the tool man taylor version...
so I'm pretty much settled on the milwaukee https://www.protoolreviews.com/tools/power/corded/saws/reciprocating-saw-shootout-2014/11635/ Couldn't get a response from Hilti, emailed them sunday and tried their webchat today. Their loss and mine possibly but if I can't contact them now, what happens when I need to?
