A reciprocating saw, derived from the word reciprocate, meaning to move backward and forward in a straight line, is a type of saw in which the cutting action is achieved through a push and pull reciprocating motion of the blade.
Reciprocating saws cut through just about everything short of a rock. It’s the go-to tool for remodeling and demolition. With a recip saw you can cut through lumber even if it’s embedded with nails. It can also cut all common forms of metal: steel, aluminum, copper, and cast iron. But to get the most out of your tool, you’ll need a few extras.
Reciprocating saw blades have many characteristics, which can make choosing the right one difficult. However, the consumer has a number of options for simplifying the process, including combination and specialty blades. When in doubt, use combination blades for general DIY use and specialty blades for specific large jobs. When purchasing a blade that is meant to last, pay the premium for the highest quality. When purchasing blades for tasks that will wear them down quickly, opt for low-quality blades and bulk deals.
Carbide is an industrial steel applied to blades, bits and other tools used to cut hardwood. Carbide, also known as tungsten carbide, has a formula consisting of half tungsten and half carbide and is three times stiffer than the steel commonly used on other types of wood-cutting tools. These tools tipped with carbide have distinct advantages over standard woodworking tools.
These are just only the The Advantages of using Carbide Cutting Tools:
Sharper -Carbide remains sharper longer than plain steel, which makes makes a carbide cutting tool more efficient. Carbide enables blades to cut faster without binding, which reduces load on woodworking machines. Normal-steel cutting tools dull fast. When blades get dull, they burn the wood, cause chipping, shatter the grain and cause grain blow-out. Sharp, carbide-tipped tools are far more efficient, cutting faster and needing sharpening less often than common steel blades.
Cleaner- Carbide tools make the cleanest, straightest cuts of any of the woodworking tools, and cause little or no grain damage. When cuts are clean and straight, woodworking joints fit better and glue bonds are tighter. A carbide tool’s clean cut reduces the incidence of kickback, a major cause of woodworking accidents.
Tougher -Some hardwoods contain small particles of silica or minerals that can dull normal steel. Particleboard and other composite wood products may contain sand, small rocks or other kinds of debris in their cores that can damage or even ruin a common steel blade instantly. Carbide tools are tough enough to cut through most debris without causing any damage to the blade or its tip. Bullets, nails and screws are commonly found inside rough, re-purposed lumber. If you hit one of these things with a normal blade, it’s finished. A carbide-tipped tool may cut through them and you won’t even notice.
Longevity – Carbide tips can be replaced when they wear out or break, and most tool-sharpening shops can weld new tips onto a cutting tool. The initial cost of a carbide-tipped tool is more, but the tips are replaceable, making the tool more affordable in the long run. Carbide-tipped tools last almost indefinitely if the blade body or router-bit shaft remains in good shape. It’s not uncommon for carbide-tipped woodworking tools to last 20 years or more if they are taken care of and the tips are replaced regularly.
Most people will want to have a selection of saw blades with an emphasis on the tasks they perform most often. Quality versus cost is also an important consideration. For some jobs, it makes sense to purchase inexpensive blades, but a high-quality reciprocating saw blade, as to Carbide Tipped Blade is an investment that will last and pay dividends over the long term.
It is mainstream to construction and demolition work, which uses alternating direction to move a blade back and forth in a straight line manner. It is a larger, horizontal type of electric saber saw. The blades are good for cutting wood, metal, plastic, and drywall/plaster.
Weighing 6-8 pounds, the reciprocating saw typically has a second handle near the front for steadying the saw as it cuts. The 4 to 12 inch blades are inserted in the holder and held in place by a blade lock. Some reciprocating saws offer variable speed controls.
Modern tools are built using a variety of all of these mechanisms. A crank or Scotch yoke type drive may be used, a swash plate type drive, a captive cam, or eccentric, barrel cam, or other rotary to linear drive.
The action of a reciprocating saw may be produced in several ways. Eccentric cam, crank, and Scotch yoke drives need balance weights to reduce vibration in the plane of the rotating element, and may still exhibit vibration that is objectionable to the user of a hand held saw, which can lead to difficulty in controlling a cut.
Demolition and construction work is made easier and more fun using a reciprocating saw. As labeled, reciprocating saws are the ultimate demolition tool. With the use of reciprocating saws, there is little need for things like crowbars and hacksaws.
Windows, walls, plumbing, doors, and more — just cut and toss.
