Are you a DIY enthusiast or a professional contractor?
Either way, you must have heard of the Sawzall, also known as a reciprocating saw.
But do you know what it’s used for?
This powerful tool can cut through almost anything, from wood to metal and even ceramic tile.
With its versatile attachments, the Sawzall is a must-have for any demolition or remodeling project.
In this article, we’ll explore the many uses of this tool and how to get the most out of it.
So, grab your Sawzall and let’s get started!
What Do You Use A Sawzall For
The Sawzall, or reciprocating saw, is a handheld power tool that rapidly moves a saw blade back and forth. This motion replaces the sawing motion that a DIYer would make with a manual saw.
But what can you use a Sawzall for? The answer is almost anything!
This powerful tool can cut through wood, metal, PVC, nails, and even ceramic tile with the right blade. It’s the ultimate demolition tool, making it easier and more fun to tear down walls, plumbing, doors, and more.
But the Sawzall isn’t just for demolition. It’s also great for remodeling projects. You can use it to cut through timber joists, plasterboard, and nails to get a partition or timber extension down quicker than using hand tools. It’s ideal for cutting all types of wooden board and wooden frames for the placement of windows and doors.
The Sawzall is also great for shaping plasterboard and cutting plastic piping for any plumbing jobs. Outside of demolition and remodeling, it can be used for sawing through metal sheeting and pipes. It’s even used for more specialist jobs such as cutting concrete, stone, ceramic tile, and even glass.
What Is A Sawzall?
A Sawzall is a brand name for a reciprocating saw, which is a handheld power tool that rapidly moves a saw blade back and forth. This motion replaces the sawing motion that a DIYer would make with a manual saw. The Sawzall and other reciprocating saws are designed to cut through many types of materials such as wood, metal, PVC, and nails. It’s the ultimate demolition tool, making it easier and more fun to tear down walls, plumbing, doors, and more.
However, the Sawzall isn’t just for demolition. It’s also great for remodeling projects. You can use it to cut through timber joists, plasterboard, and nails to get a partition or timber extension down quicker than using hand tools. It’s ideal for cutting all types of wooden board and wooden frames for the placement of windows and doors.
The Sawzall is also great for shaping plasterboard and cutting plastic piping for any plumbing jobs. Outside of demolition and remodeling, it can be used for sawing through metal sheeting and pipes. It’s even used for more specialist jobs such as cutting concrete, stone, ceramic tile, and even glass.
To get the most out of your Sawzall, you’ll need a few extras such as the right blade for the material you’re cutting through. For example, if you’re cutting through wood with nails, you’ll need a demo blade that’s designed to cut through wood with nails. Applying pressure on the saw blade against the material and letting the saw do the work will ensure that you get the most out of your Sawzall without damaging it.
Types Of Sawzall Blades And Their Uses
When it comes to using a Sawzall, choosing the right blade is crucial for getting the job done quickly and efficiently. There are many different types of Sawzall blades available, each designed for specific materials and applications. Here are some of the most common types of Sawzall blades and their uses:
1. Wood Cutting Blades: These blades are designed for cutting through wood and other soft materials such as branches. They typically have 5 to 10 teeth per inch (TPI) and can also cut through nails.
2. Demolition Blades: These blades are thicker and stronger than wood cutting blades, making them ideal for cutting through nail-embedded wood and other tough materials. They range from 6 to 11 TPI and have variable TPI to cut a range of materials encountered in a demolition job.
3. Combination Blades: These blades have a variable pitch tooth configuration, such as 8/11 TPI or 10/14 TPI, making them suitable for cutting both wood and metal.
4. Metal Cutting Blades: These blades have more teeth per inch than wood cutting blades, typically ranging from 10 to 18 TPI. They are designed for cutting harder, denser materials such as metal pipes and sheeting.
5. Carbide Tipped Blades: These blades are designed for cutting very hard or dense materials such as high-strength alloys, cast iron, and stainless steel. They have ultra-hard and durable carbide tips that allow them to cut materials that would destroy other blades.
6. Carbide Grit Blades: These blades have a grit surface instead of teeth and are used primarily for cutting tile and masonry.
By choosing the right Sawzall blade for the job, you can ensure that you get the best results with minimal effort. It’s important to note that some Sawzall blades are versatile enough to handle multiple materials, while others are designed specifically for one material type. Always read the packaging carefully to ensure that you’re choosing the right blade for your project.
How To Choose The Right Sawzall For Your Project
When choosing a Sawzall for your project, there are several factors to consider. The first thing to think about is the type of project you plan on using it for. If you’re tackling large-scale demolition projects, you may want to prioritize power and size over mobility. However, if you have small-scale tasks like plumbing or working with conduit pipe, you’d probably benefit from a more compact, maneuverable saw that can fit into tight areas.
Another factor to consider is the power source of your saw. Corded options tend to be more powerful and have unlimited running time, but they limit your mobility to the length of the extension cord, which can introduce an inconvenient tripping hazard to your workspace. Battery-powered saws are perfect for those tasks that require maximum portability, but make sure to keep an eye on your battery levels while you work. If you decide to go with a battery-powered option, consider purchasing one that’s the same brand as your existing power tools—that way you have a supply of extra batteries ready.
Regardless of power source, keep overall weight in mind as well. A larger, heavier saw might be able to work faster, but if it’s too heavy for you to carry comfortably, it can be more trouble than it’s worth. If you’re not sure, go with a lighter saw that allows you to work effectively and safely.
Blade selection is also important when choosing a Sawzall. Bi-metal blades are the most popular blade type among people in the trades because they offer versatility and toughness for more demanding applications. They combine a high-carbon steel body for flexibility and break-resistance with high-speed steel teeth for heat-resistance, hardness, and durability. Other bi-metal blades use a cobalt-steel alloy cutting edge, providing even greater heat-resistance, wear-resistance, and overall longer blade life.
Cutting Through Wood With A Sawzall
When it comes to cutting through wood with a Sawzall, selecting the right blade is crucial. Most Sawzall blades are designed to cut through wood, but there are different types of wood to consider. If you’re working with fresh lumber, a blade meant for wood without nails will suffice. However, if you’re demolishing a structure, use a Demo blade that’s designed to cut through wood with nails. This is important because blades meant strictly for cutting through wood will quickly dull when they hit a nail.
To get the most out of your Sawzall when cutting through wood, apply pressure on the saw blade against the wood and let the saw do the work. Avoid pressing too hard as this can bind the blade. If you’re having trouble cutting, rock the saw back and forth along the cut line to saw the wood from different angles.
It’s worth noting that most wood is Doug Fir or some other type of pine, but a Sawzall can cut through any type of wood, including denser species like Ipe or Oak. However, for dense wood, you need a more aggressive blade such as a demo blade for wood with nails or a metal blade. Ipe and some other Brazilian hardwoods are so dense that you need a metal blade to cut through them. Most wood blades bounce right off or spark.
Cutting Through Metal With A Sawzall
One of the most common uses for a Sawzall is cutting through metal. With the right blade, your Sawzall can cut through steel, aluminum, copper, cast iron, and even high-strength alloys. However, to get the most out of your tool and to ensure that you are making precise cuts, you will need to have a few extras.
Firstly, it’s important to choose the right blade for the material you need to cut. There are many blade characteristics to consider such as blade material, length, width, thickness, teeth-per-inch (TPI), blade shape, tooth shape, kerf-width, gullet, and tooth pattern. Once you have selected the right blade for the job, you can begin cutting.
Reciprocating saws cut by the blade traveling in a backwards and forwards push-pull movement. Many saw models include an oscillating setting which enables the blade to also travel in a movement running perpendicular to the cutting motion. This means that the blade completes an oval cutting motion which is exceptionally useful when using a reciprocating saw to cut through wood. However, it’s best to switch off this setting when cutting metal to fully utilize the straight cutting capabilities.
When cutting metal with a Sawzall, it’s essential to hold the material still as it may vibrate due to its density. This can make it difficult to make precise cuts if not held firmly in place. Reciprocating saws are fitted with a ‘shoe’ that can be adjusted to increase or decrease the available cutting area of the blade. This helps extend the life of the blade and control the depth of cut. The shoe can also be used as a fulcrum to gain purchase on the material being cut and to increase control over the reciprocating action of this power tool.
With today’s reciprocating saws, you can go from 0 – 3100 SPM in a blink. That can send the blade bouncing all over the place. Some saws have a built-in soft start that eases into the cut and lets the teeth bite in well. Even if yours doesn’t, feathering the trigger so that the blade can get a good start before ramping it all the way up to full speed is essential.
Different materials have different cutting characteristics you’ll learn over time. In general, you can cut wood, plastic, and even soft metal at high speeds. Hard metals such as stainless steel and cast iron really benefit from slower stroke rates. By going with a slower speed, you can actually cut faster, experience less vibration, and extend your blade life.
Finally, some reciprocating saws have an orbital cutting feature which causes the blade to cut in a slight orbital pattern instead of back and forth in a straight line. Set the saw to full orbital when cutting through wood. If your saw has an adjustable orbital feature like this one, set it halfway when cutting through nail-embedded wood. Turn the feature completely off when cutting through metal as it may cause the blade to bounce off the work surface and slow down your cut.
Removing Tiles With A Sawzall
While a Sawzall can be a versatile tool for cutting through a wide range of materials, cutting through tile requires some additional preparation and care. Here are the steps to follow when using a Sawzall to remove tiles:
1. Choose the right blade: For removing tiles, you’ll need a carbide-grit or diamond-grit blade, which is specifically designed to cut through hard materials like tile and stone. Avoid using general-purpose or wood-cutting blades, as they can easily wear out or break when cutting through the tile.
2. Mark the cut: Use a straight edge or ruler to mark the area on the tile where you want to make the cut. Use a pencil or other suitable marker to ensure that the line is visible.
3. Secure the tile: Place the tile securely on a workbench or other surface that can provide stability while cutting. You may want to use a clamp or other securing mechanism to keep the tile in place while cutting.
4. Cut the tile: Hold the Sawzall firmly and align the blade with the marked cut line on the tile. Slowly start the blade and make sure that it is cutting straight. Apply gentle pressure as you cut through the tile, but be careful not to put too much pressure, as this can cause the blade to overheat and wear out more quickly.
5. Cool the blade: Stop cutting periodically to allow the blade to cool down. Spraying a bit of water on the blade can help to keep it cool and prevent overheating.
6. Remove the tile: Once you have made your cuts, turn off the Sawzall and carefully remove the tile from the work surface. Use a scraper or other suitable tool to remove any remaining adhesive or thinset from the subfloor.
While a Sawzall can be a useful tool for removing tiles, it is generally not as accurate or clean as using a dedicated tile saw or wet saw. If you need precise cuts or are working with delicate or expensive tiles, it’s best to use a dedicated tool designed for that purpose.