Tool Test: Cordless Recip Saws

Tester Comments
One of the lighter saws with middle-of-the-road power and vibration. Cuts with a unique, loud whine and vibrates more at lower speeds. Also runs on nicad and NiMH batteries.
Blade change: The tiny blade-release lever mounted directly on the blade clamp is not the best design, and its insulating rubber cover often peeled off.
Blade tightness: Good
Base shoe: The shoe has no set stops and adjusts 1-1/4 inches with a hex wrench that isn’t stored onboard the saw, making it the least convenient to change. An inch of the blade goes unused behind the shoe.
Shoe stability: Excellent
Cut sightline: Very good
Trigger: Two-finger trigger with easily switched lock-off button.
Speed control: Fair
Features: Has easy outside brush access for replacement. Comes with a plastic case.

Street Price
$329, two-battery kit

Contact
Hitachi Power Tools
800-829-4752
www.hitachipowertools.com

Tester Comments
A lightweight saw with lower performance but some nice user features not common in the saws tested.
Blade change: Very nice twist-collar clamp that pops out the old blade and stays open until the next blade snaps in. Its rubber covering protects fingers from heat, and a large wing on the collar makes it easy to turn its minimal 1/8 rotation.
Blade tightness: Excellent
Base shoe: The shoe adjusts 1 1/4 inches with a push button and has five stops, but its looseness costs the saw some control. About 3/4 inch of the blade goes unused behind the shoe.
Shoe stability: Poor
Cut sightline: Good
Trigger: Wide two-finger trigger with easy lock-off button.
Speed control: Good
Features: Bright twin-LED headlight, folding rafter hook, exterior brush access, and loose, well-insulated front rubber grip. Comes with a tool bag.

Street Price
$369, two-battery kit

Contact
Makita USA
800-462-5482
www.makitatools.com

Tester Comments
Uniquely curved saw with a comfortable handle position, even though it’s the only one with a slick plastic rear grip. This low-performance unit also runs on nicad and NiMH batteries.
Blade change: Has an unobtrusive lever-type blade clamp release.
Blade tightness: Fair
Base shoe: The shoe has no set stops and adjusts almost 1 inch with an onboard hex wrench. The extra step of using a tool here is a hassle, but the two clamping bolts make the shoe extra stable. An inch of the blade goes unused behind the shoe.
Shoe stability: Excellent
Cut sightline: Fair
Trigger: Two-finger trigger with a dreaded spring-loaded lock-off button that must be held down to run the saw.
Speed control: Fair
Features: Battery fuel gauge also indicates overloaded or overheated condition that shuts battery off. Comes with a plastic case.

Street Price
$489, two-battery kit

Contact
Metabo Corp.
800-638-2264
www.metabousa.com

Tester Comments
The only non-LI powered saw in the test, it has power on par with the other 18-volt tools and a short cutting stroke, but earned high marks in functionality ratings and vibration control.
Blade change: The twist-collar blade clamp pushes out spent blades and stays open until another clicks in. The insulating rubber cover and raised-collar wing make it easy to rotate its 1/8 turn.
Blade tightness: Very good
Base shoe: The shoe has no set stops and adjusts 1-3/8 inches with a nice big locking lever; 1-1/8 inches of the blade goes unused behind the shoe.
Shoe stability: Excellent
Cut sightline: Excellent
Trigger: Two-finger trigger with an uncomfortable lock-off button, which must to be pressed to operate the saw, adversely affecting control.
Speed control: Fair
Features: Comes with a plastic case.

Street Price
$269, one-battery kit $379 w/two batteries

Contact
Panasonic
800-338-0552
www.panasonic.com

Tester Comments
The smallest and lightest saw in the test is comfortable to hold, but for daily pro use it’s the slowest and weakest, and ends up at the bottom of the heap. This L-motor saw is only available in a combo kit. It also runs on nicad batteries.
Blade change: Has a decent lever-type blade clamp release.
Blade tightness: Fair
Base shoe: The shoe is fixed in one position and offers no range of adjustment to use the blade evenly. An inch of the blade goes unused behind the shoe.
Shoe stability: Very good
Cut sightline: Fair
Trigger: One-finger trigger with awkward and annoying spring-loaded lock-off button that must be held down to start the saw.
Speed control: Fair
Features: The battery has a color-coded fuel gauge, but you may have to remove the battery to check the color key.

Street Price
N/A; combo kit only

Contact
Ryobi Ltd.
800-525-2579
www.ryobi.com

Tester Comments
This lower-voltage saw is the fastest cutter and the only tool with orbital cutting action. Even with the orbital setting off, it only added five seconds to its cut time, still beating all but the winner.
Blade change: This saw has the only lever-style blade clamp release that locks open until the next blade clicks in. But the clamp that holds so well also keeps some brands of blades from fitting. I had to enlarge the holes in my test blades with a nailset.
Blade tightness: Excellent
Base shoe: The shoe adjusts 1-1/4 inches with a push button and has four stops. 1-3/8 inches of the blade goes unused behind the shoe.
Shoe stability: Very good
Cut sightline: Good
Trigger: One-finger trigger with easy lock-off button.
Speed control: Fair
Features: Dual LED headlight, five-position orbital dial, no case.

Street Price
$70 tool only, $300 w/charger & two batteries

Contact
Craftsman Professional
866-798-6657
www.craftsman.com

Tester Comments
A poor performer overall, tying for last place in speed and comfort. It has the flexibility to run on 24-volt
LI or 18-volt LI or nicad batteries, but we tested it as
a 24-volt saw. Equivalent two-battery kit price with 18-volt LI batteries $367.
Blade change: The blade-clamp release lever protrudes out at the front grip and makes the saw uncomfortable to hold.
Blade tightness: Fair
Base shoe: The shoe adjusts 1-9/16 inches with a hinge-down lever under the front grip of the saw, and has seven stops. This bulky lever adds to the discomfort of the front grip.
1-1/4 inches of the blade goes unused behind the shoe.
Shoe stability: Excellent
Cut sightline: Fair
Trigger: One-finger trigger with lock-off button that sticks out and into your right trigger finger.
Speed control: Fair
Features: Fuel gauge on 24-volt battery, no case.

Street Price
$119 tool only, $556 w/charger & two batteries

Contact
Ridgid Power Tools
866-539-1710
www.ridgid.com

Tester Comments
Built on the same platform as the 36-volt saw, it shares physical features except for rear handle spacing and the battery and motor. Both tested much the same, but this saw was one place slower in the speed test. Neither saw really stands out in its class, but both are loud, lightweight, and have good vibration-control ratings.
Blade change: Has a lever-type blade clamp release, but it is not self-closing like the others. Double blade slots let you use blades horizontally.
Blade tightness: Fair
Base shoe: The shoe adjusts an inch with a push button and has only three stops. A half inch of the blade goes unused behind the shoe.
Shoe stability: Good
Cut sightline: Fair
Trigger: One-finger trigger with easy lock-off button.
Speed control: Fair
Features: Comes with a plastic case.

Street Price
$350, one-battery kit $509 w/ two batteries

Contact
DeWalt Industrial Tools
800-433-9258
www.dewalt.com

Tester Comments
This saw is a real standout. Not the fastest, but it does everything just right with low vibration and a great feel.
Blade change: The twist-collar blade clamp operates with 1/4 turn and must be held open manually, risking burning your fingers on the metal collar.
Blade tightness: Excellent
Base shoe: The shoe has six stops of more than 1-1/8 inches and adjusts with a hinge-down lever that folds flush with the front grip. A handy arrow marks the farthest-out shoe position. About 3/4 inch of the blade goes unused behind the shoe.
Shoe stability: Excellent
Cut sightline: Very good
Trigger: Large, contoured, two-finger trigger and dual-speed-range switch makes precise control easier. The trigger lock-off control is the middle position of the speed switch.
Speed control: Very good
Features: Battery fuel gauge, plastic case.

Street Price
$420, two-battery kit

Contact
Milwaukee Electric Tool
800-729-3878
www.milwaukeetool.com

Tester Comments
This saw is a serious performer with great functionality ratings. Also runs on smaller 36-volt batteries with lighter weight but only 1.3 amp-hours.
Blade change: The twist-collar blade clamp forcibly ejects blades and locks open until another is clicked in. But the metal collar can be hot, and the 1/3 turn takes a lot of force, so I resorted to using pliers.
Blade tightness: Very good
Base shoe: The big mystery is why this pro tool has a fixed shoe; it lacks versatility this way. 3/4 inch of the blade goes unused behind the shoe.
Shoe stability: Very good
Cut sightline: Excellent
Trigger: Two-finger trigger and dual-speed-range switch provide control. The trigger lock-off is on the speed-range switch.
Speed control: Very good
Features: Folding rafter hook. Fuel gauge and overheat warning on battery. Comes with a tool bag.

Street Price
$260, one-battery kit $410 w/two batteries

Contact
Bosch Power Tools
877-267-2499
www.boschtools.com

Tester Comments
Providing the platform for the newer 28-volt saw, it shares physical features except for rear handle spacing, and the battery and motor. Both tested much the same, but this saw was one place faster in the speed test. Neither saw really stands out in its class, but both are loud, lightweight, and have good vibration control ratings.
Blade change: Has a lever-type blade clamp release, but it is not self-closing like the others. Double blade slots let you use blades horizontally, too.
Blade tightness: Fair
Base shoe: The shoe adjusts 1 inch with a push button and has only three stops. A mere 1/2 inch of the blade goes unused behind the shoe.
Shoe stability: Good
Cut sightline: Fair
Trigger: One-finger trigger with easy lock off button.
Speed control: Fair
Features: Comes with a plastic case.

Street Price
$400, one-battery kit $579 w/two batteries

Contact
DeWalt Industrial Tools
800-433-9258
www.dewalt.com

Tester Comments
This L-motor saw is a whopper, but it handles beautifully and is the smoothest by far. The odd handle is the best, offering many grip positions from top to rear. It also takes 2.4 amp-hour batteries. The two-battery kit costs $789.
Blade change: he metal twist collar has a wing for easier turning, but holding the 1/4 turn with bare fingers can be hot. This is the only blade clamp that requires you to pull the blade out.
Blade tightness: Excellent
Base shoe: The shoe adjusts 1-1/2 inches with a button hidden under the front grip, and has seven stops. Only a tiny 3/8 inch of the blade goes unused behind the shoe.
Shoe stability: Excellent
Cut sightline: Good
Trigger: The large trigger wraps around the handle, and the lock-off is a trigger within.
Speed control: Excellent
Features: Comes with a plastic case.

Street Price
$629, one-battery kit $1,024 w/two batteries

Contact
Hilti
800- 879-8000
www.us.hilti.com