We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Reciprocating Saw?

By J. Beam
Updated: Jan 31, 2024
Views: 14,541
Share

A reciprocating saw is a power saw that achieves its cutting through a back and forth, or push and pull, blade motion. A reciprocating saw is often referred to as a sabre saw or sawzall, though Sawzall® is actually a registered trademark name of the Milwaukee Electric Tool Company rather than a blanket term for this type of saw. A reciprocating saw includes a variety of saws including the jigsaw and scroll saw, but typically refers to the power hand saw, resembling a hammer drill, designed to be used on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.

Though the reciprocating saw has many useful functions, it is frequently used in construction, especially when cutting out wallboard or other vertical surfaces. A reciprocating saw often has speed variances as a built in feature and newer models tend to have dual blade action, meaning that the blade moves up and down as well as back and forth, for ease in cutting. Most reciprocating saws also have a foot at the base of the blade that allows for steadying the saw on cutting surfaces.

There are many variances of reciprocating saws including speed, power, and power source. As a power source, a reciprocating saw may be either electric or cordless powered by a rechargeable battery. Though the cordless varieties provide some extra convenience, they are typically not as powerful as their corded counterparts. Cordless varieties typically feature a lithium ion battery and a charger and replacement batteries can be purchased separately. In addition, replacement blades are also readily available and are often interchangeable from one reciprocating saw to another.

The price range for a reciprocating saw is extremely varied, ranging from $20.00 to over $300 US Dollars. Obviously the wide price range reflects both quality of construction, included features, power and strength. The cheaper models typically are low-volt, corded varieties with no variable speeds or other features. The intended use, whether for simply cutting small pieces of wood or for heavier duty construction or demolition, should be the deciding factor for purchase of a reciprocating saw. A reciprocating saw that is too small or not powerful enough for bigger jobs will inevitably break under pressures it was not designed for.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-a-reciprocating-saw.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.