How to Use Reciprocating Saw like Pro: Step By Step Explained

A saw is an important tool when it comes to cutting down heavy things. We all have seen a saw and a normal one requires a lot of manual strength to keep working. A saw with a motor which makes the front end of the machine move on its own is called a reciprocating saw. Not everyone can use it, even a minute mistake can lead to a big disaster. One should be very careful while using these automatic machines. As much as they ease our job of operating, they also can be catastrophic. In this post, we will get to know how to use a reciprocating saw in the most efficient way and appear like a pro.

(Source of the image : www.reciprocatingsawcenter.com)

It has been over 50 years since we have seen the reciprocating saws are around. During the early days, there was only one brand that was popular to an extent that it became synonymous with reciprocating saw. There are many use cases of a reciprocating saw such as to cut woods with nails, stus, pipes, drywall and many more things. A good reciprocating saw can make the job much better and easier.

Let’s start with ways that shall help use the saw like a pro and get rolling in style:

• Choose the right blade

A saw’s heart is its blade and if you don’t have a good blade, you are going to mess the whole process which will eventually consume more time than normal. The type of blade depends upon the job you will be doing. You will require a strong blade if your job is to cut a strong material and a lighter one for lighter materials. There are plenty of choices like Diablo carbide-tipped recip blade, Milwaukee Ax and Torch blades and Milwaukee Double Duty Upgrade blades.

• Insert the blade into the chuck

This is a very basic step but you need to perform it with caution. Make sure the machine is not plugged in. Get rid of the battery and then insert the battery in the chuck. You should allow the chuck to return to its position which is what secures the blade. You can give the blade a slight push to ensure it has been inserted perfectly. This step may seem easy, but it is equally important to ensure safety as the blades are sharper and can easily cause cuts.

• Get to know your cut- and what’s behind

This is another step that needs to be taken care of. All you need to see is the intersection of the blades and where they make the cut. Since the blade is automated, it may extend a little more further. Another thing that you need to take care is that when the blade is in motion, it should not hit anything on a sudden jerk. You need to be little aware of what may be behind a hard wall that you have just conquered with the saw.

• Use a variable speed

This is something that comes with a little practice. You will know the exact speed only once you are well accustomed with the machine. In most cases, to begin with you will always create a small cut so the opening makes the way to go ahead with ease. Also make sure you decrease the speed once the machine has made the cut till the end.    

• The shoe is your best buddy

The shoe is the portion of the saw where the blade has a meeting point with the machine. Is most of these machines, it is important to notice the flat surface of the shoe which serves a very important purpose. There are a lot of saws which have an adjustable show which can be used to extend the battery life of the saw, though even if it remains stationary, there is no problem. In most such machines, a lot of pressure should be given on the material which ensures the machine doesn’t vibrate too much. Don’t worry even if the shoe touches the material making it shake violently. You can simply raise the back end of the saw and you will be in control.

• Slowly see-saw the blade in thicker material

Since a reciprocating saw is an automated device, it requires some amount of maintenance. You will know when the machine isn’t performing well enough if the effort one puts for making a cut has increased drastically. There are various things that can make a blade go dull. Blades often go dry and weak. These are just a few signs that the blade is ready to be replaced. When you are generally making a cut in a heavier material, you can slowly move the blade in a swinging pattern so that the blade’s sharper section can put more tension and get the cut done faster than usual.  

A reciprocating saw is an amazing automated device, take good care of the device and it shall help you reap the efforts.