My dad's used his Milwaukee for 20+ years in construction and car work, and other than cord replacing, it's bulletproof. Eight years ago, he bought me the highest powered Milwaukee (Super Sawzall?) with the quick blade change rig, and I wouldn't have anything else. I was skeptical about the quick cahnge thing, but I haven't had any problems. I haven't beat on it much, but I'm pretty sure it's the toughest power tool I own.
I have another confession... I've used up a couple of name brand saws over the years, but really don't need one much these days, so I bought that $16 job from Harbor Freight the other day. I know, I know... It's multi speed rather than variable, but it sure as hell earned it's money on the first day. At that price, i'll keep a spare and throw 'em down the drive when I get pissed!
I'll second that. I've got the 18 volt cordless. Handy as hell. The batteries last plenty long enough for what I use it for.(I have other cutting tools for extended use type jobs).
I bought a used Craftsman that was like new in a case on eBay a couple years ago, then I got a cheap cordless set. The batteries lasted about 15 minutes tops, I had to make two trips to cut a set of quarters off a car. I borrowed a friend's generator and that was the way to go, except a 3000 watt is too big. I now have a 1200 watt which is about 50 lbs and fits right in a Radio Flyer wagon and it's handy to be able to switch from sawzall to grinder with cutoff wheel out in the field. Ever see a battery-powered grinder? Yesterday I used the grinder to cut off the bolts on some F1 shock mounts, and when my cuts didn't match to cut the frame crossmember out I used it to notch it to get the saw aimed again. The cord is a pain in the ass but I found a reel thing at an auction so no more messed up tangled cord. I can decimate a car pretty fast with this stuff. The only bitch is something's goofy with the carb on the generator, when it's hot it won't restart. If and when the Craftsman breaks I'll get a Milwaukee, but I wanted a cheaper one to get started with and that way if it breaks or gets stolen or I should forget it someplace (not out of the realm of possibility for me), I'm not out a lot of money. One thing, get a cheap folidng hex-key set, they're a lot harder to lose than the single (or weld a washer to the side of a single and put it on the cord). I carry a small toolbox with that, extra blades, extra cutoff wheels and the tool for the grinder. The other thing you can do if you're low on blades is use the grinder to notch the broken ones and put them back in the saw. I did that 5 times one day when all I had was two left and both broke on me. Then I went out and bought two 10-packs.
i have ryobi..cored and cordless..i love them..the corded ryobi has a selection dial for differant speeds..works great..the cordless is great as well..the best part about the ryobi is theresa home depot on every corner ..batterys basically at your finger tips...but i have been usinf the same battery for mine for about a year now and still going strong...and also the ryobi is a home depot product so if it does go bad at any time just take it back and get a new one...home depot doesnt care how old it is...other brands would want to send to repair..
My house has been remodeled, removed and rearranged. It was wired in all of the last 5 decades. I figured out most of it, and routed alot into the attic or crawlspace. But some went horizontal through studs. I never cut 1, but I did hit conduit. Thank god for conduit. The week after I bought my ryobi, My uncle had an auction for a pawn shop closing down. Several milwuakees for 20-30 bucks. I could have kicked myself, but the ryobi has proven itself.
My dad retreived an old (corded) Milwaukee from the dumpster at work years ago and it has served me well ever since. Milwaukee are tough as nails and easy to get service parts/info on. -Chris www.mtpturbo.com
how the hell could I not reply to this.. personally I dont think you can get by with just one.. I have 4.. corded milwalkee.. (kicks ass) cordless milwalkee (ALSO kicks ass) and two 19.? volt craftsman units. I love all 4 equally well.. In addition I once bought a 19.00 HF unit and it worked for 15 minutes.. and I have used a "skil" sawzall and thought it was a piece of SHIT.. however.. alot of good can be done with a junk saw and a good blade like milwalkee's "AXE" blades..
skyrodder is right Ryobi is the way to go ... I have tried to break mine and nothing ... keeps working .. I cut a 15inch thick tree with it ,.. one battery . works great ... just buy a lot of blades not the cheap one .
My Poter Cable has lasted near 20 years, I've used it for things it wasn't even made for, dropped off 3 story buiding and still works as good as the day I bought it, most of the tools in my collection are Porter Cable for that reason.
I wanted one,asked around here and bought a cordless 18 volt DeWalt sawzall! Also bought 2 extra batteries and packs of demolition blades.I make sure all are charged up and away I go into the bush.I have cut off roofs,doors,dashes,bumpers...you name it. Buy some long wood blades and you can cut through brush and trees in the way. One of my better investments....
I have a cheapo that I bought at Menard's for $20. I don't use it a lot, but you MUST have one in your arsenal. Once you have it, you'll wonder how you lived without.
I bought a Miiiwaukee Sawsall when they first ame out (over 30 years ago) and I've given up trying to kill it. It's a corded model (obviously) so when it needs to out in the field I throw the generator in the truck. Thus equiped and with a 100 foot HD extension cord you can hear whatever your going after crying for mercy when you arrive on the scene. Frank
iv got two milwaukee chorded saws. One is an old 1980's model that been beat to hell and still works great. My newer one is great also but the twist chuck can be problematic you have to keep it lubed. Its still better than the dewalt leaver chuck though. Iv seen those fail many a time
I have 2 Milwaukee Sawzall-s .... a 110v and a cordless ... both are flawless and have their advantages ... cant go wrong with either one.
I am a light user of my 25 year old Milwaukee. I only used about once a month but it still works great. It was my first good power tool purchase. Don't waste your money on crap. Rich
OK, OK, OK I NEED YOUR ATTENTION! At work I have a cordless 18 volt Milwauke, quick release, but what is cool about this is the handle, it has a button on it that swivals the pistol grip to a 45 degree and straight handle for tight places, you gotta get this, it is great for tight places and I don't even use the pistol grip spot any more I make it straight and it is easier to use. I love it.
My vote is for a Milwaukee and I always purchase my tools with cords. After 35 years of building homes I can't tell you how many times I have seen guys with cordless tools with dead batteries and it just drives me crazy. My Milwakee is about 30 years old and I have changed about 4 switches over the years but have never replaced the motor!!!!!!!!! My son asked me one time how much my sawzall cost and I told him that if you are in the trades good tools do not cost you anything. That sawzall paid for itself back in 1980 on the very first job I used it on. Since 1980 that sawzall has helped build hundreds of homes and many remodeling projects so maybe it cost $118.00 30 years ago but it has made me a small fortune over the years. That's my two cents. Jimbo
I've had great luck with my Porter Cable...I've had it since 1995, used it when I was doing construction for a living daily, while restoring our old Victorian and this house, then in the garage for numerous projects. Never had a problem. I bought my father a new Dewalt last year (his old sawzall was a Milwaukee from the 50's I believe)...as mentioned the new Dewalt can have the blade put in various ways. It comes in handy. Saw's been great so far. PorterCable, Dewalt, Milwaulkee - probably can't go wrong with any of 'em!
I was never happier than the day they came out with cordless sawzalls...unless it's in the shop, a corded model meant dragging out the generator and cords...PITA! I have a couple of Bosch corded models that haven't been out of the case in years. Bought an 18v DeWalt I was never happy with, short battery life and not a ton of power. Got an 18v Milwakee and love it. Battery life is great. It's heavy, but balanced so you don't notice the weight till your done
i got a rockwell sawzall this christmas and im in love with it the best i have ever used it has 5 count em 5 different speeds and a vibration damper straitest cuts ive ever made
Lately i have found a few defective milwaukee triggers in their reg sawzall . They have different strokes and the shorter one offers more control. The cordless milwaukee i have a whole set i wont even buy the replacement battery as they only lasted 6 months. Really hate to admit that i bought something at home depot but i did buy the ridgid cordless setup and a corded mini sawzall . The mini was a hundred bucks with a lifetime warranty and is very usefull reaching the spots where a normal sawzall couldn't think of going
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