Sawzall

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Ian Gills

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It looks like I am going to need one of these to cut through old metal window frames to get them out.

Any recommendations on a tool for the job or will any do?

Big? Small? Cordless? Wired?

What blades?

All tips most gratefully received.

I want one that makes cutting as easy as drilling holes in concrete with a rotary hammer drill.
 
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Sjsmithjr

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I have three reciprocating saws in my box. An 18v cordless DeWalt, a 15 amp corded Milwaukee Super, and an old corded Black & Decker with a saber grip. The Black & Decker only gets used when the saber grip makes the job easier, which isn't very often.

I've had the DeWalt for about four years now I think. Great for when a cordless tool is the best option. Will "cook" a battery if you let the charge get to low and try to push the tool. Run time is pretty low if you are working the tool hard. The tool of choice for putting a fresh cut on the Christmas tree every year. The wife occasionally uses it to prune trees. A medium duty tool.

The Milwaukee Super is a beast of a tool that strikes fear in the hearts of carpenters everywhere. In other words, you can do some serious demo work with it. I've used it to cut cement block and concrete embedded with rebar. Highly recommended.

Both the DeWalt and the Milwaukee Super will cost you about the same. If I could only have one, I'd buy the Milwaukee.

I like Lennox Gold blades for most jobs. If I need a carbide coated blade I usually go with a Bosch.
 
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Ian Gills

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Thanks. I'll try to find a Milwaukee Super 15 amp then.

What blades would you recommend for cutting stubborn metal window frames?

The carbide ones?
 

Frenchie

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Milwaukee's the right choice.

There's blades specifically for steel (fine toothed instead of rough).

Pretty sure they're just regular bi-metal (steel & cobalt), I haven't bothered with the fancy blades before.
 

hj

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Saber saw

My Milwaukee SawZall hardly ever gets taken out of its case anymore. The DeWalt 18 volt cordless does EVERYTHING that needs to be done. Two batteries and a 12 volt charger for the truck takes care of longevity.
 

Sjsmithjr

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Two batteries and a 12 volt charger for the truck takes care of longevity.

I really like my DeWalt too. The only issue I noticed until I let my helper get his hands on it was that the blade clamp would occasionally hang up.

My helper, on the other hand, quickly discovered that if you work the tool too hard with a battery that is getting low on charge you will overheat the battery, which will now no longer take a charge. A $60 mistake. The second time he did this, I took away his cordless privileges.

I imagine that anyone with a minimum of tool competency would not experience this problem.
 
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Ian Gills

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Thanks guys but I am still tempted by the electric model. It's gonna have to work hard to get these frames out. I doubt a battery could cut the mustard.

Seen a good price on the 15 amp one as well...$149
 
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GabeS

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My Milwaukee SawZall hardly ever gets taken out of its case anymore. The DeWalt 18 volt cordless does EVERYTHING that needs to be done. Two batteries and a 12 volt charger for the truck takes care of longevity.


That's funny. I'm in the same exact situation.

The only time I pull out the milwaukee is when I got something heavy duty to do. And boy is that tool powerful.

After strong winds hit my neighboorhood, I saw a guy cutting a tree trunk with it about 18" in diameter.
 

GabeS

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Thanks guys but I am still tempted by the electric model. It's gonna have to work hard to get these frames out. I doubt a battery could cut the mustard.

Seen a good price on the 15 amp one as well...$149

For that metal frame a cordless could definitely do the trick. I have 18v dewalt and it does everything I need. If you already have a cordless set with batteries, then you could probably just buy the bare cordless tool without the batteries for cheaper.
 
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Ian Gills

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Ah, now I am just confused.

Is the Milwaukee just too much of a brute for metal windows?

At least we've narrowed it down to two!
 
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Ian Gills

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I have just bought the Milwaukee. These things are coming out!!
 

Ian Gills

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Jesus Christ, what have I done?




It's a beast.
 
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Master Plumber Mark

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Millwaukees are fun....

I would rather have the milwaukee with the power cord any day over the crummey dewalt sawzzalls....

You will be happy with that one...

The reason I dont like the Dewaults is nothing gripes my ass more than having to buy a new battery for the tool that
costs almost as much as the tool iteslf..

I like the dewault battery operated drill for sheet metal work on waterheater flu pipes and I have their flash lights... but nothing larger.....

you can actually buy a full drill kit with two batteries included for that the batteries alone cost you... I got three drills still new in boxes laying around here...



What did you pay for your new sawzall beastie???




 

Ian Gills

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Thanks Mark. I paid $149
 
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