Best Cordless Reciprocating Saws

Saws like the Yato YT-82814 are commonly called “loppers” because they are typically used for trimming tree branches and bushes during seasonal garden maintenance. However, nothing prevents you from performing other operations using this tool, because the saw, despite its compact size and low weight (1.6 kg), has enough power to make cuts up to 80 mm deep in wood and cut steel up to 10 mm thick. That is, with its help you can cut not only fairly thick branches, but also boards, plywood, wood boards, metal and plastic pipes, thin sheet metal, etc. Naturally, to perform such diverse tasks you need to buy the appropriate saw blades : for wood, for metal, etc. Thanks to the presence of a chuck with a quick-release mechanism, the files can be easily and quickly changed during work without the use of auxiliary tools. During operation, the chuck performs reciprocating movements with an amplitude of 25 mm and a frequency of up to 3000 strokes/min (since the tool is equipped with electronic speed control, the frequency of strokes of the saw unit can be controlled by changing the pressing force on the start key).

By the standards of cordless reciprocating saws, the Yato YT-82814 is considered an inexpensive tool. Therefore, it makes sense to take a closer look at this hacksaw if your budget is limited, or you want to save money when buying a wireless “assistant” for working in the garden, garage or home workshop. The saw comes with one 2 Ah battery and a charger. Other 18-volt Yato batteries (with a capacity of up to 6 Ah inclusive) can also be used as an energy source if longer battery life is required without recharging.

Reciprocating saws like the Black & Decker BDCR18 are very effective tools for gardeners caring for fruit trees and tree-like shrubs. With the help of this cordless hacksaw, even pensioners and women can conveniently cut branches and twigs, because it weighs only 1.5 kg. A significant part of the body (namely the “neck” and the rear handle) is covered with rubber pads, thanks to which the tool will never slip out of your hands during operation. I would also like to note the good weight distribution: if you use the included battery (capacity 1.5 Ah) and a saw blade 150 mm long (one such blade is included), then the saw does not “nod off” and does not lean back.

Decent cutting speed and neat cuts are ensured due to the fact that the file moves back and forth at a speed of up to 3000 strokes/min. Note that the frequency of strokes can be controlled (the speed is proportional to the force of pressing the start button) - this allows you to select the optimal operating mode for working with a particular material. Any saw blades with L-shaped shanks can be used as cutting equipment. Saw blades are inserted into the chuck with the teeth down or up (the latter position is sometimes necessary if you need to reach hard-to-reach places, for example, in a dense tree crown). The “highlight” of the design is the original keyless system for fixing the saw blades. While many power tool manufacturers use chucks with rotating rings, Black & Decker engineers equipped this saw with a mechanism that clamps the saw blade in the chuck using a lever located on the side of the “neck” of the tool. Such a lock, although not without certain drawbacks (for example, a slight play in the chuck is felt), is more convenient for users than other types of keyless mechanisms for fixing saws.

In general, we can say that the Black&Decker BDCR18 is a good household saw, which has enough power and reliability to take care of the garden or carry out small amounts of construction and repair work on a personal plot. A separate plus is the affordable price (by the standards of this category of power tools) and the good reputation of the manufacturer.

The Bosch “green” line is, as you know, a series of tools designed for DIY enthusiasts. Therefore, even one glance at the color of the body of the Bosch AdvancedRecip 18 saw is enough to determine that it has moderate characteristics: nothing special, but quite sufficient for most household tasks.

The characteristics of the hacksaw (cutting depth up to 100 mm for wood and up to 20 mm for metal and hard polymers) allow you to use the saw not only for cutting branches in the garden. If you are renovating a house or country house yourself, then you can use it, for example, to saw boards for roof sheathing and cut a metal profile for a frame for wall cladding. It cuts wood, plywood, plastic sheets, steel, copper and PVC pipes well. The main thing is to choose the right file (the fastening mechanism allows you to use branded Bosch blades and equipment from other manufacturers).

The saw is light and compact (due to the transverse engine arrangement). It is convenient to hold it with one hand or a two-handed grip, depending on what kind of work you are doing and how you get to the cutting point in hard-to-reach places. The tool is well balanced and has low vibration levels during operation.

Almost the only aspect that can scare off a potential buyer is the inflated price of a hacksaw (with such performance characteristics, you can find a tool much cheaper). But Bosch is Bosch, and even the “green” tools of this brand are distinguished by decent cutting performance and depth, which are sufficient for work at home and in the garden, and last a long time with not too intensive use.

Most reciprocating saws only have one “gear” (albeit with variable speed adjustment). But the Bosch GSA 18 V-LI Professional hacksaw is equipped with a two-speed gearbox. The first speed with a reduced stroke rate (up to 2400 strokes/min) is better suited for sawing strong and dense materials, such as steel, cast iron, non-ferrous metals or hard plastic. And the second speed (2700 strokes/min) is intended for sawing wood, drywall, soft plastic and other materials with a relatively low density. The combination of a sufficiently powerful motor and a two-speed gearbox allows you to configure the tool to perform work of varying complexity and intensity. Therefore, this saw is widely used by professionals who are involved in construction (for cutting boards and wooden beams, adjusting pipes to size or sawing aerated concrete and ceramic blocks), dismantling (for cutting steel pipes and fittings, replacing old window frames and door frames) and maintenance green spaces (for cutting branches and cutting logs into blanks for firewood). It is worth mentioning that one of the main reasons for the popularity of this model is the large sawing depth - 250 mm (the saw confidently copes with cutting logs and wooden beams of this size in diameter).

Due to the presence of a gearbox and the abundance of metal in the design of the tool, the Bosch GSA 18 V-LI Professional saw turned out to be quite massive (weight 3.7 kg with battery). Therefore, it will definitely not be possible to work with one hand. But there are no other complaints about ergonomics. Like many other reciprocating saws, there is a keyless mechanism for fixing saw blades (for files with L-shaped shanks), allowing you to quickly change equipment without the use of auxiliary devices. The saw motor is protected from overloads and overheating using an electronic module that controls current parameters. A capacious rechargeable battery (4 Ah) is used as a power source. The manufacturer claims that a battery of this capacity allows you to make up to 100 cross cuts of pine beams measuring 100x100 mm in diameter.

The Stanley FatMax SFMCS300D2K cordless hacksaw can be used for sawing wood, plastic or thin metal. During operation, its saw unit moves with an amplitude of 25 mm and a frequency of up to 3000 strokes/min. The speed of the saw can be controlled by changing the force of pressing the button if you need to adjust it to work with a particular material (for example, some hard materials are better cut at medium speeds than at high speeds). Like many tools of the same class, this saw is equipped with a saw attachment holder in the form of a clamping ring, which allows you to change saw blades without the use of wrenches and screwdrivers. Other advantages that ensure comfortable work with a hacksaw include the low weight of the tool (only 2.05 kg with the included battery) and the abundant use of high-quality textured rubber linings that cover all parts of the body that are touched by the palm of your hand.

The price of the Stanley FatMax SFMCS300D2K may seem a little high, but we should not forget that the FatMax series saws are not “ordinary” Stanley tools intended for household use, but a “top” line designed for professionals and very demanding amateurs. And the equipment of this model is very good. The saw is supplied with two batteries(each of them has a capacity of 2 Ah), a charger and a convenient plastic case designed for storing and carrying the tool with all the accessories necessary for work. However, if you don’t need a suitcase, and you already have Stanley batteries, then you can save money and buy a Stanley FatMax SFMCS300B - the same hacksaw, but in a cardboard box and without a battery.