Last Updated on 2020-11-07 by Harry Masterton
<—- Click To See Amazon Best Sellers – Best Corded Reciprocating Saw
The first being this article and buying guide to the best corded reciprocating saws and part two which is here, the best cordless reciprocating saws.
A reciprocating saw seems like an unusual power tool to have in a woodworking shop that is more than likely dedicated to home woodworking projects. You might think that even the best reciprocating saw might have limited uses particularly in a small space woodworking shop.
Well not necessarily so. A good general purpose reciprocating saw is a versatile tool that you’ll use more and more around the workshop, home and yard.
In the home woodworking shop it’s a very useful woodworking power tool for quick cots of rough lumber when you don’t want to fire up the miter saw or have to put it up on the bench.
Around the home and yard this versatile saw really comes into its own. If you buy the best reciprocating saw you can afford and maybe stretch a little past your budget you’ll have a power tool that will last you for years.
If you have a remodeling or renovation project a good corded reciprocating saw comes into its own cutting through drywall, framing and even pipe work with ease. Nails in framing and wall studs won’t be a challenge providing you have the correct blade and a reciprocating saw that’s up to the job.
Around the yard the best corded reciprocating saw will handle fencing jobs, decking repairs and of course tree pruning.
Table Of Contents
The Best Corded Reciprocating Saw Review
So let’s review the best corded reciprocating saw and give you our recommendations in the following categories. Best corded reciprocating saw under $200 – Best Corded Reciprocating Saw Under $100 – Best Compact Reciprocating Saw and Best Budget Corded Reciprocating Saw.
If your preference is for the best cordless reciprocating saw then you’ll find our reviews and recommendations here
Milwaukee 6519-31 12 AMP Corded Reciprocating Sawzall
The Best Reciprocating Saw Under $200
Having invented the reciprocating saw back in 1951 the Milwaukee SAWZALL ® was a revolutionary development in power tools as the 1st electric power hacksaw. Since then Milwaukee have continued to develop the SAWZALL® as the most versatile general purpose powered saw to have around the home woodworking shop.
There is no doubt that the Milwaukee 6519-31 12 Amp Corded Reciprocating Sawzall with Variable Speed Trigger and running at 3000 Strokes Per Minute is the king of the hill and is the best professional reciprocating saw you can buy.
Powerful, well made and engineered the Milwaukee 6519-31 has a raft of features that will please the most discerning buyer of woodworking power tools.
Milwaukee 6519-31 Features
This is a reciprocating saw that will cut through the toughest jobs with its 3000 strokes per minute with a saw blade that has a 1 1/8” stroke length. It’s a saw that’s built with hard work in mind and cutting for long hours in tough conditions. With an inbuilt clutch system that is designed to protect the motor and gears from burn out the Milwaukee 6519-31 Corded SAWZALL® should give you many years of reliable service.
The Milwaukee 6519-31 is a worthy winner of our best corded reciprocating saw and comes in at number one on the list. If you’re looking for a heavy duty professional grade reciprocating saw for job site work, a serious remodeling project or you are a DIY’er who just wants the best then this saw should last you for years.
Milwaukee 6519-31 – Things We Like
- Tool less blade change. Fast and simple.
- Virtually vibration free for a more accurate cut
- Plenty of power at 3000 strokes per minute and variable speed trigger for the toughest jobs
- Hard Carry Case
- Lightweight
Milwaukee 6519-31 – Not So Good
- Blade latch sometimes loose
SKILSAW SPT44A-00 13 Amp Reciprocating Saw with Buzzkill Tech
Best Reciprocating Saw Under $100
Skil have patented what they call Buzzkill technology to eliminate the vibration that is inherent in reciprocating saws by up to 35%.
With a variable speed trigger for maximum control the SKILSAW SPT44A-00 is ideally suited to extensive remodeling, job-site demolition and will handle materials such as piping steel girdering, nail embedded wood and the usual ‘knock down’ materials like drywall skirting’s, architrave and plastic sidings.
SKILSAW SPT44A-00 Features
Best in class vibration suppression with a unique design that will direct dust from the material you’re cutting away from you while you’re working.
The large trigger on the Skil with variable speed give you maximum control and won’t let you down when cutting through tough material or hitting a knot or nail.
The proven 13 AMP motor, 1 1/8” stroke length and Skil build quality make the SKILSAW SPT44A-00 reciprocating saw our recommendation best corded reciprocating saw under $100.
A superb saw that you’ll enjoy using whether you’re in the home with a large remodeling project, a pro on a jobsite or you’re looking at some big yard jobs you won’t be disappointed with the Skil SKILSAW SPT44A-00.
The SKILSAW SPT44A-00 is not a heavy duty saw that will work all day on demolition but for smaller jobs and as back up it’s superb.
SKILSAW SPT44A-00 – Things We like
- Great Vibration Suppression
- Smooth accurate cuts
- Plenty Of Power For the Toughest Jobs
- Well Designed And Built
SKILSAW SPT44A-00 – Not So Good
- Blade Lock is not one handed
- Slightly heavy at 9lbs
SKILSAW SPT44A-00 Reciprocating Saw Video
Bosch RS325 120-Volt 12-Amp Reciprocating Saw
Best Compact Reciprocating Saw – Corded
The 12 AMP motor is not as powerful as the Skil or Milwaukee in this review but this is a good saw for its size none the less with a great power to weight ration.
Reciprocating saw blades get hot so the Bosch ‘Lockjaw’ blade system works well for dropping that hot blade and inserting a new one.
The ergonomic soft touch handle for maximum cutting control, orbital cutting action and swivel cord makes this a great compact reciprocating saw for those awkward locations that are difficult to reach and overhead cutting
Bosch RS325 Features
Compact and light the Bosch RS325 is the ideal pick up and go reciprocating saw for quick remodeling jobs that require cutting in cramped spaces. The 12 AMP motor, fixed foot and orbital cutting action won’t leave you feeling you’ve been fighting with the job!
This is an ideal reciprocating saw for the small space woodworking shop where storage space and working room is at a premium.
The Bosch RS325 will be equally at home in the yard working on those tree pruning jobs that need to get done on the fall.
Bosch RS325 12 AMP – Things We Like
- Lightweight, compact and well balanced
- Great power to weight ratio for cramped awkward conditions thus maximizing safety
- Orbital cutting action with variable speed up to 2800 Strokes Per Minute
- One handed blade changing
Bosch RS325 12 AMP – Not So Good
- Overly sensitive trigger
- Lubricant leak issues
The Bosch RS325 Reciprocating Saw Video
TACKLIFE Reciprocating Saw RPRS01A – 7 Amp With Rotary Handle
Best Budget Reciprocating Saw – Corded
As we’ve previously said of the HYCHIKA brand it’s none the worse off for that. If we consider the TACKLIFE RPRS01A package includes a 6T wood blade, a 14T metal blade and a good strong carry case it puts this saw on the best corded reciprocating saw list right at the top of the budget category.
Let’s not beat about the bush here, the TACKLIFE RPRS01A Reciprocating Saw is a home and small yard power tool that is suited to small DIY and remodeling jobs like taking down a stud partition wall or chopping up old cabinets you’re ripping out.
Having said that as a 7 AMP saw it packs a real punch and has a quality heft to it. This doesn’t fell like a cheap saw when you hold it
TACKLIFE RPRS01A Reciprocating Saw Features.
The TACKLIFE is variable speed with zero to 2800 Strokes Per Minute speed and an LED light to guide the cut. The saw has a 1 1/8” stroke length
The handle can be rotated through three stops to 90 degrees either to the left or right making this ideal for getting into those difficult places. The ergonomic soft touch handle with variable speed trigger and lock on switch incorporated compliment the ergonomic body design for stress free use.
The shoe pivots and adjusts for distance and angle and the quick release blade check is simple to operate for tool-less bade changes.
With the excellent storage case and two blades all in all the TACKLIFE RPRS01A Reciprocating Saw will make a great addition to your woodworking shop and hits the spot as Best Budget Cordless Reciprocating Saw.
TACKLIFE RPRS01A Reciprocating Saw – Things We Like
- Great All Round Package
- Rotating Handle Through 90%
- 10ft Full Length Cord
- LED Light
TACKLIFE RPRS01A Reciprocating – Not So Good
- Quite heavy at 9.5 lbs
- Blade Lock problems with early saws which TACKLIFE now seems to have sorted
We said this right at the start; the reciprocating saw seems like an unusual woodworking power tool to include in a dedicated woodworking shop that would normally be equipped with finer woodworking tools.
Let’s face it you’re not going to cut out tenon joints with a reciprocating saw or shape furniture legs. So why have we included it? Simply because it’s so versatile. Whether you’re making a quick rough cut on some lumber stock prior to starting a project or tacking jobs around the yard and house our reciprocating saw recommendations in the budget and under $100 category will serve you well.
If you’re setting off on a larger project like a major remodel or renovation then you’ll do no better than the Milwaukee 6519-31 with perhaps the Bosch RS325 as back up.
Whichever one you choose buy the best corded reciprocating saw your budget will stretch to so that you are buying more than you need right now so that your purchase will grow with you.
Do that and you’ll find the a reciprocating saw becomes an indispensable part of your woodworking power tool inventory
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