Lumberjacks and handy people of MeFi, pick me a saw!
December 23, 2015 10:25 PM Subscribe
On occasion I find myself in need of a saw. This is not for precision finish work or anything, just a need to cut wood. My upper arm strength and hand strength have proven to be lacking when I've attempted to use a hand saw or pruning saw.
Examples of a few things I've needed to cut in recent memory: An inch off the bottom of my fresh Christmas tree (4" diameter trunk), cutting said Christmas tree in half next week so the trash men will take it, 1x2's that were part of some shipping packaging and we're too long for the trash can (trash lid must close in these parts), a 2-3" diameter branch too big for the trash. In all of these cases I managed eventually with my pathetic hand tools, but the days of pain after tell me I could do better with some power.
If I wanted a power saw of some sort that would save my arms/hands that was not a chain saw - as I could see me maiming myself with something like that - what do I want? Reciprocating saw? Something else? What brands are good (or should I avoid)?
In the US with good access to stores. Thanks!
Examples of a few things I've needed to cut in recent memory: An inch off the bottom of my fresh Christmas tree (4" diameter trunk), cutting said Christmas tree in half next week so the trash men will take it, 1x2's that were part of some shipping packaging and we're too long for the trash can (trash lid must close in these parts), a 2-3" diameter branch too big for the trash. In all of these cases I managed eventually with my pathetic hand tools, but the days of pain after tell me I could do better with some power.
If I wanted a power saw of some sort that would save my arms/hands that was not a chain saw - as I could see me maiming myself with something like that - what do I want? Reciprocating saw? Something else? What brands are good (or should I avoid)?
In the US with good access to stores. Thanks!
Best answer: For tree limbs and stuff like that in the yard, I find a bow saw is quicker than getting out the power tools. I wouldn't use that for 2x4's or anything large, though. The jigsaw or sawzall if you want to go the power tool route.
posted by ctmf at 10:47 PM on December 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by ctmf at 10:47 PM on December 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'd go with reciprocating saw (such as the Sawzall, on preview)-- they're made for freehand cutting like what you describe, while jigsaw has, as you can see, a plate that means it's designed for cutting against a flat surface.
posted by Sunburnt at 10:49 PM on December 23, 2015
posted by Sunburnt at 10:49 PM on December 23, 2015
This is the purpose for which God invented the sawzall.
posted by Sternmeyer at 10:49 PM on December 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Sternmeyer at 10:49 PM on December 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
I agree that a sawzall would also be a good choice, possibly better than a jigsaw.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 11:16 PM on December 23, 2015
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 11:16 PM on December 23, 2015
These Corona "razor tooth" saws are amazing for rough work like you’re describing, and cheap. I cut down small trees with them, sometimes with just a few strokes.
posted by bongo_x at 11:17 PM on December 23, 2015
posted by bongo_x at 11:17 PM on December 23, 2015
In case of confusion, a sawzall is a reciprocating saw. (Sawzall is the first one to hit the market; likely Sawzall is still a trade name owned by Milwaukee Tools) You want one. Either of these two 1 2 would do the deal just fine, was it myself I'd go with the Porter Cable, I know and trust them. But Skil is no slouch either.
Both are those saws are variable speed, which you definitely want. You can buy blades for reciprocating saws that will suit about any purpose you'll come across -- course and fine wood cutting blades, metal cutting blades also. You can stick with the regulation length blades that comes with it but you can buy long blades, too.
Don't wander into Harbor Freight and see whatever junk they're selling for 14 cents and think you'd be getting a bargain. You'd be getting garbage. Spend the money -- forty bucks isn't much for what you're getting -- and use a good tool. Good tools are lots more fun to work with, they'll help you, whereas cheapo tools will fight you.
You can put on a motorcycle helmet and walk around the house with your new sawzall, pretending you're like in Star Wars or whatever and it's a space-machine-gun in your hands -- CHW CHW CHW CHW CHW !! -- aim it at the cat or your spouse or the TV or what-have-you. Plus you could walk up behind the cat or spouse* when they don't know you're there, pull the trigger full-on and watch them jump up and screech with happiness, their hair standing up -- great fun for all!
*If it's your spouse make sure you have a piece of wood in your other hand, so's you can say "Now wait, Sweetie -- I was just cutting this board and stuff."
posted by dancestoblue at 12:08 AM on December 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Both are those saws are variable speed, which you definitely want. You can buy blades for reciprocating saws that will suit about any purpose you'll come across -- course and fine wood cutting blades, metal cutting blades also. You can stick with the regulation length blades that comes with it but you can buy long blades, too.
Don't wander into Harbor Freight and see whatever junk they're selling for 14 cents and think you'd be getting a bargain. You'd be getting garbage. Spend the money -- forty bucks isn't much for what you're getting -- and use a good tool. Good tools are lots more fun to work with, they'll help you, whereas cheapo tools will fight you.
You can put on a motorcycle helmet and walk around the house with your new sawzall, pretending you're like in Star Wars or whatever and it's a space-machine-gun in your hands -- CHW CHW CHW CHW CHW !! -- aim it at the cat or your spouse or the TV or what-have-you. Plus you could walk up behind the cat or spouse* when they don't know you're there, pull the trigger full-on and watch them jump up and screech with happiness, their hair standing up -- great fun for all!
*If it's your spouse make sure you have a piece of wood in your other hand, so's you can say "Now wait, Sweetie -- I was just cutting this board and stuff."
posted by dancestoblue at 12:08 AM on December 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If you are committed to a power tool, I agree that the demolition saw (aka Sawzall) is the way to go. Get a decent one from a good manufacturer and it will last you a lifetime. A jigsaw will work for most of what you describe but isn't really the right tool for the job and won't work as well for thicker cuts like your christmas tree.
I own a demo saw, but for all the examples you give I would use either a bowsaw or a handsaw much like these. In the time it takes to get out the reciprocating saw, take it out of its box, insert the blade, find your eye protection, and plug it in, you would have cut all the wood by hand and be done. Make sure you have tried a new and high quality hand saw before rejecting the idea; dull saws are terrible but a good one will slice through small pieces of wood in no time at all.
posted by Dip Flash at 5:45 AM on December 24, 2015 [4 favorites]
I own a demo saw, but for all the examples you give I would use either a bowsaw or a handsaw much like these. In the time it takes to get out the reciprocating saw, take it out of its box, insert the blade, find your eye protection, and plug it in, you would have cut all the wood by hand and be done. Make sure you have tried a new and high quality hand saw before rejecting the idea; dull saws are terrible but a good one will slice through small pieces of wood in no time at all.
posted by Dip Flash at 5:45 AM on December 24, 2015 [4 favorites]
I have two go-to saws for general use around the house. A 5" cordless circular saw, which can cut things up to a 2x4, and a Japanese-style saw which is fast enough, and because it cuts on the pull, rather than a push, is easier to use by hand.
posted by DaveP at 5:59 AM on December 24, 2015
posted by DaveP at 5:59 AM on December 24, 2015
I'm with Dip Flash; a Sawzall/reciprocating saw would be the power tool of choice, but a sharp and good-quality handheld pruning saw would be cheaper, easier to store, and work just as well for the tasks you listed.
posted by jon1270 at 6:28 AM on December 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by jon1270 at 6:28 AM on December 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I wouldn't bother to get out a power tool for any of the tasks you list. I would use my folding pruning saw.
I suspect the issue is your technique and a dull saw. Get a nice sharp pruning saw and then learn to use it properly. It doesn't take significant hand or arm strength. You don't need to grip the saw particularly tightly or push hard into the cut. Put your work piece in a comfortable position, get your cut started with very light pressure and then apply light pressure pulling upwards on each stroke and as little pressure as possible pushing downwards. Go as slow as you need to. I think you'll find you'll be through a few inches of wood in very little time.
Realistically, you need more strength to control a Sawzall safely than you do to use a pruning saw.
posted by ssg at 8:08 AM on December 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
I suspect the issue is your technique and a dull saw. Get a nice sharp pruning saw and then learn to use it properly. It doesn't take significant hand or arm strength. You don't need to grip the saw particularly tightly or push hard into the cut. Put your work piece in a comfortable position, get your cut started with very light pressure and then apply light pressure pulling upwards on each stroke and as little pressure as possible pushing downwards. Go as slow as you need to. I think you'll find you'll be through a few inches of wood in very little time.
Realistically, you need more strength to control a Sawzall safely than you do to use a pruning saw.
posted by ssg at 8:08 AM on December 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Nthing the Japanese-style pull saw. I find them less tiring than push saws, too.
posted by clew at 7:02 PM on December 24, 2015
posted by clew at 7:02 PM on December 24, 2015
Even my weak arms can make quick work of a 3-4 inch diameter fallen limb or 2x4 or whatever with a bow saw. The saw does most of the work for you as long as you have a good blade. You shouldn't need to exert much force at all.
Power tools definitely have their place, but hand tools are better for the quick job if you don't have a specific need for the power tool. (In my case, that would be when I need the cut to actually be straight!) No need to break out the extension cord (or remember to charge batteries), just pick up tool and go to town.
posted by wierdo at 10:39 AM on December 25, 2015
Power tools definitely have their place, but hand tools are better for the quick job if you don't have a specific need for the power tool. (In my case, that would be when I need the cut to actually be straight!) No need to break out the extension cord (or remember to charge batteries), just pick up tool and go to town.
posted by wierdo at 10:39 AM on December 25, 2015
Response by poster: As suggested, I considered the likelihood that I have crappy saws (hand and folding pruner) and a power saw was overkill. So with some research, I ended up with a DeWalt hand saw with an ergonomic handle.
I am pleased to announce today I sawed my Christmas tree in half in about 11 seconds - a far cry from the painful, tedious 20 minutes of sawing I did on it a few weeks ago. Thanks for the good advice! Clearly the right tool for the job is what matters most.
posted by cecic at 7:44 PM on January 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
I am pleased to announce today I sawed my Christmas tree in half in about 11 seconds - a far cry from the painful, tedious 20 minutes of sawing I did on it a few weeks ago. Thanks for the good advice! Clearly the right tool for the job is what matters most.
posted by cecic at 7:44 PM on January 1, 2016 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 10:28 PM on December 23, 2015 [1 favorite]