Reciprocating Saw Guide — a practical guide for Australian trades from the team at Power Tools Direct Australia.
Stroke length, orbital action and blade choice — how to get a recip saw cutting fast without snapping blades or wrecking your wrists.
Reciprocating Saw Guide: In this guide
- The blunt instrument of the saw family
- The specs that matter
- Compact vs full size
- Blades: the whole game
- Technique that saves blades and wrists
The blunt instrument of the saw family
A reciprocating saw — recip saw, or Sawzall if you grew up around Milwaukee — pushes a blade back and forth to cut anything you can get the blade against. It is not precise and it is not meant to be.
What it is, is fast and unstoppable. Browse the reciprocating saw range.
The specs that matter
- Stroke length — how far the blade travels per cycle. 28–32 mm is standard; longer strokes cut faster in thick material.
- Strokes per minute (SPM) — 0–3000 is typical. Variable speed via the trigger matters more than the maximum.
- Orbital action — the blade moves in a slight ellipse rather than straight. Much faster in timber, and should be switched off for metal.
- Tool-free shoe adjustment — lets you use fresh sections of a partly worn blade and control cutting depth.
- Anti-vibration — genuinely important. Recip saws are the most fatiguing cordless tool to use for long periods.
Compact vs full size
One-handed compact recip saws (Milwaukee’s HACKZALL and equivalents) are excellent for electricians and plumbers cutting conduit, pipe and studs in cavities. They are much easier to control overhead and in ceiling spaces.
Full-size two-handed saws are for demolition, pruning and cutting structural timber. If you are stripping out a bathroom, you want the big one.
Blades: the whole game
| Blade | TPI | For |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition (bi-metal) | 6–10 | Nail-embedded timber, general strip-out |
| Wood | 3–6 | Fast timber cutting, pruning |
| Metal | 14–24 | Conduit, pipe, steel section |
| Carbide tipped | 8 | Cast iron, stainless, fibro (with control), long life |
| Pruning | 3–5 | Green timber, clears sap |
Rule of thumb: at least three teeth should be in contact with the material at all times. Too coarse a blade on thin metal will snag and snap. Browse blades.
Buy a bulk pack of bi-metal demolition blades and stop being precious about them. They are consumables, and a bent blade cuts badly.
Technique that saves blades and wrists
- Press the shoe hard against the work. This is the single biggest fix for vibration and blade breakage.
- Start slow. Let the blade find its line before going to full speed.
- Do not force the cut. Pushing bends the blade, which snaps it.
- Use the longest blade that suits the job — but be aware of what is behind the material.
- Switch orbital off for metal. Orbital action in steel destroys teeth quickly.
Stripping out a job?
Recip saws and bulk demolition blade packs in stock.
The bottom line
Stroke length, orbital action and blade choice — how to get a recip saw cutting fast without snapping blades or wrecking your wrists. Everything we sell is genuine Australian stock with full manufacturer warranty, dispatched same day on orders placed before 1pm AEST from our Sydney warehouse. Standard delivery is $15.99, express is $32.55, and delivery is free on orders over $1,000.
Not sure which option suits your work? Talk to our team — we are tradies too. You can also browse the full power tool range, read the FAQs, or set up a trade account for ongoing pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Can a recip saw cut concrete?
With a carbide-grit blade, only soft masonry and slowly. Use a grinder or demolition saw for concrete.
What blade for cutting tree branches?
A coarse pruning blade, 3–5 TPI, with orbital action on. Green timber clogs fine-toothed blades instantly.
Why do my blades keep bending?
You are not holding the shoe against the work, or you are forcing the cut. Both are easy habits to fix.
Keep reading
- Renovation Tools for an Old Australian Home
- Hammers and Demolition Tools for Australian Hardwood
- Choosing the Right Saw Blade
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