What Is a Reciprocating Saw Used For

a reciprocating saw beside wood, metal, plastic pipe, copper pipe

A reciprocating saw is a power tool with a blade that moves rapidly backwards and forwards to cut through materials. Unlike a circular saw, which uses a spinning blade, or a jigsaw, which is designed for more controlled cutting, a reciprocating saw uses a straight blade with a push-and-pull cutting action. This makes it particularly … Read more

What Can You Cut With a Reciprocating Saw?

a reciprocating saw beside wood, metal, plastic pipe, copper pipe

A reciprocating saw can cut a surprisingly wide range of materials, but the blade you use is extremely important. With the correct blade, a reciprocating saw can be used for cutting wood, metal, plastic, pipes, timber containing nails and some garden materials. UK retailers commonly sell reciprocating blades specifically for wood, metal, multi-material and other … Read more

Can You Cut Metal With a Reciprocating Saw

man cutting metal with a reciprocating saw

Yes, you can cut metal with a reciprocating saw. With the correct metal-cutting blade, a reciprocating saw can cut materials such as steel, stainless steel, aluminium, metal pipe and some sheet metal. This makes it a useful tool for DIY renovation, plumbing, demolition and general repair work. However, you can’t simply fit any reciprocating saw … Read more

Best Reciprocating Saw Blades for Wood

a range of wood cutting blades for a reciprocating saw

Choosing the right reciprocating saw blade can make a huge difference to how quickly and easily you can cut wood. The problem is that there are a lot of blades to choose from. Some are designed for fast cutting through timber, others are better for demolition, while some are designed specifically for wood containing nails. … Read more

Best Reciprocating Saw Blades for Metal UK

a range of meal cutting reciprocating blades

A reciprocating saw can be an extremely useful tool for cutting metal, but choosing the right blade is important. A blade that’s excellent for cutting thin sheet metal isn’t necessarily the best choice for thick steel pipe. Likewise, a blade designed for ordinary mild steel may not be the best option for tough stainless steel. … Read more

Can You Cut Wood With a Reciprocating Saw

man cutting wood using a reciprocating saw

Yes, you can cut wood with a reciprocating saw. In fact, wood is one of the most common materials that a reciprocating saw is used to cut. A reciprocating saw can cut timber, softwood, hardwood, plywood, chipboard, pallets and other wood-based materials when fitted with a suitable blade. It’s particularly useful for demolition, renovation and … Read more

Battery Run Times for Reciprocating Saws UK

3 dewalt batteries 2Ah, 4.0 Ah and 5.0Ah showing approximate runtime

If you’re new to DIY and thinking about buying a cordless reciprocating saw, one of the most important things to understand is how long the battery will last. This guide is written just for beginners in the UK and will help you choose the right saw by explaining battery run times, what affects them, and … Read more

Best Reciprocating Saw for DIY UK

a reciprocating saw in a workshop ready for DIY

A reciprocating saw can be one of the most useful power tools for DIY. It’s particularly good at jobs where other saws can struggle, including demolition, cutting timber with nails, cutting pipes and reaching awkward areas. But if you’re buying your first reciprocating saw, choosing the right one can be confusing. There are cordless and … Read more

12V vs 18V Reciprocating Saw

a 12V reciprocating saw beside an 18V reciprocating saw

If you’re looking to buy a cordless reciprocating saw, one of the first decisions you’ll come across is which battery voltage to choose. You’ll commonly see compact 12V reciprocating saws alongside more powerful 18V models. But does 18V automatically mean the saw is better? Not necessarily. A 12V reciprocating saw can be an excellent choice … Read more

How to Use a Reciprocating Saw

man using a reciprocating saw and showing how to use safely

A reciprocating saw is one of the most useful power tools for DIY, particularly when you’re doing renovation, demolition or cutting materials in awkward places. Unlike a circular saw or jigsaw, a reciprocating saw isn’t primarily designed for making perfectly straight or highly accurate cuts. Instead, it’s a fast, versatile cutting tool that’s particularly good … Read more