Sawzall

J. Snively | A. Berta
History p 3
Common External Parts p 4
Intended Uses p 5-7
General Operations p 8-9
Safety and Precautions p 10-11
Tips and Techniques p 12
Jigs and Accessories p 13-14
Sawzall Models and Prices p 15
Bibliography p 16

1. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta

2. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta

3. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
TABLE OF CONTENTS
History p 3
Common External Parts p 4
Intended Uses p 5-7
General Operations p 8-9
Safety and Precautions p 10-11
Tips and Techniques p 12
Jigs and Accessories p 13-14
Sawzall Models and Prices p 15
Bibliography p 16

4. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
HISTORY
The reciprocating saw came into fashion by Milwaukee Electric
Tool Company. The company patented the name “Sawzall” in
1951.
Billed as the first portable electric hacksaw, the design has
gone on by other tool companies under the name reciprocating
saw. DeWalt, Black & Decker, Ryobi and others have
duplicated Milwaukee’s Sawzall. But the name remains
Milwaukee’s.

5. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
COMMON EXTERNAL PARTS

6. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
INTENDED USES & OVERVIEW
The Sawzall gets it name from Milwaukee tools, is a reciprocating saw.
Used heavily in construction, and used by most trades: plumbing, electrical,
and carpentry.
Models will have minimum and maximum speeds measured in Strokes Per
Minute (SPM). The harder you squeeze the saw’s trigger the faster in will
move the blade. Usually at speeds of 1700 spm is considered minimum up
to 2700spm at maximum. Blades can be damaged at slower speeds, when
using a Sawzall make sure of attaining maximum speed before cutting. The
cutting stroke size is one inch and one eighths inches that means the
distance the blade moves forward on a single cutting stoke.
Some Sawzall models come with an orbital cutting mode. To turn that
function on there is a shift lever on the Sawzall Fig. 1. When the Sawzall is
cutting in this mode the blade cuts in a push pull manner plus in a slight
circular motion.

7. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
INTENDED USES & OVERVIEW
The Sawzall is intended to replicate the motion of
a hacksaw or Jigsaw but on a larger scale. Its
handle and saw placement make it very
comfortable for vertical cuts. The blade cuts in a
push pull manner Fig. 2.
Primarily used for rough work, a Sawzall cuts
holes for pipes, cooling ducts and roof vents.
Because of the blade placement the Sawzall can
get into hard to reach areas. Although, very close
in application to a saber saw the Sawzall is
heavier and more powerful. The Sawzall makes
true of its name by cutting just about anything
from Wood, metal, plastic, ceramics. It is a multi
use instrument and is used for demolition work
as well.
Fig. 2
Fig. 1
The blade drives forward and back for its cutting motion

8. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
INTENDED USES & OVERVIEW
Primarily used for rough work, a Sawzall cuts holes for pipes,
cooling ducts and roof vents. Because of the blade placement
the Sawzall can get into hard to reach areas. Although, very
close in application to a saber saw the Sawzall is heavier and
more powerful.
The Sawzall makes true of its name by cutting just about
anything from wood, metal, plastic, ceramics. It is a multi use
instrument and is used for demolition work as well.

9. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
GENERAL OPERATIONS
As mentioned before, generally used for
rough cutting applications the Sawzall has a
few features that make this as easy as
possible starting with the shoe Fig. 3.
At the back of the blade, the shoe is there
to help guide and allows you to turn the
blade on a bevel or a slant without splintering
your work. Also the shoe helps to insure
there is no kick back when cutting because
the saw can rest on the shoe as the blade
cuts through the given material.
Fig. 3
Adjustable Shoe

10. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
GENERAL OPERATIONS
Some Sawzall models come with an orbital
cutting mode. To turn that function on there
is a shift lever on the Sawzall Fig 4.
When the Sawzall is cutting in this mode the
blade cuts in a push pull manner plus in a
slight circular motion.
Sawzall blade assortment
Fig 4

11. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
SAFETY & PRECAUTIONS
Safety at the workplace is the number one rule. When
operating a power tool or any tool for that matter there are a
few key points to follow to be as safe as possible. General
safety includes:
•Do Not operate while under influence of Drugs, Alcohol or
certain medications
•Make all loose fitting clothing, long hair, jewelry secure- It can
be caught in the moving parts of machinery
•Always wear safety shoes or boots
•Do not remove guides or safety features such as shoe and
safety switches
•Be aware of other workers and hazards on jobs site i.e.
electrical wires, gas pipes, working water pipes etc…

12. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
SAFETY & PRECAUTIONS
Sawzall specific safety rules can include:
•Always use two hands unless specific jigs are available
•Wear face shield or safety glasses when cutting material
•Unplug Sawzall when changing blades

13. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
TIPS & TECHNIQUES
Using a Sawzall for most applications its use can be straight
forward but there are different techniques and ways to make the
best cut possible such as:
•Use a lower cutting speed for cutting metals
•For thin sheet metal clamp small piece of wood to the back to
reduce tear out
•Bead a thin layer of oil to lubricate metal while cutting
•Higher speeds are recommended for cutting wood
•Use correct blade for certain material to insure no burn marks
•Flexibility in the blades allow a flush cut along walls and floors by
applying pressure to the blade and bending it flush to surface

14. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
JIGS & ACCESSORIES
Although the Sawzall is a great tool there is always ways to
improve performance. There are a couple of jigs/clamps available
so that when there is need for a straight cut you can place the saw
blade into this jig that clamps on to the surface of a pipe, you are
about to cut and makes a straighter cut. It is call the pipe clamp
system.
There are also numerous blades you can have for all types of
cutting:
•All purpose blades for general use to cut wood, nail embedded
wood, composite material, plastic, ferrous and non ferrous
metals, cast iron range from 4” to 12” and have 8 to 14 teeth per
inch
•Ice Hardened blades recommended for nail embedded wood
range from 6” to 9” length and have 8 to 24 teeth per inch

15. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
JIGS & ACCESSORIES
• Ice Hardened Torch blades recommended for metal range from 6” to 9” length
and have 10 to 18 teeth per inch
• Metal cutting blades recommended for Conduits, tubing, channels, pipe,
rubber, fiber, trim range 4” to 12” length and have 14 to 24 teeth per inch
• Plaster cutting blades recommended for plaster, plaster with metal lath,
plasterboard. It cuts on both forward and backward strokes are 5” length and
have 6 teeth per inch
• Pruning blade recommended for pruning trees, smooth sawing green wood
range from 9” to 12” length and have 5 teeth per inch
• Scroll cutting blades recommended for scroll cutting wood. Contours, nail
embedded wood, plastics range are 3 5/8” length and have 10 to 18 teeth per
inch
• Tungsten-carbide blade come with a grit type between medium to coarse grit
recommended for hardwood flooring, cast iron, stainless steel, fiberglass
materials (polyesters, epoxies, melamine’s), ceramic tile, stone, carbon, brick,
clay pipe, marble, plaster. Chalkboard range from 3 ½” to 9” length and there
are no teeth just a grit type on cutting edge of blade

16. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
MODELS & PRICES
MAKE MODEL FEATURES PRICE
Milwaukee 11 Amp Corded Stroke Length ¾” 0 -2800 SPM $149. 99
Dewalt
10 Amp Corded Stroke Length 1-1/8” 0-2800 SPM
Can$139.00
DeWalt Cordless XRP Stroke Length 1-1/8” 0-3000 SMP
Can$249.00
Milwaukee Cordless V28 Stroke Length 1-1/8” 0-3000SMP
Can$359.00
Ryobi Cordless 18V Stroke Length 1-5/32” 0-3000SMP
Can$49.77
Craftsman 7.5Amp Corded Stroke length 1-1/8” 0-2400SMP
Can$89.99
Black & Decker 7.5Amp Corded Stroke length 1-1/8” 0-2400SMP
Can$89.99

17. SAWZALL
J. Snively | A. Berta
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Wikipedia on Sawzall.
http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/reciprocating-saw
Picture and Parts.
http://www.virginia.edu/art/studio/safety/sculpture/wstools/sawzalltool.jpg
http://www.milwaukeetool.com
http://www.ingersolltools.com/images/misc%20Sawzall%20blade
%20assortment.jpg
http://www.wooddigest.com/images/article/
1236891822791__MilwaukeeEle_SuperSawzallRecip_0.jpg
Info reference.
Wikipedia
http://books.google.ca/books?id=DD3ki3xIGEYC&pg=PA49&dq=%22sawzall
+safety%22#v=onepage&q=&f=false
http://books.google.ca/books?id=PfHsmuSUKGwC&pg=PA56&dq=sawzall
+safety#v=onepage&q=sawzall%20safety&f=false
http://books.google.ca/books?
id=sz5TnHuV3JoC&pg=PA28&dq=sawzall#v=onepage&q=sawzall&f=false