What is a reciprocating saw for?

Strip-out and tight-access work: cutting timber, removing nail-embedded wood, cutting pipe and sections, pruning. For straight, accurate cuts a circular or mitre saw is the better tool.

Why does stroke length matter?

A longer stroke puts more teeth through the material per movement: faster cutting and a cooler blade. Heavy demolition machines typically run 28-32 mm.

Which blade cuts nail-embedded timber?

Bimetal demolition blades. A standard wood blade loses teeth on the first nail; a bimetal blade cuts straight through nails and screws.

Why do my blades keep breaking?

Usually cutting without the shoe against the work, or the blade binding in the cut. Choose a blade a few centimetres longer than the material thickness.

Can a cordless model replace a corded one?

For most strip-out work, yes — especially on high-output 18 V packs. For continuous industrial cutting, corded still has the advantage.

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Reciprocating Saws

A reciprocating saw drives a long blade back and forth to cut in tight places and strip-out work — cutting timber nails and all, or a pipe close to the wall. That is what makes it the main demolition saw. This page explains what stroke length tells you and how to choose blades. The catalogue holds over 40 models.

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Stroke length and stroke rate

Stroke length is how far the blade travels in one movement; a longer stroke puts more teeth through thick material, so it cuts faster and the blade runs cooler. Heavy demolition machines run 28-32 mm strokes.

Stroke rate (spm) is movements per minute and follows the material: high in timber, low in metal. Orbital-action models speed up noticeably in timber.

Choosing blades

Blades follow the material and the kind of work. In strip-out you will meet nails and screws, so use bimetal nail-embedded wood blades; a plain wood blade loses teeth on the first nail.

Material	Blade	Tooth pitch
Timber	Wood blade	Coarse, fast cutting
Nail-embedded wood	Bimetal	Medium, survives nails
Metal pipe / section	Fine bimetal	Fine teeth, low stroke rate
Concrete / cast iron	Carbide tipped	Cuts by abrasion

In use

Keep the shoe pressed against the work through the cut; cutting without it raises vibration and breaks blades. Choose a blade a few centimetres longer than the material is thick, so the blade clears the work on every stroke.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a reciprocating saw for?
Strip-out and tight-access work: cutting timber, removing nail-embedded wood, cutting pipe and sections, pruning. For straight, accurate cuts a circular or mitre saw is the better tool.
Why does stroke length matter?
A longer stroke puts more teeth through the material per movement: faster cutting and a cooler blade. Heavy demolition machines typically run 28-32 mm.
Which blade cuts nail-embedded timber?
Bimetal demolition blades. A standard wood blade loses teeth on the first nail; a bimetal blade cuts straight through nails and screws.
Why do my blades keep breaking?
Usually cutting without the shoe against the work, or the blade binding in the cut. Choose a blade a few centimetres longer than the material thickness.
Can a cordless model replace a corded one?
For most strip-out work, yes — especially on high-output 18 V packs. For continuous industrial cutting, corded still has the advantage.