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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: lokki on November 23, 2004, 03:29:22 pm

Title: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: lokki on November 23, 2004, 03:29:22 pm
Which one is most useful for building a cab? and I guess which one is more practical to have around the house?
Assuming you could only have one, which would it be?

Seems a lot of people use the reciprocating saw for their Cabs.

Thanks


Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: JCKnife on November 23, 2004, 03:36:45 pm
Reciprocating saw is very efficient and versatile but gives you very little control and precision.

Circular saw is powerful and straight but doesn't allow you to cut curves.

If you could only have one, it would have to be a jig.
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: lokki on November 23, 2004, 03:41:31 pm
I guess I should have also added Which is better for a begginer?
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: JCKnife on November 23, 2004, 03:45:02 pm
Maybe I'm picturing something different but I can't imagine using a reciperocating saw (I'm thinking like a saws-all) for making a cab. You just have very little control to make a straight cut.

Now, technically, a jig saw cuts with a reciperocating blade, so maybe it's a confusion of terminology.
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: TOK on November 23, 2004, 03:56:09 pm
Variable speed jigsaw is the way to go, IMO. I used a circular for my first panel, and for me, it just cut a little too fast. Even though it was variable speed, it was really easy to cut too much or too fast. The Jigsaw takes a little more time than a circular, but much more control and precision. I got a Makita for under $100 and I've used it to cut ply, MDF and plexi with good results.
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: lokki on November 23, 2004, 04:00:41 pm
I thought the difference between the reciprocating saw and the jigsaw was just the size of the blades. (jigsaw using smaller thinner blades)

Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: JCKnife on November 23, 2004, 04:48:47 pm
This is a reciprocating saw. It's not made for precision.

(http://www.powertoolsonline.net/ProductImages/tools/1201-1250/TL1226.jpg)
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: Shape D. on November 23, 2004, 05:08:07 pm
Its made for death and destruction!!! And sawing crap that you wont really see.
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: Trimoor on November 23, 2004, 06:56:52 pm
Everyone must have their tools confused.  Maybe this will help:

Reciprocating saw:
The blade moves back and forth (reciprocation)
(http://www.aeg-pt.de/internet/aegptde.nsf/Files/USE980Xx300y200.jpg/$FILE/USE980Xx300y200.jpg)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saber saw:
Just like a reciprocating saw, but made for cutting on flat surfaces.
(http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips6/tool_tips/jigsaw.jpg)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jigsaw:
Just like a saber saw, but mounted on a table.
(http://www.woodking.com/7010.jpg)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bandsaw:
Similar to a jigsaw, but the blade is a continuous band that moves in one direction.
(http://www.inlandcraft.com/PIsheets/images/10555.gif)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Circular saw:
A miniature handheld table saw.
Cannot cut curves.
(http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Images/Products/size_3/DW62.JPG)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This should help clear some things up.
Remember that many people call a saber saw a jigsaw, but now you know better.

As for the question, I reccoment a saber saw and circular saw for building a cabinet.
If you can only choose one, go with the saber saw.
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: TOK on November 23, 2004, 08:09:38 pm
Trimoor, that picture you posted and called a sabre saw says jigsaw right on it! ;)
I thought the terms were interchangeable, regardless of the mount.


Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: JustMichael on November 23, 2004, 08:13:16 pm

Saber saw:
Just like a reciprocating saw, but made for cutting on flat surfaces.
(http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips6/tool_tips/jigsaw.jpg)



Why does it say Jig Saw on the side of the tool?   ;)


Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: Crazy Cooter on November 23, 2004, 11:37:00 pm
That's funny.  The blue one is a saber saw in my book.  Black one is a jigsaw.

Buy a circular saw for around $80 & a jigsaw for around $20.  Then you're good to go.
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: Jabba on November 24, 2004, 12:24:40 am
I would have to agree with the Jig Saw if I had to choose. A circular saw (or Skillsaw as another name for it) is used to cut straigtht lines. Its good for cutting the straight runs on your cabinet with a straight edge clamped to the workpiece. You could use a Jigsaw with a straightedge and get the same result, just a little slower and you will go through more blades.



Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: Trimoor on November 24, 2004, 12:41:21 am
Trimoor, that picture you posted and called a sabre saw says jigsaw right on it! ;)
I thought the terms were interchangeable, regardless of the mount.

Well, I learned it like I posted, but I guess it's more of a cultural linguistic thing.

DeWalt calls the blue one a reciprocating saw, but calls the black one a jigsaw.


As for the black one; from thefreedictionary.com:

saber saw
n.
A portable power jigsaw used to cut straight or curved lines in wood, plastic, or soft metals.

I can see how anyone could be confused with a definition like that.
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: Granger on November 24, 2004, 01:11:00 am
i would get both a circular saw, and a jig saw if i could, but a circular saw will cut a straight cut, which i can not do effectivly with a hand tool, but i can cut a curve with a coping saw.
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: Bones on November 24, 2004, 02:54:50 am
How awesome is that straight edge? Looks like it has a heap of adjustment. I will have to look around for one of those before I start cutting.
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: Xiaou2 on November 24, 2004, 03:00:41 am
 For
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: neuromancer on November 24, 2004, 09:54:47 am
Reciprocating saws, aka Sawzalls, are awesome tools.

They're great for demolition work because the blades are cheap and cut through nails.

They're great for home construction to cut out the openings for windows and doors.

They're great for places where you can't get any other saw blade. With practice you can make pretty good cuts. I don't think I would use one for making any piece of furniture though.

Bob
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: brained on November 24, 2004, 10:57:58 am
Xiaou2, so you say that a Rotozip is better than a Jig Saw?... hmmm it makes me wonder, I was going to get myself a Jig.... but now I'm confused... I thought that a Rotozip was like a rotary tool, just like a dremel, am I Right?



 *edit* added another question
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: paigeoliver on November 24, 2004, 11:12:12 am
I would buy the cheaper circle saw and the more expensive jigsaw. I bought a cheap jigsaw and I am not happy with it, but my cheapo circular saw cuts it right up (after replacing the shoddy blade it came with).
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: clanggedin on November 24, 2004, 12:41:38 pm
I thought the blue one was called a Sawz all.  ;)

I cut my whole cab with a Jig/Sabre saw. I had to do alot of sanding on the longer cuts to make the lines. Currently I have a Circular saw and a Jig/Sabre Saw. That's what I would get.
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: Xiaou2 on November 24, 2004, 01:11:11 pm
Xiaou2, so you say that a Rotozip is better than a Jig Saw?... hmmm it makes me wonder, I was going to get myself a Jig.... but now I'm confused... I thought that a Rotozip was like a rotary tool, just like a dremel, am I Right?



 *edit* added another question


 
 While a Rotozip is a rotary tool... its not built quite the same as a dremel.
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: paigeoliver on November 24, 2004, 01:59:20 pm
I thought the blue one was called a Sawz all.  ;)


That is a name brand of them.
Title: Re: Circular saw, reciprocating saw or Jigsaw?
Post by: neuromancer on November 24, 2004, 02:17:29 pm
I thought the blue one was called a Sawz all.