I noticed that Milwaukee makes a compacted form of their sawzall which they call the "Hatchet", with the handle being able to rotate in different angles and takes up much less room then their normal sawzall. Link here:
I noticed Milwaukee makes a compacted version of the sawzall with a rotating handle. My old sawzall just died and this one is intriging as I consider a replacement.
formatting link
Does anyone knows if this cuts as well as the traditional sawzall? or this is a light duty tool?
As Rico says, its only 7 amps (which is what my ancient Sawzall w/
3/4" stroke is)
I think the Super Sawzall is like 11+ amps but I hear there is now a "Super Dooper" Sawzall (1 1/4" stroke) that is 15 amps!
I borrowed a friend's Porter Cable TigerClaw 11.5 amps. It has the ability to swivel at a couple joints...which I thought, at first, was just a gimmick. After using in close quarters (crawlspace demo of
1930 galv water system) .....the swivel capability is useful & not just a gimick. The more powerful motor cut WAY faster than my ancient Sawzall.
Considering the tools on the market & depending your use (& I'm a huge Milwaukee owner / user) you have to decide which is more important swivel or power.
I would recommend against a 7 amp motor (I have an old one & I consider it more than a bit wimpy). If I was in the market for a new Sawzall, I'd chose between the 10 amp TIgerClaw & the 15 amp SUPER Sawzall.
The TigerClaw can twisted into all sorts of strange configurations ...Sawzall makes a unit where the handle can be swiveled similar to their right angle drill kit. (big deal?)
Too bad you missed the close out sale last year at HD. I bought one for around $40.00! While not as powerful as their larger saws it is quite capable. We use it in our remodeling business. It is great in tight spaces. The lower amperage had not been a problem for us. Plenty of power.
I would think it would be a great tool (especially at that price!) to have for many remodeling jobs. The bigger reciprocating saws are overkill in many instances. If you're a contractor and you do a lot of demolition, no question, get something with some oomph. But if you're not, the smaller units would probably suffice 90% of the time.
I have one and it has quickly become a favorite. The Hatchet and my cordless Dewalt are the two recips I take to the job. When folded in half it can fit in the space between two studs 16" apart. It can be switched from straight cutting to orbital (for faster cuts in wood). The blade release is the best I have encountered, not sure if the other Milwaukees are the same. I use mine for remodeling and actually prefer the shorter, 3/4" stroke. It is much easier to make a cut in a tight spot without the blade jamming into the back of a recess.
I just checked on eBay - it's interesting to see that there are a lot of the cordless 18v Hatchet's for sale, without battery or charger. I guess that's from people buying a set of battery tools and selling off the items they don't need/want. If you already have an 18v Milwaukee tool with battery and charger, buying it that way would be a very cheap way of getting the tool.
I bought one at HD during a clearance sale. Forget the price, but it was a reduced price. I like that the 10' cord is removable (Quik-Loc), the 1/4 turn blade latch, and adjustable foot. (no tools needed)
The ONLY fault I've found is the handle adjustment button is so close to the thumb during work that you can hit it and the handle will slip up (from pistol position to horizontal).
The button should be in another location to prevent this from happening. Oh, well.
Great tool for what I use it for around the house.
My Milwaulee Sawzall just died and so I am looking for something that would be convenient to use to cut at tight angles and in the attic. May be I need a traditional sawzall and a tight angle one for different situations.
As Rico says, its only 7 amps (which is what my ancient Sawzall w/
3/4" stroke is)
I think the Super Sawzall is like 11+ amps but I hear there is now a "Super Dooper" Sawzall (1 1/4" stroke) that is 15 amps!
I borrowed a friend's Porter Cable TigerClaw 11.5 amps. It has the ability to swivel at a couple joints...which I thought, at first, was just a gimmick. After using in close quarters (crawlspace demo of
1930 galv water system) .....the swivel capability is useful & not just a gimick. The more powerful motor cut WAY faster than my ancient Sawzall.
Considering the tools on the market & depending your use (& I'm a huge Milwaukee owner / user) you have to decide which is more important swivel or power.
I would recommend against a 7 amp motor (I have an old one & I consider it more than a bit wimpy). If I was in the market for a new Sawzall, I'd chose between the 10 amp TIgerClaw & the 15 amp SUPER Sawzall.
The TigerClaw can twisted into all sorts of strange configurations ...Sawzall makes a unit where the handle can be swiveled similar to their right angle drill kit. (big deal?)
But the 15 amps Sawzall is also enticing....
cheers Bob
Thanks, I will definitely check into the Tiger Claw.
I just checked on eBay - it's interesting to see that there are a lot of the cordless 18v Hatchet's for sale, without battery or charger. I guess that's from people buying a set of battery tools and selling off the items they don't need/want. If you already have an 18v Milwaukee tool with battery and charger, buying it that way would be a very cheap way of getting the tool.
R
Good point. But for now I am a little concerned about getting more cordless tools from all different manufacturers. I think it may be best to stick with one cordless brand and that way the battery mileage would be highest. For recip saw I think in my case I would stick with corded versions. I tried a cordless and corded in cutting cast iron pipes and there is a HUGE difference.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.