Have you chosen one brand's power-tools platform?

[PaladinNO]

So...I've used my Bosch GSA 120 reciprocating saw once, and already see uses for it where a cordless one would be more handy.

A good friend of mine tried it this weekend, and he was like "I want one!" (sic). So I am strongly considering pawning the GSA 120 on him, and get a DeWalt DCS386N or DCS382N XR 18V instead.

But a question before I proceed (probably an obvious one): can a reciprocating saw be used to cut tree branches (with the right blade of course)?
Branches of the kind where the hand branch cutter won't...cut it, the chainsaw would be inconvenient, the hand saw would be too tedious, and the bow saw would be too large and ungainly.

EDIT:
I've found the answer, and it is very much "yes, a reciprocating saw can be used to cut branches", but I'd still like to hear it from someone who has actually done it.

The DCS386 + Dewalt DCB547 9Ah FlexVolt has drawn my attention now.

 

[bykfixer]

Yep, the batteries keep me with them... Some of their new tools look cheap and toy like...


Just opened the Vac yesterday. I had read it has as much power as the 3 gallon. Power is really good for what it is. Glad I got the 1 gallon as it's built more solid than I thought it would be and didn't need the extra weight.



Catching these on sale is the way to go when they have free shipping! Directtoolsoutlet. I heard recently Home Depot told them to cut back on the Ridgid sales or they are out...


600 ft/pd Brush-less 1/2 Driver $43 (Already had one I paid $159 with bat brand new)
2 level 500 lumen magnifying glass $14 (Great for pics or a room light when power goes off)

View attachment 66818




Haven't tried the new 21700 Edge batteries yet.

Ryobi 18V Edge Battery Technology - It's a Big Deal

The latest news on the battery front concerns the launch of the Ryobi 18V High Performance Edge battery—check out the details!

www.protoolreviews.com

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Edit: Added time table for Edge vs HP vs Standard Bat
*

I have discovered the non one + cells are fine for stuff like a cordless dremel or their flashlight but for a leaf blower not so much. I ran my trimmer using one until done then swapped to my leaf blower. It still had 2 bars of energy but would not power the blower at all. I popped on a one + and it ran fine. Using a non one + from fully charged will power the leaf blower but it's glitchy and acts like the trigger is malfunctioning.

 

[Monocrom]

Yep, the batteries keep me with them... Some of their new tools look cheap and toy like...


Just opened the Vac yesterday. I had read it has as much power as the 3 gallon. Power is really good for what it is. Glad I got the 1 gallon as it's built more solid than I thought it would be and didn't need the extra weight.



Catching these on sale is the way to go when they have free shipping! Directtoolsoutlet. I heard recently Home Depot told them to cut back on the Ridgid sales or they are out...


600 ft/pd Brush-less 1/2 Driver $43 (Already had one I paid $159 with bat brand new)
2 level 500 lumen magnifying glass $14 (Great for pics or a room light when power goes off)

View attachment 66818




Haven't tried the new 21700 Edge batteries yet.

Ryobi 18V Edge Battery Technology - It's a Big Deal

The latest news on the battery front concerns the launch of the Ryobi 18V High Performance Edge battery—check out the details!

www.protoolreviews.com

View attachment 66819


View attachment 66820


View attachment 66821


Edit: Added time table for Edge vs HP vs Standard Bat
*

Those are sweet-looking tools. Hope I can get a good deal on a couple of Ryobi Edge batteries. Really want to try those out.

 

[Monocrom]

So...I've used my Bosch GSA 120 reciprocating saw once, and already see uses for it where a cordless one would be more handy.

A good friend of mine tried it this weekend, and he was like "I want one!" (sic). So I am strongly considering pawning the GSA 120 on him, and get a DeWalt DCS386N or DCS382N XR 18V instead.

But a question before I proceed (probably an obvious one): can a reciprocating saw be used to cut tree branches (with the right blade of course)?
Branches of the kind where the hand branch cutter won't...cut it, the chainsaw would be inconvenient, the hand saw would be too tedious, and the bow saw would be too large and ungainly.

EDIT:
I've found the answer, and it is very much "yes, a reciprocating saw can be used to cut branches", but I'd still like to hear it from someone who has actually done it.

The DCS386 + Dewalt DCB547 9Ah FlexVolt has drawn my attention now.

Yes, it can absolutely be done. But Oh My Goodness, you're going to wish you had used a compact chainsaw instead. Before you start cutting a thick tree limb, shave. By the time you're done, you'll be using that recip. saw to cut your six-foot long beard down to size! The amount of time it takes.... ages upon ages to finish one cut.

 

[PaladinNO]

Yes, it can absolutely be done. But Oh My Goodness, you're going to wish you had used a compact chainsaw instead.

I have been considering a simple electrical chainsaw, but would using a reciprocating saw really be that bad?
I'm not talking about trees (or even close to that), just branches, say, up to 10 cm / 4" thick.

 

[Monocrom]

I mean it wouldn't be THAT bad. But if you're trimming multiple such branches one at a time, you are going to be out there for a long time. Especially in Summer heat, for some; just not worth it. And, depending on how many branches, might want to have an extra fully charged up battery ready to go.

 

[Chauncey Gardener]

So...I've used my Bosch GSA 120 reciprocating saw once, and already see uses for it where a cordless one would be more handy.

A good friend of mine tried it this weekend, and he was like "I want one!" (sic). So I am strongly considering pawning the GSA 120 on him, and get a DeWalt DCS386N or DCS382N XR 18V instead.

But a question before I proceed (probably an obvious one): can a reciprocating saw be used to cut tree branches (with the right blade of course)?
Branches of the kind where the hand branch cutter won't...cut it, the chainsaw would be inconvenient, the hand saw would be too tedious, and the bow saw would be too large and ungainly.

EDIT:
I've found the answer, and it is very much "yes, a reciprocating saw can be used to cut branches", but I'd still like to hear it from someone who has actually done it.

The DCS386 + Dewalt DCB547 9Ah FlexVolt has drawn my attention now.

I've utilized a reciprocating saw and a chainsaw to limb branches. The chainsaw is much easier on the operator.

 

[bykfixer]

I've utilized a reciprocating saw and a chainsaw to limb branches. The chainsaw is much easier on the operator.

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View attachment 66858

Good point.
A sharp chain will chomp through wood without a lot of vibration.
The sharp blade of a recipricating saw is still hooked to a horizontal jackhammer of a tool.

If all you have is the sawzall sure, trim away. It beats using a hatchet.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Can you elaborate the advantages of a chainsaw over the reciprocating saw using quality pruning saw blades on 4 inch branches? Much appreciated Chauncey and fixer (anyone else?)

 

[Chauncey Gardener]

Can you elaborate the advantages of a chainsaw over the reciprocating saw using quality pruning saw blades on 4 inch branches? Much appreciated Chauncey and fixer (anyone else?)

..... without a lot of vibration. I can't add anything to bykfixer's reasoning. If you only have a few branches go for it with your reciprocating saw. However, when there are more than a few branches, a chainsaw is the go-to tool.

 

[Chauncey Gardener]

When it was all said and done -

Just beyond the Fir tree is the remains of a weed tree that was hovering above the driveway. I also limbed a lot of dead branches from the smaller Fir tree on the right side of the driveway.

 

[PaladinNO]

My question was apparently more subjective than I realized.

I'm blatantly borrowing a cat pic I posted earlier for reference, and showing the area I want to work with in the background:

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/attachments/img_1686_25-jpg.66743/

But what I want to do is not a complete clearing, just getting down some branches, say 15 of them, to get some more light in in the afternoon.

And most is just small trees, a couple years old, and bushes, which I can take with a branch cutter (also called a lopper tool, I think?). There are large trees where I would need a chainsaw anyway, but I don't plan on taking those down for several reasons. Just trim them a bit where needed - with my new and almost still shiny reciprocating saw if possible.

Maybe I should just keep my corded reciprocating saw (as they are much more powerful than a battery driven one), and get myself a prune saw as I don't have one yet.

@Chauncey Gardener Which Dewalt reciprocating saw do you have depicted there? Is that the DCS380B?

 

[Toulouse42]

Can you elaborate the advantages of a chainsaw over the reciprocating saw using quality pruning saw blades on 4 inch branches? Much appreciated Chauncey and fixer (anyone else?)

On 4 inch branches :

Small electric chain saw - hot knife through butter.

Reciprocating Saw - Takes time and the action goes back and forward and is very tiring.

I tried it recently with a brand new saw and good blades. Probably won't do that again.

My chain saw is a baby Wolfe and is battery operated. My wife bought it for me and I thought it was a bit silly until I tried it.

 

[PaladinNO]

On 4 inch branches :

Small electric chain saw - hot knife through butter.

Reciprocating Saw - Takes time and the action goes back and forward and is very tiring.

Thank you for the info.

I've put a price notification on a DeWalt DCM565N now.

Amazon.co.uk

Something like this will be used very occasionally, so I don't need anything expensive, and I'd like to be able to use the batteries I already have.

I have a petrol chainsaw, but I am not comfortable using it, even when dressed in full "chainsaw-resistant" protective clothing, steel-toed boots and a visor. Accidents with these kinds of tools just happens so fast.

EDIT:
Damn, I thought I was starting to be well catered for in terms of tools now, but the wishlist still just keep stacking up! ^^
18V chainsaw, hand prune saw, DWE315K 230V multi-tool, 12V circular saw, more batteries (including a DCB547 9Ah FlexVolt), 18V or 230V grass trimmer (I don't need anything bigger), Bosch GTA 3800 miter saw stand...

 

[Dknight16]

I've bought a ton of cordless power tools over the last couple of years as I've been on a huge home improvement and maintenance kick. All Dewalt: 12V brushless drill & driver, 12V compact reciprocating saw, 20V brushless drill & driver, 20V mini circular saw, 60V circular saw, 20V jig saw, 20V orbital sander, 20V angle grinder. My big hammer drill is Dewalt, but it's corded.

I got started with Dewalt in 2010 when they first introduced their 12V tools. A Dewalt representative was at my Home Depot and gave me a demonstration vs some other cordless tools. I appreciated the size and power of the drill & driver as well as the promotion effort he made. I've since given those original tools to a friend when I upgraded to the brushless models last year. I guess that experience made an impression on me.

I also have the Dewalt 20V tire inflator. It is truly outstanding. No idea why I suffered through crap pumps for so long.

For landscaping I have a Dewalt 20V hedge trimmer. But everything else is 58V EGO: string trimmer, edger, leaf blower.

Oh, and I have a 40V Husqvarna chainsaw. I haven't used it yet.

I don't want to even think about what all that adds up to.

 

[PaladinNO]

I don't want to even think about what all that adds up to.

I'm keeping track. Part of me wish I wasn't.

DeWalt:
DCD991 - 18V drill
DCF899 - 18V impact wrench
DCF922 - 18V compact impact wrench / driver
2x DCF601 - 12V driver
DW343K - 230V jigsaw
DWE6411 - 230V palm sander
2x DCB184 - 5Ah 18V batteries
2x DCBP034 - 1,7Ah 18V PowerStack batteries
4x DCB122 - 2Ah 12V batteries
2x DCB112 - 2A chargers
DCB115 - 4A charger

Hikoki / Hitachi:
C8FSE - 230V miter saw

Makita:
SP6000J - 230V plunge saw
199141-8 - guide rail
194385-5 - guide rail clamps
3x MakPac 1
7x MakPak 2
Various MakPac inserts (I vastly prefer the very multi-purpose Makita cases over DeWalt Tstak)

Bosch:
GST 160 CE - 230V jigsaw
GSA 120 - 230V reciprocating saw

Metabo:
SXE 425 Turbo - 230V orbital sander, 125mm
W1080-125 - 230V angle grinder, 125mm

Black & Decker
KG2000 - 230V angle grinder, 230mm

Karcher (wet / dry vacuums):
T 11/1 Classic HEPA
WD 6 S P V-30/8/35/T
WD 4 S P V-20/5/22

At last count, it's about $3000 all-in.
Plus estimated another $2000 in drill bits, bit sets, and various accessories (measuring tapes, levels, screwdrivers and other hand tools etc.)

Having mostly switched to impact tools, I recently got rid of most of my old bit sets, some of which was still factory wrapped, and I bought 5x DeWalt DT70734T FlexTorq sets. That alone was ~$150, though mostly offset by the sale on the old bit sets. And I feel like such a snob, but I mostly shop for things with "DeWalt Extreme" written on the packaging now - and that last word makes it expensive.

But I figure, as a hobby user, even my accessories will literally last me my lifetime.

 

[Chauncey Gardener]

@Chauncey Gardener Which Dewalt reciprocating saw do you have depicted there? Is that the DCS380B?

Yes, it is.

It's great for sawing in the dirt!

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Yes! Not such a big deal getting a recip blade in contact with micro and macro rocks. Chainsaw blade is bad news even with fine grit in bark.

Chainsaw blades that are dull most definitely do not cut like butter. There is bar/chain oil to mess with; making sure it does not run out, getting it sprayed on things around the cutting (including one's person).

Hoping the anti-vibration 40V Makita reciprocating saw might be less jolting, but who knows?

 

[Monocrom]

Well, Home Depot was a bust on Labor Day deals. Typically the one out by my job starts early, and ends late as far as Holiday deals go. Not this time. Oh well, I can wait until the Christmas deals come through. Did see a certain combo kit that caught my eye. Part of Ryobi's 18v. One+ line-up. But something felt odd. The word "Brushless" was no where to be found on the box. Nope! I know better. I've never accidentally bought a Brushed tool because I thought it was Brushless. I bet more than a few folks accidentally have.

Ironically, while walking through the place looking for Ryobi deals (because not all of the Ryobi tools are located in one centralized area) I stumbled upon a 10-piece file set from Husky. (Well, 8-piece really; the other two are different sized plastic handles that you can apparently swap out among most of the files.) Stood there, looked at it, realized I have a ton of files.... on my multi-tools. Large, dedicated files? One! How the heck did that happen?! So yeah, corrected that situation. (After I got home, I ordered a set of mini files too; off of Etsy. Yeah, I'm good on files now.)

Walked in to Home Depot trying to find a deal on Ryobi power-tools, walked out with a deal on Husky files for $16 and change. Checked eBay after getting home. Some jerk is trying to sell the very same file set for $100 + shipping! That is obscene. Oh, they did have the new Ryobi batteries. For about the same price as a Milwaukee one! I think I'll wait awhile before buying those. Also, Ryobi's brushless offerings are getting up there in price. So much so that my local H.D. has now started locking up the Ryobi tools too. They're not out in the open anymore.

 

[PaladinNO]

Did see a certain combo kit that caught my eye. Part of Ryobi's 18v. One+ line-up. But something felt odd. The word "Brushless" was no where to be found on the box. Nope! I know better. I've never accidentally bought a Brushed tool because I thought it was Brushless. I bet more than a few folks accidentally have.

...Like my latest purchase, the Bosch GSA 120 reciprocating saw. :|

I suspected it was brushed, since ANYTHING that is actually brushless states this very clearly in the marketing. But I did not know what to look for, and I could not find a clear answer anywhere. Incredible that Bosch, who damn well know brushes needs to be replaced eventually, did not even mention this on their own specifications page. It says everything I needed to know the manual, but I couldn't find that online before I, well, owned the manual - and the product.

But I figured a Bosch Blue - that is supposed to be their "professional" line - certainly would not release a brushed tool in this day and age. The GSA 120 was also released in 2019 from what I could find. My grandfather had brushed tools, and none of those was from just 5 years ago.

So yeah, that was a disappointment. My alternative model was the GSA 1300, which supposedly IS brushless (again, this is not actually specified anywhere), but that is 50 % more expensive than the GSA 120 ($200 -> $300 equivalent).
And while I didn't / don't need a reciprocating saw in that price range, I rather want to get rid of the GSA 120 now, on sheer principle.