The best corded reciprocating saws

The Einhell TH-AP 650 E saw is relatively light (2.8 kg) and has moderate power (650 W). The quality of plastic in Einhell instruments is traditionally at a decent level, so the internal mechanisms and electronic components are well protected from dirt and accidental damage. The saw is equipped with a speed control module, so it can be used as a universal tool for cutting wooden boards, plastic and thin steel tubes (although for metal it is better to buy Einhell Expert TE-AP 1050 E or another powerful model).

The parts of the body that are held by hands are covered with rubber inserts, which provide a good grip and partially absorb vibrations. The quick-release fastening of the blade allows you to change files without using wrenches. The outsole reach is also adjustable without special tools; it is fixed using buttons. The length of the power cable (2 m) is not enough even for indoor work, so it is better to immediately buy an extension cord.

The saw comes with two files: one for wood, the other for metal. Any other blades with L-shaped shanks can be installed in the chuck, as long as their thickness does not exceed 1.4 mm.

Thanks to its low price, the Einhell TH-AP 650 E saw is ideal for household users. It can handle most relatively simple tasks, such as sawing up junk, pruning trees, or cutting boards and wood panels. But due to its not very high power, this model will not be very useful for professionals involved in construction.

The moderate engine power (710 W) with which the Parkside PFS 710 D3 saw is equipped immediately shows that this tool is intended primarily for domestic use and relatively simple work. However, this power is quite enough to cut raw or dried wood (you can make cuts up to 160 mm deep), as well as cut aluminum blanks up to 18 mm thick or steel up to 8 mm. That is, this saw is 100% suitable for a home, workshop, garage or cottage, since it allows you to trim trees in the garden, saw boards for construction needs, dismantle old wooden structures, prepare firewood, etc. The versatility is also facilitated by its low weight (only 2.63 kg), a long 4-meter cable ( Parkside, unlike many other manufacturers of power tools, does not skimp on power cords) and the ability to adjust the stroke rate using the “wheel” on the start button. You can't ignore the rotating main handle. It rotates 90° to the left and right relative to the body, so it is convenient for the user to cut not only vertically, but also make horizontal cuts.

Despite the low price of this instrument, it has very good equipment and interesting “filling”. For example, the saw is immediately supplied with a plastic case designed for storing and carrying the device with all the necessary accessories, and two 152 mm saw blades : one for working on wood, the second for sawing metal. The files are secured in the quick-release chuck without the use of keys. To adjust the position of the retractable “heel”, a key is also not needed - for this there is a folding lever on the body. The manufacturer also did not forget about illumination of the working area - a fairly bright LED is built into the tool body directly above the chuck, which “looks” directly at the cut. Almost all of the above (from the case to the backlight) is by no means standard equipment for power tools in this price category. Therefore, the Parkside PFS 710 D3 saw can be considered a very profitable purchase for home craftsmen.

The GTM RS210/1000E reciprocating saw is equipped with a 1000 W motor. I would like to immediately note that these are not “Chinese” watts, but very real characteristics. Therefore, the saw can work for a long time without overheating, copes well with heavy loads and cuts quickly. Productive and fast work is also facilitated by the presence of a pendulum mechanism. If it is turned on (the user can choose one of three pendulum modes), the saw not only moves back and forth, but also aggressively “bites” into the material being cut. The “pendulum” is especially useful when making quick and rough cuts, when the accuracy of cutting and the cleanliness of the edges of the material being cut are not of fundamental importance (for example, when sawing logs into logs).

Thanks to the keyless mechanism, the saw blades in the chuck are fixed easily and quickly. The files (there are two of them in the set) can be installed with the teeth up or down, depending on which position is more convenient for a particular job. Adjustment of the sole position is also carried out without keys, since the retractable stop is fixed in the required position using a lever. During operation, the speed of the saw movement can be changed from 1000 rpm to 2800 rpm using a wheel on the handle designed to adjust the speed. For sawing in places with insufficient lighting, the tool is equipped with LED lighting.

In general, the only thing we didn’t like was the power cable - it’s stiff, and in the cold it becomes “oaky” altogether. But this small drawback does not spoil the positive impression of a good reciprocating saw with decent performance and several very useful functions.

With a 1010 W motor, the Makita M4500 corded hacksaw has enough power to cut various materials: wood and wood products, steel and non-ferrous metals, plastic and thermal insulation boards. For effective work, you only need to choose the right speed mode (the tool is equipped with electronic speed control, the stroke frequency changes in proportion to the force of pressing the start button) and the hacksaw blade. There should be no problems with the last point, because, in addition to branded Makita accessories, you can use saw blades produced by other tool manufacturers.

The saw blades are fixed in the chuck using a reliable, traditional, time-tested mechanism. That is, they are simply clamped with a screw using a hex key. But the adjustment of the sole, which serves as a stop during operation and determines the cutting depth, is carried out without any keys (its position is fixed with a button). When the sole is completely “pressed” into the body, a large cutting depth is provided - up to 255 mm (for wood). The design of this hacksaw provides excellent protection from dust and moisture. To prevent dust and chips that form during sawing from getting inside the housing, air from the engine is blown forward. At the same time, the air flow blows sawdust away from the cutting line, providing a good overview. And the protection of the tool from water is provided by rubber seals installed at the outlet of the gearbox.

This saw has an analogue, identical in technical characteristics, but a little more “advanced”. We are talking about the Makita M4501 reciprocating hacksaw, which differs only in that it has a mechanism for keyless blade replacement (therefore it weighs 100 g more and costs more). Both models are the “little brothers” of the popular Makita JR3050T reciprocating saw. The fact is that for some markets Makita produces tools in which some of the components are replaced with less expensive parts. They can be identified by their red body (as opposed to the turquoise color traditional for the Japanese company's products), and in some countries they are sold under the separate brand name Maktec). In this case, the “simplification” of the design is that Makita MT series saws use cheaper bearings, buttons and switches. Due to this, the manufacturer managed to reduce prices to an acceptable level, but at the same time, the quality of the instrument still remains head and shoulders above the numerous “Chinese” ones produced under little-known brands.

Electric hacksaw Bosch GSA 120 Professional 06016B1020 is a professional reciprocating saw. It is large and not at all light (3.7 kg) due to the powerful and durable components and mechanisms hidden inside the case with rubberized linings. The tool is equipped with a 1200-watt motor. The motor speed (and, accordingly, the stroke frequency ranging from zero to 3000 strokes/min) can be changed using the start key to select the optimal sawing speed for a particular material. The quick-release chuck, which holds the files well and reliably, allows you to instantly rearrange the blades if necessary, switch from one type of work to another. The set includes one Bosch branded saw, designed for sawing metal.

Thanks to a high-torque motor with above-average power and durable components that can withstand heavy loads, the Bosch GSA 120 saw is ideal for intensive sawing. It easily takes wood (up to 220 mm thick), confidently cuts thick sheet metal (up to 20 mm), and when using appropriate saw blades, it can even be used to cut sand-lime and ceramic bricks or aerated concrete blocks (although for this it is, of course, better to use special tool - alligator saw, like Bosch GFZ 16-35 AC or Eibenstock EDB 480). A tool like the Bosch GSA 120 is versatile because it can be used on a construction site, in a car workshop or in the garden - basically, anywhere you need to saw or cut something.

Why, despite such good characteristics listed above, is this saw cheaper than, for example, Bosch GSA 1300 PCE Professional 060164E200 or some other hacksaws from the “blue” Bosch line? The fact is that the equipment is quite simple. It has neither an anti-vibration system, nor a pendulum stroke, nor stabilization of speed under load, nor even a simple backlight - none of those things that are present in the most “advanced” electric hacksaws. On the one hand, this is a plus, because the lack of bells and whistles allows you to buy a professional reciprocating saw at a very reasonable price. But, on the other hand, the listed functions would be of great use to anyone who buys an electric hacksaw for serious work and plans to use it often.