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A reciprocating saw is a must-have tool if you are looking to remodel your house or make changes in carpentry. It is ideal for making straight cuts through various surfaces without having to use your arm to push/pull like I do while using a hand saw.
That said, such a capable and powerful tool comes with significant kickback, making it hard to maneuver, especially if you want to make clean & straight cuts.
Worry not, though! I have curated this thorough guide to help you learn how to cut straight with a reciprocating saw in no time! Aside from this, I will also discuss some safety tips and tricks which will help you master the tool completely.
Contents
Reciprocating Saw Setup
Although this is not a jigsaw, the mechanism is quite similar. The cutting is achieved by a push/pull motion powered by the motor within. The moving back and forth is what does the damage and gets through those materials for you.
You can either use this tool at an angle or overhead depending upon your requirements. It’s quite a simple machine and very straightforward to use.
Let’s dive into what you need before you get started cutting those straight lines.
- Blade: Most reciprocating saw blades feature universal fitting and are extremely sharp. Different kinds of materials require different blades. You need the right blade if you want to get the best performance out of your saw. Here is a brief overview of different kinds of blades and what they are best suited for:
| Blade type | Ideal for |
| High-carbon steel blades | Wood |
| A blade with deep gullets and cuts on both push and pull strokes | Pruning |
| Carbide-tip blade | Cast aluminum |
| Carbide-grit blade | Clay roof tiles, terra-cotta flues and bricks |
| Diamond-grit blade | Cast-iron |
- Blade clamp: This tool helps provide more accuracy in straight cutting. Blade clamps also allow you to cut a material from different angles and have four positions for adjusting the blade.
- Speed triggers: These triggers help regulate the speed of your reciprocating saw and also protect the user from any damage. You will require a different pace for cutting through each material.
- Adjustable pivot: Having a pivot will safeguard the teeth of your blade against hard surfaces.
- LED lights: Some saws feature built-in lights for better visibility. This helps you focus on the desired mark better, thereby reducing the probability of errors.
- Anti-vibrant handles: These handles provide additional grip and also help you move the saw smoothly without having to exert much pressure.
Here are five reciprocating saw accessories you must own!
How To Cut Straight With A Reciprocating Saw
Before you start cutting, you need to make a clear indentation which you can see during the cutting. Simply take a thick marker pen and a measuring tape and mark accordingly.
Cutting a Horizontal Workpiece
- First and foremost, take measurements of the fence rail and the foot of the piece that you need to cut through. Once that is done you have to get your blade set and hold the blade in two hands with your legs out of the course of the blade’s path if it were to fall.
- Tilt the saw back slightly towards your body with the blade tip pointed upwards. A little amount of tilt is all that is necessary for the tip to touch the surface you wish to cut neatly.
- The saw’s body should be at a 90-degree angle to the material you’re cutting when it enters the surface. Once you switch it on, gently lower the front end of the blade while it sinks down the surface.
- To avoid any backlash, allow the shoe to come in contact with the saw blade. This will reduce the force of kickbacks that you feel along with providing additional stability. In case you are cutting irregular surfaces, you can even go for a pivoting shoe.
- Once the shoe touches the material, line up your blade with the markings you made earlier. Apply some pressure and move the blade slowly along the marked line.
- Make sure to keep the blade in place and reduce wobbling if you want a clean cut. To further avoid splintering and the risk of the saw straying off the path, use a calm and steady pace while cutting. You can also purchase a C-clamp to control vibrations.
- Once you finish making the incision, wait for the blade to come to a complete halt before releasing the trigger. Remove it out of the material and place it somewhere secure.
Here is a video which demonstrates this procedure.
Cutting a Vertical Surface
The primary concept will stay the same when dealing with a vertical surface. The only crucial factor here is that you use the right blade.
Here’s how you can cut through a vertical workpiece:
- Start by setting the rail using wood screws before making any marks on the wall.
- When taking measurements, instead of stacking the C-clamp on top of the surface, you may take measurements of the wall and attach the rail fence on the wooden screw.
Tip: You can make the fence rail using any two-by-four stand or a material having a flat base and edges.
- Do ensure that the fence rail is thick enough to avoid any slippage from the holding surface.
- Then, start moving the saw and slice through the vertical surface, just like you would when cutting through a horizontal piece.
Bonus tip: If you want to make a circular cut using this type of saw, all you need to do is use a universal/recip blade. Simply mark the desired area and place the saw inside. Instead of using the base of your blade, you can use the front. Applying firm pressure and moving slowly will do the trick.
Reci Saw Tips
Using a reciprocating saw carelessly can be quite dangerous due to its output power and dwindling stability if not held properly. The following safety guidelines must be kept in mind when using a reciprocating saw to cut straight:
- Speed is an important aspect in determining how precise your cut will be. It is worth noting that no pace works with all materials equally well. Therefore, you should know what speeds to use for different materials like metal, PVC, wood etc.
- Wearing proper clothing is also highly imperative when using a reciprocating saw. Your clothes should be tight and snug so that they do not get caught up while you use the saw.
- Having a set of earplugs and safety gloves will help you protect your hands and ears from any potential damage caused due to a reciprocating saw.
Looking for a woodworking project to hone your skills? Here are 50 easy projects you can start today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions regarding reciprocating saws. By the end of this section, you will know everything you need to know about them and how to cut straight using them.
Can You Make Fine Cuts With a Reciprocating Saw?
Reciprocating saws come with varying blade sizes and teeth spacing. This decides how fine or rough the resulting cut will be. However, this power tool can never be used as a fine crafting tool due to the exposed blade which can easily pierce through even the thickest surfaces.
You can also switch to a circular saw in case you want finer and more precise cuts.
Is a Reciprocating Saw Dangerous?
A reciprocating saw can easily cut through a variety of surfaces ranging from thick wooden blocks to metallic blocks. Nowadays, most reciprocating saws come with safety features but can still turn out to be pretty dangerous due to their kickback and short blade length.
That is why, I recommend you always avoid wearing any loose clothes or jewelry that might come in the way of the saw.
Can You Plunge Cut With a Reciprocating Saw?
Yes you can. Plunging helps you to make cross pressure cuts, straight cuts and many other types of angled cuts. Plunge cuts often create initial box holes to allow the blade to be adjusted on the wall after installation. Using the saw is as simple as turning it on and putting it against the wall. Within a few seconds of focusing the blade on a particular spot, a hole will form.
How Deep Can a Reciprocating Saw Cut?
The length of a reciprocating saw blade ranges from 3 inches to 12 inches. In general, the longer the blade, the deeper you will be able to cut into the material. Wider and longer blades also provide enhanced stability.
Summing Up
A reciprocating saw is often seen as a power tool rather than one through which you can make precision cuts. Each type of saw offers different functionality.
To cut straight using a reciprocating saw, you just need to mark a line, apply the blade and move the blade in the desired direction while using the shoe. Control and smoothness are essential when using this kind of saw, so that you don’t have to spend a long time cleaning and re-cutting.
Also keep in mind to take all the safety tips into consideration and use the right blade.
