nEighter

I can be hard on tools. I have been around too many burn outs with sawzalls so I didn't buy expensive. My thinking was that a 70.00 B/D firestorm sawzall would do me fine till I needed a new one. That was 4 yrs ago.. I was in Lowes and the tool guy (really cool guy who helped me get my mitre saw REAL cheap) told me they are owned by Dewalt. So wether I get the black and decker firestorm sawzall or a Dewalt or Bosch.. they are all owned by the same company anyway. I said to hell with it and got the model that wasn't the cheapest, but under a $100.00. It just started loosing blades the last 20 or so times I have used it.. progressively getting worse. I just bought a fire rescue blade for it today.. but that is total crap that I have to get a blade so thick to keep it in I think it is the sawdust in the chuck also, but I also feel that the "pin" that goes through the blade might be worn a bit from loosing the blade so many times.

So yeah, I didn't buy the most expensive, but at the same time from what you guys are saying.. your more expensive units are not any more free from problems. Makes me feel a bit better that that is why I originally bought this one. I turned my focus onto other things after loosing the blade straight for 10 minutes.. and bending the blade almost beyond use (thin metal cutting blade) the last time I was just pissed and wanted to blow off some steam

neolitic

Can't remember where you are,
(HINT)
but the BIL just got a Porter-Cable Tiger
at Menard for $90.
Not the "new" style either, I think
they are only @ $110-120 full boat.

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TBFGhost

....My bosch cost me $99...and Dewalt and Bosch are not the same company...

JonM

First try some anger management sessions......

katoman

40 yrs., 2 milwaukees, simply the best. Then go out and buy a Fein Super Cut. Expensive, but you won't regret it. Will do a lot of things you just can't do with a sawzall.

Double-A

Yes we've had this problem, with the Milwaukee Super Sawzalls. The issue we had is the paint has to be removed at the pin location before the blade can be properly inserted and captured. Once we started using a different brand of blade, or scraped the paint off, our problems went away.

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nEighter

fixed

how will I keep my blood pressure up then???

nEighter

I know I will have to invest in a better tool soon..

neolitic

"Improving the site,
one location at a time,
for over 3 years."

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KennMacMoragh

My Makita AVT has been having the blades fall out a lot, I need to take it in to have it fixed. But I've been eyeing the newer big Bosch sawzall, looks pretty slick.

jiffy

If I were to buy a new recip saw it would be the AVT Makita. Nothing cuts like it.

KennMacMoragh

That's why I bought mine. But they are not the most trouble free sawzalls, once they get used/trashed, it can be very difficult getting the blade in and out. You can spend forever trying to change the blade. Then there's the problem with the blade falling out when using it. So it comes out when you want it to stay in, and it doesn't come out when you want it out. I've found the Porter Cable sawzalls are much more trouble free, but they don't cut as fast as the Makita AVT.

maninthesea

Never had a blade come out of my Milwaukee corded or the uncorded. But I have only had them for around 6 months. I had a craftsman handmedown for 20 years and thought I had destroyed in one night grinding thru a deadbolt when my GF locked the keys in the house she was house sitting. The setscrew broke off with an abrasive blade in it. I wore thru the deadbolt but the saw got so hot all the grease melted out. I ordered a milwaukee that week and then got around to pulling the craftsman apart. Lubed it all up with some marine grease and made a new setscrew and now I loan it out. Got the corded when I bought all my M18 stuff. Thought I would not have much use for it but it has come in handy. This weekend for harvesting bamboo! Another good use for cordless sawzall is quartering up deer and elk before packing out.

neolitic

Lots of elk on Guam?

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stp57

It happened to my DeWalt once. Turns out that a nail got inside the chuck area & dislodged the spring. An easy fix.
Steve

JLTrim

FYI the new cordless Ridgid li-ion sawzalls lose blades too, seems to be just the longer ones, like 8" or more. But I have a corded P-C TigerSaw w/ rotating head that has never once lost a blade, I guess it's the old style, had it about 6 years. The cordless is great other than the blade issue, has lots of power, adjustable depth stop, and the 18v lithium batteries last forever. But the P-C usually gets the heavy-duty work and never lets me down, would definitely recommend it to anyone.

nEighter

Hey took the sawzall apart tonight. I have no clue why they are popping out. It is a weird setup, got it all cleaned up, and even with a new blade.. it is still spitting them out. I did notice some major wear on a couple areas from the chuck going up and down.. so that may actually be the problem.. but not sure. So sawzall is in my future purchase list. Just have to figure out which one. I will reread this thread as a what's what of brands. I was more looking for answers to why it would be popping out. Anywho.. got brands you are using give me a lil heads up on what you think of them.

Tinstaafl

I thought we just did.

Those of us touting our 5-10 year old saws probably aren't the best to listen to though, because a lot can change in that length of time. Ultimately, about the best you can do is go with a good name, features and feel that suit you.

tomgeigr

you can buy new milwaukee sawsall with quick change blade and quickly change to the set screw part #49225016 $10- $12 at milwaukee service center

tomgeigr

new milwaukee quick change can be changed to set screw part #49225016 $10-$12 at milwaukee service center or thru milwaukee.com