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Milwaukee 6509-22 Sawzall 11 Amp Reciprocating Saw | List Price: $240.00
Discount Price: $89.95
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Brand: Milwaukee
Binding: Tools & Hardware
Features: - 11 amp reciprocating; variable speed (0-2,800 stroke per minute); quick-lock blade clamp
- 3/4-inch stroke length; double bearing wobble plate reduces vibrations; center pivot adjustable shoe
- Rubber boot for enhanced grip
- Includes saw, 2 blades, case
- 17-1/3 inches; 11.3 pounds; 5-year warranty
Nothing but 'Heavy Duty' [Posted on 2008-05-05]
This years' 'summer home improvement project' is laying a new 600-sq foot patio behind our home. The project is something I've had in the back of my mind for about three years, however, there was always this one small obstacle in the way, and that was two steel poles set into the ground for a clothesline, right down the middle of the most level piece of property behind our home where the patio was destined to go.
I've been wanting to have the poles removed for sometime, but was hesitant to call a professional due to the cost and the ultimate anticipated collateral damage to the lawn around the area from bringing in heavy equipment, such as a backhoe.
The poles in question rose 6-feet up out of the ground, with the main trunks for each measuring 5-3/4" in diameter. Whoever installed these poles did so meaning for them to stay there, these were monsters compared to what you'd see in the typical back yard.
I consulted some relatives that have experience in construction/demolition and had several offers to borrow concrete/steel cut-off saws and demolition hammers, though ultimately I was worried about being 'on the hook' for $1000s of dollars worth of borrowed equipment with which I had zero experience in operating.
So, after some research and a trip to both Lowes and Sears to weigh some options on costs, I settled on the idea of purchasing a Sawzall and a sledgehammer, with a plan to break off a couple inches of the surrounding visible surface concrete holding the posts in, then using the reciprocating saw to cut off the poles below the ground level, where I could then fill the hollows with dirt and gravel and cover it all back up, eventually laying my patio pavers right over top.
I purchased the model 6509-22 11amp Milwaukee Sawzall mostly on its reputation as the original and 'the best.' There were many comparable models available between both my local Sears and Lowes from Craftsman, DeWalt, Porter Cable, Makita, and Bosch, but the Milwaukee just 'felt' like the right buy, despite being a little more pricey, given the Milwaukee's generous 5-year warranty and the huge blade selection. I left Sears with the Sawzall and a 5-pack of 'Torch' blades recommended for metal cutting applications from 1/8" to 3/16" thick.
First impressions out of the box were favorable, particularly with the feel and balance of the saw itself, and with the tool-less quik-lok blade clamp that makes attaching the blade a snap.
The verdict on the job? This Sawzall went above and beyond what it is probably recommended/rated to do. It took a few minutes to completely cut through the 5-3/4" diameter steel poles, with most of that time spent getting that first cut started through such a broad length of steel tube, but the Sawzall with the Torch blade (and a little cutting fluid) was up to the task. Once the blade broke through the sidewall it found its way right through the pipe and out the other side in little time at all. In fact, once the posts were removed and I could view a cross section of the steel pipes, I discovered the walls of the poles were 5/16" thick, which is well over the recommendations of the Torch blade by nearly double. The blade didn't care. Not only did it go through both poles, it went through both twice each, as I had to cut them down further into halves just to get them to a manageable size that I could carry out of the backyard. Even though I purchased a 5-pack of blades and set aside my weekend for the demolition, I ultimately had both posts removed after just one Sunday afternoon, and still have the original Torch blade on the saw. While the paint finish on the blade was sheared off after one use, the cutting teeth look perfect still, even when held against an identical new blade from the same package.
Through the entire process, the Sawzall never once stalled, locked up from being bound in the pipe, nor lost the blade in the work. Having the blade pulled out of a reciprocating saw is a problem according to some accounts I've read in reviews of other models of saws from other manufacturers, but I had no such problem here. The quik-lok system on the Sawzall is brilliant, and both holds the blade securely in the saw, yet requires only a couple of seconds for the user to disassemble.
I admittedly bought a 'less powerful' model saw just under the expectation that if I junked the thing and ripped out the motor under the load, I'd only be 'out' $100 instead of $200.
After this past weekend, I can't imagine anything this saw can't rip right through.
I am sold on Milwaukee's products and the original Sawzall -- so much so that my next power tool purchase, no matter what it is, will almost certainly be a Milwaukee.
A real cut up! [Posted on 2008-05-09]
Having owned other brands and then finally getting this one, all I can say is, to sum it up. "buy this one now or you will be wishing you bought it later."
Outstanding Tool [Posted on 2008-05-14]
Purchased for the variety of jobs it can be used for. Also purchased the set of 9" AX blades and all I can say is you could cut a truck in half with this tool ! Very little vibration so dont buy the hype from other manufacturers about anti-vibration features utilized that they advertise to seemingly justify their higher cost. Buy this unit and I guarantee YOU will be more then satisfied.
Box for saw is too narrow [Posted on 2008-05-14]
The saw works as advertised, but the red rectangular plastic milwaukee sawzall box is too narrow - I cannot put the saw back in the box without remove the blade. Older Milwaukee saws allowed me to do this. It seems M. feels it is "unsafe" to stow the saw with the blade still on it. So far only a minor annoyance.
Word to the wise: its easy to cut through stuff fast with this sawzall. Make sure you know what is behind what you are cutting before you start. Hitting a water line or a live electrical line is not fun.
THE BEST [Posted on 2008-05-15]
I use this saw all the time and it is one of the BEST power tools that i use daily.
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