Advice on a cheaper side reciprocating saw for next spring

[Shima]

I first used a cordless reciprosaw on coast live oak tap roots which go down to China since it dosen't rain for 7 or 8 months all summer in Northern California..
Now I use it for felling timber bamboo and initial cutting on heavy root-makers like trident maple.

 

[Si Nguyen]

I have some trees I will be collecting in late winter and need to get my first reciprocating saw. I will try to get a used one on eBay since I am not a rich man but wanted to know what to look for as far as power, features, etc.

I will use it on roots as well as trunk chops.

Thanks!!

Try Craigslist too. I just looked on my area's CL and found several used saws for very cheap.

I just saw that HomeDepot has a good sale on the smaller Milwaukee cordless sawzall today. $99. That's the one I used. Get an extra battery or two on eBay and you're set. 2 years warranty on the battery too. Check it out.

 

[Poink88]

Dario, no offense but I gotta ask what is wrong with you that a hand tool tears up your joints and body? For the record, being a contractor I own and have owned and used literally hundreds of reciprocating saws. I have never found a single one to be "jarring" in any price scale even when cutting through steel support legs on metal grain bins. Personally I think anyone putting a Milwaukee M18 into mud is a complete idiot, maybe collecting a pine or something else in a dry area ....

ed

Ed, no offense taken. I collect bigger stock and it is not unusual for me to meet 3" roots. When the soil is all soil...no problem, but when you encounter big rocks...you will see/feel what I mean.

If I am just collecting a tree or two...it may also not matter as much but the more "juice" I have to spend on one just takes more out of me. Note that for me collecting is less than half of the work...final trimming, rootball reduction, and potting usually take twice as much time. Again, I want to have as much reserve energy as possible to finish the job.

Not to mention that I am not a "hunk" rather a 5'6" 145lb guy and on his 50s who feels some back pains now. If you can take it, good for you. I'll pay the extra for my body.

 

[Poink88]

Well...I do live on a large property so my growing bed is several hundred feet from the house...but I suppose that might work.

My concern about getting a "nicer" saw is the abuse it will take, working in the dirt, mud, etc. Do these things hold up well under those conditions?

Extension cords. Get the heavy duty ones...say 12 or 10 ga.

Mine is taking it...I mean it went through thick mud and all...just not "soupy" mud.

 

[Poink88]

Try Craigslist too. I just looked on my area's CL and found several used saws for very cheap.

I just saw that HomeDepot has a good sale on the smaller Milwaukee cordless sawzall today. $99. That's the one I used. Get an extra battery or two on eBay and you're set. 2 years warranty on the battery too. Check it out.

Yup...seen lots of good deal on Craigslist like a $35 corded Sawzall in good condition. I was slow on the draw though. There are several $45 but was not too interested.