Need to buy a metal saw but which one?
 

Hi all,

In order to replace my muffler, it is looking like I will need to cut off the bolts at the flange between the muffler and the cat.

I don't mind having an excuse to buy a new tool LOL but I'd want to make sure I'm getting one that will get the job done.

I'm thinking some sort of HF reciprocating saw would be fine for my needs. I figure it could likely come in handy later for other projects including sheet metal cutting and cutting up walls in a house.

How large of one might I need? The corded ones at HF run from 6 amp to 12 amp.

I don't expect to need this saw very often so I'm thinking a HF one would be sufficient. Is this a reasonable assumption?

Thanks

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-...ws/corded.html

I'm as biased against horrible fright as I am Dorman but that's just me. I wouldn't go for the bottom end of the line but don't have any experience or advice on the others. Don't you have a Dremel drill or an angle grinder with a cutoff blade? They'll go through those bolts and be easier to handle over a reciprocating saw down there. If you were going through the whole pipe, then a reciprocating saw would be the tool to use.

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Those are good points.

So when I got up this morning, I remembered I forgot to add that I will likely need to cut through the exhaust pipe and also later on, I will need to cut off the front rear spring bolts when I finally get around to replacing the leaf springs.

Although I thought about the angle grinder option, but with the current needs, I'm leaning towards a reciprocating saw.

BTW, I also know that with HF it is a bit of a gamble. LOL I'm including that in my calculations.

Go with a good, brand name sawzall. You can get a number of different blades and different lengths. I promise you, you will find more uses for it than any other saw you have. I do have other saws, grinders, dremels, drills, etc. but use my sawzall for cutting wood, metal, bone and anything else I run across that the others just don't work for. I have a Dewalt cordless one that I bring hunting and camping. Works great on cutting limbs better than using an axe or hatchet. Also works great when cutting the legs on elk and deer, or if having to cut an elk up into large pieces to get it out of the woods. Real nice when cutting through wood when you know there are nails or screws in the wood, such as a deck or fence. Make sure you get two batteries so one can be on charge while using the other one.

Every saw has its use, a sawzall has many uses. And, yes, sawzall is another name for reciprocating saw. Keep in mind a jig saw, which I have, too, is also a reciprocating saw.

Thanks AJBERT,. This was super helpful.

My pleasure, Christine!

The Bauer and Hercules line of harbor freight tools work just fine. We use Diablo (sp?) Sawall blades at work and they are the best have found! In my opinion a Sawzall would be a good multi use tool for you.

Thanks, that really good to know! I found a Bauer on sale that was one of the more powerful ones. I'm thinking it'll be handy to have around.

The Milwaukee 18v battery powered Sawzall is one of my favorite tools in a garage filled with tools. That thing is fired up every single week on tree roots, wood construction and metal cutting. Its a beast, built like a tank. If you are not invested in the Milwaukee battery system then go with what you have. Generally speaking Makita are usually bombproof tools and my second favorite.

George

I have both a Sawzall and a Milwaukee portable band saw, and I use them both nearly every day. They're both super useful, but I feel like the Sawzall is a bit more versatile. I cut wood, aluminum, and steel with it all the time, and it just keeps on living up to its name.