A Reciprocating Saw From Black & Decker
By Chuck Cage
Apparently Black & Decker’s been making reciprocating saws for some time, but I just recently came across one — and it looks like a pretty decent deal. For around $80 you get an 8.5A saw with variable speed (0-2,400 strokes per minute), a six-setting speed limiter, and a three-position pivoting shoe.
It’s the RS600K, and it also features Black & Decker’s “Quick Clamp” tool-less blade change system. (After using one tool-less setup, I’ll never go back.) Other details include a 1-1/8″ stroke and a soft rubber handle grip. In “kit” form it ships with a storage case that also holds blades.
8.5A Reciprocating Saw Kit [Black & Decker]
Street Pricing [Google Product Search]
May 4th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
I’ve always wondered which types were lured in to buying sub par recip saws. Eighty dollars is ridiculous for a cheapy saw of this caliber. Spend the extra ten and get the Ridgid, or the extra 20 and get a DeWalt, or Sawzall/Bosch on sale. Not to mention all the name brands I mentioned are more powerful than the B&D. The Home Depot is currently clearancing the Bosch RS15 in my area for 99 bucks, and that’s a GREAT saw.
The thing I’ve always loved about these saws is that once you buy them, a world of projects either opens up to you, or becomes infinitely easier. You can justify the price of a good one simply by using it as a limb lopper. Anyone needing to get rid of a junk shed/carport/damn near anything will benefit from a good recip saw.
May 4th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
I am a type that was lured into buying a sub par recip saw. I got one at HF for about $15-20 about a year ago, and so far Its done everything from trimming plywood subfloor & 2×4s to cutting a seized bolt off my car. Once I replaced the horrible stock blades with something from Home Depot everything works great. May not be the most powerful saw available, but for me it handles everything I need a recip saw for, and saved me $80.
May 5th, 2007 at 1:41 am
I bought a cheapie PowerMax recip saw @ Walmart a few years back for $69 and have been very pleasantly surprised with it. It has cut all the railroad ties for my planters/retaining walls, lopped many limbs, wrecked a few sheds, and cut through the floors/joists when we cut in a new set of stairs, and sawed up miles of 1″- 4″ iron pipes when we tore out the old boiler. I can see if you were in construction for a living you might want a more durable model, but for the homeowner/weekend warrior like me, I don’t need anything more. Oh, and the money I saved has allowed me to be liberal about buying fresh blades.
May 6th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
I stopped buying black and decker products after I saw the warranty on one of their sanders. “2 year, home use only”.
The home use only looks like a scape goat, if they don’t want to repair or replace the tool, they can simply say “This tool shows signs of professional use”.
I now spend the extra $10-$20 for a name brand tool.
May 8th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
I spent $99 on my Millwaukie on sale a few years back and am happy owning a tool that will last longer than I will. That said, I definitely understand Cheapo’s viewpoint. There’s a lot to be said for going with the cheapest thing out there if it’s a very occasional use item and it will save you $80. I think Koba’s point is why go with the cheap tool if the difference in cost is less than what you spent on gas driving to the store?
June 21st, 2007 at 8:11 pm
I bought an 8.5mp B&D Firestorm at Lowes a couple years ago for $49. Regular price was $59. It’s been a great saw for me as I only use it once a month or so. It’s cut steel drain pipe, 4×4’s, 2×8’s, plywood, tree limbs, 3″ and 4″ diameter trees. With good blades, it’s a fine saw for a DIYer.