A "cut" above the rest. Seriously
Written: Mar 30 '05 (Updated Apr 01 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Legendary quality and reliability - You get what you pay for with this one.
Cons: None really. Heavy and expensive, but will last a lifetime.
The Bottom Line: Bought it because it's reported to be the best, and haven't been disappointed. Milwaukee tools are exceptional. the anti-vibe feature is a plus, but not a must have.
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| dalesky's Full Review: Milwaukee 11 Amp Orbital Action Super Sawzall 6521... |
There's a reason this American company is still around, after having gained prominence in WWII, as making tools that got the job done, and later as the tradesman's choice.
Their tools, especially the corded tools, are arguably the best of the professional level tools you can buy. Sure, there is lots of competition in the marketplace today, and there are some great tools being made, such as those by Dewalt and Porter Cable (Black & Decker's professional brand), and others. And yes, you would get great performance from any of them, including the Ryobi line, which are amazing values for the home user. However, and this is a big HOWEVER for me, Milwaukee is something special.
I remember my dad, a master electrician, using Milwaukee tools. His ¾ inch drill would cut through 2X4&'s by the dozen when he as running wire or installing conduit. I can see my uncle, also a master electrician, with his Milwaukee angle drill, getting into a tough spot that no other drill could reach. And, I won't forget what it was like the first time I put a large drill bit in my new Milwaukee ½ Magnum, grabbed the side handle (it is there for a reason!), and started drilling into an 8inch by 8inch timber. I didn't know a drill of that size could cut into wood that easily.
This particular tool is the icon for reciprocating saws. The first company to make one was Milwaukee, and they are still making what is considered to be the best out there. In fact, the name Sawzall is actually the name Milwaukee gave this tool. No other company uses that name, which has become the name used to describe this type of saw. Reciprocating saw, demolition saw, rescue saw, call it what you will, this is THE ONE. In fact, they make a variation of this 11 amp saw specifically for rescue work.
This model is their most powerful, and most feature-laden. Motor power is measured in amps, and this 11 amp model is their biggest. It also has a feature few other saws have, except for some scroll saws, and that's the orbital action. Oribital action is a method of moving the saw blade not only quickly back and forth in a straight line, as a jig saw does, but also slightly up and down at the same time. This seemingly simple action makes a dramatic difference in the speed of cutting. It is intended for rough work in wood only, and not for metal. I first tried this feature in a scroll saw (jig saw), and was impressed. On this saw it can be quite amazing. It turns what is already a very fast cutting saw into an even faster one.
You are able to select the orbital action,or not, as well as your blade cutting speed. There is a selection device for both. The orbital selection switch is on the top of the saw, recessed slightly. It is a bit hard to move if you have gloves on.
The trigger is variable. In other words, if you want the fastest cutting speed, you can vary that by not pressing the trigger all the way in. You may also set the limit of the cutting speed, and when pulling the trigger fully the saw won't exceed the maximum you set. Milwaukee uses a revolving thumb wheel to set the maximum speed. Don't like to fool around? Set the thumb wheel for maximum, and just use the trigger switch to select your speed. Me, I like the smoothness of having a preset maximum speed. It iss easy to change. I have had some drills that use this type of feature also. I think it is a brilliant design plus, worth having. You may also find this tool without the orbital feature. Also worth having.
It's a heavy unit, at almost 9 pounds, and comes with a cord that is 10 feet long. The cord on this tool, as on many Milwaukee tools, twists off using a unique method of attaching and removing cords. It can be easier to store with the cord off, and very easy to replace it if damaged. They call it a Quik Lok. It really is quick and easy. You can use any other cord from a Milwaukee product by the way, which could be nice if you have damaged one, but can't get a new one right away. You may also buy a 25 foot cord.
When using power tools you should never exceed their design capacity, for either speed of use, or thickness/hardness of material. In the case of this saw, the weight helps move the saw through whatever you cut, but if you 'lean' on it, this one will not bog down. It is designed to be almost impossible to stall, and to not burn out if pushed very hard. Heat buildup is not the enemy here as it is with many lesser quality items.
The blades are inserted and removed using a quick release method, which is also easy to do if wearing gloves. It's a large knurled knob, and the blades can be mounted backwards for flush cuts. The knob is spring loaded, and snaps back into lock position automatically. The blade foot is easily adjustable as well, using a large lever. You can remove it completely if you wish. The foot limits the depth of the cut. Nice that no tools are needed for either the foot adjustment or the blade release, and they are both glove-friendly.
Milwaukee sets the standard for this type of tool with how it feels during operation also. It is designed to be balanced in operation, reducing fatigue, and letting the tool do more of the work. Better than having the operator have to exert maximum pressure all of the time, or having to constantly fight the movement due to vibration. In fact, vibration control is so good that it has less than my 4-stroke Honda lawn mower. The D handle grip at the rear, and the large pliable rubber hand grip towards the front of the tool seem perfectly designed. It is easy to change your grip, and find one that is just right for the job at hand. The anti-vibration feature works extremely well, and is another standout aspect of this tool. I have found that the rougher the work, the more useful the anti-vibe feature is. Using it causes the saw to be a bit rougher handling, but the increase in speed of cutting may be dramatic. It is most effective in thicker material also, such as a landscape timber or a deck post.
Here's the list of features that Milwaukee provides in their literature:
Unique gear clutch absorbs high impact forces caused by sudden blade lock-ups.
Counter Balance Mechanism -- Anti-Vibration System. Smoothest operating, most vibration free saw in the world.
1-1/4" Blade Stroke And Orbital Blade Stroke -- For fastest cutting in thick materials.
Heavy-Duty Double Bearing Wobble Plate Mechanism For Extra Long Life
Powerful Milwaukee Built Motor
Trigger Speed Control
Dial Speed Selector Switch -- Matches the correct speed with application for improved control.
Keyless Shoe Release Lever -- Adjusts shoe without use of tools. Allows more efficient use of blade and depth-of-cut control.
Pivot Shoe For Maximum Support Against Work Surface
Reversible Blade Mounting For Flush Cuts
Rubber Boot For Superior Gripping and Operator Comfort
All Ball And Roller Bearings
Notice anything different? Look for the description of the motor- It's Milwaukee built, meaning that it, and as it happens, all of the parts of this tool, are made by Milwaukee, in the U.S. Now, I'm not getting jingoistic here, just pointing out that the quality is completely controlled in one place. For you the user, it means you are getting a product that is designed and built by one company, which takes responsibility for their tools from start to finish. They are not trying to cut corners by having parts of their product made with the cheapest labor.
I noticed recently that Milwaukee is not always offering their metal cases, as they used to. I personally have found that the very tough nylon cases sold by Duluth Trading company serve my needs better than those that come with a tool. The soft cases are more compact, and the tools fit inside better. The only exception is the metal case that came with my ½ inch Milwaukee drill.
For this saw I use Duluth's recip saw case, and another small case they make for extra blade storage, in addition to what the actual case provides. I have a lot of blades.
I have found that Milwaukee blades outperform most other brands. In fact, they make a number of styles that are far superior to anything else, and the range is more complete that any other manufacturer's offerings. Two in particular are worth mentioning- the Ax and the Torch. One for most materials, and the other for metal. They work amazingly well, are bi-metal to last, and are thick and bend resistant. OK, one more worth noting- the wood cutting blade, called their pruning or green wood blade. I have used it for both green wood and for pruning. It has a very aggressive tooth pattern, and the tips of the blades are like needles, assuring a very fast cut.
Take a look at all the blades that Milwaukee makes before buying another brand. Like the tools themselves, their quality is worth the extra cost. Cheap blades will dull quickly, and bend easily.
What's left to say? Use your safety equipment, and use two hands on this saw whenever possible.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dalesky
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Location: Murrells Inlet South Carolina
Reviews written: 133
Trusted by: 11 members
About Me:
Love to cook, explore the Internet, read and watch movies on DVD. Ain't technology Grand?
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