A reciprocating saw — commonly called a Sawzall after the Milwaukee brand name — is the demolition king of power tools. It cuts through wood, nails, metal pipe, PVC, tree branches, and just about anything else you put in front of it. It is not a precision tool, but when you need to tear out, cut through, or make rough cuts in difficult materials, nothing else comes close.

Reciprocating Saw Guide: Demolition, Pruning, and Tough Cuts

When to Reach for a Recip Saw

A reciprocating saw earns its keep in situations where finesse is secondary to getting through the material:

• Demolition: Cutting through walls that contain nails, screws, and mixed materials
• Plumbing: Cutting cast iron, galvanized steel, copper, and PVC pipe in tight spaces
• Pruning: Cutting tree limbs up to 6 inches in diameter (faster than a handsaw, more controlled than a chainsaw)
• Remodeling: Removing old framing, cutting openings in walls, notching studs for plumbing runs
• Decking: Cutting out rotted deck boards and posts
• Metal cutting: Cutting angle iron, threaded rod, bolts, and strapping

Blade Selection

The blade determines what a reciprocating saw can cut. Here are the essential types:

Wood blades (6 TPI): Long, aggressive teeth for fast cuts in framing lumber, plywood, and tree branches.

Wood with nails (8-10 TPI): The standard demolition blade. Cuts through lumber even when it is full of embedded nails and screws.

Metal blades (18-24 TPI): Finer teeth for cutting steel pipe, conduit, angle iron, and sheet metal. Use at slower speeds to prevent overheating.

Carbide-grit blades: Designed for cutting cast iron pipe, ceramic tile, and fiber cement. These last much longer than standard blades in abrasive materials.

Pruning blades: Aggressive, open-tooth design that clears sawdust and wood chips efficiently for fast cutting in green wood and branches.

Technique Tips

Shoe Contact

The shoe plate (the flat metal foot at the base of the blade) should press firmly against the material being cut. This reduces vibration, improves control, and helps the blade cut efficiently. Without shoe contact, the saw vibrates aggressively and the blade can bend or break.

Orbital Action

Better reciprocating saws offer orbital action, which moves the blade in a slight oval pattern rather than purely in and out. Orbital action speeds up cuts in wood significantly. Turn it off for metal cutting and when you need a cleaner cut.

Let the Blade Work

Do not force the saw. Apply steady pressure and let the blade do the cutting. Forcing the saw causes blade deflection, overheating, and premature blade failure.

Blade Length

Use a blade long enough to cut through the material with a couple of inches to spare, but not so long that the excess blade flexes and wanders. A 9-inch blade handles most tasks. Use 12-inch blades for cutting through thick walls or deep beams.

Corded vs Cordless

Cordless reciprocating saws on 18V/20V platforms are now powerful enough for most home projects. They are far more convenient for outdoor pruning, overhead cutting, and working in spaces without power.

For heavy demolition — like gutting a bathroom or tearing out a deck — a corded model provides unlimited runtime and consistent power. If you already have a battery platform from your drill and impact driver, the cordless version is the practical choice.

Safety

A reciprocating saw is one of the more dangerous power tools due to its aggressive cutting action and the unpredictable nature of demolition work.

• Always wear safety glasses and gloves. Debris flies in all directions.
• Check for electrical wires, gas lines, and plumbing before cutting into walls or floors.
• Secure the material when possible. Loose material bounces with the blade stroke.
• Keep a firm two-handed grip. The saw pulls and pushes with significant force.
• Watch for blade contact with hidden objects. In demolition work, you never know what is behind the next board.

Bottom Line

A reciprocating saw is not a tool you use every day, but when you need it, nothing substitutes. Keep a few good blades on hand — wood with nails, metal, and pruning — and this saw handles the rough, tough jobs that come up in every home repair and renovation project.