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| Makita Reciprocating Saw JR3070CT (Reciprocal Saw or Recipro Saw) (Variable Speed) Long 1-1/4" Stroke for Faster Cutting |
| Makita Reciprocating Saw JR3050T (Reciprocal Saw or Recipro Saw) (Variable Speed) Long 1-1/8" Stroke for Faster Cutting |
| Makita Reciprocating Saw JR3060T (Reciprocal Saw or Recipro Saw) (Variable Speed) Long 1-1/4" Stroke for Faster Cutting |
Tools of the Trade Magazine® Calls JR3070CT the "Clear Winner" Among 10 Recipro
Saws
Source: TOOLS OF THE TRADE Magazine
By Steve Veroneau
Reciprocating saws have been on the move - fast - since the last time we looked at this group. Category-wide,
manufacturers have made advances with tool-free blade changes, articulating handles, and even LED work lights.
TEST CRITERIA
I tested 10 tools over a 12-week test period: the Bosch® RS20, Craftsman® 26672, DeWalt® 304PK, Hilti® 1250-PE,
Hitachi® CR13VA, Makita® JR3070CT, Milwaukee® 6523-21, Porter-Cable® 9747, Ridgid® R3001, and Worx® WT401K.
Blade Change
Bosch® and Makita® were the easiest to load. I like how the locking mechanism on both tools stays open until you insert a
blade into the shaft; inserting the blade also locks it in place.
Orbital Cutting Action
An important operational difference among these tools is whether the saw blade can cut in an orbital fashion or not. Orbital
action is where it's at for aggressive demolition, enabling the blade to hit the material harder and remove it faster than a
straight reciprocating motion. The Makita® and Worx® each allow for straight action and three degrees of orbit. The
Hitachi®, Hilti®, Milwaukee®, and Porter-Cable® allow for straight cutting and one orbital setting. The Bosch®, Craftsman®,
DeWalt® and Ridgid® offer only straight cutting action.
Shop Cuts
After previewing each tool, I clamped the 4-by, 6-by and hardwood decking to the bench and set them to work cross-cutting
the stock. After working in each material, I started noticing how much each tool's weight distribution and balance affected its
performance. The Makita®, Milwaukee®, Hilti®, Hitachi® and Bosch® had good weight distribution along the tool body, felt
very solid while cutting and almost fell through cuts. The Craftsman®, DeWalt®, Porter-Cable®, Ridgid®, and Worx®
required more push. Next, I flipped on the orbital cutting action in the tools that had the feature (Hitachi®, Hilti®, Makita®,
Milwaukee®, Porter-Cable® and Worx®), which immediately enabled them to pack more punch cutting through wood. And I
noticed Makita's new anti-vibration feature here. The saw ran smoothly in the shop cuts.
Balance and Orbital Action
What did make the difference for the work I did was a combination of the tools' weight distribution, orbital cutting action and
balance. The better-balanced tools - Makita®, Milwaukee®, Hilti®, Hitachi® and Bosch® - felt smoother and more powerful
under stress, muscling through more cuts with less effort; again, the Makita® was the smoothest. Each snagged less or
launched itself off the work less frequently than the others if the blade bound up or caught.
Trigger Lock
I liked Makita's trigger lock, which allows you to keep the tool operating while repositioning your hand for better control in
odd cutting positions.
Cases
The best carrying case was Makita's. The large steel case has plenty of room for the tool, its cord and loads of blades - the
perfect design.
WINNERS
From my test the clear winner is the Makita®. Its design combines all the best features. The stroke speed is adjustable and
the stroke motion has multiple adjustments. The tool has a built-in anti-vibration technology that clearly worked. I liked the
way the locking collar on the blade shaft stayed locked open when there wasn't a blade in the tool and clicked shut when
the blade was inserted. And the tool consistently cut better and faster with the least amount of wear and tear on the most
important part of the test - me.
Saws
Source: TOOLS OF THE TRADE Magazine
By Steve Veroneau
Reciprocating saws have been on the move - fast - since the last time we looked at this group. Category-wide,
manufacturers have made advances with tool-free blade changes, articulating handles, and even LED work lights.
TEST CRITERIA
I tested 10 tools over a 12-week test period: the Bosch® RS20, Craftsman® 26672, DeWalt® 304PK, Hilti® 1250-PE,
Hitachi® CR13VA, Makita® JR3070CT, Milwaukee® 6523-21, Porter-Cable® 9747, Ridgid® R3001, and Worx® WT401K.
Blade Change
Bosch® and Makita® were the easiest to load. I like how the locking mechanism on both tools stays open until you insert a
blade into the shaft; inserting the blade also locks it in place.
Orbital Cutting Action
An important operational difference among these tools is whether the saw blade can cut in an orbital fashion or not. Orbital
action is where it's at for aggressive demolition, enabling the blade to hit the material harder and remove it faster than a
straight reciprocating motion. The Makita® and Worx® each allow for straight action and three degrees of orbit. The
Hitachi®, Hilti®, Milwaukee®, and Porter-Cable® allow for straight cutting and one orbital setting. The Bosch®, Craftsman®,
DeWalt® and Ridgid® offer only straight cutting action.
Shop Cuts
After previewing each tool, I clamped the 4-by, 6-by and hardwood decking to the bench and set them to work cross-cutting
the stock. After working in each material, I started noticing how much each tool's weight distribution and balance affected its
performance. The Makita®, Milwaukee®, Hilti®, Hitachi® and Bosch® had good weight distribution along the tool body, felt
very solid while cutting and almost fell through cuts. The Craftsman®, DeWalt®, Porter-Cable®, Ridgid®, and Worx®
required more push. Next, I flipped on the orbital cutting action in the tools that had the feature (Hitachi®, Hilti®, Makita®,
Milwaukee®, Porter-Cable® and Worx®), which immediately enabled them to pack more punch cutting through wood. And I
noticed Makita's new anti-vibration feature here. The saw ran smoothly in the shop cuts.
Balance and Orbital Action
What did make the difference for the work I did was a combination of the tools' weight distribution, orbital cutting action and
balance. The better-balanced tools - Makita®, Milwaukee®, Hilti®, Hitachi® and Bosch® - felt smoother and more powerful
under stress, muscling through more cuts with less effort; again, the Makita® was the smoothest. Each snagged less or
launched itself off the work less frequently than the others if the blade bound up or caught.
Trigger Lock
I liked Makita's trigger lock, which allows you to keep the tool operating while repositioning your hand for better control in
odd cutting positions.
Cases
The best carrying case was Makita's. The large steel case has plenty of room for the tool, its cord and loads of blades - the
perfect design.
WINNERS
From my test the clear winner is the Makita®. Its design combines all the best features. The stroke speed is adjustable and
the stroke motion has multiple adjustments. The tool has a built-in anti-vibration technology that clearly worked. I liked the
way the locking collar on the blade shaft stayed locked open when there wasn't a blade in the tool and clicked shut when
the blade was inserted. And the tool consistently cut better and faster with the least amount of wear and tear on the most
important part of the test - me.
Makita Reciprocating Saw (Reciprocal Saw or Recipro Saw)
Variable Speed Model JR3070CT
Long 1-1/4" Stroke for Faster Cutting
Unique clutch assembly helps protect the gears should the blade bind
4-position orbital/straight cutting action
Variable speed dial for presetting maximum speed
Powerful 15 AMP motor with electronic speed control maintains constant speed
under load
Long 1-1/4" stroke for faster cutting
Tool-less blade change and shoe adjustment
Variable Speed Model JR3070CT
Long 1-1/4" Stroke for Faster Cutting
Unique clutch assembly helps protect the gears should the blade bind
4-position orbital/straight cutting action
Variable speed dial for presetting maximum speed
Powerful 15 AMP motor with electronic speed control maintains constant speed
under load
Long 1-1/4" stroke for faster cutting
Tool-less blade change and shoe adjustment
Makita Reciprocating Saw (Reciprocal Saw or Recipro Saw)
Variable Speed Model JR3060T
Long 1-1/4" Stroke for Faster Cutting
Tool-less blade change and shoe adjustment
Variable speed for precise cutting in a wide variety of materials
Powerful 12 AMP motor for continuous operation
Long 1-1/4" stroke for faster cutting
All ball and needle bearings for longer tool life
Externally accessible brushes for easy maintenance
Variable Speed Model JR3060T
Long 1-1/4" Stroke for Faster Cutting
Tool-less blade change and shoe adjustment
Variable speed for precise cutting in a wide variety of materials
Powerful 12 AMP motor for continuous operation
Long 1-1/4" stroke for faster cutting
All ball and needle bearings for longer tool life
Externally accessible brushes for easy maintenance
Makita Reciprocating Saw (Reciprocal Saw or Recipro
Saw) Variable Speed Model JR3050T
Long 1-1/8" Stroke for Faster Cutting
Variable speed for increased cutting efficiency
Powerful 9 AMP motor for continuous operation
Long 1-1/8" stroke for faster cutting
internal dust blower system clears debris from the line of cut for better visibility
and accuracy
Heavy-duty shoe features tool-less adjustment
All ball and needle bearings for longer tool life
Saw) Variable Speed Model JR3050T
Long 1-1/8" Stroke for Faster Cutting
Variable speed for increased cutting efficiency
Powerful 9 AMP motor for continuous operation
Long 1-1/8" stroke for faster cutting
internal dust blower system clears debris from the line of cut for better visibility
and accuracy
Heavy-duty shoe features tool-less adjustment
All ball and needle bearings for longer tool life
| Dewalt Reciprocating Saws, Reciprocal Saws, Recipro Saws |
| Bosch Reciprocating Saws, Reciprocal Saws, Recipro Saws |
| Milwaukee Reciprocating Saws Reciprocal Saws, Recipro Saws |
| Porter Cable Reciprocating Saws, Reciprocal Saws, Recipro Saws |
