just wondering if any of you have a battery operated reciprocating saw. I am thinking of getting one (probably in a combo kit). but was wondering if they lasted long and if they were as tough as the corded versions. or should I just get a milwaukee corded one and say screw it.

I was looking at this set.
DeWALT at Lowe's: 18-Volt Cordless Combo Kit

I am not partial to brands either. Home Depot had a Ryobi set for $300 with lithium batteries and included the same stuff as above
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...egoryID=501763

 

We use that DeWALT in the Fire Dept. That bitch is tough as hell and we are NOT easy on it. Battery seems to last pretty good too.

 

We use Dewalt's, it is just as strong as a corded saw (which we still use) but you can kill a battery pretty quick (5 minutes) with heavy wood cutting. It seems to last longer cutting metal for some reason.

Absolutely one of my handiest tools, but I wouldn't replace my milwaukee corded saws with them.

 

ok good info, anyone else?

 

aH (amp hours) mean more then V's do as far as TQ and Battery Life

 

I have used our DeWalts for WAY longer then that. I have used one battery to cut up two school busses for extrications. And I have used teh same for a days work building houses. If your battery only lasts 5 min something is wrong and you need to get a new battery.

 

I have owned both sets. Go with DeWalt, the Ryobi is Junk!

 

i have been very pleased with the ryobi and a lithium battery last 2:1 all other batteries
Also Snap-on just came out with a new saw and have used the heck out of it cutting brackets off truck frames doing lift kits and it is also a very nice unit. the Snap-on seems to be well balenced both of these units are 18v

 

i have the dewalt set,but milwaukee is a sturdy tool also.

 

I got the ryobi lithum kit for christmas last yr and love it! It's really not worth spend twice, if not three times the $$$ for the dewalt or milwaukee kits. The lithium batteries really do last a long time and charge back up in no time. I've cut up a few dozen pallets with my sawzaw on just one batt. And they can take a beating even though they're "junk" too some folks.

I've broken our dewalt tools at work more than i have my ryobi's. Oh and they have a ton of different tools that all use the 18v batt.

For the price,, YA CANT BEAT EM!!!