Makita Recipro Saw

[Carry Pine]

Here is my review on the Makita Recipro Saw model JR3050T.

I came to own this saw because I needed to do some serious pruning of hedges, a photina and a laurel hedge (pictures 1 and 2). I purchased a 'Works' recipro saw and it gave up after a day's work. The hardware store allowed me to trade up to the Makita (picture 3).

Now some of the purists are thinking that a recipro saw is only for taking buildings apart, but for the amateur gardener on a largish block it is a jack of all trades. There is no need for a chainsaw except in special circumstances and if you have a long enough lead, you don't even need the battery powered model. I have a 100m lead and have had no problems with loss of power.

The blade recommended for pruning etc is pictured (4) and is available in a 5 pack. After lots of cutting I am still on the first blade and it just won't blunt. The saw weighs 3.2kg and there is a mild amount of vibration so I suggest wearing gloves if you are spending any amount of time on it. The 'big brother' discussed later boasts minimal vibration.

Continued..........

[Carry Pine]

Continued....

When I purchased the recipro saw, the guy at the hardware store told me that the battery operated recipro saws are used in the vineyards for pruning. My saw cost $350 and the red battery-powered saw was double that (picture1). They now have the lithium ion battery (picture 2) which retails at about $900. If you decide to go battery powered the best deal is to but the kit which includes: a recipro saw, a circular saw, drill and a torch for about $1150. My contact at the store has suggested moving some of the recipro saws into the gardening section of the shop.

I was carefull not to abuse the saw so I let the machine do the work on the limbs of a felled tree (3) and cleaning up a stump (4). The blades are easy to change and I do not find the machine too heavy when I am standing.

The big brother of them all (picture 5) was available for about $1K and boasts anti vibration.

It's not often that I am thrilled with the purchase of a power tool, but I swear by this one. If only Makita could get their act together and update their website, making it easier for us to register our purchases, I would be giving the company a big rapp too.

Graham

[Honorary Bloke]

Full marks Carry. Thanks! :)

[Johncs]

How's the Makita Recipro Saw model JR3050T.going?

[Carry Pine]

How's the Makita Recipro Saw model JR3050T.going?

Sorry, maybe didn't explain it well enough. I've cut the hedges (70m long each side) down to 1/2 size. The two trees cut down have been trimmed. All done with the JR3050T on a 100m lead. No problems.

CP

[Johncs]

I was reading the review on a different computer; for some reason I did not see anything beyond the first installment.

I see it now; dunno whether it's the forum,my browser (seamknoey, but different releases) or me.

I'm looking for something to attack some cocos palms - serious pruning, but judging from the specs at Bunnings, this isn't the machine for the job.

[jatt]

Mate u will get a lotta use outta it, well worth the outlay. Bought mine over 2 years ago (the Metabo version). Have done small limb and root removal, great for getting roots outta the way when boxing up some conc, or putting in fence posts. Put the pruning blade on it as shown by Carry Pine and one will be suprised what limbs u can cut.

Have a 300 mm demo blade on it at the moment. Had to cut thru flooring, joists & bearers recently on a job, no problem. Its a lot cheaper than replacing my chainsaw chain after several nail strikes & only a few minutes slower to do the job.

Yes the vibration can be a prob, snapped a couple of metal only blades cutting thru orb sheets.

[Johncs]

Has to cut 40 cm (est, it's clearly over 30) trunk. The preferred plan is to climb up a ladder, then progressively shorten it. I could do multiple cuts, but I'd prefer not to be up a ladder doing them.

[BobL]

John, My understanding about palms is their sap loves to eat magnesium alloy components so something with a plastic housing will be less likely to being attacked. Any tool that reciprocates or pulls bits through like a reciprocator or chainsaw are more susceptible. Some arborists will not use their good metal cased chainsaws on palms and use an all plastic or an old chainsaw for the job. If you do need to use such a thing the other protection to use is to smother the tool in grease to stop the palm sap getting at the metal.

[Johncs]

I found someone else say they ooze acid when cut, and presence of oxalic (I'm guessing that's what it is) would explain why green fruit is toxic.

The Ozito's looking good - 30cm cut, cheap.

Otherwise, the axe and exercise.

[sailingamerican]

I have never seen any one use a Sawsall for yard work. I am not saying they don't here in the US. I own a large farm and never had a use for one. I have used mine for cutting steel fence post but I have chain saws and gass trimmers for everyting else. I would never thing to cut a hedge with one. I have a little wonder hedge trimmer that works better than anything else I have ever used. The company has been in business for over 100 years. Glad it works for you. It would take too long a time to trim my hedges with one.

[Johncs]

I have never seen any one use a Sawsall for yard work. I am not saying they don't here in the US. I own a large farm and never had a use for one. I have used mine for cutting steel fence post but I have chain saws and gass trimmers for everyting else. I would never thing to cut a hedge with one. I have a little wonder hedge trimmer that works better than anything else I have ever used. The company has been in business for over 100 years. Glad it works for you. It would take too long a time to trim my hedges with one.

I wondered what on earth you were talking about, I've never heard the term "sawsall."

I thought you must be talking about this:
http://www.arbortech.com.au/view/allsaw-information/ but google showed me otherwise.