Best Sawzalls for HVAC Technicians

Heating and air technicians carry many tools in their tool-bags. One in particular is the sawzall.

The sawzall is also known as a reciprocating saw. These saws are versatile, reusable, and a must have for every HVAC technician.

These sawzalls are not like corded saws that stay near an outlet or the work truck. Sawzalls go everywhere — from the attic, to the unit outside, to the crawlspace under homes — helping HVAC technicians get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Comparison Chart of the Best Sawzalls for HVAC Technicians

Why an HVAC Technician Needs a Reciprocating Saw

A sawzall is an important tool for every HVAC technician to own and have handy when on a job site. The heating and air technician encounters many different types of materials on the job site, and the sawzall can cut through them all. A circular saw is useful for cutting through wood, but a HVAC technician often cuts through metal and pipes.

Heating and air technicians are always cutting through something on the job, and the sawzall is the recommended tool of choice. The sawzall can handle the metal, wood, and any other material. Heating and air technicians are often cutting through old condensers, drywall, and sheet metal.

The sawzall cuts through the messy and tough materials. It can also cut through PVC Pipe or tree limbs that are in the way of an outdoor unit. It is ideal for cutting materials overhead, and it can cut through multiple kinds of materials without the need to change tools. You may need to change blades, but that is easily done.

The sawzall is an all-purpose cutting tool. It is perfect for making plunge cuts into walls, old units, attics, or sheet metal. It is wise to cut slowly when cutting through metal using a reciprocating saw. Using a slower speed prevents the blade from overheating due to excessive friction. If you are cutting metal, be sure to go very slowly in the beginning or the sawzall can run away and just skid over the metal surface. If you are cutting new sheet metal for ductwork, place the metal sheet between two sheets of plywood. This will give a clean cut to the metal without a tear.

Sawzalls can even cut through concrete and brick if necessary. Pipes and steel also need to be cut by HVAC installers. The sawzall has teeth on both sides of the saw so the technician doesn’t have to turn the saw to cut in the opposite direction. Cordless vs. Corded

Cordless Indoors and Corded Outdoors

The sawzall is a cordless, battery-operated power tool. It can be carried into the dark recesses of the attic or crawl spaces beneath homes where the HVAC technician dares to go fix problems and install new ductwork or equipment. A corded saw puts the HVAC technician on a leash, and they can only go as far as the electrical power cord allows. The technician has to make additional trips to the corded saw or link additional extension cords to get to the spot where the sawing must take place. Cords can become frayed when dragged across the ground or pulled taut. This can become a liability for the tool and the HVAC technician.

The cordless sawzall will only cut as long as the battery is charged. With some brands of cordless drills and cordless sawzalls, the batteries and chargers are interchangeable. The prepared HVAC technician will have a couple of extra batteries on hand that are charged and bring a charger along to recharge the batteries when the power has been expended.

Some HVAC technicians recommend owning both the cordless and the corded sawzalls. They use the corded sawzall outdoors for cutting sheet metal for ductwork. They also use it to cut away old condensers. The corded sawzall is heavy duty and able to be used near a power outlet.

Under heavy use, the cordless battery drains fairly rapidly. However, the portability and usability outweighs this problem. HVAC installers sometimes work on job sites that do not have electricity available. The cordless sawzall is the tool of choice in this situation. Work can go on even without a power outlet.

Best Reciprocating Saws

There are several sawzall power tools available on the market. We have reviewed the following products and found that the DEWALT cordless reciprocating saw is the top choice for many HVAC technicians. The Milwaukee, Makita, and the Bosch reciprocating saws are capable of getting the job done. The Bosch has its plusses, but also has a lot of issues with the blade clamp.

Conclusion

The Sawzall is an integral tool for the HVAC technician to own. Choosing to own both a corded and a cordless model is a wise decision for the HVAC technician. Using the corded sawzall for cutting sheet metal or working outdoors is ideal. Carrying the cordless sawzall into the crawl spaces or into the attic is a better choice because it is easier to manage climbing ladders or crawling into tight spaces without a cord in tow.

When you are choosing a sawzall, be sure to choose the one that fits best in your hand and works well for you. If you are unhappy with the tool, you will be unhappy daily while you are working with it. The sawzall is a tool you will be using often as an HVAC technician. If you have a reliable sawzall in your toolbox, you won’t have to worry about which tool to use to get the job done.