For trimming a door jamb so new flooring can slide underneath, both the DeWalt DCS356 and Bosch GOP18V-34 can make the cut. The better choice depends less on a claimed power advantage than on the battery platform you already own, the blade you fit, and how well you can keep the tool flat against a … Read more
Starlock and universal-fit accessories can do the same cutting, sanding and scraping jobs, but they attach differently. The practical difference is how quickly and securely you can change a blade—and whether your existing oscillating tool accepts the mount. If you are buying a tool, the mount affects which accessories you can use. If you already … Read more
For detail work, vibration is not just a comfort issue. It can make a blade wander, tire out your grip and leave a rougher cut when you’re trimming a jamb or scraping a small patch of adhesive. The Milwaukee M18 FUEL and Makita XMT04 are both cordless oscillating multi-tools with brushless motors and adjustable speed, … Read more
How to Prevent Tear-Out When Cutting Veneered Panels with a Jigsaw Veneered plywood, melamine-faced board, and laminate panels can look perfect on one side and badly chipped on the other after a jigsaw cut. The problem is usually not a lack of power. It is the combination of an upward-cutting blade, a fragile surface layer, … Read more
For cutting framing lumber that still contains nails, the best all-around choice is a 6-inch, 6–10 TPI bi-metal reciprocating saw blade. It is long enough for most 2-by framing, flexible enough to tolerate some twisting, and made to cut both wood and embedded steel. For heavy demolition, a 9-inch version reaches farther; for cleaner, faster … Read more
DeWalt DCS386 vs Bosch GSA18V-28: What Separates Them The DeWalt DCS386 and Bosch GSA18V-28 are both cordless reciprocating saws aimed at framing, remodeling, and demolition work. Both use a 1-1/8-inch stroke and reach about 2,900 strokes per minute, so neither is a slow, light-duty saw on paper. The important difference is size and system design. … Read more
The short answer For occasional cuts under a sink, a compact reciprocating saw is usually easier to position and control. Its shorter body and lighter weight matter when you’re working around a cabinet floor, drain trap, shutoff valves, and your own forearm. A full-size recip saw makes more sense if you already own one, need … Read more
Short answer: the blade matters more than the saw There is no dependable published, apples-to-apples test showing that the Milwaukee M18 FUEL reciprocating saw or Makita XRJ08 cuts cast iron faster. The result depends heavily on the particular saw generation, battery, blade and pipe condition. If you already own either platform, buy a suitable carbide-grit … Read more
Best all-around: a narrow, fine-tooth scrolling blade For tight curves in ¾-inch plywood, start with a narrow jigsaw blade made for scrolling or tight-radius cuts, with fine teeth and a blade length that suits your saw. A blade around 3/16 inch wide is a useful starting point; narrower blades turn more sharply, but they also … Read more
Short answer: Makita for control, Bosch for value For cleaner bevel cuts, the Makita 4350FCT has the edge if you want its tool-free bevel adjustment and are willing to spend more. The Bosch JS365 is a capable, less expensive choice, but its bevel setup is less convenient and either saw can leave a rough or … Read more