If you haven’t tried to use a reciprocating saw, otherwise known as a Sawzall or sabre saw, I’m about to change your life. When I think of “saw,” I typically think of a lumberjack with a big handsaw cutting down a tree.

What is a Reciprocating Saw?

A reciprocating saw is a power tool, and does much more than cut down trees. It’s an all-in-one tool that can take the place of several others. You can buy one at a home improvement store for about $100 – $200 for good one.

More often than not, I hear this tool referred to as a “Sawzall.” This is a trademarked brand name of the Milwaukee Electric Tool Company. So while (technically) not all reciprocating saws are Sawzalls, the terms are used interchangeably.

How Do Reciprocating Saws Work?

The saw has a blade that moves back and forth in a rapid, push-pull motion. You use both of your hands to hold the tool, and use the blade to cut a variety of materials. It’s nice because you can also use this tool at an angle or overhead (ie., cutting plumbing pipes). It’s very versatile!

What Can You Cut with a Sawzall?

You can cut through wood (including tree branches), metal, PVC, drywall . . . just about anything besides rock. There are various blades depending on the materials, so just make sure you get the right one for the job.

Why Do I Need a Sawzall?

Two reasons! First, a large handsaw can’t fit into small areas, and that’s where this saw comes in. It is used for shorter, tough-to-reach cuts.

It’s also electric, and uses a push and pull motion to cut, which it does quickly. Once you learn more about this tool, you’re definitely going to want to have one on hand!

Top Reciprocating Saw Uses

I don’t know how handy you are, but there are many do-it-yourself applications for this type of tool. These are the most common reciprocating saw uses that I see from my friends and fellow DIYers that own one:

• Installing an outlet
• Fitting a window
• Changing PVC piping
• Cutting through nails or screws
• Outdoor work (tree branches!)

Reciprocating Saw vs. Jigsaw

While a jigsaw and reciprocating saw are closely related, they aren’t the same tool. Both have blades that use a push-pull motion and have shoes to help guide your work (which you’ll learn about later). But there are several differences:

1. Jigsaws are typically used to cut shapes out of wood while Sawzalls are typically used for demolition or fix-it DIY projects
2. Jigsaws are best on a flat surface parallel to the floor while these work at any angle
3. A reciprocating saw wouldn’t be used for any fine woodcrafting, while a jigsaw would be (the cuts are more intricate and accurate)

Can you cut straight with a reciprocating saw?

You can, but it’s going to take some practice. Some tools are jumpy (which I mention below), but also you can take a turn if you want to (whether intentionally or unintentionally). You can help yourself with practice on a sample piece of wood. I’d also recommend drawing a line if you feel you need something to follow. Winging it isn’t always the best idea if you’re looking for straight lines!

Can you cut plywood with a reciprocating saw?

You can, just as long as it’s not too thick. For most plywood, you shouldn’t have any problems. If you find that there is any splintering while cutting, I recommend drawing a line for your cut and placing painter’s tape or something similar over the line. Then cut through that. This helps immensely.

Using a Reciprocating Saw

Before you begin, keep two things in mind:

• Some tools can be jumpy; always wear protective gear (including eyewear) AND use a strong, sure grip.
• Avoid the cord. This is true for all tools, but given the areas you might be going into and the size of the blades, you can quickly cut through your cord if you aren’t paying attention!

To begin, the saw is held similarly to a shotgun. The non-dominant hand holds the bottom front of the saw, while the dominant hand rests back on the grip and “trigger.” When beginning to cut, squeeze the trigger and allow the saw to gain full power.

Once the saw has reached full power, bring the saw into contact with the item needing to be cut.

Allow the tool to do most of the work! Focus on controlling the jumping of the saw; firmly hold it in place and guide it through the line of the cut.

Most of the guiding and controlling will be done by the non-dominant hand at the front of the saw. Only slight pressure is typically needed, as you’ll let the saw do the work.

If too much pressure is applied, it can cause the blade to bend. A bent blade can mean a crooked cut, increased jumping of the tool (which is very dangerous), or the device to stop working. If your blade ends up bent we recommend replacing, though you can bend it back if it’s just a slight bend.

Changing the Blade

Changing the blade is relatively easy depending on the age of your saw. The older reciprocating saws used an Allen wrench to loosen and tighten the blade within the shoe.

At the front of the saw, there is a larger piece where the blade sticks out, and this is called the shoe (the metal portion shown above). In newer models, changing the blade is as easy as holding two buttons (yellow above) on either side of the shoe for blade removal and insertion.

Other newer models involve pressing the two buttons and removing the shoe before removing the blade. It is important that you read the instructions of your Sawzall so that you understand how the blade is changed on your particular model and brand.

Let’s talk more about the shoe, now that we’re in that area of the tool. The shoe is there to assist you – it’s useful for reducing the reciprocating action of the motor for fewer jumps while using the saw.

In order for the shoe to assist in this, use it as a fulcrum. In other words, rest the shoe on a hard surface as you guide the blade in to cut.

This is a bit of an advanced tactic, but once you’re used to using your saw, you will better understand and automatically know what’s safe and not safe to do.

My suggestion? Practice. Buy scrap wood before you tackle any home improvement project. Would you rather mess up a piece of wood as opposed to your wall?

Now that we’ve discussed how to use a reciprocating saw, here are some potential uses:

As you get familiar with your reciprocating saw, you’ll probably be interested in some of the advanced features like lights, variable speed, electric brakes, etc. Ace Hardware has a great video about how to use a reciprocating aw – I embedded it below!

For more articles on power tools, check out the following:

• Learn the basics of using a jig saw
• How to use an electric sander
• How to use a pocket hole jig (Kreg Jig)
• How to use a miter saw
• How to use a router

The post Reciprocating Saw (Sawzall) Guide to Success appeared first on DIY Candy.

Have you heard of a jig saw? This versatile tool is basically a machine saw with a fine blade that enables it to cut curved lines in wood, metal, or plastic. It’s one of my favorite tools of all time!

This saw is most often used for cutting out shapes that require more detail than a straight or angled saw cut. Don’t be intimated though; the jig saw was made to make your job easier – using it is not as difficult as it may seem.

What is a Jig Saw?

The jig saw can be a useful tool for anybody who works with wood (or other materials) and wants to take it to the next level, or for small home projects.

Jig saws are relatively inexpensive compared to its other saw brothers and sisters. You can get one for as low as around $100. It does depend on whether you mind corded or you want cordless.

A jig saw basically looks like a large square with a handle and a blade. They’re not very heavy which adds to their ease of use. I have puny arms so imagine if the jigsaw were heavier . . . there would be no way I would be able to hold it up long enough to cut anything!

What is a Jig Saw Used For?

Typically it’s best if you have some sort of line to follow when cutting with any saw, right? The same goes for a jigsaw. It can cut pretty much any shape you need, but you are the one guiding the jig saw to cut that shape.

In other words, unless you’re a mad freehand artist, you’ll want to have your shape drawn out in pencil or something similar in order to get the best results.

Parts of a Jig Saw

Moving onto the anatomy: under the handle there is a button called the “trigger.” This means that even if you have the saw plugged in, it won’t turn on until you press that trigger.

If you plug in your saw, be careful as you lay it down because the trigger can be engaged, causing the blade to begin moving.

I’m sure all of us love our fingers and limbs, so be sure to unplug the saw if you need to lay it down! Jig saws are more commonly electrical but can also come in battery powered form.

The battery powered ones may come with a safety switch, but you will need to check your brand and model to be sure.

The jig saw blade is obviously the most important part of the tool, and it should not need to be changed very often. However if it ever needs to be changed, check your manual for the exact instructions on how to change out the blade since each brand and model vary.

The one shown in my photos has a screw near the blade that has to be loosened in order for it to be removed. Once removed, slip the new blade in and tighten the screw again.

Newer models simply have a “push-pull” method – a button you can hold down to remove the blade. Do you have questions on which blade to buy? Not all jig saw blades are created equal! Find an amazing guide here.

When using the saw, make sure the wood you’re cutting is secure and unable to wiggle around. The steps are simple:

Press Saw Shoe to the Wood

Press your saw shoe to the wood – the saw shoe is the metal guide around the blade – with a firm grip and the blade away from the edge. There is a cutout section in the guard near the blade so that you can see the line you’re cutting.

Guide Blade Along Pencil Line

Start the saw and guide the blade along the outside of your pencil line. Keep the saw going at a moderate pace; let the blade cut smoothly without pushing the motor.

If you go too fast, you risk making a rough cut and the blade jumping around which can be dangerous. Slow and steady gets the best cut. Prevent the saw blade from binding on tight curves by using relief cuts to remove waste.

Keep Saw Straight and Flat

Keep the saw straight and flat, letting the metal guard glide along the piece you are cutting. Jig saw blades can tend to bend, so make sure with thicker pieces of wood that your blade is very sharp.

Note that a jig saw work best for cutting softwood that’s no more than 1-1/2 in. thick and hardwood up to 3/4 in. thick.

Drill a Hole or Plunge to Start in the Middle

If you are starting in the middle of the wood, I recommend drilling a hole to give you a place to start your blade. You can also try a plunge cut technique (video here) once you get a little more experience.

Important: read the instructions for your specific tool! Safety is key, and you are safest when you know your power tool inside and out!

If you enjoyed this power tool education, I’d love for you to check out these other posts:

• How to Use a Pocket Hole Jig (Kreg Jig)
• Reciprocating Saw (Sawzall) Guide to Success
• How to Use a Router
• Electric Sander User’s Guide
• How to Use a Miter Saw (Get the Basics!)

The post Jig Saw 101: Learn the Basics of this Cool Tool! appeared first on DIY Candy.

Have you ever heard of a pocket hole jig? One of the most popular brands is Kreg Jig, and it’s a super cool tool that you’re going to want to use if you are a woodworker – even if you are a novice woodworker.

You’ll use this tool to hide screws/screw heads and make strong, tight joints. This type of jig makes a woodworking project look professional. And you don’t need any experience to use one!

What is a Pocket Hole Jig?

Before I explain how to make a strong joint with this tool, I want to show you what it looks like. If you purchase a Kreg pocket hole jig system, you’re typically going to get a set pictured above.

There are other (more advanced) sets available for pocket hole joinery, but this is the one we have and use on our projects. It includes:

1. Drill and drive bits
2. Depth collar with a hex key
3. Pocket hole screws in various sizes
4. Clamp pad adapter
5. Case

So why should you use one? Here’s what we love about our jig.  If you need a project to be super-duper strong AND attractive, ditch the wood glue or a standard L-joint and use a pocket hold jig!

Benefits of a Pocket Hole Jig

1. You can accomplish joins in a matter of minutes
2. No alignment issues when joining two pieces of wood – it’s one hole
3. No gluing required (though you can if you’d like to make the joint extra strong)
4. No leaving your project clamped together for hours even if you glue

What Does the Joint Look Like?

If you’re like me, you probably need it spelled out, so I’m going to start with a visual of a finished join we did using this tool. It’s probably going to look familiar to you:

The hole above is at a 15 degree angle, and the two pieces of wood were joined in just a few minutes. This join was created with one pocket hole, but we also use a two hole jig regularly.

To give you an overview of the process, you’ll create the pocket hole with your tool and a specialized drill bit that features a stepped pilot tip (included in your kit).

More on the Bits

The Kreg Jig Junior comes with two bits, a drill and a driver, shown above to the right of the tool itself.

The bit on the right drills a hole made so that both the tip AND the head of the screw will fit securely. This means the head will go down in the hole and be hidden.

The bit on the left is a square tipped driver that you can use in a standard drill, because Kreg Jig brand screws have a special head on them. Whether you use Kreg Jig screws is all about personal preference.

How to Use a Kreg Jig

I’m going to assume that (to start), you’re joining two pieces of wood at a right angle (90 degrees).

Make sure that your wood is cut with a miter or table saw set to 90 degrees so that you can have an absolutely smooth join. You don’t want any gaps in the wood.

Set the Depth on Your Jig

There is a numbered slide on the back of your jig which can be adjusted based on the thickness of your wood.

The Kreg Jig comes with a quick guide that provides the slider setting and screw length you’ll need based on how thick your wood is (I also have a chart at the bottom of this post if you scroll down).

If your wood is two different thicknesses, set the depth for the thinner board.

Clamp the Jig

Flip the Kreg jig over after you’ve set it, and place it down where you want to join to be. The round, gray plastic piece above is where you will clamp the jig down.

I highly recommend a clamp as it frees up one of your hands. Also, clamps prevent “whoopsies.” You don’t want your pocket hole jig slipping out from under you as you’re drilling!

Insert the Drill Bit and Screw!

You’ll start with one piece of wood – the wood that you want the holes to go into. Make sure the correct drill bit is in your drill, and simply guide the bit through the holes in the Kreg Jig.

The jig will guide the bit and do all of the work; plus it has a stop collar when you reach the end. It’s easy to make straight holes without any issues missing the mark.

Basically, the only work you need to do is make sure your holes are lined up and then push the drill quickly and firmly through the hole. Repeat with the second hole if it’s a double pocket hole.

Then you’ll use two clamps to hold the two pieces of wood you want to attach together and drive the screws. They need to be self-tapping screws so that they drill into the pocket hole and second piece of wood easily.

Before you do this on a piece of furniture or other project you are building, I highly recommend trying it with two pieces of scrap wood. That way you can get a feel for the device and experience how easy it is to use.

Choose the Correct Screw Length

If a Kreg Jig guide is not available to you, use this chart to choose the correct screw length for your material thickness. The thickness of the board does matter.

Are you ready to get started with a pocket hole jig? Check out this video below that shows you the basic concept:

If you are interested in seeing our projects that use a Kreg Jig, here are a few of them!

• Farmhouse DIY Mirror Frame for $25
• DIY Pallet Hose Holder with Planter
• DIY Outdoor Table for a Charming Backyard
• DIY Coffee Table with Storage (Farmhouse Style)

One last thing! Don’t forget to visit our other tool guides: reciprocating saw, electric sander, router, miter saw, and jig saw.

The post How to Use a Pocket Hole Jig (Kreg Jig) appeared first on DIY Candy.

If you’re wondering how to use a router, you might first be wondering what it’s even used for. A router is a relatively unique tool and not one of those you’d have lying around (like a sander or drill). You’re most likely only going to need or use this tool if you are working with wood.

If you just so happen to have a router or know someone that will let you borrow one, it can add a huge plus to any project. Have you ever seen those detailed or pretty edges on wooden furniture?

That is what a router does. It takes the edges of a normal piece of wood and makes them more detailed . . . adding a bit of design to square wood edges.

A router can also be used to make channeled grooves (dadoes) for joints. This is a way to invisibly support shelves or the sides of wood furniture without hardware. Pretty cool, right?

How to Use a Router

As you can see, the router is a round contraption with two handles, one on each side. When using your router, you’ll place one hand on each side in order to guide the device. You will guide it like a saw and sander mixed together.

You don’t have to be as rough as you would with a saw . . . and not quite as light as you would be with a sander. The main rule of thumb when using a router is to always go the opposite direction the blade is spinning.

Getting Started

When using a router, make sure the project you are working on is secured with clamps. Then, make sure your router has the desired bit (each one can make a different design or achieve a different technique) and the desired bit height. Here’s a beginner’s guide to choosing router bits.

Most routers come with an on/off switch which means that even if you plug it in, it will not come on unless you turn the switch to the “on” position. To use your router, place the edge of it on the desired side of the wood to be cut and push until the bit rests against the edge.

It will look like half of the router is sitting on the wood while the other half is hanging off (this is normal). “Push and glide” is all you need to do from there. You’ll want to do several light passes as opposed to tearing into the wood and pushing hard.

Lightly apply pressure to achieve the desired results. You’ll definitely want to do a test piece before using the router for the first time on a real project to get the hang of it!

If you need to adjust the height of the bit, there are usually locks that you can unlock and then there is a numbered knob that tells you the various height options. Be sure to put the locks back when finished.

Changing the Bits

To change the bit, there is a built-in black piece that works like a wrench. Push it in so the bit is held in place, then use a tool (a wrench works) to loosen the bit and remove it. Insert your new bit and tighten it in the same way.

The bits for the router we use have an upper portion that is black, so it’s clear where to loosen the bit. Not all routers are the same and can be slightly different, so check your manual to make sure you know how your specific brand and model work.

Knowing how your specific tool works is not only the safest thing to do, but allows you to get the most out of your tool.

You now know the basics of how to use a router! To sum up, this tool . . .

What it is: a tool used to create decorative edges on furniture and cabinetry, as well as for plunging holes to create invisible joints
When to use it: when you’d like to add some flair or design to a square wood edge. You can also use it to form strong joints in furniture or cabinets (further reading here).
What you need: the router and the bits you’d like to use . . . in addition to a wrench or tool to remove bits.

What are your favorite uses for a router? Let us know in the comments! We also used a router in this project:

DIY nesting tables with vinyl flooring

as well as this one:

DIY coffee table with storage

Also don’t forget to check out our other tool guides: electric sander, jig saw, Kreg jig, miter saw, reciprocating saw

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