Which air saw to get?

[LukeZero]

I need a small reciprocating pneumatic (air) saw. The only one I've used was an ancient, worn out Blue Point from Snap-On (probably made my Ingersoll Rand).

Anyone have any advice on what to get or to avoid?

Thanks, Luke

 

[Tools R Us]

My favorite is the IR-4429, good saw.

I have seen tons of problems with this type of saw, they have a plastic blade holder and valve, sold under the CP, Matco, Sunex, etc brands.

 

[LukeZero]

Thanks, that's the kind of information I was looking for. I've always had a high opinion of IR tools- now that's confirmed again.

Thanks for the info, Luke

 

[619TOY]

Believe it or not, the best one I've used is a harbor freight that I've had for over ten years. And I've got thousands of $ in my airtool drawer.

 

[Waorani]

I have the IR saw but I tend to break blades frequently - maybe just me though.

 

[OTRAMM]

I've had really good luck with the S&G Tool Aide blades. They don't break as easily and you can hammer them back flat when you bend them. I've got one of the Matco rebadges of the saw shown. I've had it for years with heavy body shop use and no problems. Maybe I got a good one.

 

[grant5127]

IR is kryptonite in air tools.....

 

[Tools R Us]

... I've got one of the Matco rebadges of the saw shown. I've had it for years with heavy body shop use and no problems. Maybe I got a good one.

I didn't mean to bash your tool or predict it's demise! Being in the air tool repair biz for 10 years I see the bad, way more than the good tools/designs. Only trying to answer the original question.

Sunex air tools have proven to be much less than average in reliability, so much so that most of my Matco customers don't sell them. The big offenders are the RL13XX saws, RL9XX hammers, RL30X grinders and the RL6XX ratchets. If your shopping on the Matco truck and looking at something with with a part number prefix of RL or SX, the discription says "silver eagle" or "red line" I recommend looking at other options. I'm not saying all of them are junk or will fail instantly, just that there are better, in some cases much better designs for the same money.

IIHO if you want a "good" saw buy the IR-4429 or a Spotle (same design), if dropping below that I would shop cheapest price and pitch it when it dies.

 

[OTRAMM]

I used my Matco a ton the last few days doing some cut out flairs. After the above post i got to looking at it closer. There is quite a bit of meat worn off of the blade holder. I can see where that could become an issue.