Tool Review: AIRCAT Reciprocating Air Saw, No. 6355-A
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Q: How did the tool function as far as saving you time?
A: Being able to lock and load the blade without extra tools saves a lot of time, especially if you need to switch them out a lot. The power helps too.
Q: How has using this tool impacted your shop’s profitability?
A: Any tool that saves time increases profits once the tool has been paid for. You will quickly turn a profit if you use this type of tool because it is reasonably priced.
Q: What kind of setup was involved before using the product?
A: Take it out of the box, thread in an air fitting, oil it, install a blade, and hook it to a hose.
Q: How easy was it to use?
A: Every reciprocating saw I’ve used has been big and bulky, even the “one-handed” battery-powered ones. This was lighter and easier to work with than any of them.
Q: How was its packaging? Did it come with any accessories?
A: It came in the normal glossy black and red AIRCAT box with a fitted cardboard insert, and the tool was in a cloth bag. It came with a metal cutting saws-all blade and three scrolling type body saw blades.
Q: Was there a manual included? If so, did you use the manual, and was the manual easy to understand?
A: There is a small manual that basically lists the different hazards of operating the saw, maintenance, parts breakdown, and warranty information. It is easy to read and understand.
Q: What features did you like?
A: The 1/2hp motor gives the saw power to cut through thicker material without bogging down or jamming up the saw. The tool-less blade chuck is great! I hate having to grab extra tools to change blades. The saw is amazingly quiet as well.
Q: Is there any way you could think to improve or add to this tool?
A: I think this saw is pretty great. The only improvement I could think of that I’ve never seen before would be if it could flex to help fit into more confined areas. Maybe just build a new saw that’s at a 45- or 90-degree angle. Oh, maybe a bit more stroke.
Q: What types of jobs/repairs did you use this tool for?
A: I didn’t have any jobs to use the saw on at the time of review, but I cut up some sheet metal, 3/8" rebar, and 3/4" all-thread. I compared it to a DEWALT 115V and a Kobalt 24v with a max output battery. All of the saws had new blades. The AIRCAT was the quietest of the three. All three cut through the sheet metal at about the same speed with the saws-all blade, but the AIRCAT was the only one that was able to hold the scrolling body-type blade, and it went through the sheet metal even faster. The full-sized saws were able to cut through the rebar and all-thread a bit faster than the AIRCAT, but it all depends on what you're working on and where you're doing it. The AIRCAT is recommended for up to 1/4”, and I exceeded that because most of us do, so I wanted you to know what I found when I did.
Q: How does this tool compare to other tools you’ve used like it?
A: I’ve never used a pneumatic reciprocating saw, but I have used pneumatic saws and they won’t cut material much thicker than sheet metal. This was a definite improvement over them, and it was much quieter too.
Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool overall? Why?
A: I’d give it an 8. This is a great saw. I think if it had a bit more stroke, it could keep up with the full-size saws better on the thicker stuff. The composite grip kept my hand hand from freezing. I think the quick-change blade chuck is totally awesome. It’s limited by the length of air hose you’ve got.
