Body Saw Recommendations

[special-K]

I've pretty well using my judgement when buying tools n the past. But, I need to pick up a body saw and before I do I thought I'd use this great source of info we have here for some recommendations. Air or electric, quality of a brand, one design better than another, blade off set or centered better, etc? I guess I'm leaning towards air. I already have two sawzalls (one cordless), so this will be for specialized use where a sawzall won't do. I'd like it to be small/less bulky to work on the tightest places

[cdowns]

I've used a good oldreliable jigsaw for my most accurate cuts about 20bucks from sears the whole thing is getting the proper bimetal sawblades
also used a air powered saw with great results small compact with a small sstrokeand somewhat easy to control I think I got it years ago from northen tools don't have a name still on it

[BR3W CITY]

I have a pneumatic body saw, tho for the life of me I cant remember the brand (and its still 35* here, I'm not going outside!)

Anyway, its not the "only" cutting tool you'll want, but its a good teammate to the good old 4" grinder and sawzall. It really shines when used in closes quarters or interiors where dust is better than sparks. I also find its nice for cutting sheetmetal that doubles-up or has spot welds in it; just let the saw determine your movement speed and you won't destroy too many blades (and buy good blades!)

I used my body saw for my door lowers, my rockers, rollpan stuff. If you plan on doing a bunch of rust repair or want to make any custom stuff from mid-gauge material, its nice.

[special-K]

Thanks you all for the advise/suggestions. I have a very precision cut I need to make and one of these is just what I need. I have about all the cutting tools, but never had one of these. I was leaning toward air I went ahead and ordered one I liked. It's an Ingersoll Rand IR429. Wasn't the cheapest, wasn't the most expensive. Hopefully good quality.

[duallyjams]

Originally Posted by special-K

Thanks you all for the advise/suggestions. I have a very precision cut I need to make and one of these is just what I need. I have about all the cutting tools, but never had one of these. I was leaning toward air I went ahead and ordered one I liked. It's an Ingersoll Rand IR429. Wasn't the cheapest, wasn't the most expensive. Hopefully good quality.

I have that exact model, the blades is what really makes the difference on performance.

[greystoke]

Cornwell has one that also comes with files that can be used in place of blades, saw it on Gearz this weekend. It's like $212 though but the file aspect could also really be useful.

[BR3W CITY]

There are a few different little blades you can find. They are all really similar but the "recieving" end on some saws is proprietary. Mine has two set screw holes and the "leg" that goes deepest into the saw. I've seen a size larger that can be filed down a bit and made to fit for oddball stuff.

I've never tried the files, but I like the idea. I have an air file too but its an HF one that doesn't work great.

[special-K]

That proprietary fit is a crock. Seems to me it's more a shot in the foot for the company than a way to assure blade sales. I guess if the new thing is files for body saws, other companies will start making them. I'm committed now for about $80 to an IR one. I know they make a lot of cheap crap now that they are the big box store go to air tool brand. But, they are also a very experienced air tool company and I got there commercial grade. I hope being the big guy doesn't mean their blades only fit their stuff and it's more like ther blade companies make their to fit IR because they are so big.

[special-K]

I felt pretty good about my choice, but now I'm sure I did good! The only way I could have done better would have been to drive down to Deale and borrow yours!

It showed up yesterday and it does appear to be as good as expected. I've gotten by without out one all this time and I'm sure it will be a tool I rarely use, but when I do I'll wonder how I ever got by w/o it. Can't wait to use it!

[BossHogg69]

I have an Ingersoll body saw similar to the IR429. it is a little beast! It surprised me how it sliced through sheetmetal the first time I used it, since I was doing most of my work with a 4" cutoff wheel. I still use cut off wheels a lot, but the body saw makes some jobs way faster and easier. You will be happy with it.