Pruning with a Reciprocating Saw

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

There's a few alternatives to pruning and trimming tree branches beyond a hand saw or a chain saw.

[@johnnyhicks3835]

I couldn't even get my wife to cut grass !

[@wadep9916]

MAN about TOOLS hi just bought the Makita 18-volt lxt reciprocating saw, the blades I bought don't say pruning blades, its Milwaukee sawzall nail embedded wood, 9 inch blades I'm using.. i also bought 13 piece blade set by Milwaukee, the problem I'm having is I'm just doing light pruning of trees like 2-inch branches and it's not cutting very well. The branch keeps shaking.. lol. Do yu have any suggestions should I buy a pruning saw a replacement blade and try that? I didn't see any at home depot.. thanks Wade

[@phelinephrenzy2358]

​@@wadep9916is the branch close enough where you can hold it still with your other hand as you do your cutting?

[@plancesheldon4315]

A pruning tip, on the branches that are close to an inch or more, do a shallow undercut first to keep from damaging the tree. I noticed some of her larger branches, the wood splits underneath. The undercut first would keep that from happening.

[@karmicselling4252]

Safety First ... Tip 1/ Always remove power source from tool before handling the blade. Tip 2/ Ear protection when doing a lot of cuts. Tip 3/ Steel capped boots when cutting close to the ground. Tip 4/ Face shield is useful in forested areas. Tip 5/ Dust mask is useful to prevent / minimise inhalation of dust and debris generated by cutting.

[@simplyblessed7036]

I bought myself a ten inch battery powered makita saw for Mother's day and it works great for pruning and cutting small trees

[@wanderlust139]

Having just recently bought an old house with lots of projects that need to be done, I would be over the moon with a gift like that 🙂

[@jooneemoon]

great to see a soul mate who (as a woman) appreciates the gift of a power tool. I can identify so much with her. And it's great that her partner knows her so well that he gets exactly what kind of gift will be just that 'the perfect gift'.

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

Thank you for your kind words!!

[@Pro1er]

Reminds me of when Homer bought Madge a bowling ball for her birthday with "Homer" engraved on it. 😄

[@whitebear26]

Al Bundy also bought his wife a bawling ball for a birthday😜👍

[@cjbrown9755]

"Get in there and bake me a pie!" LOL. Cool to see both husband and wife enjoying their work and each other. I like your property.

[@catlady8324]

I like how she’s sawing everything to bits and says “I gotta KZbin and see how to use this”. The icing on the cake is she ends up on the KZbin showing the world how it’s done! Hashtag- Girl Power!!! Bravo, Sister!

[@RuffTranslation]

Her joy at seeing the saw was adorable. I would also be happy to get such a gift!

[@stellaalonzo5495]

I want one, I’m a senior and need to save my back and arms doing gardening! You go girl💪🏻

[@paulinesantana4028]

Haaahaaa!! I recently just bought myself one, I hated bothering my daughter, to come and help me prune my small shrub.. ir was actually quite quick and fun 🌻🤠

[@erickim2025]

I'd say this meets her approval, wish my wife would appreciate power tools like yours does.

[@victoriascibilia9272]

That was beautiful, thank-you, Just got my first reciprocating saw for pruning, You made it look so easy, I'm ready to get out there now ❤

[@avega2792]

You gotta love a woman that gets excited to receive a recip saw as a birthday gift!

[@darlenerothenay6251]

Husband got me one! I loved it! Now I am dreaming of a stihl mini chain saw....... a gal just can’t have too many cool tools!

[@SlyDellian]

Perfect for pruning. Lightweight, strong, built well, and sharp! Oh, and tne saw is nice too!

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

Couldn't agree more! LOL Thanks for that!!

[@angelacruz71]

Ive had a corded recip for years but never once thought of using it for trees. Recently got a cordless subcompact and have been using it nonstop in the yard. Its so much lighter, easier and more fun!!! than a chainsaw! I also have a blast with mine. Very handy tool. Great vid! :)

[@cedricwebb5576]

Awesome video!!!!. Gotta love a woman who gets excited over tools😉 ❤. I hope you enjoyed your birthday. I prune with my recip all the time. They work very well and are super light weight.

[@robalan57]

A safety tip is to have the battery off when installing or removing the blades.

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

Yes!! Good tip. Thank you!

[@MusicfromMarrs]

Right? I was stunned that he left the battery in while installing the blade.

[@guillaumepare9651]

If the safety was on it's ok but I also prefer to remove the battery.

[@larsonl6376]

nothing says i love you honey than a recip saw.

[@tarasbulba3190]

larsonfamily larson I bought my wife a new splitting maul.

[@ryanf2709]

She clearly loves gardening and the tool makes her passion more enjoyable. Good on him and her I say

[@sallysoen1]

You are a wonderful husband, I can see that you care for her well-being. Good on you. I can totally relate to Marylin (spelling?) because like her, I've cutting and pruning using either a saw or a folded knife. Happy to see that the deWalt works well because I've just bought one for myself. Can't wait to try it. Thanks for your video.

[@SuperModerngranny]

That growl sounded like "I'm hooked"! 😆 Now I wanna get myself one too! Yeah! 😁

[@alfredtam9438]

Nice to see she is so happy with your gift.❤❤

[@lynncraig6151]

I just bought one. I was scared at first .Thank you for the video.

[@melodychest9020]

Lots of happy firewood to keep you both all warm and cosy! Good one!

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

Thanks 👍

[@marklynch8781]

I have used a corded one for years for this, but was unaware of the pruning blades.

[@bullobca]

You have a special lady there! Mine would have chased me with it if I bought her a tool like that. Thanks for the video.

[@jerrypissonme]

She is so grateful. Nice job guys!

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

Thanks!

[@jerrypissonme]

@@MANaboutTOOLS You bet, in fact I just took down 4 trees that were too close to my fence with a reciprocating saw, and saved $1,000!

[@Teeder]

My Dad once gave my Mom an ironing board for Christmas. 🤔 Let’s just say that it wasn’t as enthusiastically appreciated as Marilyn’s saw. Mom was a great sport though. She gave Dad an iron the next year.

[@godzilladestroyscities1757]

My dad laughed at me the first time I did this to his back yard. If it seems dumb, but it works, it works.

[@avega2792]

Godzilla Destroys Cities recip saws are awesome, if I had trees that needed trimming I’d totally use my recip. I don’t get to use it enough!

[@gregesch2580]

Thanks for this video. I have the exact same saw and was thinking about getting those exact blades. It's a great help to see them in action.

[@Nighthawkrun]

You and that saw were made for each other, its great.

[@ElenaHaskins]

Wonderful gift. Thank you for showing the pruning saw blade. I've been using the regular saw blade for pruning with my reciprocal saw. I suspect the pruning saw blade would be so much better.

[@catlady8324]

Elena Haskins There is no such thing as a “Regular” saw blade. Be specific o

[@HerWanderlust]

I think most of us can see that regular in this case meant “not specifically for pruning”!

[@mwil4509]

Thank you so much for this cool video. I have just purchased all 3 items, since Marilyn found this so easy to use!

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bruceh6900]

what a lovely couple

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

Thanks!!

[@jonbishop1385]

What a lovely appreciative Lady you have ! A Great review of this tool Thank You

[@amanwithtools4740]

Thank you very much for that! Marilyn was delighted at that comment!

[@antpilig6256]

Those Diablo blades are worth every bit of the money.......

[@mightybrightmichael]

How long is the battery life? Is this superior to purchasing the mini chainsaws available these days? Thanks for the great vid

[@redd605]

Great video this is what I have been trying to decide which tool to cut my tree without a cable and carry about .

[@lelandbraggs7195]

You go lady!!! Great to see a loving couple!!!

[@Vincerama]

Consider also a small electric pruning chainsaw, like the Ryobi 6" pruning saw. Recip saws are great but they can vibrate a lot. The mini chainsaws don't vibrate and cut very fast.

[@soledadchord461]

I truly understand that feeling. I will do that tomorrow my self.

[@danpatnode6783]

FYI, Dewalt has come out with new high runtime 21700 cells so when those get annoying or worn out, look into the 4.0 slim and 8.0 tall packs. They also deliver more amps and may provide more cutting power with the same tool.

[@leocardwell6338]

She is a wonderful gem, Sir. How many women would do this type of homestead work? Bro. Leo, Monday, Jan-16-23 @ 1:28 pm EST USA.

[@john3Lee]

This saw a good choice - but between you and me.... A bunch of roses and a dinner date at her favourite restaurant might have gone down well too...

[@vivianegoodman5933]

Im impressed! She's a woman after my own heart!

[@rachelxxxelizabeth]

You two are too cute!

[@chappy726]

...."little light to see how much fun I have left" LOL

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

She's a doll! God I love that woman!

[@rosgembrun]

Thanks. I am getting one of those blades. I have a lot of trimming and pruning to do.

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

Thanks for the comment Frank. I think you will be very happy with those blades.

[@soledadchord461]

Thanks. Now i know what type of blades I have to buy. Thanks again.

[@TheHappyWhisk]

Hey you two! Had to come back and tell you how much I LOVED using my new recip with my pruning blade. They didn't have the same one you used at the store, but I went with Diablo pruning carbine and clean wood. Oh my gosh. I love that blade. Took down my first small birch tree (it was about dead). That was fun. Then today, pruned a dying Christmas tree. I dunno if this is the wrong or right time but, I went for it and we'll see. Anyway, long comment, eh? Thanks for making this video. It was super helpful.

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

Glad to hear it! The recip saw is very handy being light, quiet, and powerful.

[@TheHappyWhisk]

:-) Hope you guys make more videos soon. Cheers.

[@fun2bme36]

Love the growl at the end of the video. Power to the women out there!💪

[@billmiller7979]

Use a bypass brush lopper for the small stuff; save the reciprocating saw for the bigger stuff. The saw is overkill on those puny branches.

[@mikes1345]

Good idea if she wants to clean up that stuff but if it gets transferred to my job it's chain saw time. Use this type for small few minute jobs and around chain link fence and corral panels where chain can be damaged. But cutting back 30 crape myrtles around my place is chainsaw.

[@MazichMusic]

I just bought the compact Dewalt 20v saw. I need some fresh blades.

[@CrimsonLegacy]

Diablo makes the best blades from the tests I've seen. Carbide tipped lasts longer but costs more. Happy cutting!

[@circle4922]

There's also a compact Dewalt recip. saw, and a Milwaukee "Hackzall". Smaller, perfectly capable tools - especially for this type of application. Just FYI. Peace.

[@j.m.feather470]

Question on technique: Would it be best to have the shoe as close as possible to the object being cut so that the blade would flex less? I also keep a can of 3in1 oil for the blade just to make it easier after some prolonged use.

[@avega2792]

Neb Ler in theory yes, but those diablo blades are very rigid and don’t flex much. They cost a little more but are totally worth it.

[@cdtero]

Greetings from Venezuela.... Thanks for sharing this demonstration... Have you tried Cordless Mini Circular saws for the same job and compared the results? I love tools... Unfortunately, They are very expensive here...

[@TommyQuick]

Curious how long each battery lasted doing this kind of work. Important point.

[@lilbird1962]

She really loved it!

[@NativeDiaz]

Exactly what I’m looking for

[@worldpeace32]

The drawbacks, it's heavy and sometimes hard to hold on to, but it has it's uses here and there, plus it's noisy

[@dlb19595]

It's get's the job done and she isn't complaining!!!

[@michaelc.6306]

Hey, it was a thoughtful gift, because she obviously likes to keep things trimmed. I have a sawzall in a kit I bought at Home Depot, but I haven't used it yet. I was wondering which Pruning blade to choose. I see they have 9 in. & 12 in. options. I wonder which is more robust. Thank you for the video.

[@TheHappyWhisk]

Hi Kent! I am hunting videos on DeWalt Reciprocating saws and your video came up. Thank you so much for doing this video. Never thought about using a pruning blade with it. I really need to trim some branches and this is a brilliant idea. Happy Belated Birthday to Marilyn - Cheers, Ivy.

[@TheHappyWhisk]

PS: I love how excited she was and when she was gonna KZbin this. So fun.

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

Thank you for your kind words and support! We so appreciate the positive feedback.

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

I know right!? She is just so fun! I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful wife!

[@TheHappyWhisk]

You are. It's great to see couples working together. That's how it is with Tim (my hubby). How is the saw this far on now? Does Marilyn still enjoy it?

[@TheHappyWhisk]

PS: I hope you both make some more videos! Anything in the works?

[@lisagordon6355]

A beautiful couple

[@julienkim16]

What a sweet gift!

[@tribulationprepper787]

That thing DARN NEAR does what A CHAIN SAW can do. I'm impressed. AND... What a romantic gift for the wife!

[@sslwwall4284]

Boys! It’s all about what kind of girl you got! I get guns, yard sprayers , and this is on my list also, I tore both rotator cuffs cutting, trimming and cleaning up felled trees on our ten acres. I’m a avid landscaper and gardener.

[@HankTheTank23]

What did you do all of that cutting with? A hand saw?

[@shadypines9929]

@@HankTheTank23 Penknife?

[@BayouChicGardening]

This is just what I need to prune my crepe Myrtle.

[@zh3445]

The growl at the end was the best. 🤌🏼

[@malcolmalexander5246]

Excellent. I have the mains version and find it very useful with a long lead.

[@wishiknew1974]

Can reciprocating saw cut steel pipe

[@Stephen_Strange]

Best gift for me at the moment, if my partner got me one for my birthday!

[@garrykrause2375]

YOU GO GIRL, YOU GO...YEA.

[@amanwithtools4740]

Thanks Garry!

[@marionwilkinson9154]

looks great and such nice tidy woods you'll have. Nice present!

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

Thanks Marion!

[@scott1lori282]

I want a video on how to get your wife excited about this type of work. I just got a Milwaukee to go with the M18 drill I have. No way I could I have got away with this as a gift for my wife.

[@nancybarton8075]

Some of us ladies love power tool gifts.

[@JennySimon206]

Too bad. I got a Dewalt compact reciprocating saw for Christmas and was stoked! Now to go prune and let some light into my new yard. Also gonna remove some laurel bushes by the roots hopefully. I also have a Dewalt Drill so I have two batteries.

[@rockefelleragent1357]

You got a lot of trees there.. Can I have some if those? I need firewood and live off-grid in a shed. It's impressive that DeWalt Reciprocating saw is strong enough to chop off trees.

[@chrisowens2676]

Those silky handsaws are great. Forestry arborists claim the bigger ones can replace a chainsaw. I have a gomboy 210 with a curved blade and a pair of pruning shears and that’s it. No need for power tools!

[@NorAidahMokhtar]

What do you do with all those branches which u hv cut?

[@mannykhan7752]

A reciprocating saw is no doubt a great versatile tool but also can turn dangerous very easily (talking from experience).

[@FruitTreeAddict]

Nice video. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@VitorMadeira]

That neat thing cuts better than a chainsaw! Loved it.

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

It works really well!!

[@steveevers6668]

Man about Tools...please Sir, this video's link seems to be broken. I haven't been able to play it after trying multiple times over a couple of days. Could you see if you can do anything to fix the link? Thanks much.

[@timothybrooks6948]

My instincts say you need to be helping her! 🤣😜

[@futures.scalper.808]

somebody got some skin that night!

[@johncostin9437]

Lee Valley sells a Japanese pruning blade for recip saws. It's the best blade I've ever pruned with, surpassing the excellent Diablo. Give the little lady the Japanese pruning blade for her Dewalt and I guarantee you'll get a big smoocharoo.

[@PaulStregevsky]

Thanks for the tip. $17 plus shipping: www.leevalley.com/us/garden/page.aspx?p=71675&cat=2,42706,40721

[@theprepperfrog167]

Great video, thank you guys.

[@Karenmariepombagira]

That saw should also have some money in it too or a gift back to the spa for a massage.

[@mrhalfstep]

You left your battery in and didn't lock out the trigger while installing the blade.Those are No-Nos in the battery-powered tool world. If you cut logs/limbs that are on the ground, you will dull that blade in much the same way a chainsaw blade would dull if you let it hit the dirt. Dirt is abrasive. The good news is that, for a recip saw, unlike for a chainsaw, there are very coarse wood cutting blades available that actually have carbide tipped teeth that are meant for demolition use when you expect to cut through lots of nails. They cut trees and tree roots and the teeth aren't dulled by dirt. They do cost more, but I think they are worth the cost since you can cut into the ground without any fear and you will probably only need one of them. Diablo is a brand that comes to mind. For her next birthday you might consider buying her a power pruner with parrot bill jaws. Even the cheap Chinese ones are very good at cutting 3/4 ish inch limbs and they weigh a fraction of what a recip saw weighs.

[@lescooper5224]

I dont think my wife would of been as happy as you were if I got her one for her birthday

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

Maybe tho

[@rosemariemedrano4699]

I have one. It's the best.

[@maxmax0]

Always detaching the battery before handling the blade.

[@johnegan4762]

Great but I would remove the battery before changing the blade. I have grown attached to my fingers.

[@picklemat4619]

I got the big daddy to that one and I can demolish my back yard in 10 minutes. It’s so good

[@frederikmare9002]

My uncle bought his son a spade for his 10th birthday!... His son was not impressed at all!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@shaungilmartin1505]

aren't you supposed to push the guard up against the item to saw?

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

probably yes

[@jonhawkins2374]

What DeWALT MODEL IS THIS With no power cord????

[@jonhawkins2374]

I can't find the Cordless Just The DeWALT 305 corded one...

[@MANaboutTOOLS]

See the post here: manabouttools.com/dewalt-reciprocating-saw/

[@jonhawkins2374]

@@MANaboutTOOLS Thanks!

[@informationsponge5697]

​@@jonhawkins2374 This looks like DeWalt's DCS380 brushless model. I think for the purpose she's using it, DeWalt's DCS367 would have been an even better choice because it's nearly as fast cutting but significantly easier to use with a single hand. Being able to pick up and hold one end of a long cut branch with one hand and then cut it shorter with the other hand is MUCH easier with that compact model.

[@jonhawkins2374]

@@informationsponge5697 I hear yah.

[@AntoniaLister]

The whole forest will be gone by the morning 😂

[@code_red7744]

Should have got her the compact model

[@ezequielfuentes1823]

I have this one, the compact and the brushless compact, great tools

[@erictran2791]

Amazing power tools!!

[@PeterSodhi]

Take the battery out when replacing the blade...