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Main Area => Odds n Ends => Topic started by: Rema1000 on August 15, 2006, 03:31:38 PM

Title: jammed sawzall blade
Post by: Rema1000 on August 15, 2006, 03:31:38 PM
When using a Porter Cable reciprocating saw to demo sheetrock, I hit a stud while trying to thrust the blade into the wall.  The blade bent up, and now I can't get it loose from the saw.  The saw has a collar that you twist, and then pull on the blade... but the blade won't budge.

I'm tempted to drill a hole in the blade and hang it from the rafters and tug... unless someone has tips on how to disassemble or otherwise free-up the blade chuck (or whatever it's called).
Title: Re: jammed sawzall blade
Post by: weaselnoze on August 15, 2006, 03:48:37 PM
get a dewalt with the 'clasp' thingy.  i hated those twist ones.  we had a milwauke (sp) sawzall and it did the same thing.  boss threw it in the dumpter and bought another dewalt.
Title: Re: jammed sawzall blade
Post by: rangerbrown on August 15, 2006, 04:44:22 PM
cut and plaster over
Title: Re: jammed sawzall blade
Post by: annguyen1981 on August 15, 2006, 06:20:22 PM
+1 on the DEWALT.  It has a hex key for removing the blades
Title: Re: jammed sawzall blade
Post by: NiceGuysFinishLast on August 15, 2006, 07:59:22 PM
+1 on a dewalt.. but not the one with a hex key for removing blades. Get the one with a quick release, where you just lift a lever. Used one all summer doing construction, nary a problem.
Title: Re: jammed sawzall blade
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on August 16, 2006, 12:43:18 AM
Quote from: Rema1000 on August 15, 2006, 03:31:38 PM
When using a Porter Cable reciprocating saw to demo sheetrock, I hit a stud while trying to thrust the blade into the wall.  The blade bent up, and now I can't get it loose from the saw.  The saw has a collar that you twist, and then pull on the blade... but the blade won't budge.

I'm tempted to drill a hole in the blade and hang it from the rafters and tug... unless someone has tips on how to disassemble or otherwise free-up the blade chuck (or whatever it's called).
how easy would it be to put the bent blade into either a clamp, and try to straighten it enough to remove, or, eh hmmm got any pics of this, i might be able to help you more if i could see what the prob is
Title: Re: jammed sawzall blade
Post by: natedawg120 on August 16, 2006, 08:23:12 AM
Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on August 16, 2006, 12:43:18 AM
Quote from: Rema1000 on August 15, 2006, 03:31:38 PM
When using a Porter Cable reciprocating saw to demo sheetrock, I hit a stud while trying to thrust the blade into the wall.  The blade bent up, and now I can't get it loose from the saw.  The saw has a collar that you twist, and then pull on the blade... but the blade won't budge.

I'm tempted to drill a hole in the blade and hang it from the rafters and tug... unless someone has tips on how to disassemble or otherwise free-up the blade chuck (or whatever it's called).
how easy would it be to put the bent blade into either a clamp, and try to straighten it enough to remove, or, eh hmmm got any pics of this, i might be able to help you more if i could see what the prob is

This happened to me and a friend when we where cutting holes in a wall to frame windows.  We took it to the shed, put the blade in a table clamp and tightened that sucker down and then pulled it out atfter making sure that the blade tightener was as loose as it could be.  I was able to pull it free.  The next time it happened we just repeated the process except we tied a rope to the sawzall then tied the other end to the bumper of my truck, its quicker than fighting it.  We figured if we broke it we needed a new one anyway since it was older than dirt.
Title: Re: jammed sawzall blade
Post by: flyingbeagle71 on August 16, 2006, 08:45:13 AM
Quote from: natedawg120 on August 16, 2006, 08:23:12 AM
Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on August 16, 2006, 12:43:18 AM
Quote from: Rema1000 on August 15, 2006, 03:31:38 PM
When using a Porter Cable reciprocating saw to demo sheetrock, I hit a stud while trying to thrust the blade into the wall.  The blade bent up, and now I can't get it loose from the saw.  The saw has a collar that you twist, and then pull on the blade... but the blade won't budge.

I'm tempted to drill a hole in the blade and hang it from the rafters and tug... unless someone has tips on how to disassemble or otherwise free-up the blade chuck (or whatever it's called).
how easy would it be to put the bent blade into either a clamp, and try to straighten it enough to remove, or, eh hmmm got any pics of this, i might be able to help you more if i could see what the prob is

This happened to me and a friend when we where cutting holes in a wall to frame windows.  We took it to the shed, put the blade in a table clamp and tightened that sucker down and then pulled it out atfter making sure that the blade tightener was as loose as it could be.  I was able to pull it free.  The next time it happened we just repeated the process except we tied a rope to the sawzall then tied the other end to the bumper of my truck, its quicker than fighting it.  We figured if we broke it we needed a new one anyway since it was older than dirt.

+1 Yank the sucker, if it breaks, then it's time for a new saw!   :cheers:
Title: Re: jammed sawzall blade
Post by: Rema1000 on August 16, 2006, 08:56:22 PM
Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on August 16, 2006, 12:43:18 AM
how easy would it be to put the bent blade into either a clamp, and try to straighten it enough to remove

Actually, I did just that, because I had some stuff to cut.  I got the blade straight enough to use again.  When the collar is turned all the way, the blade will pivot up and down about 75 degrees total; it gets loose, but it won't come out.

I took off the plastic cover, and was thinking of attacking some of the allen bolts holding the end together.  But it sounds like putting the blade in a vice and giving the saw the heave-ho may be called-for.  If that doesn't work, then I think I'll try to disassemble before pitching it... hey,  I'm a GS500 owner, you've gotta expect that.