For years, Milwaukee's Sawzalls have been valued for their outstanding ability to cut through almost any material: wood, nail-embedded wood, steel, cast iron, aluminum, brass, drywall, composition materials, hard rubber, cement, brick, plaster, and fiberglass. This 11 amp Super Sawzall has a standard blade stroke mode, plus an orbital stroke mode for more aggressive, faster cutting of thick wood. You can choose the level of orbital action, too, to fit the application--or you can switch it off for cutting in metal. Like almost all reciprocating saws, this Super Sawzall also has variable-speed control (with a speed control dial) for versatility, control, and increased efficiency over a wide range of applications. For those of you who've grown up with Sawzalls, you'll appreciate the addition of the handy Quik-Lok blade clamp, which lets you change blades quickly without having to use a hex wrench; this feature is especially convenient when you're cutting hard materials, such as steel, a situation in which blades break frequently. There's also a handy quick lever adjustment for the shoe. We really like this tool's counterbalancing mechanism, which reduces some of the unavoidable vibration found in reciprocating saws. The difference you feel when operating this tool, compared to nonbalanced saws, is significant: the Super Sawzall is still extremely powerful, yet it has a smooth feel. As a result, of course, you can work longer with less fatigue than you can using other, unbalanced saws. Another significant feature is the clutch, which, by absorbing shock and impacts to the internal mechanics caused by sudden blade lockups (typically encountered during extreme use), minimizes time wasted tending to a damaged saw. Although this is a heavy tool, it does have an ergonomically designed rubber grip that provides a solid, comfortable hold. --Tim Block
