If youre like me, you use your reciprocating saw for all sorts of projects from cutting through wood and metal to demolition work. But sometimes, its necessary to take the saw apart for cleaning or maintenance. A reciprocating saw is a versatile tool that can be used in many ways. However, it can be difficult to disassemble and reassemble.
This blog post will show you how to disassemble your reciprocating see so you can clean it and maintain it. You will also find some helpful tips for disassembling a reciprocatingsaw properly.
Safety Tips For Taking A Reciprocating Saw Apart
- Use safety glasses and gloves
- Disengage the trigger on the handle so that it cant accidentally start while youre working on disassembling it.
- Unplug the tool from the power source before taking out its parts. Some of these parts, such as a blade or stud lock nuts, can be dangerous if they become loose. Also, never remove rod bolts or bolts located near the motor without first detaching the power cord from the tool to prevent electric shock or fire hazards due to the living current running through exposed wires.
- Have all your required tools ready to make things easier for yourself when working with an electric tool.
- To avoid injury, the blade should face away from you when removing or reassembling your saw.
Now that we know what a reciprocating saw is and what its uses are, lets talk about disassembling it. Before disassembling your saw, check for any cracks in the body of the tool or in the blade holder. Also, examine if there are any parts that have come loose or worn out. If you find any broken parts, don’t attempt to take them apart yourself.
Steps To Disassemble A Reciprocating Saw:
Step 1: The Blade And Holder Assembly
Our first step is to remove the blade and holder assembly. Before you do this, turn off the saw.
Step 2: Loosen, But Dont Remove
The next step is very important because if you dont do it correctly then nothing else will work. To disengage the pivot lock that holds the upper arm in place, loosen the set screw under your tool. Make sure that when removing any part, you push it towards its stationary counterpart (the rod or stud). This will ensure that all parts glide smoothly out of their slots so nothing gets damaged.
To free the cutting head assembly, use a socket to move the locking sleeves down towards its stationary partner. Before moving on, make sure that you remove any fasteners (like bolts or screws) holding the blade and holder assembly in place.
Step 3: Push Components
Before removing the components from their slots, push them toward their stationary parts as we mentioned earlier to avoid damaging anything.
To disengage the entire arm, lift the upper arm up and out of the lower slot. You can then remove any remaining pieces, such as studs or set screws. Never use a hammer during disassembling because you might end up causing irreparable damage to your tool!
Step 4: Separate The Components
You will need to separate each component from the other to proceed with the next step in disassembling a reciprocating saw.
To remove the clamps holding the blade and holder together, lift it up and move it towards its stationary counterpart. This will release any fasteners that may be keeping it in place. After doing this step, simply remove by pulling back slightly on the components so they come out of their mounting slots and set everything aside for now.
Step 5: Take Apart
Now youve reached a point where we can actually discuss how to take apart a reciprocating saw! With your tool disassembled into five main parts (upper arm, lower arm, handle, motor housing & blade carrier), well cover what steps you need to take to properly clean and grease each part afterward.
Different Parts Of A Reciprocating Saw And Their Functions
Below are the different parts of the reciprocating saw and their functions:
Blade And Holder Assembly
This is where you will install or remove blades to use with your machine. It also secures the lower arm of your tool in place while working which holds it firmly in place while youre cutting. The blade holder assembly has also been known to come with built-in features like depth gauges, LED lights & miter gauges (for more accurate measurements).
Lower Arm
Also called the feed lever arm, this is responsible for turning the blade left or right when working. It also performs the pivot function which is what allows up and down movement to take place.
Upper Arm
This part holds the entire blade and holder assembly in place when working. This is the most important component to remove when disassembling a reciprocatingsaw. It also keeps the lower arm in place unless it has been moved upwards or loosened first.
The Handle
The handle might not necessarily be an essential component of your tool but it does make gripping easier which makes your job more comfortable while using it.
Motor Housing
This is also known as the body and houses key parts such as gears, cords, power sources, and switches. A motor housing can come with built-in power sources like batteries or standard plugs.
How To Clean And Grease A Reciprocating Saw
Here is how you can clean and grease a reciprocating saw after disassembling:
Blade And Holder Assembly
Take the blade and holder assembly to a well-ventilated area then place it on top of an old rag to protect it from getting scratched or dirty. After that, you can take out your compressed air can and point the nozzle at the openings to be cleaned. You can also use a plastic card to scrape away any bits left behind by the blade or holder assembly.
Once you have removed all particles visible, you can use a brush or a vacuum to remove any remaining bits. To determine if the barb needs to be replaced, make sure you inspect it carefully. Also, clean the barbs using a toothbrush and then wipe them down with a damp cloth.
Lower Arm
Since youve already removed this part, all youll have to do is use your can of compressed air to blow away any leftovers then wipe it down afterward. Make sure that you inspect the area where the feed lever arm and lower blade guard meet as well because this might need some attention as well to avoid any accidents from occurring.
Upper Arm
Your reciprocating saw’s upper and lower arms should be cleaned and lubricated regularly to allow them to move freely and easily.
The Handle
Handle gets dirty the most because its attached to your hand which accumulates sweat, hair, and other debris over time. This will make the handle last longer and run more smoothly.
Apply a thin coating or, even better, electric grease (which is available in different colors to make it easy to identify) on all moving parts, such as bearings and gears. This ensures smooth operation by adequately lubricating these components every time you pull the trigger.
Motor Housing
After cleaning and greasing the parts we just went over, you can then turn your attention to the motor housing. All you have to do is take the cord off of it then use compressed air to clear away any leftovers before wiping it clean with a damp cloth.
After that, clean your power source with a cloth or rag. Moisture can cause corrosion and may hinder your ability to use your tool effectively.
How To Properly Reassemble A Reciprocating Saw
Once youre done cleaning and greasing your saw, all thats left to do is reassemble it.
Blade And Holder Assembly
After placing your blade in the holder, remove both screws and attach them together. After everything is assembled, make sure you don’t apply too much pressure on the blade. This could cause damage to the blade or allow particles to pass through.
Lower Arm
Turn your attention back to your lower arm now by placing the feed lever assembly at the bottom followed by the lower blade guard which should be put over the top of it. Line up their grooves first before pushing down until it locks into place securely. For added protection, make sure to insert the pin before moving on to the next.
Upper Arm
In order to reattach the upper arm of your reciprocating saw, youll have to first line up its grooves with those on the lower arm before pushing it down until they click back into place securely. You can also reinsert its pin for added protection as well.
The Handle
Once the upper arm has been reinstalled, you can now assemble the handle. To do this, first slip the motor housing in the slots on the sides. After doing so, simply push down on one end until it locks into place securely.
Motor Housing
Fit the housing back on top of your tool by lining up its grooves first before pushing down until it locks in place. You should be careful as too much pressure could cause damage to your tool and force you to return to the shop for replacement parts.
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between a reciprocating saw and a jigsaw?
A: A jigsaw is used for cutting curves while a reciprocating saw, as its name suggests, is used for cutting every possible shape in every possible direction thanks to its adjustable blade that can move up and down or side to side. Thus, its more versatile than a jigsaw.
Q: What tools do I need to disassemble a reciprocatingsaw?
A: Weve already mentioned that the only necessary tool is a socket but other optional, helpful items that you can use are pliers, screwdrivers, and wrenches for easier handling of tougher nuts & bolts.
Q: How often do I need to lubricate my reciprocating see?
A: To ensure the best results and longest life possible, experts recommend that you lubricate your reciprocating saw before each use.
Q: What is the difference between manual and electric grease?
A: Yes, manual grease comes in stick-like form while electric grease can be found as either liquid or gel. Because it is non-conductive, electric grease is better than manual grease. However, manual grease can leave undesirable stains on surfaces like plastic or painted metal components. If you are looking for a way to be green while still getting high quality results, electricity is the best choice.
Q: What is the difference between a reciprocating saw and other power tools?
A: Reciprocating saws are very compact and portable. They can also be disassembled to make them smaller. Some models also come with various types of blades for increased versatility and added protection when in use thanks to their safety guards that prevent accidents from happening.
