A reciprocating saw, also referred to as a recip saw for short, can be a handy tool for a wide range of different projects. Plumbers, electricians, woodworkers, and even demolition men can find a recip saw to be a valuable tool in their arsenal. It doesn’t provide the precision that you’d get from table saws or even band saws, but if you need rough cuts done in tight spaces and in a jiffy, then a reciprocating saw should be your go-to tool.
Today, we’re going to compare two reciprocating saw models from two popular power tools manufacturers – the BDCR20B from BLACK+DECKER and the M12 2420-20 from Milwaukee. Like any tool coming from these two companies, both of these reciprocating saws have received numerous positive reviews. So if you had to choose one over the other, which would it beLet’s find out.
This website is supported by readers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Power and Speed
BLACK+DECKER BDCR20B
The first thing to consider when shopping for a reciprocating saw is how powerful the motor is. Both of these models are cordless, battery-operated tools. The B+D uses a large 20V battery that moves the blade at a speed of up to 3,000 SPM (strokes per minute). Plastic pipe, tree branches, and even thick boards are no match for the awesome power of the BDCR20B. This unit has a variable speed trigger to deliver less speed when necessary.
Milwaukee M12 2420-20
The Milwaukee uses a 12V battery, but despite being weaker than the B+D, it also generates up to 3,000 SPM. The lower voltage of the battery simply means it provides fewer runtime minutes (more on this later). As the B+D saw, this also comes with a touch-sensitive trigger than increases and decreases in speed depending on how far you pull the trigger.
Conclusion: When looking at how each of these tools performs, we can say that there aren’t any significant differences. They produce the same amount of speed – up to 3,000 SPM – and cutting power. We found that any board the B+D can cut, the Milwaukee can cut as well, and vice versa.
Stroke Length
BLACK+DECKER BDCR20B
Strong length has a lot to do with how quickly the recip saw can cut through your workpiece so even though both of these tools have the ability to cut boards of the same thickness, they complete the cut at different times. The B+D has a stroke length of 7/8 of an inch.
Milwaukee M12 2420-20
The Milwaukee has a stroke length of only ½ of an inch. It may not seem like much of a difference, and in truth it won’t matter as much since it can still cut through branches, plastic pipes and wood boards. It only becomes an issue if time is a factor.
Conclusion: So if you’re looking for a recip saw that can cut quicker, then between these two, the B+D is the more efficient tool. After running a few tests, the time difference between cutting through the same-sized boards is measured only in seconds, but over the long run and when working with numerous boards, the time can add up.
Tool Weight
BLACK+DECKER BDCR20B
The weight of the tool has more to do with comfort than performance, but one could argue that a lighter tool is easier to use. The B+D, fully assembled, without its 20V battery, weighs roughly 3-1/2 pounds. This is lightweight enough to operate using a single hand.
Milwaukee M12 2420-20
The Milwaukee is even lighter than the B+D. Without its battery, the bare tool weighs roughly 2-1/2 pounds. Like the other tool, this one can also be held in one hand to make rough cuts through plastic and wood.
Conclusion: So between these two lightweight models, which is the better optionThe good thing about this tool is that unlike other saws, weight doesn’t play much of a factor in maintaining stability or fighting against vibrations. This means the lighter the tool, the easier it’ll be to maneuver in tight spots. Therefore, the Milwaukee would technically be the better option, but honestly, how much more fatigued will you be when using the “heavier” B+D?
Runtime
BLACK+DECKER BDCR20B
When it comes to using cordless tools, the more frustrating thing can be getting into the groove of things only the find that the low battery indicator is telling you to halt your work. After a few test runs, we found that the B+D has a maximum runtime of about 40 minutes per charge. For an energy-consuming recip saw, this is actually pretty impressive. The number of boards and pipes you can cut per charge depends on the thickness of the material.
Milwaukee M12 2420-20
The Milwaukee’s 12V battery provides 30 minutes of use at most. We can see a huge difference in downtime since apart from providing fewer minutes of usage per full charge, you also need to wait for the battery to charge up before using it again. Fortunately, the Milwaukee has a quick charger that’ll fill a 12V battery to maximum capacity in less than 30 minutes.
Conclusion: When looking at both runtime and downtime, we find that the Milwaukee is the more efficient tool. Sure, it gives you 10 minutes less of usage compared to the B+D, but its quick charger means you can get right back to work in hardly any time at all. If you want to get the most use out of these tools, we recommend investing in more than one battery. However, one thing to note is that these are bare-tool kits, meaning you have to purchase batteries separately or take them out of any B+D or Milwaukee tools you already own.
- VERSATILE APPLICATION – Cut through wood, nails, drywall, plaster, plastic, rubber composites, fiberglass,...
- VARIABLE-SPEED TRIGGER – Generates up to 3,000 spm of cutting power.
- PIVOTING BLADE SHOE – For maximum control when turning and adjusting the angle.
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Verdict
So when looking at the BLACK+DECKER BDCR20B and the Milwaukee M12 2420-20, which of the two would be the better overall recip saw to ownSince they both perform identically in terms of what they can cut, and they’re also extremely lightweight (3-1/2 pounds and 2-1/2 pounds respectively), the only thing to consider is how time-efficient each of these tools is.
In our humble opinion, we would say that the Milwaukee M12 2420-20 is the better overall recip saw, but not by a wide margin. The main thing that the Milwaukee has going for it is the quick charger which compensates for the ten fewer minutes each charge provides. Despite having a shorter stroke, the tool can cut more pieces of wood and plastic over the long run.
- 1 Handed design
- Provides Superior Control and Versatility
- Compact Size allows For Cutting In Tight Spaces
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This website is supported by readers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
We appreciate your feedback. Please add them below in the comment section.