Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - 11.8 amp vs. 9 amp

Hello, My Dewalt recip just took a powder. 95.00 to fix in parts alone. It was a 11.8 amp. The new Dewalt I want to get is 9 amp, my second choice is 10amp. I use the tool on average about once a week mostly to cut wood. Once in a while I'll cut fencing pipe or something of that nature.

Finally, my question is: How much of a power difference is there power wise between a 11.8 and a 9 amp saw and would it be noticeable???

Thanks Eric

Amperage draw will give you only a clue as to how much power the tool will apply to the workpiece.
I own a Milwaukee corded recip that you cannot stop and I know it draws less amperage than a considrably less expensive Craftsman I had borrowed that didn't have near the power.
As an example the strokes per minute could be faster with a given recip which would make the amperage higher for a given motor size without doing more work.

Price, weight, feel, strokes/min, length of stroke, type of blade clamp, amperage would be all considered equally in deciding on a tool like this.
Also, if you have the chance to plug them in you will hear a definite difference in the sound different saws make.
My preferred brand, Milwaukee, sounds like a sewing machine compared to some.

Greg, Thanks for the reply. I also own a Ryobi 18volt recip that is terrible. I only own cause I got a great deal on the kit and wanted the drill. The dewalt recip is the only one I ever owned and have no knowledge of any other saw. It seemed to have plenty of power for the work I was doing. I was wondering if the lower amps would work somewhat the same. I don't want to buy a tool that won't be of any use. Short of me being able to do a side by side comparison how can I know???

The reason I just don't buy a 12 or 13 amp Dewalt is weight and price. My second choice (10amp) also has the 4 position head which is attractive.

An educated guess would help me as to wether there is a huge difference in power from 9 amps stepping up to 12. Thanks Again and sorry for the long posts. Eric

Eric,

I guess I'm saying I don't feel the amperage would make that much difference, especially on a tool that is so easy to control the output by how much pressure you apply.

I would think the versatility of the four position head would make up for a bit less power.

You might also compare whether there is a difference in the length of stroke between the two you are looking at. (might be 7/8 as compared to 1 1/8- not sure?)

My dad's got a small Dewalt reciprocating saw and it seems like a toy compared to my bigger Milwaukee sawzall and PC tiger that I'm used to. I always assumed that was because Dad's has less amps and takes shorter strokes.

Bottomline: Amps = Power

12 Amps vs 9 Amps = 133% more power.

If you have less power, you can take your time and still cut the same piece of wood or steel, it will just take you longer, and work the saw harder.

I always buy the most amps I can afford.