Reciprocating saw

[1][2] The noun "Sawzall" is commonly applied to a smaller type of chargeable or battery-powered handheld saw used in construction and demolition work, as well as in gardening and the pruning of larger trees or plants.

Designs range widely in power, speed, and features, from less powerful portable, handheld models that are usually shaped like a cordless drill, to high-powered, high-speed, corded models designed for heavy construction and demolition work.

Another feature that has become important to the way these saws are used is the inclusion of an orbital action, consisting of oscillating the traversed reciprocation in an up-and-down fashion (perpendicular to the motion of cut), causing the tip of the blade to move in an oval pattern, up-and-down as well as back-and-forth.

Furthermore, most of these blade types come with a variety of tooth designs intended for special purposes, such as plant and shrub pruning, demolition work, clean cutting, or use on contaminated materials.

The swash plate drive has the advantage that there is little rotational out of balance, so the principal vibration is in line with the blade.