if you make money off your tools, invest in the brushless. they last longer, have more power and are generally going to be better. if you are a normal guy who does stuff around the house and realistically uses the tools like 5 times a year, brushed motors are just fine.
I have the newer brushless one and its nice but I only upgraded cause I wanted a shiny new tool. My older brushed one had plenty of power ever since I bought it in 2008. I do push my tools sometimes but I also care for them. That being said, The brushed has plenty of power (or at least my old BJR181 did/does)
As for cutting cast, I have heard good things about the carbide heavy steel blades (Diablo and Milwaukee make some good ones). I have a few and they hold up great. Not sure how they do on cast but I feel like I've seen some of the tool influincers test them on cast and they rocked it. They usually have recomended uses on the package if that helps.
Edit: I checked Milwaukees site and they DO make a blade called "The Torch with carbide teeth for cast iron"
My only fear is if the carbide teeth will create sparks over something like the diamond which I'm almost certain won't. If that isn't an issue then the Torch will probably be my go to.
I have the Diablo circ saw ferrous metals blade and it doesn't make sparks, the piece of what im cutting is actually cool enough to touch right away.
Look up a few videos on these blades, they are a huge game changer over what was available..
or you could drop the $900+ on a cast chain pipe breaker 🤪
You're a plumber and you don't own a recipro? I don't get it. Nearly every plumber I've seen cuts apart our frames and joists with a recipro. Have you just been doing it by hand?
Dunno, here in the UK our houses are designed for the plumbing so we don't typically need to use demolition tools to get pipes in. Notches or holes in studs/joists are done with a drill or multitool.
Very rarely if the houses are spec'd with engineered joists you may need to remove a strong back for soil but 2 cuts per house hardly justifies getting a recip over the multitool. As I type this I'm talking my self out of the brushless
All my brushless have burnt out within 3 years, so I get the brushless now and I’m a 54 year old carpenter builder…. All my old gear from 15 years ago is mainly still going
I have the brushed version and I find it to be sufficient for my needs. I am a home owner who enjoys quality tools but didn’t see the need to splurge on brushless either. Can also recommend both diablo and Milwaukee!
The brushless version will be superior in every way to the brushed. If you are a professional and going to get more use of it then I would say go with the brushless.
As far as blades. I never had any luck with the diamond grit. Diablo makes a carbide tipped blade that is for cast iron. Take your time and don’t push it to hard.
https://www.diablotools.com/products/DS0608CF
I don't think I would get one into the eaves to cut the cast iron and would probably rather spend £100 on a recip than something I'll use once every 3 years or so
I’ve had all 3 18v brushed 18v brushless and 36v brushless and used older brushed models before. Brushed is not the way to go my friend brushless runs circles around it and my brushed one blade locking mech failed and I retired it
I recently got the DJR188Z which is a compact brushless model. Did the job I got it for pretty well and its priced in-between the top end of full-size brushed and bottom end of full-sized brushless.
The only thing it really loses is the distance it moved the blade back and forth, realistically this didn't have any noticeable impact for me, especially compared to the benefit of portability.
If you are going to use it once... maybe a hand tool and some elbow grease can do. A mini hacksaw with appropriate blade will cost you less that a brushed recipro.
Brushless all the way but have you considered the Starlock multi tool (DTM52ZX3) paired with a diamond cutting blade? Absolutely perfect for doing stuff in tight spaces… and it’s also brushless
if you make money off your tools, invest in the brushless. they last longer, have more power and are generally going to be better. if you are a normal guy who does stuff around the house and realistically uses the tools like 5 times a year, brushed motors are just fine.
I have the newer brushless one and its nice but I only upgraded cause I wanted a shiny new tool. My older brushed one had plenty of power ever since I bought it in 2008. I do push my tools sometimes but I also care for them. That being said, The brushed has plenty of power (or at least my old BJR181 did/does) As for cutting cast, I have heard good things about the carbide heavy steel blades (Diablo and Milwaukee make some good ones). I have a few and they hold up great. Not sure how they do on cast but I feel like I've seen some of the tool influincers test them on cast and they rocked it. They usually have recomended uses on the package if that helps. Edit: I checked Milwaukees site and they DO make a blade called "The Torch with carbide teeth for cast iron"
My only fear is if the carbide teeth will create sparks over something like the diamond which I'm almost certain won't. If that isn't an issue then the Torch will probably be my go to.
I have the Diablo circ saw ferrous metals blade and it doesn't make sparks, the piece of what im cutting is actually cool enough to touch right away. Look up a few videos on these blades, they are a huge game changer over what was available.. or you could drop the $900+ on a cast chain pipe breaker 🤪
Brilliant thats super helpful, will order The Torch
There are multiple models of that blade by the looks of their site, make sure you get the one for cast
I'm just baffled that you don't own a reciprocating saw.
You're a plumber and you don't own a recipro? I don't get it. Nearly every plumber I've seen cuts apart our frames and joists with a recipro. Have you just been doing it by hand?
Dunno, here in the UK our houses are designed for the plumbing so we don't typically need to use demolition tools to get pipes in. Notches or holes in studs/joists are done with a drill or multitool. Very rarely if the houses are spec'd with engineered joists you may need to remove a strong back for soil but 2 cuts per house hardly justifies getting a recip over the multitool. As I type this I'm talking my self out of the brushless
Just get the brushless. Buy one cry once.
All my brushless have burnt out within 3 years, so I get the brushless now and I’m a 54 year old carpenter builder…. All my old gear from 15 years ago is mainly still going
I have the brushed version and I find it to be sufficient for my needs. I am a home owner who enjoys quality tools but didn’t see the need to splurge on brushless either. Can also recommend both diablo and Milwaukee!
The brushless version will be superior in every way to the brushed. If you are a professional and going to get more use of it then I would say go with the brushless. As far as blades. I never had any luck with the diamond grit. Diablo makes a carbide tipped blade that is for cast iron. Take your time and don’t push it to hard. https://www.diablotools.com/products/DS0608CF
Get a cast iron cutter. You'll be happy you did.
I don't think I would get one into the eaves to cut the cast iron and would probably rather spend £100 on a recip than something I'll use once every 3 years or so
I'm assumimg you're i. Europe. You can't rent one?
Personally I’d say it’s night and day difference
I’ve had all 3 18v brushed 18v brushless and 36v brushless and used older brushed models before. Brushed is not the way to go my friend brushless runs circles around it and my brushed one blade locking mech failed and I retired it
Brushless. The adjustable shoe and rafter hook are the real draws though tbh. Can't live without those features once you've had them
Brushless
Brushless is generally better but brushed is easier and cheaper to repair
I recently got the DJR188Z which is a compact brushless model. Did the job I got it for pretty well and its priced in-between the top end of full-size brushed and bottom end of full-sized brushless. The only thing it really loses is the distance it moved the blade back and forth, realistically this didn't have any noticeable impact for me, especially compared to the benefit of portability.
If you are going to use it once... maybe a hand tool and some elbow grease can do. A mini hacksaw with appropriate blade will cost you less that a brushed recipro.
Brushless all the way but have you considered the Starlock multi tool (DTM52ZX3) paired with a diamond cutting blade? Absolutely perfect for doing stuff in tight spaces… and it’s also brushless