Tacklife is, as far as I can tell, a straight-to-Amazon tool brand that focuses on entry-priced and DIY tools and accessories. Most of their tools don’t interest me, but their 12V-class compact cordless reciprocating saw caught my attention.
The shape of the Tacklife cordless reciprocating saw (RES001) isn’t anything new, but what does look new and unique is its branch-clamping jaws.
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Reciprocating saws can be great for cutting branches, and compact 12V-class tools are well suited for smaller branches. The removable v-shaped jaws allow you to hold a branch in place for easier cutting. Neat.
- 2500 RPM
- 0.8″ cutting stroke length
- Tool-free blade clamp
- 1.5Ah battery
- Fast charger
Price: $58
Buy Now(via Amazon)
First Thoughts
I have never used any Tacklife tools, and although I’ve read good things about them, I don’t know how they match up to other power tool brands in terms of quality. Black & Decker? Ryobi?
FYI, the product page mentions an 8% clippable coupon that doesn’t work, and there’s a 40% coupon code in the description that also doesn’t work.
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Tacklife product descriptions are often filled with different bullet point shapes – hearts, arrows, squares – you’ll see what I mean. And I find it to be distracting.
The product claims are sometimes doubtful. For instance:
A sustainable use for about 30 minutes.
Really? Power tool brands don’t often give runtime specs because performance and battery runtime can vary wildly depending on the application. Only constant-output devices, such as LED worklights, can be marketed with reliable runtime specs.
Tacklife’s product descriptions can sometimes (often) stand to be polished.
This model is designed for DIY home light work, lasting 30minutes cutting after charging.
And:
Equipped with Clamping Jaw can increase friction in operation, easy to control the cut position and provide effective security guarantee for users.
However, Tacklife isn’t a fly-by-night operation, and seems to be a steady name in the direct-to-Amazon power tool market.
I wouldn’t assume the Tacklife will match up to traditional brands, such as Milwaukee, or even a brand like Ryobi, but if you’re in the market for a cordless reciprocating saw for branch pruning or cutting applications, the 460 price tag and v-jaw guide seem like potentially compelling selling points.
A couple of readers have asked us about Tacklife tools in the past. I have never tried Tacklife power tools and am never quite sure what to think. This particular tool caught my attention – enough at least for a quick discussion post. If you’ve used Tacklife tools before, what has your experiences been like?
Adam
There are infomercials with tack-life crap too. At least least that’s where I’ve heard the company name. Never saw this tool offered though
Kevin M Smith
It’s just another gimmick in a tool marketed to people who don’t know any better.
I use my recip saw with a pruning blade on tree branches all the time. Never have I though “gee, this thing needs an upside-down v-jaw to hold the branch while I cut it”. The reason I use it is it works fast and makes the job easier. That stupid gimmick looks like it would just get in the way and slow me down, not to mention get in the way when you want to cut close to the trunk.
I’d prefer you didn’t waste your time or money on reviewing such a thing. Stick with the quality tools available.
Stuart
Why would you think this is a review? I said twice that I have never used any Tacklife tools, and not once mentioned anything that could have implied hands-on experience with it.
Kevin M Smith
I didn’t say anything about *this* being a review. The overall tone of your article alluded to the possibility of a future review of the product.
Stuart
Ah, I’m sorry. There are a lot of times where someone will comment about reviews when they’re hands-off previews of the such.
Tacklife has been emailing me steadily for a few years now, but I’m not interested enough yet. I have been curious to see how well one of their cordless drills compares to say Craftsman or Ryobi entry-price models, but not curious enough to order one or accept a sample.
There have been a couple of times when a Tacklife tool topic made it to my to-do list, only to be backburnered.
This was the first time that I was actually interested enough to justify the time and effort into a post, so perhaps that’s what influenced my tone.
What caught my attention was that the tool had a seemingly thoughtful attachment, giving the saw a focused purpose, rather than it simply being a cheap tool. It still might be a cheap tool, but it stood out nonetheless.
It IS important to look at the full spectrum of what’s available. I *might* still test a Tacklife tool or too, but am much more likely to go with Ryobi, Black & Decker, or Skil if I wanted another sampling at the entry-level price point.
Now, having used reciprocating saws to prune larger branches before, I do think that a guide could help with awkward angles and positions. Not enough for me to trade a Milwaukee or Bosch compact saw for one of these.
Jim Felt
Stuart. We positively need yet another Review of a Milwaukee/Dewalt/Bosch drill.
Kidding.
Sometimes these screwball flakey import marketers actually bring new thoughts to our tool ideas and I for one appreciate your occasional detour to the tool Twilight Zone.
So there.
Doresoom
I finally took up TackLife on their email requests to do a YouTube review when they offered to send several digital measurement tools. I gave two tools a thumbs up, one a “meh, it’s ok,” and the fourth tool a “don’t buy” rating. I never heard back from them again. Oh well.
Nate Bezanson
I use my recip on tree branches all the time, and I constantly find myself saying “If this were on a sawhorse, I could easily put enough pressure on it to keep the saw from jumping around. But since it’s hanging in midair, it’s a pain in the ass and needs a second hand to hold the branch.”
From there, it’s just a hop skip and a jump to “What if we put a holder thingy on the front of the saw to keep the branch from jumping around?”, and I think this is a real innovation for that use-case.
It’s also the first original thing I’ve ever seen out of the Tacklife “brand”. Normally they’re just another FBA whitebox label slapped on any of ten thousand generic products available under a thousand other generic gibberish pound-the-keyboard “brand names” that together clog up 95% of the first five pages of any Amazon search.
This is definitely an interesting development.
David Zeller
I agree. I have some disability, and jumping saw-targets are a real trouble for me, regardless of saw type or material.
Tom
I agree with Kevin, bad company to review, unless your looking for free junk tools to review.
…you keep mentioning “/clamping”/ when there is no ” clamping” going on. Stabilizer edges,maybe..but no clamping, those “/teeth” just rest on a branch.
Lots of guys on YT review this junk to get free tools. Love to see the latest and greatest tools,tool boxes etc.
Jp
Ok, I usually defend cheap tools but even I can’t believe this is worth the material it’s made of. I’m ambivalent about someone reviewing it because I wouldn’t buy it regardless.
Jp
Oh, and I have used many tac life products which worked well. These include low-torque stuff like micro drivers, outlet testers, and other stuff. I’d say its harbor freight stuff with better aesthetics than harbor freight items.
fred
The size branch they picture looks small enough to cut with a bypass lopping shears.
My take is to exercise your muscles a bit and use a hand saw, You can’t go wrong with a Silky. Here’s a link to one of their many hand and pole saws:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014C4QMG/ref=psdc_492205011_t1_B0014CA3JQ
Craig
Corona is nice option too for U.S. made pruning saws
fred
Many of the Corona saws that I see at HD are made in Korea
like this one:
https://www.zoro.com/corona-pruning-saw-13-in-blade-rs-7120/i/G4699667/#specifications
Jimmie
I’ve used a pruning blade in my M12 Hackzall and my corded Sawzall. Honestly, it’s faster to just pull out the $10 bow saw — a recip. saw’s limited 1-1.5-inch stroke length is a huge limitation versus a bow saw. If I’m pruning a limb on a tree I care about, my folding pruning saws give a much cleaner cut.
About the only time when the recip saw wins is when I’m working at an awkward angle and can’t easily use a hand saw.
Tom
I have had this issue as well with my M12 Hackzall; m18 sawzall does better. The pruning balde works, but the stroke isn’t long enough to clear the chips. Dead limbs are no problem but wet green branches make so much gooey paste a reciep can’t clear it.
JR
Tacklife appears to be another division of China Incorporated, with Chinamart (AKA Amazon) being the sales outlet.
As far as branch trimming goes, I usually use hand powered tools, loppers, pole saws, and pruning saws. I have mostly Fiskars, but maybe someday I’ll get myself a nice Silky. For larger cuts I break out the Ryobi 40v chainsaws, and if they can’t handle it then it is a job for the pros.
Chris
Interesting concept. But I’ve never needed special jaws for pruning with a recip Saw. But then again this is one of those one handed saws so maybe it will help with preventing the blade pinching and the tool going back and forth. However you’re limited by the size of the branch due to the jaws.
Again, interesting. But not something I would need.
Frank D
I think there’s a space for tools like this, perhaps not tool geeks like us capable of using 32” loppers, 12 ft pruners, 24ft pole saws and 36” chainsaws …
But, perhaps people who live alone, are less strong, maybe a bit elder, have some things in the yard they want to take care of, safely, no gasoline, just some cuts here and there, cutting it to length so it can go in the bin.
Rob
That was my thought too-just because it doesn’t have a Yellow or Red label on it doesn’t mean it won’t work for people. For many a small 12v recp saw like this would be great around the house for cutting pipe, trimming trees, cutting a quick board. Not everyone needs nor wants a whole cabinet of tools. They just want something that will do the simple job 3-5 xs a year when they need it.
evadman
The first time I looked at the picture of the jaws, I thought it would be a cool idea for folks that may be using a tool for the first time. Since it is on both sides of the blade, it will assist with cutting round stock squarely.
But after thinking about it, that jaw will drastically limit the size of the branch or stock that can be cut. I have cut stuff, especially with a demolition blade, that is as long as the blade is; 10 or 12 inches. The jaw looks like it will limit to maybe 2 inches? It’s difficult to tell from the picture.
David Zeller
It’s removable, so use it when helpful, remove it when it’s a hinderance.
OhioHead
It would be cool if Tacklife offered the “v jaws” by themselves and could be easily added to a M-12/Bosch hackzall (spelling) or any of the 18v one handed sawing tools.
I normally just pull out my old corded MKE sawzall and trim branches, etc. this tool should be easier to use since it is 1 handed and more importantly it should allow the fence to stay in contact w/ the limb to prevent the tool from jumping around.
Just my $0.02!
Adam
The cage looks like it could eliminate the issue of a thin but tough branch just whipping forward and back with the blade. Creative idea, but I suspect it would be in the way more often than it would be helpful.
Will
I kind of like this idea, I have a 40 yard stretch of lilac bushes on my property line that need taming at least once a year. I’ve used my cordless recip to good effect, but the jaws on the Tack Life would help reduce the whipping action that happens sometimes. And I appreciate the article that Stuart wrote, I would never even know this tool exists otherwise.
Frank D
It is indeed clever in that regard.
And I’d bet that the “guard” can be flipped up, away from the blade, to allow for pruning of larger branches.
Vards Uzvards
And right now this Tacklife saw is on sale, for a mere $30.
Evadman
Where is it $30? For that price, I would get it just to mess with it.
David Zeller
There was an active coupon a few days ago on Amzon that I just found by Googling. It expired.
John
Cheap junk by any other name is still cheap junk! The branch holder would be handy some of the time…..but I still wouldn’t buy it.
NZ Tom
Bosch offers a similar product here in New Zealand. Good concept to hold the branch still, relative to the blade. Could be a handy accessory for some other recip saws, for sure.
https://m.bosch-garden.com/nz/en/garden-tools/garden-tools/keo-3165140602921-199950.jsp
Tom
I’ve a tacklife infrared thermometer, an electric arc lighter, a cordless screwdriver, a heat gun and a cordless “Dremel” type tool.
The thermometer works fine – temps consistent with other thermometers I own. Been using the arc lighted for a couple years. Screwdriver is handy to have. Heat gun does it’s job. Dremel tool is handy and gets light usage all the time. A friend borrowed the Dremel tool and, when he gave it back said he couldn’t believe it, but ordered one for himself
I’ve no illusions that these compare with higher end tools, but they have all done their jobs.
Niall Hawkins
Hs ha ha. If you need a branch holder you either need to question whether you should be allowed ‘near a power tool’ in the first place or if you should just learn some very basic prunning techniques…. holding cut. Stupid pointless landfill.
David Zeller
You obviously don’t have or care about anyone with any mild disabilities. I am perfectly able to use power tools, but my hands don’t alsways work as well as they ued to. Simple aids like this can make work much more enjoyable. Stupid pointless comment?
Austin Werrmann
I was sent one of their recip saws. It was even the nicer “professional” grade one. It was a turd. Not even worth the super cheap price. I would say a ryiobi would be a big step up. Even harbor freight might be better.
jayne defranco
I have three Tach-life tools all are very nice and I like them. I’d buy this but I already have a Milwaukee hacksall. That said, I don’t make my living off my tools. Pros would laugh at this stuff.
Oleg k
They should sell the pruning attachment by itself, thus way they make more money and no one is exposed to a second (or third) rate power tool that will probably disintegrate the first time you use it.
Allen
I have a torque wrench and a SAE impact socket set from them and I’m wicked impressed. Would I buy a power tool from them, no.
JoeM
If you’re going to go with something to hold the branch still, relative to the blade… isn’t it easier to go with an actual set of jaws? You can achieve this same effect, or better, by putting a trigger clamp on the Recip saw’s shoe to prevent the branch from “Getting Away”…
I’m sorry, but I don’t think this company is worth the future review. If they’re soliciting so hard, and THIS is what they’re trying to push? It sounds like they think you’re their last resort, not their first choice. If they were begging for a review of something completely regular? Y’know what? No… I’m sorry, I really am… but this reeks of the company’s utter desperation after multiple failures.
Good intentions can only go so far. What they’re asking is for you to become the foundation of a new reputation, not for you to verify or disprove their own testing and usage research in action. If you do end up reviewing this via a sample, I guarantee they’ll hinge their entire future sales campaign around any and all positive words you put in that review, with all the negative left out.
There’s so many ways to achieve what this tool is trying to do, using already-invented tools… And they’d all do a better job of it as well… That this thing is unique to their saw seems… suspiciously proprietary… I’m thinking “Saw Stop” here… Get the right company, voice, or agency to back you, and you get to rake in the money from an industry scrambling to buy you out, because you managed to be made a regulation standard feature.
Maybe I’m just paranoid, I don’t know. I thought the V-Jaw thing was interesting until I read how they’ve been soliciting Stuart for so long… Now it’s a heebie-jeebie feeling about this. Feels kinda dirty to consider giving this company more press than they have… So many examples of this coming back to hurt the reviewer in the end.
Charles in Richmond
speaking professionally, a sawzall is useless as a tree trimming tool in comparison to all other options. And yes, I own 10 sawzalls, including m18 and makita cordless.
For small branches a quality lopper is the best tool. For medium size a gomboy or the like, which should be reviewed here if not. Then chainsaws in their various flavors (the m18 pole saw is almost as good as my stihl 131, very impressive)
Only thing I can see using a sawzall for is roots.
Bolt
A sawzall is great for stuff just out of reach for me. I’ve used it a lot where I’d need a step ladder to use a hand saw and a pole saw would be awkward out too much work to bring out.
They’re also great for clearing stuff out of a fence line where a saw would be too wide to fit though the fence and if a pruning blade gets ruined hitting the metal or rocks it’s no real loss
Frank D
And, there we have it … capable fully able people calling it useless, not worthy of any time and a second look, because they own other professional products etc.
Different folks, different abilities, different needs!
CountyCork
I read through the amazon verified purchased reviews and the only complaint is the 1.5 amp battery and that it should come with an extra one. Other than that is all seems positive. Obvious probably not for professional landscapers but looks to have an audience.
skfarmer
i see some slight differences but the charger and battery looks suspiciously like my cman nextec battery and charger. probably enough that they would not work but maybe could be modified for those that are into that system.
Nathan
Interesting – I’ve been meaning to ask about the tack-life stuff as I see it more and more. Probably thanks to amazon.
but they seem to market a few interesting ideas – in mostly austraila and asia from the looks of things. Been wondering who or what other brand they are linked to. I have to assume they are linked to someone even if it is HF.
Anyway – I like that the item is removeable and yes when I cut flexible limbs with my sawzall I find I have some trouble if I don’t hold it firmly which does put my hand is a touch of a dangerous spot. There are times I use my OMT just because of that.
bobad
The V notch makes a huge difference. Small, weak, or inexperienced people can easily use the saw because it requires no force or skill to stiffen against the reciprocating blade. It makes 1 handed use possible. Having said that, I want no part of this tool. My bow saw trims a 1″ branch in 3 easy strokes.
Brando
I have 3 different tacklife tools: Digital multimeter, clamp meter and digital angle finder. I have been using them all for over a year with great results, very happy with my Tacklife stuff.
Lzblvns
It’s a shame you are letting”tool snobbery” get in the way of doing the review. Here’s an interesting design option that caught your attention, but you can’t be bothered because it’s not a tool from one of the big corporations. I guess you aren’t old enough to remember when Makita and Ryobi were trying to break into the power tool market back in the 1970’s.
Stuart
I have finite time and resource. Frankly, I was interested enough in the tool for a hands-on discussion post, but not quite enough to buy or request one for hands-on review. I have to prioritize my time and efforts. What’s the point in allocating time, funds, and effort to test and review a tool I’m not very very interested in reviewing and readers aren’t particularly interested in seeing reviewed? But if there’s strong hidden interest, I’ll consider it.
Tacklife isn’t a brand that most potential users will research, it’s a brand that readers will gravitate to because of its low price point, and so that limits the potential to connect a review with potential buyers. So what’s the point in buying, testing, and reviewing a tool or brand I’m not interested in, readers don’t seem to be interested in, and with little potential to serve the needs and and interests of new visitors or potential buyers? If don’t like sugar cookies, and my family doesn’t seem to like sugar cookies, and I don’t think guests to my house will even try sugar cookies, I’m not going to bake sugar cookies.
Tool Snobbery is a real issue, and something I try to be aware and cautious about, but that’s now what’s at play here.
Jackson Scott
I’ve used a couple of their tools and attachments in the past, and so far they all do the job well, and none have broken yet. Of course I like brands like DeWalt and Milwaukee, but if you’re not buying tools for constant high-demand professional work, why would you buy tools that are needed for that? Same reason you wouldn’t buy an F-450 when you never haul anything that requires that level of capability. For the majority of people, buying the higher-level brands is just throwing money away for a brand name.
Jackson Scott
Just to clarify, not pointing my comment at Stuart, but just most people’s general dismissal of companies that use the online market to their advantage to break into a gridlocked market
Mark
I actually bought a three of their rechargeable task lights. They recharge with an android style port and come with the longest usb cords I’ve ever seen. The cords have never failed, and the lights have been more handy than any of the dewalt and Milwaukee work lights i have ever had the privilege to use. Three settings for the light, and they go longer than any 18v light. They where only $24.00.
Don’t consider the brand when shopping on amazon. Most of you are correct about these brands just sticking a label on a china made product. But so does ridgid and DeWalt and Kobalt all the time. Check the reviews. If it has over 200 reviews at more than 80% in the five star range than that is rare, but a great sign.