Milwaukee’s 6509 reciprocating saw is a simple and clean, but still powerful, saw, but lacks the features of most saws.
Milwaukee invented the reciprocating saw and maintains a major presence in this market, with seven corded models. Although the 6509 is at the bottom of the family tree, there’s no doubt that it shares a significant percentage of its DNA with other Milwaukee recips. Its heavy-duty double-insulated construction, thick rubber-coated electrical cord and hefty 5/8″-diameter blade shaft are all elements found on more expensive Milwaukee models.
The only real feature of Milwaukee’s reciprocating saw is its variable speed trigger, but it’s still a pretty handy addition.
Other than a variable-speed trigger, the 6509 is a Spartan saw: there’s no blade orbit adjustment, LEDs, etc., and this is the only saw in the group that doesn’t come with a case or tool bag. I did like Milwaukee’s no-nonsense QUIK-LOK® blade clamp, which opens with a simple twist of its cylindrical body and then holds the blade very securely. The 6509 has a very heavy-duty foot that is adjustable, but you have to loosen four screws with an Allen wrench (not included with the saw) — a time-consuming process.
Although the Milwaukee is one of the lightest saws in this group, it boasts a powerful 11-amp motor. But, as I’ve discovered in other power tool tests, motor amperage alone isn’t a good indicator of performance: Although the Milwaukee breezed through plastics and thin metals, the saw’s 2×8 cutting time of 22.25 seconds was the slowest of the bunch, perhaps due to the tool’s short 3/4″ cutting stroke. On a happier note, the 6509’s double-bearing wobble plate helped to reduce vibration, putting it neck-and-neck with the Bosch in terms of overall cutting smoothness.
