Ryobi P514 Reciprocating Saw – In-Depth Review

Ryobi P514 Reciprocating Saw Product Image

Editor Rating: 4.2/5

Great

P514 Reciprocating Saw Review

Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson

Published on: January 13, 2019

Last modified:

January 18, 2021 

 

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Ryobi P514 Review Summary:

The P514 is a first-grade tool for users that are looking to cut down undergrowth or undertake light landscaping work. For its size, it packs a lot of power. The unit can even be used to slice through a car exhaust if you are a mechanic or to handle a pile of 2x4s.

With this reciprocating saw, it’s all about the way you are planning on using it, as it’s quite a powerful cordless tool, so it won’t get you more than five minutes of work for the most demanding tasks. It is not the best when it comes to prolonged and continuous use.

But, then again, no cordless reciprocating saw is a good choice for that. No matter what sawing material you are dealing with, you can rely on the P514 for making a series of occasional cuts. It’s pretty lightweight and has a nice grip, so fatigue won’t be causing you any delays.

Specifications:

  • Weight – 4.1 lbs
  • Dimensions – 17″ x 7″ x 4″
  • Power source – Li-Ion Battery (not included)
  • Strokes/minute – 3100 SPM (no load)
  • Voltage – 18V

P514 Reciprocating Saw – The Basics


If you’re searching for a powerful reciprocating saw for home or occasional professional use, this unit ought to satisfy your needs. With is anti-vibration handle and rubberized, notched over-mold, it is a truly a joy to work with. What it lacks in battery power, it compensates for with the sheer force it has and its ease of use.

You can rip through wood at 3100 SPM without feeling any fatigue. As it belongs to Ryobi’s One+ family, it is compatible with all Ryobi One+ Li-Ion batteries (They includes series P100 through P108). The blade changes are as easy as battery changes as you don’t even need an allen wrench to replace one.

With a 7/8″ blade stroke, it’ll provide you with excellent cutting performance, despite being such a small tool. The unit is cordless so you can take it wherever you need it, as it is also very light. However, the battery doesn’t last for long, so it doesn’t come recommended for prolonged use.

The Features


Design


The blade change couldn’t possibly be easier. The unit is equipped with a tool-less removal blade clamp that holds the blade securely in place. When you want to quickly swap the blade simply lift the blade clamp.

The handle is ergonomic and molded with a notched, rubberized over-mold. There is also a rear grip that enables two-hand use. The P514 is designed to minimize fatigue, and it does that perfectly, along with providing the user with great accuracy.

The reciprocating saw comes with an electric brake which is an always-welcomed safety feature. Weighing only approximately four pounds, it is one of the lighter models. It totals to ten pounds with the battery, but it is still very light to work with.

Power


This 18V cordless unit is capable of delivering zero to 3100 SPMs, which allows you to start smoothly, but also to go hard when needed. Considering the size of the unit, its 3100 SPMs are quite impressive, as they allow you to cut through metal, wood, and drywall without much effort. The P14 is equipped with a variable speed trigger that enables the user to fine tune the speed.

The feature allows for better efficiency and lets the user control the pace in accordance with the task. Ryobi really came through with that one as a variable trigger is seldom seen on a low-priced tool.

Since it operates with a lot of power, the battery depletes reasonably quickly. It is better suited for short or occasional use unless you are willing to go through a couple of cells to get a whole-day job done.

Battery


This is a bare tool and the battery is not included. Thanks to Ryobi’s cross-platform powertools, you can use all of their One+ batteries with every One+ tool. The compatible One+ batteries are models P100 through P108.

There is nothing wrong with the batteries, as other the vast majority Ryobi tools can be used for a long time when powered by One+ Li-Ion cells, but the P514 depletes it very fast. One shouldn’t expect a cordless reciprocal saw to last them the whole work day, so it is more suitable for occasional on-site use or minor work at home

Ryobi P514 side viw

Pros:

N

Oversized rubber grip, great for two-hand use

N

Excellent anti-vibration system

N

Quick and easy blade change

N

Budget-friendly

N

7/8″ stroke

N

Variable-speed trigger

Cons:

N

Short battery runtime

N

Battery not included

R

Things we liked about it

There is much to adore about this compact unit, besides its pocket-friendly price. The fast and effortless blade replacement process is a huge advantage, but not the only one when it comes to the user-friendliness of this tool. Ryobi tools are known for the convenience they offer.

The overall ergonomic design and its light weight make it great for precise and prolonged use. With its 3100 SPMs, it performs better than the average reciprocal saw on the market. With the P514 you will be able to saw through all standard materials without breaking a sweat.

Q

Things we didn’t like

Battery durability is below average. If you decide to saw through a pile of 2x4s, you’ll have enough power to do it, but not enough time as the battery will be all used up. Even though it is a cordless tool, paired with the fact that there is no battery in the package, it is relatively disappointing.

You’ll have to wage carefully if you buy this bare tool if you already don’t have a a ryobi tool kit. If you do, considering the low price of the saw, it ought to pay off.

General Impressions


It is an excellent budget tool that will get the job done, provided that it doesn’t take too long. With budget tools, it’s always give and take, and, luckily, the P514 gives more than it takes. However, you shouldn’t rely on it as your primary work saw unless you have an infinite supply of batteries.

Conclusion


Ryobi is great at delivering top-notch tools at a low price, and the P514 is just that. It has enough power to go through wood, metal, and drywall and is very easy to use. However, because it drains the battery fairly quickly, it is only great for occasional cuts on the job or home use.

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