BLACK+DECKER 3.4-Amp Electric Hand Saw with Storage Bag (PHS550B) - Corded Power Tool for Wood Cutting, DIY Projects & Home Improvement

The blade is a pain to insert. The lock mechanism might get reset by you or not and then you have to follow the small note that tells you that a flat screw driver is needed to reset the blade holder. Some guy on youtube has a great video pointing a light inside showing you what you have to do and look for to be able to set your blade. The manufacturer video didn't help. Other than this it will cut a big tree branch. It will do a push back on the thicker parts so rotate and start cutting on the other side. I tried to cut a laminated countertop and it was terrible for me because the blade is too lose to make a straight cut.So, I'm a little older than I used to be when I could just get out there and wield a (small) chainsaw to trim branches and cut down small trees. OK, so more than a little older. The trees and branches don't know that, though, and probably don't care. I was looking for a smaller, lighter tool to do some work in the backyard. Specifically, I needed to cut down some bothersome trees with trunks of about 4" diameter and some branches with 2-3" diameters. The B&D electric trimmer worked wonderfully. The larger blade that comes with the saw is what to use. The blade did its job in a few minutes; the cut was even and smooth. This is not a light-weight tool. It's got to be maybe a compact four pounds; you can use it with one hand, but two is better for stability. I hate corded tools, as well as battery-powered tools that run out of power in 20 minutes. But, I'll tolerate the lengthy cord on this saw in exchange for its convenience and power. Is it noisy? A little. Does it vibrate in your hand? It's a saw! Yes, it will vibrate a bit. Comes with a very nice carrying case and a very reasonable price. I couldn't be happier. Except for the getting older part!Good lightweight general utility electric saw, just wears out over time. I’m on my 4th replacement- seems to last only a couple of years before the bushings wear out and cause the blade to vibrate wildly. Yes the blade change takes some doing and requires practice.The saw is small and relatively light weight. It was not too hard hold, adjust positioning and steady for effective use. I have arthritis in both hands so I really appreciated that. The blade was easy to insert. I purchased the saw to cut plastic bricks for a stacked garden border wall and for various small wood projects. The plastic bricks were awkward to hold and a bit slippery, but I successfully finished that day's work with no wasted bricks. I'm using a replacement saw. The first saw I received was defective. It was dirty and appeared to be previously used. Also, the pin in the saw was positioned in an odd direction and angle that made it impossible to properly insert and hold the blade in place. I received a new electric saw (dirty) 2 days after requesting it through Amazon, before I could return the defective saw. I watched a Youtube video before using the saw which helped me identify the problems with the first saw and to successfully use the replacement saw on my first try. I am pleased with the saw and would recommend to others.So far I am amazed what I can accomplish with this small hand saw. It took me almost a year seeing this saw on Amazon before buying it at a discount price around $43. It is a long story but I have a line of annoying weeds in my backyard that grows to become taller trees as you can see in my photo. After using a cutter to get rid of the chain link fence, I am trying to get rid of the trees now but my electric chainsaw is leaking oil to be used at an angle. Using this handsaw is great at cutting these 2 to 4-inch diameter trees down horizontally at accurate angle. The trees logs can be cut into shorter chunks for the sanitation crew to pick them up free as well. So far this is a great buy and let's hope the saw can last at least till I can cut all these trees down at the ground level.Thank you Amazon and Black & Decker!(and I am sure my neighbors would thank you if they could).When this came up as a recommendation (I had been looking at chain saws) I said "yeah, right, like that's going to do anything". I have an acre with a woody hedge, some branches 6-8 inches in diameter. I have been working on it with a pruning saw, a slow laborious process. Needless to say it has not been coming along too quickly. There are places where it is 20 feet tall.My saw arrived yesterday, and thanks to great instructions on installing the blade from another reviewer. Since I have not been able to link that review, I will note that if you are having difficulty installing the blade, lay it on it's sideand look into the opening. Make sure that the button which the blade slips on to is oriented correctly (the manual does say to check the orientation and adjust with a screwdriver if necessary. that is, by prodding it a bit to align it). Place the blade in the slot and drop it so that the opening on the blade slips over the oval knob, and then gently pull down until it snaps into place. this should only take a minute or so (less, actually) I was up and running in a couple of minutes, and so surprised at how easy it was: light, maneuverable, powerful (well, more so than I had been expecting). My son came out to check out the new saw, saying "it cuts just like a light saber) lol, well we all have our own points of reference. I cleared 25 linear feet in less than an hour (more level and cleaner than I could get by hand).... only another 980 or so to go :p The only limitation I have is the length of my extension cords (bet I know what my next recommendation is going to be). I am thinking of tiptoeing over to the other listing and getting that little LI chain saw while it's on sale (and my husband is out of the house.... I got this because he doesn't trust me with a chain saw) :DHaving done that so easily, I attempted to take out a dead orange tree (hardwood) which my husband said he could not get with the (18" gas) chainsaw. I had an avocado tree becoming bonsaied while I waited for the orange tree to come out...and finally did it myself with this little saw! The trunk is over 12" in diameter. The limbs 6"-8". I took it slowly, and had no trouble at all (though the saw is rated for half the diameter). (The trick is to hold it steady without putting much pressure on the blade and let the saw do the work.) A week or so later we used a chipper/ shredder to mulch hat I had taken out. I would guess it produced between 50-100 gallons of wood chips from what i took out in just a few hours with this saw!Then my husband borrowed the saw to trim some of the bigger limbs to fit in the shredder, and in no time flat, broke the shaft :( (how that happened when I'd used the same saw to take down the tree cutting through larger parts than he was cutting i will never know) BUT: I took it into the local Black & Decker service center & they replaced it, sent me a brand new one no questions asked! In fact It got here in just 1 week (and that is to the most geographically remote land mass on earth.I am very happy with the tool and amazed at Black & Decker's customer service. When I need another tool (and I do to reach the parts of the yard I can't get to with an extension cord) I will absolutely be going back to Black & Decker. I have never experienced customer service like this before! (Very happy customer!)This is a great little tool for the price; a great little tool period.Es muy útil para mis usos en madera y en huesosBuilt a dog houseI read 1 star before bought it. Quite a lot 1 star buyers complained not easy to install the blade. Because it's a common tool, I don't believe it should be difficult and I was curious and liked the challenge. So I ordered. After it arrived, I didn't read the instructions or watced any how-to YouTube video, I observed the structure by using a flash light to understand its structure, then easily installed the blade. It took a few minutes for the whole process.Received a defective product where the locking mechanism doesn’t work (can’t attach the saw blade). Tried to return back to Amazon for replacement via online process and it said it’s not eligible for return (also tried to find a way to chat etc but couldn’t). Got in touch with Black & Decker support, which was horrific. Spoke on the phone, filled out their from twice with supporting docs and the rep ultimately told me to return to the store, even after telling and emailing it was bought from Amazon/won’t accept. Waiting to hear back. Last resort will be calling my credit card company to dispute the charge.Will never buy another tool from Amazon again, or Black & Decker for that matter!!!!Update: Amazon ultimately provided a full refund (thank you Amazon!). And I’m still going around in circles with Black & Decker “customer service”…It is just the right size for me. I can't handle anything that is too heavy. For a small tool it sure gets the job done. Today I used it to saw down tree branches 4 to 5 inches in diameter. I cut quite a few branches so I was glad it was not rechargeable because I am sure the battery would have run out. The electrical cord did not get in the way at all.I'm sure this product would be great, if only I could get the blade in!!I bought it because of my arthritic hands but they also cause difficulty in manipulating the blade into the slot. I have given it a low rating because I am unable to use it. Maybe the rating will go up when I find someone to fit the blade.Excellent for cutting small to medium branches.Light handle. Blade is sharp and durable.When installing the blade, I recommend google it for better understanding rather than reading the instruction manual.Bonus to the product is the case that goes with it from Black and Decker. Highly recommending it.