# Best method for cutting up steel gazebo?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-method-for-cutting-up-steel-gazebo/652578>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [March 10, 2013, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-method-for-cutting-up-steel-gazebo/652578 "2013-03-10T22:06:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-method-for-cutting-up-steel-gazebo/652578/21 "2013-03-12T01:07:49Z")

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Bolt cutters might work, too.

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**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-method-for-cutting-up-steel-gazebo/652578/22 "2013-03-12T13:32:05Z")

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> [@Chronos](#):
>
> Oh, and just to make it clear: A reciprocating saw and a jigsaw are two completely different tools. A reciprocating saw (with the right blade), if you happen to have one, is a reasonable and appropriate tool to use for this job. A jigsaw would be a terrible choice, and attempting to use one would almost certainly damage the tool, and possibly you in the process.
> 
> A reciprocating saw is one of those hand-held tools (such as a Sawsall) with a blade (attached at one end) poking out the front, which moves forward and backward. They can cut all sorts of things, but aren’t the most precise tool. A jigsaw is usually a tabletop tool, and has a thin blade held at both ends, under tension. It’s basically the power tool equivalent of a coping saw, and is used for making precise cuts in wood (such as, for instance, cutting out a jigsaw puzzle).

Every jigsaw I’ve ever used was a hand tool and had the blade held at only [one end](https://www.google.com/search?q=jigsaw+tool&hl=en&safe=active&source=lnms&tbm=isch). What you’re referring to sounds like some kind of precision bandsaw.

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**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2013, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-method-for-cutting-up-steel-gazebo/652578/23 "2013-03-12T14:24:51Z")

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> [@muldoonthief](#):
>
> Every jigsaw I’ve ever used was a hand tool and had the blade held at only [one end](https://www.google.com/search?q=jigsaw+tool&hl=en&safe=active&source=lnms&tbm=isch). What you’re referring to sounds like some kind of precision bandsaw.

There are manual jigsaws which are similar to a coping saw, handheld power jigsaws similar to a sabresaw, and table jigsaws as Chronos describes. All are reciprocating saws. Bandsaws can have very narrow blades, as little as 1/16", but those blades have a limited life. A table jigsaw, like a manual jigsaw, can have a very narrow and thin, but strong blade because it is under tension from both ends.

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