which powertool?

Hi,I'm starting out in building stuff for my cockpit. I'm going to make a generic throttle first. i have 2 large pieces of wood.I think its plywood. I was thinking of trying that out first. I can't seem to find a handsaw that will do the job properly. It doesn't seem to want to cut through the wood except for my jeweller's hacksaw. I think i'll try a hacksaw but i'm considering getting a powertool. Whats the difference between a reciprocating saw and a jigsaw. It looks almost the same except for the way it is held. Which is a better and more flexible choice. I don't really have a place to work so i'll have to do it outside the door or in the living room and clean up later. Hope these are a neat solution. I might need to cut some metal in the future. But that is only a possibility. Hope guys have suggestions for me. Handtools are welcomed too. As long it cuts decently and not seem like it is filing its way through like my stanley saw.Cheers,Hector