curcular saws

[FarmBoy]

can you use a regular curcular saw (with out screwing it up) to cut sheet metal or do you have to get a metal cutting saw?????

i have been useing my cordless to cut metal roof sheets for the new shop that were buliding at work and it seems to be cutting ok but i just dont know if it will really screw it up over time.

[Kubota8540]

You can use a circular saw to cut sheet metal without any damage to yoursaw if you use an abrasive blade and not the regular wood cutting blade. I would keep it blown out with compressed air after each use though.
If you cut masonary with your circular saw and an abrasive blade, it will eat up the bearings in a short time. Same is true on fiber glass products.

[tnjind]

It is better if the saw has a metal blade guard so it won't melt. trust me I know. Well if you use an abrasive blade.

[migman69]

they also make special blades that are not abrashive fpr tin and sheet metal it is a non ferrous metal blade i used one to cut believe it or not 1/4 inch thick steel yes it got hot but its all i had at the moment i think now ill just use my sawzall with a metal cutting blade on it

[tnjind]

Non-ferrous is for things not steel. Usually aluminum and the like. I am not sure of the correct terminology. But usually ferrous means steel, non ferrous is non steel.

I am with you, thicker stuff, sawzall, or plasma cutter.

[migman69]

Non-ferrous is for things not steel. Usually aluminum and the like. I am not sure of the correct terminology. But usually ferrous means steel, non ferrous is non steel.

I am with you, thicker stuff, sawzall, or plasma cutter.

now i never said i was using the correct blade for the job lol but it is all i had so thats what i had to use.

[tnjind]

Oh, How long did it last? I have never used one. like you I use the sawzall, if i am away from the shop.

[migman69]

Oh, How long did it last? I have never used one. like you I use the sawzall, if i am away from the shop.

well i used wd 40 for lubrication i know sill me flammable liquid for lube on hot metal but it did work just smoked alot and smelled bad to boot. I was cutting 1/4 inch thick oil tank about a 500 gallon job, i was able to cut the tank in half and then the blade was shot to crap. then i used a 7 1/2 inch angle grinder on its side to cut a big square out of the tank . But that was before i had a sawzall, now cutting the tank is a breeze with a good blade and my milwaukee. although i wish i had a plasma or a oxy/cet cutting torch unit id be done allready. but u use what you got.

[Leons2003]

There are metal cutting blades on the market made for the high rpm wood circle saws, metaldevil comes to mind.
FYI, the metal cutting saws are ~1/2 the rpm of a wood saw w/more HP.
Good luck
L*S

[FarmBoy]

what kind of sawzall blades are you guys useing??
milwaukee??

[tnjind]

Milwaulkee bi metal 7-10tpi, I think.

[migman69]

what kind of sawzall blades are you guys useing??
milwaukee??

well im not to to picky on sawzall blades I like milwaukee torch blades which are good for the heavier metal, and bosch makes decent blades too.

here is a tip i learned that if u have to cut tile board or plastic U can use the fine tooth metal blade 18 tpi i think to cut it, thats if u dont have a all purpose blade handy. it works just like a hacksaw blade little slow going but a nice clean cut doesnt splinter the plastic at all.

[FarmBoy]

i work on a farm and we go threw ALOT of sawzall blades and i always use milwaukee. but i picked up some 14 teeth per inch blades that were soupesed to be good for 3/16-1/4 steel and i was cutting 1/8 angle and it chewed them right up.

[KBar]

I have tried numerous sawzall blades and due to the fact that they are so thin, I dont think you will find a good blade that cuts any amount of metal no matter what the thickness of the metal is. All brands wear and last about the same amount of time unless you want to pay about $10 a blade.

[tacmig]

Hey there..

I have tried numerous sawzall blades and due to the fact that they are so thin, I dont think you will find a good blade that cuts any amount of metal no matter what the thickness of the metal is. All brands wear and last about the same amount of time unless you want to pay about $10 a blade.

A bit off topic, but was wondering how you like your TB 300/200 stick. We got one about a month ago as our trusty commander is going down for the count once again and need a back-up unit. I understand they are very impressive and when I demoed the unit, I felt it struck and held an arc very good and dug pretty well without to much slag on some pretty nasty test material. Your comments?

TacMig