Cutting Equipment

[budbuc]

I don't have a cutting torch or a place to store O & A at my house. I have been
using a circular saw with cutting wheels to cut metal. I don't get much use out
of the cutting wheels, I would say 1 or 2 cuts per blade. What is the best cutting tool for a residence and small work area that is portable and easy to
store? Thanks men for any ideas and help!

[SkidSteerSteve]

I started out with just a basic abrasive chop saw. they are relatively small and portable, like a 12in miter saw. They won't do long cuts on plate, but will handle most angles, channel and so forth. You can pick one up at most any hardware/home supply store for $100-$300 just depending on what you want to spend. Personally, the two saws I have, i shopped around and found ones that had a cast iron base instead of a stamped sheet metal base. It just gives it a little more ballast and rigidity to the saw, but it is a bit heavier. SSS

[budbuc]

I started out with just a basic abrasive chop saw. they are relatively small and portable, like a 12in miter saw. They won't do long cuts on plate, but will handle most angles, channel and so forth. You can pick one up at most any hardware/home supply store for $100-$300 just depending on what you want to spend. Personally, the two saws I have, i shopped around and found ones that had a cast iron base instead of a stamped sheet metal base. It just gives it a little more ballast and rigidity to the saw, but it is a bit heavier. SSS

Thanks much, I already have a 10" with cast iron base, I'll get some blades.

[SkidSteerSteve]

oh, just to make sure we are on the same page, there is a difference between chop saws and miter boxes. Chop saws are specifically designed for cutting metal. I would stray away from converting a wood miter box to metal service. Chop saws have integral material clamps and full metal shields on the blade that automatically compensate for blade wear. If an abrasive blade were to shatter on a miter box, you don't have as much protection from the shrapnel. SSS

[Sundown]

I agree with Steve here, a wood cutting miter saw should not to be used to cut metal, although some do it anyway. Along with the safety aspects there is all the plastic that wood saws are made of these days, and the motor parts are not as well shielded as metal cutting saws are, so you can let the smoke out and then you have door stop. You might take a look at portasaw's, they are small and handy, and with some models you can attach to a table.

[Fat-Fab.com]

I have a Milwaulkee cordless portable band saw and a stand that turns it in to a great pipe or angle chop saw

[woof]

Handheld sheetmetal nibbler, cut-off disc on a die grinder, 12" hand operated sheetmetal shear, Miller Spectrum 125c plasma cutter. Entire lot will fit in a mid size Rubbermaid tote.

[Frank865]

I don't have a cutting torch or a place to store O & A at my house. I have been
using a circular saw with cutting wheels to cut metal. I don't get much use out
of the cutting wheels, I would say 1 or 2 cuts per blade. What is the best cutting tool for a residence and small work area that is portable and easy to
store? Thanks men for any ideas and help!

What sizes are you wanting to cut? And what is your budget?
Different recommendations, depending on what you're wanting to do.

[aametalmaster]

Check out the blades here....Bob http://www.mkmorse.com/

[FusionKing]

Man those demo's are great...I been cutting aluminum like that for years but they rip STEEL channel like it's aluminum! That plasma cutter gets about as much use as my cutting torch these days. Heck I can barely convince a lot of people you can cut aluminum like that, they always go on about turning the blade backwards and that sort of crap ...BTDT.

I just love to go to a job,set out my sawhorses and literally whip out stuff to everyones amazement like a carpenter. I think it's time for that new circular saw and a blade or 2...

aametalmaster that is a great link...thanks a bunch!!

[84ZMike]

Check out the blades here....Bob http://www.mkmorse.com/

Got to get one of those! That is amazingly fast cutting.Thanks for the link.
Mike

[JonnyTIG]

There are many carbide tipped blades out there for cutting steels and non-ferrous metals. I've used a 7 1/2" circular saw with the proper blade, 40 to 58 tooth with a negetive tooth offset for free hand cutting aluminum, and other carbide blades designed for steel in cut off saws. They last a lot longer than abrasive blades with the right lubrcant. However, using zip cuts with a grinder makes quick and easy cuts on thin sheet metal or smaller structural sections.

[budbuc]

Thanks too all of you for the good advice!!

Thanks Welders.........I have used a circular saw with abrasive blades with
destorted results and very unsafe...you need to wear armour to use one and be
safe. I really appreciate you men's input...sounds like a good chop saw with a
metal blade is my best application!

[Frank865]

Thanks Welders.........I have used a circular saw with abrasive blades with
destorted results and very unsafe...you need to wear armour to use one and be
safe. I really appreciate you men's input...sounds like a good chop saw with a
metal blade is my best application!

No! A chop saw with a metal cutting blade is dangerous!!
There's no way to hold the work being cut, & it'll spin the blade too fast.
Do it if you want to, but I sure wouldn't do it!!

[jfsmith]

I have side tables for my chop saw, it helps holding the metal for the saw. I do the same thing for shear. But larger pieces, I use my Plasma Cutter, it's fast, it you have the stand off on it, it will cut like a dream. Faster than O/A.

Each technology has it's place, you just have to know how to use them. I learned the hard way a couple of times, but I survived.

Jerry