steel circular saw

[dstig1]

Well I have seen a few videos of saws like the Evolution rage circular saws, and I think something like that could be really useful. Well I dont have the spare cash for one of those, and I am not sure how long they would last. Now heres my question. We have an old 8 1/4 inch skill worm drive saw, and I was thinking of putting one of those metal blades on it. Would it work? Or would the saw be too fast or something? I am not worried about a fire, since the saw is all metal, and has only ever been used for masonary. I know the saw could stand up to it, but it is the blades I am not sure about.

I looked at them at a booth at the MN State Fair last fall that a LWS had setup. They had one setup and would run test cuts if you asked. It was VERY impressive. Not very loud, very fast cut, and no burrs - plus the cut was cool to the touch. He told me to touch the end of the part immediately after cutting it, and it was basically room temp. Pretty amazing. Try that with an abrasive cutoff saw...

Then I asked him about putting the blade on a regular miter saw. He said don't do it as these saws turn slower than a WW saw does, so it would trash the blade or be a hazard. You need both the saw and blade together.

I think the biggest downside is cost. The units are not cheap, and the blades have a somewhat limited life (and are costly).

 

[yomax4]

I have the larger Evoulution compund sliding mitre saw 10". It's nice only because it's simple to do angles and trim parts. I also have a band saw and several Plasma Cutters that do all my heavy cutting. Evoulution has much larger bearings than a circular saw and less RPM's. I did some horse trading to get mine and I doubt I would pay cash for one. Mine cuts more wood than metal.

 

[Craig Clayton]

I ran a 7 1/4" carbide tipped blade in my worm drive saw when I did all the sheet metal on my pole barn. It worked just fine and made a very smooth cut. The only problem was the noise and the metal chips that were flying around. I had to wear safety glasses with safety goggles over them to protect my eyes. Ear muffs for the ears.
Without checking I think it was a diamond knockout.
I believe worm drive saws turn slower than the direct drive saw.

Craig Clayton

 

[Code54]

I am going to be "that guy" - I bought the harbor freight metal cutting circular saw for about $60 with the metal cutting blade and it has worked great!!! Even cut some 1/2 plate (more than I think you are supposed to cut). used it for several projects and to be honest if it blew up tomorrow I can say I got my moneys worth out of it and would get another one. It was cheap especially with a blade although it is a bit ugly.......

 

[F250DSLPWR]

My dad bought one of the Rage saws for cutting steel and it works GREAT!
He is cutting I beam with it! I thought it would be really loud, but it was not. It makes really nice cuts.

 

[dex3361]

I noticed Code54 and I did the same thing. I had seen the cold saws and I balked at the price. So I bought the HF unit and I was amazed at what it will do. Here is the thread I started last year on the saw. HF Cold Saw

 

[HCJtractor]

I bought a SteelMax saw. They make two models, and mine is the larger (9" if I remember correctly) It works unbelievably well. I cut out some 1/2" plate recently on a project, and it cuts it like a skill saw cuts plywood. No sparks, no heat, chips collected in the saw, and a perfect smooth cut. It cuts 4" angle like cutting two by fours. I have a Jet band saw and the SteelMax will run circles around it. My old abrasive chop saw will never be used again.

 

[Code54]

"My old abrasive chop saw will never be used again."

Funny you said that. The other night I was over at the shop and seen my chop saw neatly placed under the work bench. cord all wrapped up and thought, why is it so neat, then remembered that I never use it anymore!

 

[deereman75]

Well after getting the 24x48 1/4 inch plate top for my welding table ($124 :shocked, a chop saw is now out of my price range. Well I just need to do a few more welds, then I will have a nice welding table. (yes I will post pictures)

 

[Haywire]

How about putting one of those blades in the chop saw? Would certainly have enough power and is probably built stouter than the average WW circular saw.

Ian