Can I use a miter saw for steel ?

sd455dan · Feb 29, 2016

dragoneggs said:
Thanks flusher... I think I just found the excuse to use to convince the wife why I need a plasma since I already have a chopsaw with abrasive wheel! :thumbsup:

Good Idea

The plasma is a nice addition to a 14" cut off saw.

They both have their place, I really enjoy now having a plasma cutter- but for cutting any kind of tubing, still prefer the saw. But for sheet, complex cuts or really thick metal, the plasma is great.

I convinced my wife that It was (Essential) so i could part out and cut up a car we needed some sheetmetal from- and that she could do ornamental metal art with it, and that the limited time sale could end at any time... It worked for me.
Hope she doesn't read this...

dickfoster · Mar 1, 2016

As long as we're talking high end stuff maybe you should look into a cold saw. Those are great if you have a lot of tubing to cut. I had a friend who had one in his shop, I loved using it to cut tubing and most other stuff. Good clean cuts to exactly the length I needed and even angle cuts are a snap. They ain't cheap but they sure are great to use. I used his shop so much I broke down and bought him a Miller plasma cutter one day. It was the least I could do.

Xfaxman · Mar 2, 2016

dickfoster said:
As long as we're talking high end stuff maybe you should look into a cold saw. Those are great if you have a lot of tubing to cut. I had a friend who had one in his shop, I loved using it to cut tubing and most other stuff. Good clean cuts to exactly the length I needed and even angle cuts are a snap. They ain't cheap but they sure are great to use. I used his shop so much I broke down and bought him a Miller plasma cutter one day. It was the least I could do.

Not an industrial cold saw, mine is a Alfra metal cutting saw.

And a chop saw.

And the band saw that also cuts in the vertical position.

ddbackhoe · Mar 2, 2016

MayesFarm said:
I have limited space and a limited tool budget . With that said I am needing something better than a skil saw and a speed square for wood and an abrasive wheel on a grinder is getting old for steel. My question is " Can I use a miter saw for wood with an abrasive blade to cut steel ? " It won't be used a lot , just for repair and maintainance . I am open to any advice or suggestions.

Not with an abrasive blade. They do make metal cutting blades that work very well. I've used the lenox ones for up to 1/4" plate. Most of the time, I use my reciprocating saw and lenox lazer blades. Plasma is nice (miller 375), but takes longer to get set up.

LENOX Metal Cutting Circular Saw Blades
RECIPROCATING SAW BLADES | LENOX Tools

dragoneggs · Mar 2, 2016

Xfaxman said:
Not an industrial cold saw, mine is a Alfra metal cutting saw.

View attachment 459272

Hey X, where did you get that Alfra cold saw and how much? Looks to be a nice German made tool but don't see it for sale on line after a quick search.

Trials · Mar 2, 2016

In high school metal shop class we had a power hacksaw:

I was the only one allowed to use it,

everybody else kept breaking blades.

dragoneggs · Mar 2, 2016

Trials said:
In high school metal shop class we had a power hacksaw:

I was the only one allowed to use it, everybody else kept breaking blades.

Never seen one of those... doesn't seem nearly as efficient as a horizontal band saw. Rather a big tool with not much capability... just my initial thoughts. Interested to know if there are benefits vs. a band saw?

Big Barn · Mar 2, 2016

Trials said:
In high school metal shop class we had a power hacksaw: I was the only one allowed to use it, everybody else kept breaking blades.

I'd love to have an industrial saw like that! I only have a little import one that I "re and re'd".

Terry

Xfaxman · Mar 2, 2016

dragoneggs said:
Hey X, where did you get that Alfra cold saw and how much? Looks to be a nice German made tool but don't see it for sale on line after a quick search.

Got it several years ago at a welding supply place in Oklahoma City.

Seems like just over $300, with an extra blade.

Amazing how good it cuts and with very little heat.

dragoneggs · Mar 2, 2016

Yeah I saw a couple youtube videos on cold cut saws and I am impressed. I wish I would have been edgemacated, and bought one of those instead of my abrasive wheel chop saw.