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Best Metal Cutting Circular Saw?

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JDon99

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Next year I am going to start a project that I'll need a metal cutting circular saw. Most of my cuts will be with the aid of a straight guide, so I need the base to be sturdy. I was thinking the Milwaukee 8" would be the best one to get, but I wanted to check with others before purchasing. Must cutting will be 2" square tubing and 10g sheets.
 
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DonPowers

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I have two

7" Morse Metal Devil. Bought it on the recommendations from some Iron Workers that were on a project that I was working on. Whichever make you get, buy a variety of blades. I have a thin metal blade which works well cutting things like metal roofing and a regular steel blade. So far I have cut up to 3/8 plate and heavy duty grating without any problems using the regular blade. They also make blades for aluminum, don't have one of those yet.

14" Milwaukee cold cut chop saw, don't know if they make these any more but works great for pipe, angle and channel.

Good luck with your purchase, a Milwaukee will serve you well.
 
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Hondarancher4435

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Can't comment on the best saw I have an old black and decker all metal construction saw that works wonderful. The problem I see with so many of the new saws is plastic guards that will melt cutting metal
 
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Skysurfer

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14" Morse Metal Devil here. One of my favorite tool purchases. So much nicer than using an abrasive cutting wheel.

 
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tarbellb

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Are you talking about a chop saw style or circular saw?

Both have their place.

You will find yourself wanting both if you are doing tube/angle/etc.. and sheets.

I have both a 14" dry cut chop saw (Hitachi) and the 8" Milwaukee metal circ saw. The Mil circ saw is a beast, I have cut lots of 1/4" through 1/2" sheet with it. Using a straight edge is recommended, but it does still get squirrely and you need lots of eye, ear, face, body, arm, leg, hair...... everything protection using it. HOT CHIPS AT SPEED.

I purchased my Mil circ saw on sale (referb) at CPO for cheap.
 
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tarbellb

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Others will recommend a old all metal worm drive Skil saw w/ proper blade. It can be done but its pretty gnarly, plus youll want to mod for HOT CHIPS AT SPEED!
 
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JDon99

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I'm talking about a circular saw, not a chop saw. I'd like to eventually buy both but the circular saw should suffice for now.
 
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Fender1325

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I owned the rage evolution chop saw and returned it as it wasnt accurate enough for me when cutting miters - it would shift a tiny bit in the vice.

What I own now and am much happier with is the harbor frieght horizontal band saw - for about the same money.

18 gauge sheet I cut with electric shears from HF that have been great as well.

10 gauge is a different story. I guess you'll need a quality saw blade for a circular saw for long rips. Just make sure it spins at the correct RPM - you might need a dedicated one for this (pricey) as the wood cutting circular saws spin at a faster RPM I believe.

for angle iron and all that other stuff - look into a horizontal band saw - quiet and accurate. Not fast however. Worth the wait in my book for when you're fabricating.
 
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MJD1

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Milwaukee 8" metal cutting saw, especially for the price. The Morse and jancy are overpriced and the Evolution is underpowered. The one thing to watch is how your stock is supported, or it will bind and really mess with your blade life.
 
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JDon99

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MJD1 said:
Milwaukee 8" metal cutting saw, especially for the price. The Morse and jancy are overpriced and the Evolution is underpowered. The one thing to watch is how your stock is supported, or it will bind and really mess with your blade life.
Click to expand...

I have been thinking of the Milwaukee, I don't have anyone local to me that I know of that carries them so I can see one in person.
 
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mattyrattypoo

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I use 2 metal cutting circular saw's at work.

For big stuff in the shop, I use a Fein Slugger 1 1/4 metal cutting saw.

For smaller pieces of metal and when I need it in the field, i use a Hilti SCM 18-A.

Both are super awesome!!
 
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tarbellb

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MJD1 said:
Milwaukee 8" metal cutting saw, especially for the price. The Morse and jancy are overpriced and the Evolution is underpowered. The one thing to watch is how your stock is supported, or it will bind and really mess with your blade life.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly on quality vs price with the circ saw brands.

CPO had a refurb sale last year, something like 20% off select stuff, = <$250.
 
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tarbellb

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I believe, but not sure that the Fein and Morse are the same make/model?

That Hilti looks pretty nasty, wouldnt mind getting my hands on that.
 
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MJD1

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The jancy-fein saw appears to be the same as the evolution.
 
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mattyrattypoo

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Here is a video from Denmark showing the Hilti SCM. They just classify the tool as a 22V, not 18V like in the US.
 
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davewo

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I've owned a Milwaukee for a couple years now and use it on 1/8" sheet metal. I bought it over the Evolution model because of its higher duty cycle rating.
 
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joecon

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I have a steelmax saw I've only used it a few time but it worked great.
 
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zkling

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JDon99 said:
I'm talking about a circular saw, not a chop saw. I'd like to eventually buy both but the circular saw should suffice for now.
Click to expand...

You might want to consider two saws from the get go. Cutting tubing, especially 2" square is not real easy with a circular saw without a guide of some sort. If all you are cutting is 10ga and are really pressed for the money ATM. I think I would put more on a solid stock capable saw be it a bandsaw or cold saw and then grab a older (cheap, used) circular saw with the proper blade. Just depends on how much of each you plan on doing.
 
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Spudland_Dave

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Portable Circular Saw - I had bought a dedicated metal saw from HF back in the day...killed it within 12" of cutting a 3/4" Plate. REALLY Wanted to get it cut, so I chucked up a Lenox Metal cutting blade into my Normal Milwaukee Circular saw...cut the 3/4" steel plate no different then a 3/4" sheet of OSB.

Throws chips all over..no doubt, but for the amount of plate cutting I need to do, I'm OK with that. Not worth having the dedicated tool around at what they cost.
 
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Richard D

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I also have a Metal Devil blade I used in a standard circular saw several years ago, cut 3/8" plate no problem. But I only used it a bit, not all day every day. One thing to make sure of, let the blade stop before removing it from the work, or you can loose saw teeth.
 
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