circular saw question

[oldtinsmith]

Many (and I do mean MANY !) years ago, I watched a carpenter building a boat dock and used a compressed air powered circular saw. I have never seen another air powered circular saw since. Has anybody else ever seen one and are they still being manufactured today?

Doug

 

[pmiranda]

Google does not disappoint: http://www.csunitec.com/saws/air-metal-circular-saw.html

 

[raiderhillbilly]

http://www.csunitec.com/saws/air-metal-circular-saw.html

 

[Greyhorse]

Wow, takes just a little bit of air to run it!

 

[chevelleshop]

I just saw a used one on the local CL for $200, they must be spendy when new.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Approximately 90 PSI @ 70 CFM !

 

[James-W]

I don't understand what the advantage would be to using an air powered saw. I know that air tools are great for working on cars, like a air impact tool, an air ratchet, an air drill, stuff like that, but I am not sure what advantage an air powered saw would have.

 

[snyder]

In this area the Amish carpenters use pnuematic woodworking tools. Entire amish bussinesses that build sheds, garages all types of prefab buildings. Huge planers, saws , joiners , all run off air. Somehow this is acceptable to their religious beliefs.

 

[Bluedodge]

...I watched a carpenter building a boat dock and used a compressed air powered circular saw...

I don't understand what the advantage would be to using an air powered saw?..

Air tools remove the fear of electrocution while working in / near water.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I get the electrocution but I don't get the Amish connection. I will have to research that now because I am curious as to why compressed air, which got compressed somehow presumably with the aid of some power source, is acceptable to them but electricity is not.

I would not mind having an air powered saw myself though. I would use it inside trailers when repairing oak floors. I already have air run in there anyway for other tools so I could eliminate the electrical cord and the tangling that inevitably comes with it.

 

[maxpower_hd]

AHHH....It is not the technology they don't like. They can use gas powered generators to run compressors or other electric tools. They don't want to connect to the power grid. Something to do with outsides having influence over their lives and families according to Popular Mechanics.

 

[ishiboo]

I get the electrocution but I don't get the Amish connection. I will have to research that now because I am curious as to why compressed air, which got compressed somehow presumably with the aid of some power source, is acceptable to them but electricity is not.

Many Amish will not use electricity from the grid, but they will use gas-powered motors and air tools. Like all major religions there are varying levels of practice.

Gas-powered table saws are pretty common.

I once refinanced an Amish family... the house was wired for electric and phone, but they didn't use it... wasn't even hooked up. But behind their house was their commercial cabinet shop with full electric. But ONLY with power they generated themselves.