Circular saw with abrasive disk?

[Heavymetalmechanic]

I picked up a $5.00 garage sale circular saw, slapped a 7" abrasive cutoff disk in it, works great on 1/4" plate.

Has anyone had any issues running one like this? It has a full metal guard on it with a port to direct the sparks away from me. This is a disposable tool.

My only concern is the blade coming apart, the saw spins slower then the disks rated for.

Any thoughts?

 

[metaleltr]

that is what those disks were designed for, they have been known to tear up saws

 

[djjsr]

I use one for cutting bricks and blocks. It's a cheap one and I thought it would **** out pretty quickly. That was about 10 years ago and it still works fine. I've probably gone through a dozen discs.

 

[Zeke]

that is what those disks were designed for, they have been known to tear up saws

Sort of a contradictory statement.

I think a cheaper saw with a fiber blade or a metal cutting toothed blade is a good combo.

 

[metaleltr]

Sort of a contradictory statement.

I think a cheaper saw with a fiber blade or a metal cutting toothed blade is a good combo.

the blades are made to use with circular saws, but the girt and sparks can tear up the bearings in the saw, I wouldn't put one on an expensive or a vintage saw

 

[ADSR]

Just make sure that the guard comes down all the way before you set it down. The sparks and grit will make it bind. If the blade gets damaged by setting the saw down on it, it can turn in to a grenade.

 

[Zeke]

the blades are made to use with circular saws, but the girt and sparks can tear up the bearings in the saw, I wouldn't put one on an expensive or a vintage saw

Well, I guess at 5 bucks it's neither.

 

[G_P]

Just blow the saw out with compressed air after you use it to get the grit and metal dust out of it.

 

[nicksnothereman]

5 bucks. Just um...wear better safety equipment when using it in case it comes apart.

 

[carterbeauford]

the motor will burn up. buy the right tool for the job.

 

[NoahG]

It will work till it doesn't. With infrequent use it could last a while. If its a daily thing, I wouldn't bet on it lasting.

I really like using cheap circ saws with diamond blades for brick.

 

[srmofo]

the motor will burn up. buy the right tool for the job.

Yeah cause a metal shear capable of cutting 1/4" plate fits nicely into most peoples budget not to mention space constraints.

Its a $5 dollar saw with a $5 blade, who cares if it self destructs.

Personally I keep an old crappy circ saw for this use as well. Been using it for several years now. It works great. When it dies Ill find another cheap saw at a garage sale and start the process again.

I have plenty of other metal cutting devices but when you need to make a nice straight, long cutting, a circ saw and guide is hard to beat

 

[csp]

Yeah cause a metal shear capable of cutting 1/4" plate fits nicely into most peoples budget not to mention space constraints.

You realize that there are several viable options between the $5 saw and a shear, right?

 

[srmofo]

You realize that there are several viable options between the $5 saw and a shear, right?

Name 1 that will do a 8' cut in 1/4 plate and leave a clean straight edge.

Yeah I have a plasma cutter and it will cut that, but not nearly as straight as a circ saw and the edge will still need to be dressed. Admittedly a lot of that is user input and I certainly dont have much experience behind the torch. Theres still a large price difference between the saw and the plasma cutter, not to mention the 220v power and the large compressor needed. Now heres the thing, the saw method works, so whats the need for a comment like the one I quoted earlier? Just typical BS with no real suggestion

Now if hes just cutting small bar to length , thats a different story. My cold cut saw works great for that, but he said plate. I think of sheets of plate that need to broken down when I hear plate

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

Thanks folks, pretty much what I figured. I have had a cutoff disk explode on my angle grinder after pinching it in a cut, not fun. The guard and shroud on this one should make it much safer.

Lol, now play nice everyone, we are all friends here, right?

That said, I would love to pick up a hypertherm torch, but my bride-to-be just finished spending that budget on our wedding in Vegas for this Saturday. Ha, win some, lose some I guess.

 

[carterbeauford]

Yeah cause a metal shear capable of cutting 1/4" plate fits nicely into most peoples budget not to mention space constraints.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QX7P1Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I burned up a newer Craftsman miter saw in about 3 minutes using a 10" cutoff wheel on aluminum. because it wasn't the right tool for the job.

people keep old ratchets handy to use as hammers too.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Just blow the saw out with compressed air after you use it to get the grit and metal dust out of it.

I highly recommend this also. Getting all that **** out, whether it be metal or concrete dust when using a masonary blade, I believe is the key for saw survival.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QX7P1Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I burned up a newer Craftsman miter saw in about 3 minutes using a 10" cutoff wheel on aluminum. because it wasn't the right tool for the job.

people keep old ratchets handy to use as hammers too.

There in lies the difference, the OP bought a used $5 saw for **** work and knows it will be a throw away saw. You used a newer saw, burned it up and apparently upset about it not lasting.


If you're going to use a tool and questionable about it survivng during it's usage, don't use your good tool. If you needed to make a custom wrench (heat and bend) would you use your good SO, SK or MAC wrench or would you use a HF or a rusty wrench you bought for a buck at a flea market ?

 

[rlitman]

I highly recommend this also. Getting all that **** out, whether it be metal or concrete dust when using a masonary blade, I believe is the key for saw survival.

It makes a big difference.
That's one reason I try to use pneumatic tools as much as possible.
If I need to wear a mask to keep the dust out of my lungs, why should my good grinders be breathing that ****?

 

[sberry]

I got to agree with the op and a few others in between. The cost is disposable or consumable and this obviously isn't a st6eady diet. Cheap is good or ok. I got lots of ways to cut but find no objection to using a battery powered sawzall if possible. I am a fabricator from hell in a hurry and about injured a couple times for picking up a circ to something way better and really safe.

But in this case I agree with do it if it works.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Name 1 that will do a 8' cut in 1/4 plate and leave a clean straight edge.

A $30 Freud metal-cutting blade with that saw will leave a cut so clean you can see your reflection in it.

 

[ADSR]

A $30 Freud metal-cutting blade with that saw will leave a cut so clean you can see your reflection in it.

Agreed! I bought one to do metal roof and siding. I've also cut 3/8s steel with it. It cuts awesome. Also, there isn't the burning smell like the other discs.

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

That is a great idea, the saw is not at all a poor saw, the longer I can get out of it the better. Plus less risk of fire...

 

[desmo316]

which abrasive blade for stainless steal?

 

[desmo316]

Wow. I'm a Jr member?

 

[A_Pmech]

which abrasive blade for stainless steal?

How much stainless steel?

I had to cut some 1/4" 304 in the field and a 7" Forney fiber reinforced cutoff wheel lasted somewhere around 16" of kerf.

It only took 20 seconds or so to cut and the cut quality was great, but that wheel sure went up in a cloud really fast!

 

[NotStock]

I've done the abrasive wheel in a circular saw. My take? Its awesome. I wouldn't shy away from it.

I've never tried the diablo metal blades, but I've seen Jack's posts on them and it looks tempting. As I recall he uses a slightly lower sped Rigid 18v saw... correct me if I'm wrong.

Your results may vary, but I know Makita circular saws last a few years with an abrasive disc.

 

[truckdriver]

I've cut lots of steel with an abrasive blade over the last 10 years and that old saw just keeps going. I am going to try that Freud metal blade though. Thanks Jack!