Cutting metal with a circular saw?

[BLACK DEATH]

Has anyone used their circular saw to cut metal? I keep seeing blades at the hardware stores that seem to fit them. I dont want to shell out the money just yet to buy a 14" metal saw tool or band saw as it would rarely get used. Im going to cut angle iron flat plate steel etc...up to a 1/4" thick.

 

[expfcwintergreen]

I have cut 3/16 angle iron with a circular saw with a worm gear, no problem. Don't ask me what a worm gear is, but that is what I read that you need.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Jack Olsen ring a bell?

 

[kippieland]

I have used a circ. saw on metal before...not a pleasent experience. I got hammered with little metal chuncks in my face and everywhere else. I would recommend a some metal shears. If money is an issue you could always try HF....they have them for cheap...they may only work once, but their cheap!

 

[GirlnAgarage]

OP, what thickness do you need to cut?

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I have used a circ. saw on metal before...not a pleasent experience. I got hammered with little metal chuncks in my face and everywhere else. I would recommend a some metal shears. If money is an issue you could always try HF....they have them for cheap...they may only work once, but their cheap!

Same here. The little curlies burn when they land

I suggest a cap to cover the melon and a face shield. Definitely clean off and sweep up well.

 

[BLACK DEATH]

Im going to be cutting flat plate steel, angle iron etc.... up to 1/4" i am guessing to make some engine mounts for my car. I have a torch but then ill have to clean the cuts up. A blade will make lots of sparks but thats no bither to me as ive used a gas powered quicky saw 14" and that makes some sparks.

 

[Hephaestus29]

My dad has used a circular saw for cutting metal but for thinner stuff, he says to turn the blade around to cut metal.

 

[Toymeister]

Why not a sawzall? The OP says it would be rarely used.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Why not a sawzall? The OP says it would be rarely used.

Cutting 1/4" with a recip saw still takes a lot of work. Having done it for 3x3x1/4" angle on a project, it's tiring! I used Lenox Gold blades.

Having metal cutting capability in a circular, chop or miter saw makes the job a cake walk.

 

[metalhead212121]

Sawzall will cut metal no problem... biggest issues is that using a sawzall or a grinder your cuts will look like ***.

 

[larry4406]

I have used a dewalt circular saw, not a worm gear type, with an abrasive disc to cut 1/4 inch plate. Used a straight edge as a guide. Cut just fine. Noise is awful. Would not do it repeatedly as the plastic on the saw gets hot.

 

[Toymeister]

Cutting 1/4" with a recip saw still takes a lot of work. Having done it for 3x3x1/4" angle on a project, it's tiring! I used Lenox Gold blades.
QUOTE]

I must be willing to put up with it or I am just plain cheap. I have done it and it was fine. Now, I would not want to do it all day, tho.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

I have seen it done, never personally did it, on aluminum. Chips ahoy is all I can say and quite a lot of noise. I assume steel would be worse. I would probably look for either a cut-off grinding type disk or use saw-all with a good vise/clamp..

 

[Matt018]

I used a worm drive skil saw and an abrasive wheel to chop up some rebar for scrap, It worked okay, bettey than using an angle grinder or sawzall fo sure.

 

[uhohjim]

If you're only making some engine mounts as you said I would use a 4 1/2 in grinder with a Dewalt cut off wheel followes up by a flap wheel to smooth it out.......Jim

 

[uhohjim]

..............Otherwise the racket from using a circular saw with a cutoff blade on it is god awful along with the dust from the cutoff wheel.......it'll work....but there are easier ways......Jim

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I must be willing to put up with it or I am just plain cheap. I have done it and it was fine. Now, I would not want to do it all day, tho.

I'm running a recip saw with one hand. Two hands would probably give me more stamina.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Re: loud racket

It is. Wear ears along with eyes and face protection.

 

[capswin]

PLASMA cutter....

 

[alex71]

I've cut plenty of .25" plate with a cheap skil (older US made) non-worm drive saw. Used an abrasive blade. very messy, but works fine. Plasma with a guide is easier on the cut, but definitely more work on the cleanup. YMMV.

 

[TJH in OKC]

Years ago I used a cheap many toothed plywood blades in a small table saw, with sawdust removed, to cut some large stock at least 1/4" thick. It cut by friction and worked pretty well. The 2 best things was that it was basically free because the blade (3-4 dollars) was already worn out and it cut very straight.

Tom

 

[nismomans13]

PLASMA cutter....

if a 2-300 dollar bandsaw/dry saw are to expensive for him what make you think a 1400 dollar plasma cutter is the way to go. If I was going to buy something to be used 'rarely' as the poster said, i wouldn't go out and spend 1400 bucks on something.

I think its hilarious how everyone in the internet always suggests the most expensive item for the given job.

Typical question:
"i need to engrave some metal, its only a one time thing so i don't want to spend boocoo bucks, would a dremel with a engraving bit work?"

Typical internet forum answer:
"a dremel would probably work, but you should really should just invest in a proper laser engraver, they run 30-40k but their worth every penny because you will be super awesome and chicks will sleep with you"

Fyi, to answer the original question at hand, I have a diablo steel demon on my craftsman circular saw, it works fine for cutting smaller plate. I rarely go above 3/16 but it cuts that fine, its loud, but its metal work so nobody should really complain about dba levels. Just go slow, I wear double eye protection when using my dry cut saws because of the chips flying at high speeds, eye glasses and a full face shield, or welding hood if i'm welding. Don't worry, it'll work fine, you don't need a worm drive saw either.

 

[browntown]

Do you have access to an oxy/acety outfit? You can setup a straight edge for cutting long lines. Clean it up with a sander or flap wheel. I think those diablo steel demon blades are crazy expensive.

 

[ToddG]

I used a Freud Diablo Steel Demon in my Dewalt saw. It cut through 4" channel like butter! Lots of chips flying everwhere but the edge was like glass...

 

[Tom_20m]

Sawzall will cut metal no problem... biggest issues is that using a sawzall or a grinder your cuts will look like ***.

I would use the 4 1/2" angle grinder as well as the sawzall. I picked up some metal cutting blades from depot. They were red and were rated for 1/4" to 1/2" steel. Had picture of steel I beam. Worked great. I use to get the bi metal blades which were ****. The teeth would wear out. If you want a cleaner cut, use the electric angle grinder and take your time.

 

[nismomans13]

I would use the 4 1/2" angle grinder as well as the sawzall. I picked up some metal cutting blades from depot. They were red and were rated for 1/4" to 1/2" steel. Had picture of steel I beam. Worked great. I use to get the bi metal blades which were ****. The teeth would wear out. If you want a cleaner cut, use the electric angle grinder and take your time.

those are diablo blades, if you want a pretty straight cut on the cheap a circular saw with a guide is gonna yeild the best cut really. aside from plasma or a torch.

 

[alex71]

yes--circ saw with abrasive blade for plate. angle grinder for tube or angle iron.

 

[ToddG]

The Diablo blades last a very long time and don't throw sparks at all. The abrasive blades wear quickly and really make a light show!

 

[alex71]

The Diablo blades last a very long time and don't throw sparks at all. The abrasive blades wear quickly and really make a light show!

Maybe. I hated them on my drycut saw, back when I had one. They only lasted a small fraction of the cut time of the DeWalt carbide blades. They were 1/3rd the price, but 1/10th the performance. maybe these are different.

 

[machine_punk]

It sounds like you are cutting relatively small things, like brackets...why not a PORTABLE BAND SAW? I have the Milwaukee deep cut, and I highly recommend it...but I've heard good things about the HF version, which is only $80.

I usually cut aluminum and nonferrous metals, but the portable metal-cutting band saws above are rated for steel. I believe they would be perfect for your application (but definitely won't cut to the middle of a 4-foot sheet of anything).

M_P

 

[Robbie UK]

Diablo blade in a circular saw, as per Jack Olsen video, gets my vote for the occasional cutter. The noise makes your teeth rattle but the finish is amazing and required skill is low. Hardly any sparks and the metal bits get chucked on the floor rather than in the air. If you already have a circular saw for the price of a blade you have an excellent tool for cutting really straight. I'm a shield and goggle man but wear stout trousers too as the metal bits can be flung downwards with some force!

For small stuff stick with an angle grinder with a cutting disc.

 

[crewchief888]

i've cut a lot of steel with a circular saw and abrasive blades in the past.
my circular saw has seen better days from the abuse it took doing it.
also done my fair share of cutting with a jigsaw with fine tooth blades

IMHO a 4 1/2" angle grinder does a better job on small stuff, like brackets and engine mounts.

if you're planning on doing a lot of fab work on the car, a 14" abrasive chop saw is probably the next step up.
the HF model i had lasted long enough to build 3 cages, 2 spare tire mounts, 2 sets of bumpers and rock sliders over the span of a year or so.

 

[Outlawmws]

Do you have access to an oxy/acety outfit? You can setup a straight edge for cutting long lines. Clean it up with a sander or flap wheel. I think those diablo steel demon blades are crazy expensive.

This since you already have a OA torch. If you have never tried to do so and practice a bit. done right you can get incredibly clean cuts.

Other options:

If you are going/willing to spend some money, I used a hand held Port-A-Band for YEARS fabbing parts.

Watch Craig s List and find a cheap horizontal cutoff band saw. most can be also setup for vertical band sawing with a brace and add on table.

I've done the circular saw, and except for soft non ferrous metals, can't recommend it.

I HAVE an abrasive chop saw, and save it for either very thin tubing, or very hard material that eats band saw blades. messy, noisy, and you always need a shower afterward...

 

[87FoRunner]

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200313572_200313572

 

[Outlawmws]

ps: Tip on the OA torch use.

Before setting up for your cut (This is for righties: reverse for lefties), hold the torch in your left hand, move you right arm/hand under the hoses around in a counter clockwise rotation until the hose is against your right wrist and then grip the torch handle. This makes it so the hose is pulling fairly high on your arm, instead of the end of the torch.

This helps keep the torch tip steady as a tiny pull on the grip part of the torch moves the tip a LOT. With this arm wrap, the torch is more like an extension of your arm instead of some wobbly long awkward thing you are trying to keep steady.

 

[BLACK DEATH]

I understand all your concerns guys but i dont need to buy new tools just yet ill use what i got for now. Ive been watching clist and bandsaws sell quick or are junk. Ill keep a look out but a circular saw will work good for now or my 4-1/2" grinder with a cut off disc. I just wanted to try something new at cutting metal.

 

[2chipped]

I understand all your concerns guys but i dont need to buy new tools just yet ill use what i got for now. Ive been watching clist and bandsaws sell quick or are junk. Ill keep a look out but a circular saw will work good for now or my 4-1/2" grinder with a cut off disc. I just wanted to try something new at cutting metal.

I use a 7 1/4 lennox blade in a 36 v dewalt to cut 6in sch 40 galvanized posts all the time, but it throws a lot of HOT sparks....so wear a full face shield.