compound miter saw for metal?

[lovetoski]

Hey guys,

This might be a stupid question - I have a 12" inch compound miter saw, purchased and used for a variety of wood cutting tasks. Works great (it's a Craftsman). Question is whether it would work (safely) to cut metal? Obviously the blade would need to be switched out. I'm planning for a MIG purchase soon (sliders + rear bumper builds are first up) and making clean/straight cuts will probably be helpful (as it is with wood). Assuming it's doable, any key points to keep in mind?

Thanks!

 

[45Kevin]

I have an old 8" miter saw that I put a metal blade on. It works fine.

I did take off the cloth dust collection bag though.

 

[pillguy]

I did the same to a 10" craftsman saw. Use dewalt blades as the are better than norton.
I am thinking of a variable speed switch controller from HF to keep the rpms down.
I am impressed with the results so far.

 

[lovetoski]

Thanks guys!

 

[Jetboy]

Not sure how long it will last. The metal cutting blades spin at roughly half the speed of wood blades. For a 12" blade you want around 1800rpm or less. You might get some cuts with a metal blade, but I doubt it will last very long. With blades going for $100+, I think you might find it cheaper to just buy a good dry cut metal saw.

If you had a belt drive double bevel miter saw, you could probably re-gear it with different pulleys to drop the blade speed. All the commercial ones have a gear box to reduce the blade speed.

 

[crushers]

ummm, i used to use the chop saw and now i bought a cheap band saw ...

WAY nicer to use and much quieter and much more accurate.
just a suggestion.

45Kevin, "take the bag off"
i watched a buddy have the bag caught fire, he was cutting wood, then switched the blade and cut some steel angle ... he figured a couple cuts wouldn't hurt.

pretty funny to watch.

 

[Jetboy]

I should clarify, are you talking about an abrasive blade or a toothed carbide steel cutting blade?

 

[Ebag333]

ummm, i used to use the chop saw and now i bought a cheap band saw ...

WAY nicer to use and much quieter and much more accurate.
just a suggestion.

x2

I've used a wood saw to cut metal, it works but is too fast.

I don't know why anyone would use a chop saw instead of a band saw. HF's band saw is actually quite nice, granted it's not as fast as a chop saw but 1000x quieter and cleaner cuts to boot. Chop saws give me a headache, you can have a conversation next to a band saw.

 

[Jetboy]

x2

I've used a wood saw to cut metal, it works but is too fast.

I don't know why anyone would use a chop saw instead of a band saw. HF's band saw is actually quite nice, granted it's not as fast as a chop saw but 1000x quieter and cleaner cuts to boot. Chop saws give me a headache, you can have a conversation next to a band saw.

Abrasive chop saws suck. I fully agree. A dry cut or cold saw like this is faster and more accurate than a band saw in the price range. And it takes a lot less space. 10" Multipurpose Sliding Miter Saw, Cuts Steel Aluminum & Wood, Professional Miter Saw, evolutionrage.com I have one that I need to do a little writeup on and post some videos. With a steel cutting blade it zips through all the steel I've put in front of it. It's also portable. I have a portable band saw, but this is 100 times better for cutting clean steel stock.

 

[Ebag333]

Abrasive chop saws suck. I fully agree. A dry cut or cold saw like this is faster and more accurate than a band saw in the price range. And it takes a lot less space. 10" Multipurpose Sliding Miter Saw, Cuts Steel Aluminum & Wood, Professional Miter Saw, evolutionrage.com I have one that I need to do a little writeup on and post some videos. With a steel cutting blade it zips through all the steel I've put in front of it. It's also portable. I have a portable band saw, but this is 100 times better for cutting clean steel stock.

I've used saws like that and think they're great for what they do. They're much faster than a band saw which is their big advantage.

I just really dislike the noise, they're loud and obnoxious. I have enough stuff that I have to wear ear protection with, I don't need anything else.

Plus I like being able to set and forget my band saw. Throw the metal on there, lower the arm, and then walk away to do something else (while keeping an eye on it, of course). My band saw zipped through steel when the blade was new, now that it's been broken in it cuts too slow, but that's the cheap piece of crap band that came with it, a nice band will cut through steel very rapidly and not dull quickly.

There are a ton of hacks people have done for the HF band saws too, like auto oilers, larger tables (for when it's upright), etc.

I think a chop saw has it's place, but given the choice I'd take a band saw over a chop saw any day of the week. Two different ways to do the same thing, both get the job done, yes?

 

[crushers]

i use a compound saw for cutting wood and aluminum
i use the band for aluminum and steel

each have there place.

 

[Jetboy]

I've used saws like that and think they're great for what they do. They're much faster than a band saw which is their big advantage.

I just really dislike the noise, they're loud and obnoxious. I have enough stuff that I have to wear ear protection with, I don't need anything else.

Plus I like being able to set and forget my band saw. Throw the metal on there, lower the arm, and then walk away to do something else (while keeping an eye on it, of course). My band saw zipped through steel when the blade was new, now that it's been broken in it cuts too slow, but that's the cheap piece of crap band that came with it, a nice band will cut through steel very rapidly and not dull quickly.

There are a ton of hacks people have done for the HF band saws too, like auto oilers, larger tables (for when it's upright), etc.

I think a chop saw has it's place, but given the choice I'd take a band saw over a chop saw any day of the week. Two different ways to do the same thing, both get the job done, yes?

If I could find the right band saw I'd probably be willing to make space for it. My problem is that I'm really limited on floor space in my garage, and a HF style bandsaw takes up a lot of room. A miter saw can break down and stow away in a small space.

Something like this saw would be great: Dayton 2LKT8 Portable Bench Miter Band Saw, 6 In, 3/4HP , but all the similar smaller bandsaws start around $800-1,000 which is kinda hard to justify for less capacity than my little dry cut miter saw.

 

[crushers]

i roll mine under the bench when not in use ... takes up a lot less space that way...

just a suggestion

 

[lovetoski]

The good news about asking a question on here is that you'll likely get an answer...the bad news is that you may get an answer you don't like (or didn't want to hear). I don't really want to buy a metal cutting band saw at this time, and it sounds like my compound miter saw is best kept for wood only. So I think I'll stick to my angle grinder and a hack-saw for now. Harder, and less accurate, but I can make it work.

Thanks for the honest feedback and info, I really appreciate it!

 

[Ebag333]

The other thing is that the metal shavings can get into the saw and shorten it's life. If you have a nice saw for wood, best keep it for for wood.

A club member has one of these and loves it, it's not as accurate as a fixed band saw but portable can be nice. They aren't expensive, so they're a pretty good option.

Something that you might want to consider is a sawzall with a bi-metal blade. You'll burn through blades fairly quick (not that you don't with cut off wheels anyway), but it can work very well. I actually prefer it over cut off wheels due to the lack of sparks. It's not as accurate, however.

 

[lovetoski]

The other thing is that the metal shavings can get into the saw and shorten it's life. If you have a nice saw for wood, best keep it for for wood....

Something that you might want to consider is a sawzall with a bi-metal blade. You'll burn through blades fairly quick (not that you don't with cut off wheels anyway), but it can work very well. I actually prefer it over cut off wheels due to the lack of sparks. It's not as accurate, however.

I was wondering if metal bits would hurt the saw.

Sawzall...I have one, and it cuts metal really well...great suggestion, thankyou!

 

[Spook50]

I bought a 12" Ridgid from a guy on Craigslist last fall that runs at the right RPM for the cutting disc I bought at a local fabrication supply shop, and it works outstanding. Biggest thing is to remember to pull the plastic vacuum hose off the back that I always use when I cut wood. Already had to replace one, if you know what I mean
There's also a plastic guard that prevents wood shavings from building up in the return spring on the hinge that's gotten damaged from the hot metal shavings. I need to make a new one out of some thin sheet metal that I can clip into place instead. The saw itself wasn't designed specifically for metal, but it does the job beautifully.

I think the big thing to keep in mind is the necessary speed needed for the cutting disc Vs. the RPM your miter saw is spec'd at, and any plastic parts that can be damaged/melted by hot metal shavings exiting the saw.

Also, that Ridgid is an awesome saw. Only thing it doesn't have that I'd like is a slide-out function so I can cut extra wide pieces of wood & metal. No laser sight either, but I didn't (still don't) want one. If someone can't use a tape measure and a pencil, they shouldn't be using a miter saw

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

Doug, feel free to come by and use my shop. I have both a chop saw and a band saw.

Regards,

Alan

The good news about asking a question on here is that you'll likely get an answer...the bad news is that you may get an answer you don't like (or didn't want to hear). I don't really want to buy a metal cutting band saw at this time, and it sounds like my compound miter saw is best kept for wood only. So I think I'll stick to my angle grinder and a hack-saw for now. Harder, and less accurate, but I can make it work.

Thanks for the honest feedback and info, I really appreciate it!

 

[lovetoski]

Hi All:

Doug, feel free to come by and use my shop. I have both a chop saw and a band saw.

Regards,

Alan

Thanks Alan - I will take you up on that!

 

[Roark Supply]

So you guys are putting the Abrasive blades on the miter saws?

I know the Carbide Tipped Metal Blades aren't supposed to be run at the RPMs of an Abrasive blade.

Not really a safety issue but I know guys that put the carbide tipped on the abrasive saws and they don't last as long.