How to cut 1/8" steel shelving?

[rusty_tlc]

I did burn up one $30 Skil brand saw, but it had seen 7+ years of abuse in a manufacturing environment so it was living on borrowed time. It made it through several cuts in 1/2" plate (about 2') that day but died trying to cut 18 gauge corrugated sheet a few minutes later.

Replaced it with a Milwaukee worm drive - it doesn't even slow down.

Cut some 1/4 plate yesterday - the other benefit of the circular saw method is your workpiece barely gets warm. You can pick it up without gloves immediately after cutting.

I have a Delta Miter saw at home that almost never gets used, now that my sons has a Hitachie sliding miter saw it will get used even less. I may have to get a cut off blade and start using it to cut steel.

 

[spressomon]

I have a Delta Miter saw at home that almost never gets used, now that my sons has a Hitachie sliding miter saw it will get used even less. I may have to get a cut off blade and start using it to cut steel.

The biggest problem I had when I tried a carbide toothed metal 10" blade on my Hitachi was the high relative motor speed. I got a few great cuts then it dulled quickly at 4,000 rpm. Ideally, I think, you want to slow down the speed for the carbide blade on metal.

 

[rusty_tlc]

The biggest problem I had when I tried a carbide toothed metal 10" blade on my Hitachi was the high relative motor speed. I got a few great cuts then it dulled quickly at 4,000 rpm. Ideally, I think, you want to slow down the speed for the carbide blade on metal.

Yeah, I've heard bad things about using metal carbide blades with a miter saw designed for wood. I thought we were talking about abrasive blades here, like I use in my angle grinder.

 

[MOfj40]

FREE SHIPPING — Northern Industrial 7 1/4in. 40T Tungsten Carbide Blade | Circular Saw Blades | Northern Tool + Equipment

Northern Tool's brand, but all the major manufacturers have a variation.

 

[Doug_S]

Bite the bullet and, if you can afford it, buy a plasma cutter. They're great.

 

[spressomon]

Yeah, I've heard bad things about using metal carbide blades with a miter saw designed for wood. I thought we were talking about abrasive blades here, like I use in my angle grinder.

For not wanting yet another tool in the already stuffed garage I tried the abrasive cut-off wheel in my Hitachi. All of the wood miter saws I've seen, including the Hitachi, have plastic blade 'guides'...sparks from the grinding metal do a great job of melting plastic. Take a look at yours otherwise you'll be replacing plastic parts like I did .

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I use my Bosch Jigsaw with a metal cutting blade for stuff like that. If you go slow and keep it oiled, it makes a very nice cut

Yes I agree - Try it you will be amazed. I have cut stuff a lot thicker with great results and its a lot safer then any cut off wheel. I dont use the oil option and I'm still happy with the results.

 

[jjfj80]

For not wanting yet another tool in the already stuffed garage I tried the abrasive cut-off wheel in my Hitachi. All of the wood miter saws I've seen, including the Hitachi, have plastic blade 'guides'...sparks from the grinding metal do a great job of melting plastic. Take a look at yours otherwise you'll be replacing plastic parts like I did .

I use a plywood or MDF auxilliary fence to protect the plastic
on my cheapo Ryobi miter saw. After cutting something thick,
you might see a little flame on the plywood fence, just blow
it out. Also, the ability to to set up a stop makes repetitive cuts
way easy.

JJ