Cut Metal with Your Circular Saw It may not be an obvious choice, but fitted with the right blade, a circular saw is a great metal-cutting tool. In our test, it cut through rebar like a hot knife through butter. You can cut mild steel up to about 3/8 in. thick using a ferrous-metal-cutting blade.
You have a lot of factors to consider in the metal-cutting vs circular saw question-like blade speed, the blade itself, and the collection of metal shavings created by the blade. The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 7-1/4-inch circular saw has a no-load RPM of 5,800 whereas the Milwaukee FUEL 8″ metal saw comes in at 4,000. Stick with circular saws designed for each specific task, and don’t be afraid to go for a corded metal cutting saw if a cordless model is too tough on your budget.
To successfully cut metal or aluminum with a circular saw you’ll ideally need a saw with a brushless motor as you’ll likely cause less wear & tear on the motor when compared to a brushed type motor. If you’re purely looking for a metal cutting circular saw, you’ll also have to consider both the saw blade and the actual saw. If you’re are a construction worker and would consider it cost-effective buying a metal cutting circular saw, you can take a look at the Makita XSC04Z which was explicitly designed as a metal cutting saw with the necessary saw blades already included.
Circular saws work on the same principle as a mitre or chop saw a circular saw is not fixed to a cutting plinth; this gives complete freedom over the cutting movement to enable freehand straight and gently curved cuts to be achieved. When using a circular saw for cutting metal it is important to ensure it has an enclosed motor housing to protect the motor from damage caused by metal chips. Regularly apply cutting fluid as the saw travels the length of the cut to reduce heat and allow a clean cut.
In another post, a reader asked why a wood-cutting circular saw cannot be used on metal. Let’s look at 2 saws – Milwaukee’s new M18 Fuel brushless metal-cutting circular saw, and their full-sized M18 Fuel brushless wood-cutting circular saw. When it comes to cutting a lot of the types of materials you would use a metal-cutting circular saw on, such as angle iron, that wood-cutting circular saw blade is going to be spinning way too fast and might not have the torque needed for fast or safe performance.
can a circular saw cut metal Related Question:
What kind of saw do you use to cut metal?
Circular Saw with Metal Cutting Blade or Metal Circular Saw Roofing, sheet metal, and corrugated metal—basically any metal that generally requires just a simple, straight cut—can be cut by a circular saw with the right blade.
Can I use a wood blade to cut metal?
While a metal-cutting saw has a collection bin to prevent metal chips from getting into the machine, a woodcutting saw isn’t designed this way. If you do decide to use a wood saw on metal, only use a 7 1/4-inch blade and preferably a worm drive blade, which provides extra torque.
What is different about a metal cutting circular saw?
Metal cutting saws differ from standard circular saws in the following ways: Lower RPMs to cut more efficiently in metal. Optional debris collectors to catch metal shavings (some models) Smaller blade sizes further reduce RPMs and allow for more control.
Can hand saw cut metal?
There are hand saws for cutting wood, drywall, metal and plastic. Even though hand saw uses vary and choosing the right saw for the job is important, the basic technique for using a hand saw is the same.
Can you turn a circular saw blade backwards to cut metal?
You can run a saw blade backwards and it cuts pretty well. However it is not at all a good idea. The two big reasons not to do this is that saw tips are much more likely to come off if the saw blade is run backwards and that the whole saw blade is much more likely to come apart if it is run backwards.
Can you reverse a saw blade to cut metal?
Yes – a circular saw blade can be accidentally mounted on the saw backwards – but it is a mistake you will only make one time because you will find out the instant you try to cut a piece of wood. It will not cut and you will be embarrassed at your mistake.
Can carbide blade cut metal?
Carbide metal cutting blades offer a full range of sizes and profiles for cutting both ferrous and non-ferrous metal. Ferrous metal blades can be used for cutting all types of metal construction products including steel siding, roofing, steel studs, and other construction steel.
Can you saw through metal?
A standard, motorized circular saw is capable of creating straight cuts through most types of metal. The key to using a standard circular for cutting metal is to choose the proper blade for the project. In general, circular saws accept abrasive, metal cut-off discs for metalworking projects.
Will a masonry blade cut metal?
Yes, certain diamond blades can cut through metal, but this will depend entirely on the blades application. Most diamond blades are used to cut through concrete, brick, tile, and asphalt.
Can you cut metal with a Cricut?
Yes, you can use the Cricut to cut metal.
Can a circular saw cut aluminum?
Most grades of aluminum offer excellent work ability and weldability, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. The preferred way to cut this material is with a miter saw but a circular saw still works.
Can you cut metal roofing with a circular saw?
Always make sure you wear your gloves. It’s very easy to cut yourself on the metal roofing, if you don’t have some protective gloves on. You don’t want to use the high speed of a skill saw, or any type of circular saw, because it will create too much heat.
Is it hard to cut through metal?
An angle grinder fitted with an abrasive metal-cutting disc works well to cut all kinds of metal, including bolts, angle iron, rebar and even sheet metal. But the discs wear down quickly, cut slowly and shrink in diameter as you use them. Instead, we recommend using a diamond blade that’s rated to cut ferrous metal.
Can you cut metal with a knife?
Using a utility knife to cut sheet metal is an easier and quicker way. This process involves whipping out this knife and scoring the facade of light-gauge metal stock. When done correctly, this can provide cleanly cut that stock off without requiring to resort to a saw or snips.
Which way should the teeth face on a circular saw?
The teeth should be cutting UPWARDS, in a clock-wise direction. You’ll also notice that when your blade is installed correctly, the teeth will be pointing upward. Remember: circular saws (as most saws) cut on the upward stroke.
