Cutting Steel

[h couillion]

Why do some people use a worm drive skill saw to cut steel. can i just use a normal skill saw with a blade for steel. i assume it has somthing to do with rmps???i need to make a 20' cut on 1/4" steel plate.

[Welder Dave]

Yes, the saws made for metal use a slower speed. A cutting torch or plasma would be the fastest but if you don't have either why not use a cutting wheel in a 7" or heavy duty 5" grinder? Just use the better quality cutting blades.

[milomilo]

Worm drive saws do turn slower than a standard circular saw. Not sure if they are slow enough though. Also not sure they would be protected form metal chips like a metal cutting saw would be.

[albrightree]

How come you get all the good jobs ? I frequently run into situations where a torch or plasma can't be used. Circular saw is my least favorite options. Originally there were only abrasive wheel, but now you have thin .045" thick 4.5" grinder wheels, and carbide tipped 7"and 8"saw blades circular saws. RPM, and thickness must match the blade on the circular saw or they won't last too long. Worm drives have a lot more torque, but less RPM. I have a Milwaukee metal cutting saw, and it sure sounds the same as a regular saw. I have used it alot on aluminum, but noisy, and messy. The edge needs almost no touch up before welding. Steel is the same, just goes slower, and hotter(probably why they need the Torque) Do you have a roller magnet to pick up the little hot metal shards that will be every where. Almost as fun as using a die-grinder on stainless steel.

Good luck

[h couillion]

plasma with a flat bar as a guide worked the best. after i wasted $70 on blades