Let's talk your favorite metal cutting circular saw blades

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 15:34:08 GMT

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I really like my 15amp Milwaukee 7 1/4 circular saw, its ruggedness, power, and features, but I'm not happy with the "durability" of the first blade I tried---I first tried a $27 Irwin metal cutting blade, which worked really well (!), but only for three cutting instances against 2'x4' 14-gauge mild steel sheets that I cut 2' strips from.  As the instructions suggest, I'm letting the blade do the work, so I am not forcing it and being patient, but it still got dull and is no longer capable.  I then asked a welder friend/local shop owner for another brand name with durability---he suggested Lennox metal cutting blades with a high (e.g., 40-60) TPI count. I'll only be cutting at most 10-gauge mild steel sheets, mostly 14-16 gauge 2' sheets.  Anyway, before I try another brand and spend more, I want to hear what brand suggestions the guys on this site have had best success with for cutting 14-16 gauge steel sheets (I'd like to keep the cost to <$100 a blade if at all possible).Agape GuyEverlast Power I-MIG 200 (dual voltage)Everlast PowerArc 200 stickHarbor Freight Titanium 125 Easy FluxHypertherm Powermax 30Way too many power tools
Reply:Freud, "Steel Demon""Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:The problem with using a regular circular saw to cut metal is that the RPM is too high and it generates a lot of heat.I have been using one of these for a couple of years and I am very happy with it.http://steelmax.com/s9-9-metal-cutting-saw.phpThey also have a 7" version and a 14" chop saw version.
Reply:Originally Posted by kolotFreud, "Steel Demon"
Reply:I'm not real sure, but seems to me you could purchase one of those cheapo HF router variable speed controls and slow that saw down so it would work better. You HAVE to lower the RPM or it wont matter who you buy your blades from. Anyone confirm that speed control would work for that?
Reply:Regarding the "Steel Demon ":Be sure to read the fine print." This blade must be used on a dedicated slow low RPM metal cutting saw. (1800 RPM's or less) "
Reply:Originally Posted by davido30093Regarding the "Steel Demon ":Be sure to read the fine print." This blade must be used on a dedicated slow low RPM metal cutting saw. (1800 RPM's or less) "
Reply:Are you looking at the 7.25" size? That one is rated up to 5800 rpm, says so right on the side of the blade. The 14 inch only goes up to 1800 rpms.
Replylasma cutter out of the question?
Reply:Originally Posted by davido30093You are right. I was looking at the 14" one.  Sorry about the misinformation. I am just used to cutting metal with the slower rpm saws.
Reply:Well, what I like about my saw is that I can cut 1/2 " plate mild steel like cutting  2X wood with a 7 1/4" circular saw. I have made 4 foot long cuts on 3/8th plate at plasma cutter speed that make the plasma cuts look awful in comparison. Each to his own. The plasma works great and has its place, but so does the steel cutting circular saw.
Reply:Years ago, I went on what I thought was a cheap date with my wife to be; the LA County Fair. Long story short, at the end of the day, she walked out with a couple of lipsticks she found at a vendor booth and I left with an order for a Shopsmith; about $5000 at the time. Today, it's the best thing I ever bought for the ranch. It does everything from bandsawing to drill press to table saw AND it has a variable speed motor. That blade will be perfect for cutting sheet on my Shopsmith. Now if I can just find a chopsaw with a variable speed motor!http://www.shopsmith.com/markvsite/index.htm
Reply:We've been using the steel cutting circular saws for almost 4 years We've tried using the 7 1/4" metal cutting blades in standard wood cutting circular saws and they don't last long at all. We now have both the hand held 8" Milwaukee saw as well as Milwaukee's 14" dry cut chop saw. The lower speed of these saws makes a big difference in blade life. We also found that the blade lasts much longer if you use a guide to keep the blade from binding in the cut. If the blade binds it breaks the blade teeth. They blades also cut best when cutting the edge of the material, so laying a 1/2" thick by 3" wide flat bar down in the vise and cutting into the wide side isn't the right way. It's vetter to stand it up and cut the 1/2" edge. Angles should be cut from the outside of the corner so they should be cut with the open side of the V down.  Harbor freight sells 7 1/4" circular metal cutting blades that are rated for 5400 rpm and sell for less than $20. They are terrible when used at that speed in a wood cutting saw, but they have proven to last a long time when used at the slower speed of the Milwaukee 8" metal cutting saw.  The slower speed is important with these saws.CharleyMiller MM252Miller Bobcat 225NTMiller DialArc HF / DIY Cooler2 Victor O/A TorchsetsMilwaukee 8" Metal SawMilwaukee Dry Cut "Chop" Saw 5 Ton Wallace Gantry Various Grinders, Benders, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by kolotFreud, "Steel Demon"
Reply:Originally Posted by CharleyLWe've been using the steel cutting circular saws for almost 4 years We've tried using the 7 1/4" metal cutting blades in standard wood cutting circular saws and they don't last long at all. We now have both the hand held 8" Milwaukee saw as well as Milwaukee's 14" dry cut chop saw. The lower speed of these saws makes a big difference in blade life. We also found that the blade lasts much longer if you use a guide to keep the blade from binding in the cut. If the blade binds it breaks the blade teeth. They blades also cut best when cutting the edge of the material, so laying a 1/2" thick by 3" wide flat bar down in the vise and cutting into the wide side isn't the right way. It's vetter to stand it up and cut the 1/2" edge. Angles should be cut from the outside of the corner so they should be cut with the open side of the V down.  Harbor freight sells 7 1/4" circular metal cutting blades that are rated for 5400 rpm and sell for less than $20. They are terrible when used at that speed in a wood cutting saw, but they have proven to last a long time when used at the slower speed of the Milwaukee 8" metal cutting saw.  The slower speed is important with these saws.Charley
Reply:Originally Posted by davido30093The problem with using a regular circular saw to cut metal is that the RPM is too high and it generates a lot of heat.I have been using one of these for a couple of years and I am very happy with it.http://steelmax.com/s9-9-metal-cutting-saw.phpThey also have a 7" version and a 14" chop saw version.
Reply:Originally Posted by DeveI'm not real sure, but seems to me you could purchase one of those cheapo HF router variable speed controls and slow that saw down so it would work better. You HAVE to lower the RPM or it wont matter who you buy your blades from. Anyone confirm that speed control would work for that?
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTPlasma cutter out of the question?
Replyavid, that looks like the bomb! What did you pay for it back then? Just curious. BTW, I'l pass this on to one of my neighbors. He is currently in the market for buying a metal-cutting circular saw and he has more money to work with.
Reply:Originally Posted by Agape GuyFor me it is--can't afford it and I like my circular saw.  I'm not that handy, not at the level you are.