Metal blades for hobbyist

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Got good feedback on cutting methods earlier, thanks for the replies. The recommendations call for a carbide tipped blade.Are these types of blades (I'm figuring more teeth than less for a less aggresive cut), suitable for metal or must they specifically say for ferrous metal?I want to buy a  10" blade for judicious bench top type table saw sheet metal cutting operation and a 7 1/4" circular saw blade for general use. I'll spend what I need to get decent results, but the budget is tight or I'd buy a real saw.Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 and WP17. 75A AC is for pipe thawing!HH 140 - new addtion 9/2012.I didn't agree, but hoped for Hope and Change.I got change for myself and my family: for the worse.This is the reality of: Barackalypse Now. Again.
Reply:Sheet metal huh, well no opinion on the table saw, but use the cheapest worn out regular non-carbide tipped blade with your circular saw. Remember to turn it backwards so the teeth face the opposite direction as they do when cutting wood...less agressive and the cut is done mainly by friction anyway. Wear ear, eye and any other protection as it is a nasty job. The cut edge won't be as even/nice as what you would obtain from an actual metal cutting blade and will need a bit of cleanup, but for most sheet metal jobs it should be both cheap and acceptable.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Watch blade RPM recommendations as well. Many carbide blades are designed to be run at much slower speeds than typical wood saws will run at. On 7 1/4" it will probably be close, but 10" there may be a big difference in RPM's between a wood saw and a cold cut carbide saw designed to cut metal. Toss an expensive carbide blade in a saw at too high an RPM, and you are just tossing money in the trash.Since you are asking about ferrous metal, I assume you want to cut steel and not alum. Alum will cut with standard fine tooth carbide blades designed for wood in most cases..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Yep its for steel. I cut tons - literally, of aluminum siding with a circular saw with a paneling blade turned backwards, a lonnnng time ago.I may try same today, I'm mainly looking to cut strips to practice on. I've got some salvaged 16 ga control panel cans. I spend more time trying to cut and grind off the paint than I do welding. Come to think of it I do more grinding than welding anyway, but I'm getting better.I don't think I'll be cutting or welding anything for a few days after today, thanks to Sandy....Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 and WP17. 75A AC is for pipe thawing!HH 140 - new addtion 9/2012.I didn't agree, but hoped for Hope and Change.I got change for myself and my family: for the worse.This is the reality of: Barackalypse Now. Again.