Is it possible to cut metal with a circular saw

Tool features

“Circular” is a type of circular saws. It is used for cutting metal sheets, rods, pipes, fittings. Powered by an electric motor. The tool is submersible, that is, it cuts metal not only from the edge of the material, but from an arbitrary point.

The design of the product is such that it is easily disassembled when replacement or maintenance of parts is required. The only item that needs regular replacement is the cutting disc. It is made of tungsten-doped alloy steel. Although the need to change a disk is dictated by the frequency and intensity of work.

How to Cut Metal With A Circular Saw – Kevin Caron

The introduction of an electric motor and the ability to replace the reciprocating motion of the cutting blade with a circular one decades ago made the circular saw for metal a kind of innovation. Today, a powerful mobile device has overshadowed well-known counterparts like a hand-held hacksaw.

Manufacturers produce models for the right or left hand. Some models are universal, that is, the user independently chooses which side the handle is located on. Circular saws are used in many areas. production, construction, as well as household needs. Equipment is selected according to a number of criteria for specific purposes.

Classification of circular saws

The second criterion is the depth of cut, again determined by the size of the disc. So circular saws are divided into 3 groups:

• 4 to 5 cm (sheet metal cutting);
• from 5 to 7 cm (cutting metal, profiles, small pipes);
• from 7 to 14 cm (professional equipment for bulky or thick materials).

The third criterion for classification is the power of the instrument. There are also 3 groups (for household work, universal and professional models):

• up to 800 W;
• 800-1200 W;
• more than 1200 W.

All models, regardless of power, allow you to cut workpieces from both sides. Sometimes it is not possible to cut straight away, so a circular saw is suitable for thick workpieces.

The fourth criterion is the rotational speed of the disk. For household models, the indicator is about 3000 rpm, for professional models it exceeds 5000 rpm.

In addition to the listed criteria, there are geared and gearless devices. The former have a transmission between the electric motor and a six-speed gearbox, while the saw blade is on the shaft of the latter. In the latter, the toothed blade is fixed immediately on the motor shaft. The advantages of gear models are the ability to adjust the cutting depth, blade tilt. The advantages of gearless circulars are compactness, lower weight and cost.

Another classification criterion is how the saw is positioned in the workplace. There are stationary circulars mounted on a fixed bed. This makes it possible to cut long or wide material. Examples of devices. EinHell TC-TS 2025 U, Hitachi C-10 RE, domestic Spec SRS-2000. The cheapest models cost 13-17 thousand rubles.

The many differences between some saws and others make it difficult to choose the right model. Further advice will be given on choosing, as well as some models of circular saws for metal.

3 signs of a good metal circular

About how a circular saw for metal differs from analogues, by what criteria it is classified, how much it costs and what tasks it performs, let’s talk further.

Among the equipment that allows you to cut metal, the circular saw stands apart. According to the principle of operation, it resembles a grinder, only the working element is not an abrasive, but a toothed disc. Further. about how the circular saw for metal differs from analogues, according to what criteria it is classified, how much it costs and what tasks it performs.

Equipment selection criteria

• Power. The parameter is largely influenced by the size of the saw blade. The larger the diameter, the higher the power and the more productive the tool. For household purposes, a network device with a power of up to 800 W and a price of no more than 8 thousand rubles is suitable. (for example, Skil 5330 LA or Sturm! CS 5060 MS), for regular professional work. from 1500 W (Kolner KCS 190 / 1900T for 5000 rubles).
• The ability to adjust the intensity of turns. A tool with this function will accurately cut metal of any thickness, since the rotational speed of the disc can be increased or decreased. Example. Bosch GKS 55 GCE for 20-22 tr.
• Cutting depth. Models with an indicator up to 50 mm will cost 5-12 thousand rubles. (Makita HS 201 DWAE), from 50 to 100 mm. depending on the manufacturer (Evolution Rage-230 with a cutting depth of 84 mm for 32,000, Interskol DP 190/1600 M. from 6 thousand rubles), over 100 mm. at higher (for example, Makita 5143 R, 130 mm, for 45-50 tr., Messer CS 320 with the same indicator. 52-54 tr.).

Stationary models are much more expensive than manual ones, although they cannot be said to be more versatile. However, for small household chores, it makes no sense to buy a bulky frame with a saw at a price of 50 thousand rubles, when you can get by with a manual analog for 5-7 thousand.
Finding good equipment at a bargain price is easy if you follow the recommendations above. The variety of circular saw blades allows you to find a tool for any wallet. The considered equipment for cutting metal is much more efficient than grinders, so it makes sense to overpay a little and never worry about possible damage to the workpieces.

Finally, a beautiful advertisement for a very expensive Hilti circular saw

Saw blade for metal

Don’t look for so-called universal drives, because they don’t really exist. It is impossible to find one that fits perfectly and does a good cut in both hard and soft material.

For work on metal, carbide saw blades are best suited, they have a high-quality base and cutting teeth. The number of teeth and segments affects how quickly the workpiece is cut. The main feature of the segments is the presence of special soldering. We can say that they play a major role in cutting. Alloys for teeth use tungsten-cobalt or carbide-tungsten. On many brands, you can see the slots. they are specially made to eliminate heat. This, in turn, extends the service life of the carbide blade.

Circular saw blades for metal

In order to select quality discs, you need to read the labeling. The packaging always indicates the permissible speed, fit dimensions, cutting directions. What must be specified without fail?

• Rotational speed
• Number of teeth
• Kerf width
• Direction of rotation
• Fit size
• External diameter
• Purpose
• Life time

Circular saw for aluminum

Aluminum is a tough plastic.

When choosing a tool model, be sure to pay attention to the size of the disc. The saw blade allows you to quickly and efficiently cut aluminum sheets and pipes, process plastic and non-ferrous metal-plastic products.

This tool allows you to cut larger workpieces. It has other advantages, including:

• high speed;
• cuts very thinly and accurately;
• performs corner cuts;
• differs in accessibility of equipment (saw blade 300 mm);
• compact, can be carried from one place to another.

Types of saw blades for metal and working with them

Today, metal cutting work has become an integral part of the activities of those who are engaged in construction and repair work. For example, various circular saw blades for metal are becoming popular tools and the best helpers.

Metal cutting happens:

• Mechanical (hand scissors, saws, angle grinder).
• Thermal (gas method, oxygen cutting, etc.).

Let’s pay attention to the mechanical option so that the work is more efficient, namely: for hand-held electric saws.

Saws are of different types:

• saber;
• Bulgarian;
• disk.

The circular saw is much easier to work with. It is equipped with high-speed carbide blades, which have a high level of fracture resistance. When you need to do work on wood or metal, such a tool will be most suitable. The saw allows you to make a narrow cut and still generate a small amount of chips.

Circular saws make more noise than other machines. However, changing the saw speed allows you to make curved and corner cuts.

Saw blade for steel

The essence of his work is to melt the material at the cut with the help of a special shape of the cutting teeth. Discs make it possible to achieve an acceptable ratio of resistance and resistance to the appearance of small cracks at high rotations. This cutting method is a cheap option for making steel billets.

All types of saw blades can be divided into three groups according to the number of teeth:

• 80–90 pcs. a large number of teeth;
• 40-80 pcs. the average number of teeth;
• 10-40 pcs. a small number of teeth.

A high-quality blade cuts accurately and accurately, the service life is quite long, but the thing is not cheap either. For this, it is worth finding a reliable supplier. Don’t go for cheap rigs that will lead to disappointment later on. It will wear out quickly, and cutting will be much worse than expensive equipment. It is important not to forget to sharpen the saws in time, then your unit will serve you longer.

Circular saws for metal for cold cutting

This name is due to the principle of operation of cutting saws. When cutting metal, the blade body and teeth absorb all the heat that is generated. Thus, the workpiece remains cold. This provides a significant number of advantages, primarily ─ no risk of any deformation of the workpiece. On the other hand, drinking is quite demanding. They require a cooling system on the machine. Otherwise, the disc itself may collapse from excessive heat exposure.

A circular tool of this type is installed on: manual automatic, semi-automatic cutting and cross-cutting machines, pendulum saws.

There are two types of circular saw blades for cold cutting:

• HSS saws;
• Tungsten carbide saws.

HSS saws are made from high speed steel. The tool is monolithic. both teeth and body are made of the same material. Its main advantage is its low cost and ease of use. Circular saw blades made of HSS steel are easily reground and can be reused. The disadvantage of metal cutting tools is the relatively high level of fragility. With significant frontal or lateral loads, the saw can break. That is why the tool runs at reduced speed.

Used for cutting solid and profiled materials from ferrous metals and alloys. The range of standard sizes of circular saw blades with HSS steel is limited to 600 mm. That is why discs cannot be used for cutting large sections.

Carbide tipped saws are available in two types of materials. The body is cast from regular steel and the teeth are fitted with special hard (HW) alloy plates. Discs significantly outperform HSS steel in terms of hardness and wear resistance. The disadvantage of carbide is the difficulty in providing services. Only drank with the simplest form of soldering is suitable for regrinding. Specialized teeth are not subject to repeated regrinding.

HW discs mainly cut tubular and profile materials from ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The assortment includes both small diameter discs and industrial, large sizes.

How to choose a circular saw for metal?

Cutting metal with a circular saw is one of the most common methods of machining metal products. Cut-off saws provide the most accurate and high-quality work result. However, a large number of people remain unhappy with its results. The main cause of this phenomenon is the incorrectly selected circular saw.

Detailed recommendations for choosing a circular saw for metal can be found here. This article is aimed at describing which particular saw is suitable for certain purposes. To facilitate this process, we will divide drinking into two categories:

• circular saw blades for metal for cold cutting;
• other circular saws for metal.

The differences in these two types of tools dictate the scope and purpose in which they are used. Therefore, by choosing the metal circular saw that suits your needs, you already guarantee yourself a significant share of successful work.

Other circular saw blades for metal

This category includes specific industrial cutting tools: segment saws and friction discs.

The choice of a friction circular saw for metal is advisable when you need the fastest possible work. Metal cutting occurs with a linear tooth speed from 110 to 150 m / s. Thanks to these performance indicators, the saw does not cut, but melts the metal. This is what explains its name.

Saws have found the highest level of popularity on automated production lines with so-called flying cutters. Used for cutting shaped and tubular materials from ferrous metals and alloys. A significant disadvantage of friction discs is the presence of characteristic burrs, which are formed as a result of melting the edges of the workpiece.

Segment circular saws are used for cutting a wide range of metal products: profile, solid, tubular materials, rails, I-beams, beams. They are made in large diameters, so they can cut workpieces of any section.

Segment circular saws have a specific design. They consist of a body and plug-on segments that form cutting edges and are attached to the base by means of special rivets. This makes possible the longest possible use of the saw, provided that the segments are replaced in a timely manner. The disadvantage of using this tool is the obsolescence of the equipment on which they work and not economy. Due to the thick body, a large amount of material is wasted.

The obvious fact is that the result of the work of any circular saw for metalworking is formed not only by its quality, which of course is also very important, but also by the correct choice of the tool itself. Therefore, be sure to consult with a specialist before buying a circular saw, who will help with the choice of high-quality and reliable equipment.

How to choose a circular saw?

The circular saw is used for cutting metal, plastic, soft and hard wood, plywood, OSB and chipboard. A circular saw will come in handy when building a house or summer cottage, in the repair and decoration of interiors. Let’s figure out which circular saw is better to choose.

Main characteristics of circular saws:

cutting depth and diameter of the disc to be installed;

tilt angle adjustment.

Let’s take a closer look at each parameter.

Cutting depth and diameter of the installed disc

The radius of the disc is not equal to the cutting depth, but these parameters are interrelated. The depth is measured from the edge of the blade to the base of the circular saw blade. 40-50mm immersion models are suitable for cutting sheet blanks, thin boards. For such work, a disc with a diameter of 160mm is sufficient. It is better to cut the bars, tabletops with a disc with a diameter of 190mm, it will give a depth of 55-65mm. Thick beams and logs can be handled by a 230mm disc (75-85mm).

Electric circular saw MAKITA HS7601

Circular saw for home and summer cottages with a power of 1200 watts. Users note the convenient ergonomics of the tool, the possibility of vertical cutting. The pluses include a frost-resistant cord and a molded sole. There is an adjustment of the slope and cutting depth. Of the minuses. there is no scale for the depth of cut.

The saw confidently cuts boards and beams up to 50mm thick.

A selection of circular saws

Types of circular saws

Depending on the type of power supply, circulars can be network or rechargeable. By design features, circular saws can be divided into four types:

manual. small size and power, for household tasks;

submersible. for processing edges, cutting from the middle of the workpiece, for the formation of grooves;

stationary. for cutting sheet materials and long boards, for professional use;

hypoid. with a curvilinear arrangement of engine gears for increased torque, for construction work.

Tilt angle adjustment

This function will allow you to make chamfers at an angle of 45 degrees. When choosing such circular saws, you need to pay attention to the adjustment method. it must be light and safe.

Additional options that will make working with the circular saw more enjoyable and faster:

spindle lock will facilitate disc replacement;

protection against accidental starting reduces the risk of injury;

maintaining the speed makes it possible to cut sections of material of different density at the same speed;

smooth start extends the life of the motor;

the spring-loaded casing opens the teeth of the rotating disc only when it comes into contact with the workpiece;

overload protection “reminds” you that it’s time to take a break;

the rubberized handle will slip less in the hand;

a nozzle for connecting a vacuum cleaner will make the work process cleaner;

the presence of a parallel stop or guide bar will ensure a smooth cut;

the laser pointer can replace the stop and the tire;

the electrodynamic brake will stop the disc as soon as the trigger is released;

long power cord to save you from dragging carrying carriers and extension cords.

Setting up the circular saw

Before starting work, you should:

• put the disc;
• make sure that it is securely fastened;
• make sure that the protective cover opens freely and returns to its original position when the handle is released;
• check the correct installation of the riving knife;
• make sure that the saw is working properly by holding it in the ON mode for 10 seconds without load.

It is quite easy to adjust the saw before starting work. This requires:

• Adjust the position of the guide slot on the table and disc using a caliper, aligning the guide slots on the blade. When checking the tooth in the front and back of the blade, the difference should not exceed 0.05 mm
• Check the parallel stop with a groove or slot. Here, the offset should also not be more than 0.05 mm.
• Align the riving knife with the blade so that it is in line with the blade. In case of mismatch, a more accurate adjustment is achieved by rotating the washers

• Tighten the mounting bolts securely to protect the table and the machine from vibration

What can be done with a circular saw

The principle of operation of this unit is based on the rotation of the cutting disc by an electric motor. The saw design is presented in two versions: manual or stationary. An important difference between these two versions is that the force from the engine to the disk in the stationary model is transmitted through the belt, while in the manual model the disk itself is fixed on the shaft. The saw can cut wood both along the fibers and across them, cut out a quarter. The tool can be used to saw off soft metal, plastic, if you use special discs.

Stationary models

The use of circular machines has its own operational features. To cut wood you need:

• Set the switch on the equipment to the off position. Only then can the cable be connected to the electrical network.
• Raising the handle, adjust and fix the cutting height of the disc according to the size of the material prepared for cutting.
• Check the position of the guide bar and saw blade. Their arrangement must be parallel to each other.
• Start the circular saw and make a longitudinal cut of the wood material. Sawing one board should be done with a single approach.

Using a stationary circular saw

After processing all the material, turn off the switch on the equipment, which stops the rotation of the blade, and disconnect the tool from the mains.

How to cut with a hand-held circular saw

The forerunners of modern automatic saws were tools made of stone, bones, on which jags were applied from one edge. The beginning of this instrument was laid in the fourth millennium BC. They are used both in household work and in the creation of various works of art.

Then, stone and bone were replaced by copper, iron, steel. The first power saws appeared in Germany in the XXIV century. Electric saws became widespread only in the 20th century.

Device and principle of operation

The design of the circular saw is pretty simple. The device can be manual, or stationary type, combined models are also found.

Regardless of the type, the equipment consists of a saw and a base plate. The last element is made from durable steel sheets or aluminum alloys. The main purpose of the circular saw is an accurate and high-quality rip sawing of wood.

A circular saw

Cutting boards and bars is carried out by rotating discs, which have special covers that protect against injury during the working process. The cutting part is triggered by a trigger. Circular equipment allows you to process large volumes of wood.

What is a circular saw for?

It is designed to cut softwood and hardwood boards with a moisture content of no more than 50% and a thickness of no more than 64 mm. It is allowed to cut plywood, aerated concrete, chipboard, asbestos-cement and cement-particle boards.

A circular saw. How to cut it

The main stages of working with the tool:

• Set the minimum depth of cut by adjusting the blade downward.
• Fit the guide to the size of the part by measuring the length from the edge of the blade to the edge of the foot of the saw. Mark up the material.
• Make the initial cut 3-5 mm.
• Continue sawing without stopping all the way through the blade.
• Use duct tape at the cut to avoid chipping.

Here’s a stupid question. all his life he sawed with stationary circulars. and here I bought a hand saw (because it is more convenient to carry it with you), but I don’t know where it will “settle down”.
For example, you need to saw a 6 meter board lengthwise. how is it more convenient to attach the board?

Pavell wrote:
how is it more convenient to zip the board?

can be screwed on with self-tapping screws, only below the plane of the board and not along the course of the disc. saw off and unscrew. well, if there are no clamps, and they are not imported into the country.

Pavell wrote:
For example, you need to cut a 6 meter board lengthwise. how is it more convenient to fix the board?

why also a stupid question?

Malek wrote:
why also a stupid question?

Why cut a board? Wide board, for example.

Pavell wrote:
For example, you need to saw a 6 meter board lengthwise. how is it more convenient to attach the board?

I fastened it with an ordinary narrow wedge at the end of the board,
narrow so that it does not stick out above the board

and in the middle there are two turning bars with a beveled edge. so that the wire does not cling.
served as a tabletop two fifty boards and six rectangular supports nailed together.
nothing tricky.

Pavell wrote:
you need to cut a 6 meter board lengthwise. how is it more convenient to fix the board?

When sawing a 6-meter fifty with a width of 15-40 cm, as a rule, there is no need to fasten the board with a hand-held circular saw. its own weight is enough. Put a couple of bars under the top board so that the next board is not grabbed by the disc. and forward, except. I don’t want.

From personal experience.

Superrat73 wrote:
When cutting a 6-meter fifty with a width of 15-40 cm.As a rule, there is no need to fasten the board with a hand-held circular saw

And there is no special need to fix the 3 meter high.

I have an even simpler question (from the category, help the teapot):
How to cut a 3-meter board across, into 6 planks of 50 cm.
Let’s say I marked everything with a pencil, how to fix it on the desktop with improvised means to cut and the board did not run away?
Especially the last meter?

alexVS wrote:
. how to fix it on the desktop with improvised means to cut and the board does not run away?

if there is a desktop and it does not allow it, then this is a dining table.
make a normal editing table a la fest and use with pleasure.
”
holes are made of a convenient diameter for the handle of a shovel or rake, in a square-nesting way every 100 mm. (original 96mm).
I push with such a clamp “

I look at the bourgeoisie everywhere these holes are so that it is more convenient to brush off the shavings?

This is for fixing the material to be processed.

alexVS wrote:
Let’s say I marked everything with a pencil

I’ll be a little tedious, excuse me if you already know

When size is important, measure and mark each piece just before cutting. The disc eats up a few millimeters. This must be taken into account when setting the saw blade along the markings.
Of course, if you just need six more or less identical fragments, you can neglect.

Sorry again, if this is self-evident for you.

IMSten_ wrote:
. measure and mark each piece just before cutting.

why is that?
the first workpiece is carefully marked and cut, then all the rest are used as a template.
and you don’t need to pencil, just touch the template with the disk and go.

A circular saw is a special equipment designed for even cutting of boards or wooden beams. The use of the device requires some knowledge and skills. To understand how to use a circular saw, you should familiarize yourself with its principle of operation and operational capabilities.

Chapter 1. Saws for metal. Introduction.

Metal saws are widely used in industry and everyday life. At the household level, a saw for metal. This is a hand saw with replaceable blades. We will see such a tool in the first lines of search results in any search engine.

The industry is characterized by more productive samples: the most important, at the moment, equipment from this category is a band saw for metal, although 20 years ago, the most common type of saw for metal in workshops was a mechanical hacksaw. Such machines still remain in some places and, even more surprising, they are even found on the market as new ones! A mechanical hacksaw is a morally outdated and noisy machine, as a rule, with a fixed vise. Replaceable tool for him. hacksaw blade. Wears out unevenly. more in the center, the edges remain intact, which means that economically this type of tool is less efficient than a disc or belt blade.

A more expensive, but also much more productive machine was and remains a circular saw for metal. Its obsolete version can be called a segment saw, otherwise called a Geller saw.

Now, on disk cutting machines with automatic or manual feed, they are used as blades made of high-speed steel. these blades have a comparatively higher number of teeth, and so do the blades with carbide teeth. HSS saw blades, not to be confused with saw blades for wood, are most often used for cutting galvanized steel air ducts. This is due to the large number of teeth and, therefore, a smaller distance between them, called the tooth pitch. This factor allows you to cut very thin steel without undermining.

For productive cutting of steel wheel or aluminum slabs, it is best to use an automatic circular cut-off machine. On such a machine, saw blades with carbide teeth are installed. The disc rotates at high speed and is cooled by oil mist. Well, if you need to cut a steel beam or pipe, then the number one is now in all industries. this is a band saw. Band saw machine. economical and quiet type of equipment for cutting workpieces, both thin and thick wall.

As for our promise to give advice on the selection of a circular saw for metal, the above types of tools are not entirely relevant to this topic. Our company specializes in relatively light and simple hand-fed saws and cut-off machines and a carbide-tipped saw blade that works without additional cooling. We just want to be objective and give as complete an understanding of the state of affairs in the field of saws for metal in the present and recent past as possible.

How to choose the right circular saw for metal

Chapter 2. Circular saws for dry cutting of metal. Appointment

Circular saws are a convenient and relatively inexpensive way to cut steel workpieces in workshops and on-site. Several companies in the world specialize in their production and the design of some models is very similar. Basically, it concerns hand-held circular saws and pendulum cut-off machines.

Circular saws for metal are designed for cutting steel sheets up to 12 mm thick, as well as profile sheets and sandwich panels up to 80-100 mm thick. As the name implies, circular saws of this type are held in the hands while the work is being performed. Their design sometimes allows the disc to tilt at an angle of up to 45 degrees to the plane of the support platform, and this gives great versatility. You can even create a weld bevel in one move when cutting a sheet.

Unfortunately, the ease and speed with which circular saws cut thick steel compared to a conventional grinder, for example, is offset by the relatively high cost of saw blades. However, the only alternative can be called sheet shears or laser cutting, which can in no way be compared with hand saws, either in terms of price or mobility.

So, hand-held circular saws will allow you to cut efficiently and accurately:

• low carbon or low alloy sheet steel up to 12 mm
• lentil leaf
• grating
• profile sheet with a wave height up to 84 mm
• metal roofing
• sandwich panels.

Slightly less effective, but it is still possible to cut with these saws:

• steel pipes and profiles. it is difficult to see where the cut will go, so if accuracy and repeatability are very important, it is better to use pendulum saws
• scrap metal such as old wagons, car bodies or agricultural machinery. during cutting, displacement of structures and pinching of the disc is possible. This can lead to damage. In these situations, where accuracy is not important, use flame cutting. However, be aware of the explosion hazard.
• stainless steel. this is due to the property of stainless steel to conduct heat poorly. Because of this, all excess heat rushes through the disc, which leads to its warping and deterioration. Better to use something liquid cooled.

Pendulum cut-off machines are very good for cutting long products such as pipes, profiles or circles. The name pendulum saws comes from the form of movement in an arc around the swing axis. These saws are more suitable for classification. small-sized or portable machine for cutting metal. The maximum diameter of a circular saw produced for this type of machine, at the time of this writing, was 400 mm. However, the most common so far can be called a 355 mm or 14 “disc. Cutting machines with a disc of this diameter can cut workpieces with a cross section of up to 130 mm. In some cases, it is permissible to cut a rectangle measuring 95×180 mm.

What is the best way to charge a pendulum circular saw with a carbide blade:

• pipes made of steel or cast iron
• rolled steel, in particular corner, channel or I-beam
• cable tray with a wall thickness of 1.5 mm and more
• shaped pipes or a closed profile of a more complex cross-section

Slightly less efficient, but it is still possible to saw with such machines:

• open thin-walled profile with a wall thickness of less than 1 mm. large vibration, you need to use tabs to prevent crumpling in a vice. Helps, but performance drops
• cable without armor and steel core. in general, an aluminum cable will cut without problems, and any steel element in the cable is deliberately hardened or made of spring steel. no trouble. Therefore, we advise you to cut the cable with care.
• steel circle. the saw blade will quickly fail in any metal with a thickness of more than 6 mm, but we have experience in cutting a circle with a cross section of 50 mm or more. Rage multipurpose discs are not suitable for this purpose.
• stainless steel. pipes made of AISI 302, 303 or 304 steel can be cut, but only if there is sufficient time for the disc to cool between cuts. Thus, cutting becomes unproductive or wasteful.
• carbon steel. discs do not do well with carbon steel. Mark 30 and above requires caution and deliberation. The disk resource will also decrease.

Well, at the end of the review, we cannot ignore the Evolution Rage multipurpose miter saws. Many people are interested in the ability to cut steel profiles, pipes and other workpieces with such saws. Based on our experience, we can say that there is such an opportunity. But not more. And here’s the thing.

Sliding miter saws can cut fairly wide workpieces. They are very well suited for precise sawing of boards at different angles. The workpiece is clamped at some distance from the cutting line, so as not to block the rotary table. In this case, the clamp is a light clamp. This is all right for cutting wood planks and even aluminum planks used in the production of car trailers, but does not match the stresses when cutting steel profiles. Vibration generated in the long pull arm is detrimental to carbide teeth. Another factor. It was only in 2020 that the blades installed on miter saws began to match the saw rotation speed, before that the blade speed was too high. Therefore, it was not necessary to talk about long-term cutting of steel profiles or pipes with a miter saw. If you need to cut steel from time to time, then this equipment is quite suitable. If the task is to constantly work with rolled steel. our recommendation is cutting machines or hand-held circular saws for metal.

How to cut a chipboard with a jigsaw without chips?

Laminated chipboard is one of the most widespread materials used in the independent manufacture of furniture. You can talk about its advantages and disadvantages for a long time. But it is much more important to learn how to cut chipboard with a jigsaw without chips.

What else do you need to know?

When it is planned to saw off everything without chips on one side, it is permissible to use saws with both upper and lower teeth. Most craftsmen prefer small, straight-toothed files. Such devices chip less material, but at the same time they work pretty well. After the saw cut, it is best to process the ends with emery stretched over even bars. If there is no ready-made crayon of a suitable color, you can mix different crayons, like paints in the artist’s palette, and get a new color.

To cut without errors and moreover quickly, you must always take into account the brand markings. There is no universally binding standard for designations yet, but almost all companies strictly follow the classification developed by Bosch specialists. Or at least indicate it along with their own abbreviations and terms. For cutting wood and wood-based products, CV files (sometimes referred to as HCS) are well suited.

For processing laminated panels, Hardwood saws are intended (they are also useful, we note, when processing hardwood).

Some inscriptions indicate in which mode the tool works optimally:

basic. a simple blade that allows you to make a high quality clean cut;

speed. a device whose teeth are set apart (this allows you to cut faster);

clean. a canvas that has not been diluted (usually gives the cleanest cut).

If the workpiece is relatively thick, preferably a saw blade with large incisors that have not been set, then there will be minimal deviation from the vertical. The longitudinal (in relation to the fibers) cut is most often made with helical saws. For a transverse, a straight blade is better. When you plan to make a blank for furniture, it is advisable to choose a less productive, but more accurate tool. Since most of the saws now produced cut the material when retracted, the workpiece will need to be processed from the inside out.

Features and recommendations

Experts and connoisseurs advise doing this kind of work with electric jigsaws just because an ordinary hand hacksaw is too rough. It does not allow you to cut the material straight enough. The correct sequence of steps is as follows:

preparation of tools (ruler, jigsaw, measuring tape, awl or other sharp device for drawing on chipboard);

addition of these tools (if necessary) with a square for laying right angles;

measuring the desired part (with a reserve of 0.2 cm so that you can fit);

drawing a line along the ruler;

actually, the cut along the laid line;

finalization of the saw cut with sandpaper;

with very poor quality of the end. rubbing it with a fine, similar in tonality to chipboard.

Completing of the work

When the file is selected, it is also necessary to properly saw the laminated board at home. Experts recommend sawing along a guide (a rail clamped in clamps is also suitable). If you use a new, unworn blade, you can cut the chipboard as cleanly as you would with a circular saw. It is advisable to turn on the jigsaw at the lowest speed possible. This will significantly increase the resource of each file used.

The canvases themselves are placed at right angles to the sole of the jigsaw. The easiest way to adjust the angle is with a square or protractor. Important: the straight line passing through the cutting edge of the tool must be parallel to the rigidly fixed part of the jigsaw. It is recommended to use special inserts to reduce the chance of splitting. But in order for them to work more efficiently, they usually cut the laminated layer on the side where the blade will come out.

For information on how to saw chipboard with a jigsaw without chips, see the next video.

Is it possible to cut metal with a miter saw?

This is what our guests sometimes ask. For our regular customers, this issue has already been resolved.

Most likely you are already aware of the ability of circular saws to cut metal, especially if you are already familiar with EVOLUTION products. over, industrial circular saws for metal are specifically designed to cut steel or non-ferrous metals on a regular basis. And stainless steel. periodically. But this limitation is due to the capabilities of the discs and the features of dry cutting of chromium-nickel steels.

RAGE professional hand-held circular saws and cut-off machines also successfully cut steel when the sheet thickness does not exceed 6 mm, and the profile wall. 3 mm. However, by using the steel cut-off wheel used in the EVO 180 saw or S355CPS cut-off machine, these limitations can be surpassed without damaging the machine.

Serial cutting of steel profiles or pipes with EVOLUTION miter saws used to be ineffective. We have already covered this topic in previous articles. And nevertheless, with infrequent work with steel rolled products, miter saws of this brand show themselves much better than other brands on which a disc for metal was installed. The main advantages of EVOLUTION miter saws over competitive models:

• a robust gearbox originally designed for cutting steel
• reduced rpm, optimized for steel discs
• more than 20 years of experience of the company in the development, production and sale of circular saws for metal

This is without touching the carbide wheel itself on steel. Just a lot of people ask the question “Will I be able to cut steel with a miter saw on wood if I put a metal disc on it??

What has changed in more than 10 years of production of EVOLUTION RAGE metal miter saws?

Cutting metal with a Circular Saw: Toolsday with Metal Saws

In 2020, the company introduced a new generation of special cutting discs. Now, the steel discs with a diameter of 185 mm are designed for speeds up to 5800 rpm. A special professional disc R185TCT-20MS is offered for the R185SMS miter saw, and for saws with a 255 mm disc. matching cutting disc for steel.

Thus, in the question “is it possible to cut steel with a miter saw?”.

Follow these guidelines when working with steel workpieces on miter saws:

• securely attach the workpiece to the base, if the standard clamp is not enough, use additional devices
• fold the saw advance to the forward position and secure with the set screw. reduce the number of places where vibration is possible
• do not apply significant force to the saw, let the blade cut at the expense of speed, not pressure

Milwaukee Metal Saw 2782-20 Circular Saw

I just couldn’t walk past this thing, I begin to notice some weakness in myself for circular saws, and here for metal, and even battery and Milwoks 🙂

Main characteristics:
Weight 2.18 kg
Revolutions 3900 per minute
Voltage 18V
Sawing capacity. 50 mm with 135 mm disc, 57 mm with 150 mm disc.

Photo, so as not to clutter up the post-preview, large size by clicking.

Actually, the complete set is “carcass onli”, in a cardboard box, but the disc is included:

Specification disc can be set from 135 to 150 mm diameter (5-3 / 8 “- 5-7 / 8”),
complete disc. part number 48-40-4070 135×1.6x20x30T. Diameter 135 mm (5-3 / 8 “), thickness 1.6 mm, bore 20 mm, 30 teeth.

I didn’t find Milwaukee selling 150 mm discs, but there are 150 mm (5-7 / 8 ”) options from Makita, probably because she has a similar saw, part number for memory:

Makita A-96104 (150х1.5х20х52Т)
Makita A-96095 (150х1.5х20х32Т)

The impression at the first moment of the saw leaves a strange one. Lightweight. The minimum of iron is the maximum of plastic. The sole is not cast, like most circulars, but stamped from sheet stainless steel and spot-welded brackets, but everything is tightly knit, no backlash anywhere.
While you put the disc on, again you cannot get rid of the feeling of toy. the disc is tiny, tiny, the axis is thin, the washers are thin :). It works quite quietly, accelerates, and especially stops instantly. the merit of the brushless motor.

Appearance Marking Lever for retracting the protective shutter Button for locking the disc axle Sole Lever for locking the depth and key

Hanging hook that hides in the handle. A strange solution, perhaps it is convenient in some special cases, but for hanging on a balancer such a hook is too big, for attaching to a harness. the horizontal orientation will interfere, but hanging on a hook or rope is quite possible

The original power-on lock, you need to press the checkbox down with your thumb, after which you already press the start button, the checkbox is double-sided, it is equally convenient for both the left and right hand

Maximum disk overhang Disk to the front

Examples of cutting, sheet thickness 10 mm, length of cut 500 mm, here all the feeling of a toy disappears. I saw it rushing through the metal without howling, calmly, measuredly and steadily, the cut took a couple of minutes in time, this operation “ate” on the battery 1 / 3-1 / 2 batteries for 5 A / h, the saw at the end remained cold, the casing is warm, the disc is very warm, but not hot:

There is not a lot of sawdust, due to the small thickness of the disc, there is no catcher or containers for sawdust, but they, unlike wooden ones, do not fly far and their spread is limited by the place of work.

For completeness, a link to a good video of examples of work with this saw:

Basic Rules

OSB boards are one of the most popular materials used for interior decoration. With their help, you can create load-bearing elements of buildings, choose as different types of cladding. Similar materials are used in the assembly of cabinet furniture, stairs and other structures.

When choosing this product for work, you should familiarize yourself with the principle of manufacturing this material. OSB is a material having 3 or more layers. Each of them consists of crushed chips mixed with resin. The length and thickness of the chips can be very different, while they are oriented in opposite directions. To make the board more durable, all layers are located in a clear direction, while the location of the chips in each layer occurs perpendicular to the previous and next layers.

The wood-based panels contain resin and glue for bonding veneers, chips and sawdust. Thanks to this, the slabs are elastic and rather dense.

While these materials outperform solid pieces in some respects, they are sometimes more difficult to work with. This mainly concerns their sawing.

For high-quality cutting of OSB sheets, you should use special tools, and also adhere to some rules.

The sheets are cut first across the fiber, and then along it. This will protect the material from deformation and splitting.

The correct selection of tools is an important factor. For sawing on the inside, a saw (hand saw or band saw) is more suitable. When working on the reverse side, a contour or disc plate is more often used.

When using a circular saw, it is necessary to keep the rpm at a fairly high level.

The material should be fed smoothly, without jerking, otherwise there is a possibility of damage.

The choice of tools suitable for this material will allow you to work without creases and other defects.

Tool overview

With a not very large amount of work, you can even cut the slab at home with a hand saw or knife. But in this case it is unlikely that it will be possible to do it qualitatively. A hand hacksaw is not the best tool for sawing an OSB plate. Even experienced craftsmen can rarely do such a job up to the mark. In the absence of other, more suitable tools, it is better to cut the plate with a saw with fine teeth, leading the tool gently. The knife is also least suitable for working with OSB sheets, it is more often used only for marking.

Here is a list of suitable tools to use when sawing sheet material.

Jigsaw. This tool is more suitable for making curved cuts. Cutting the sheets in a straight line with a jigsaw is quite difficult. In the process of work, defects in the form of chips and pile may appear on one of the sides of the product, therefore, the correct choice of a file in this case is very important.

• Manual electric router. Using this tool will cut the slab clean and straight. But at the same time, it is often necessary to make several passes with a large plate thickness.

• The most successful option for cutting such materials is considered to be a circular. When using a circular saw, the cut is very high quality. The motor has enough power to cut even fairly thick sheets. Working with such a tool will allow you to get an edge perpendicular to the face of the sheet when cutting. Changing the slope will allow you to make the edge at a 45 degree angle. For best results it is worth using discs with a large number of teeth.

OSB boards are usually large, so it is preferable to cut them on the floor. If it is necessary to cut a large number of such sheets, it is advisable to do this on a special scaffold.

Regardless of the choice of tool, it is necessary to slightly raise the slab using small blocks of wood. When working with a jigsaw or hacksaw, they are placed along the cut.

Using a circular saw, lay the blocks across. The successful arrangement of the lining bars will not allow the material to break.

How and how to saw the OSB-plate?

Oriented strand board is a fairly popular material used in construction. This material is abbreviated as OSB or OSB. Such a large-format sheet needs to be adjusted to the required dimensions, so the craftsmen have to perform similar actions directly in the process. The article provides detailed information on how to easily and efficiently cut OSB-slabs.

Cutting recommendations

Using the advice of experienced craftsmen for cutting such materials, you can cut OSB sheets quickly and without defects.

During operation, the rotation speed of the device should be maximum. In the case when the saw starts to go with effort, or when the workpiece “burns”, it is necessary to reduce the rotation speed of the tool. In this case, it is necessary to ensure the minimum feed rate.

Before cutting the sheet, it is necessary to make a test cut by selecting an unnecessary piece of material. This will make sure that the markings are well visible, as well as choose the most suitable speed, evaluate the quality of work, and determine the size of the finished product.

The basic rule when sawing sheets is continuous and smooth guidance of the tool, since when stopped, traces often remain. Many beginners, trying to avoid chips at the end, begin to cut the slab from both sides, which is incorrect.

You need to make sure you have access to the markings, it is convenient to distribute the cable of the working tool.

It is necessary to cut not along the marking line, but next to it.

When marking, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the cut.

Before starting work, make sure that the tool is working at full power. This will protect against “kickback”.

After completing work, you must wait until the disc has completely stopped, and then remove it from the sheet.

The main task of the masters when fixing the plates is to exclude the possibility of jamming of the equipment in the sheet during work. And also it is necessary to exclude excessive vibration. To protect the front surface from raising the pile and from chips, use suitable tools for this, and also select the necessary modes of their operation. Some experts advise sticking masking tape along the cutting line, making markings directly on top of it. this will allow you to get a high-quality cut.

Many people recommend using a sharp knife to mark the line. In this case, the knife blade will cut through the fibers in the upper layers, reducing the likelihood of chipping. To obtain a clear cut line, it is advisable to choose a “guide” in the form of an edged board, a bar, trimming material with smooth edges or aluminum rules. The guide is fixed on the plate using self-tapping screws.

By choosing the right tool and preparing it for work, you can provide the desired result without wasting time and effort.

Watch a video on how to cut an OSB board.

The best way to cut vinyl laminate when laying

Vinyl or PVC laminate is gaining popularity due to its remarkable qualities: water resistance, durability, ease of installation, variety of decor. This material is easy to care for and is not afraid of water at all. Most often these are flexible panels, similar to linoleum.

How can you cut vinyl laminate at home? There is no need to use the tools listed above. Vinyl tiles are easy to cut with a clerical knife, this is a good solution for them.

How to cut laminate with a circular saw

Not everyone will acquire such a tool, but those who have it will enjoy working with it.

• high speed of work;
• it is possible to work with several lamellas at once.

The sawing power is much higher than that of other power tools. Therefore, if you choose the best way to cut a durable and hard commercial-grade laminate flooring, then it is worth choosing a circular saw.

Sequence of actions when working with a circular saw for cutting laminated boards:

• we choose a disk for a circular device with small teeth;
• apply marking for trimming on the decorative surface of the board;
• the boards are placed upward with a decorative layer one by one on the machine, holding the panel by the edge, slowly directing it forward towards the rotating disk.

How to cut a laminate with a jigsaw correctly

Let’s say right away that this is the most optimal and fastest way to cut lamellas, after all, the manual method is quite laborious and inaccurate. If you intend to continue to carry out all kinds of repair work in the house, it is worth having an electric jigsaw in your arsenal.

With this electric device, it is not difficult to make a cut along or across the lamellas, at any angle. There are devices that will allow you to make cuts located at the same distance from the edge of the board, even without marking.

Even with a single cut, such a tool shows excellent results. The answer to the question, the better to cut the laminate with a curly cut line, becomes clear: with a jigsaw. This tool helps to obtain the rounded cutouts required when meeting heating pipes. To do this, you just need to choose the right file with fine teeth, which will increase the quality of the cut.

Of course, this tool also performs a straight cut with high quality. The advantage of an electric jigsaw is that even a novice builder can achieve an excellent result with it.

The disadvantages of the device include

• noise during work;
• a lot of dust is generated.

Note that other power tools also have these disadvantages.
How to properly cut a laminate with a jigsaw:

• The tool is equipped with a fine reverse tooth file. If one is not included with the jigsaw, it must be purchased. This is the answer to the question of which jigsaw file you need to cut laminate with.
• Marking is applied to the panel requiring trimming. The cutting line is drawn on the back of the panel.
• The board is laid on a solid base with a decorative surface up, after which pruning begins along the intended line.

How to cut laminate flooring at home

Laminate floors are perhaps at the peak of their popularity today. Laying of laminated material is available for doing in-house. For this you need: desire, accuracy and some free time. To complete the installation, you need to purchase materials, a set of tools. Here the question arises: what tool is needed for laying and how to cut the laminate at home.

Sometimes it is difficult to opt for any one type of lamellae, the variety of colors, textures, decors with various patterns, authentic imitations of natural wood, natural stone, metal and even reptile skin is so huge. As practice shows, the variety of the appearance of the lamellas is not a factor affecting the cutting of the material. Therefore, in most cases, self-cutting will not cause difficulties.

You can carry out all the installation work without purchasing a specialized tool, using the available stock of inventory in the home pantry. Today we will look at what tools are needed for cutting panels, than cutting a laminate when laying with our own hands.

Guillotine for laminated boards

This is a new special small machine designed to mechanically action the blade on the laminated material by pressing the handle of the device. The machine is easy to use, does not require huge user efforts.

If you are asking the question of how to cut the laminate at home, then this tool is worth considering. Compared to a hacksaw, it works much faster and better, and if you compare it with an electric grinder and a circular saw, it is much cheaper and easier to maintain. The machine does not require a power source. The tool does not generate dust, sawdust, does not chip on the panels and works without noise.

This is the best option for a home craftsman who has set himself the task of decorating all the floors in the apartment with laminated parquet.
This laminate cutting tool should be used as follows:

• a lamella is located on the base of the cutting device. horizontally;
• the line of the marking applied to the board is brought directly under the cutter;
• the handle is pulled down to the laminated board, thus forming a neat and clear cut made by the cutter.

This device is capable of cutting a large number of panels fairly quickly and efficiently. A practical and useful tool to purchase for the professional installation of laminate flooring.

Can I saw laminate flooring with a hacksaw

Cut the laminated panel in such a way that there are no torn marks or damage at the cut site, so that the cutting line is even and straight. To accomplish the task, tools specially designed for such a purpose are used, which we will consider, and also talk about how it is done.

Here are some tips to help you make a quality cut:

• laminated boards are well cut even with the help of a well-known hand hacksaw, only it will take longer, and you should try to make the cut clear and without burrs;
• so that the edge of the panel after trimming is free of terry, cracks and chips, you can use any saw, but it must be with fine teeth;
• with a poor-quality cut. if there are cracks or chips at the end, such a lamella will need to be hidden with the bad side under the baseboard so that the marriage is not noticeable;
• you should not rush to trim, first you need to make accurate measurements, draw the direction of the cut on the board and check again that everything is done correctly;
• to achieve a good cut on the front side of the panel, when cutting, place it horizontally on a support, with the front surface up;
• do not use too much force when trimming to avoid breaking off the edge of the board.

A hacksaw is used to cut laminated panels in the absence of more precise electrical tools with a small amount of work. Here you need to try to get an even and high-quality cut without damaging the edge and not deviating from the intended course. What kind of saw can cut laminate flooring? Sawing can be done with any saw that only satisfies the sharpening quality.

But this tool does not apply to those, the better to cut the laminate with a large amount of work. Technically, a hacksaw will cope with a large number of panels, but it is not so easy to achieve a normal cut quality during the whole work.

Is it possible to cut laminate with a grinder

Yes, you can, but you should not work with a grinder without experience. First, you still need to learn from unnecessary boards.

There are different discs for the device: for working with wood, for metal, etc. Experts advise to cut the laminate with a grinder using a disc for metal, which has small and thin teeth, this will help to avoid the formation of cracks on the board.

How to choose the right tool

There are two defining circumstances worth considering here:

• panel properties, scope of work;
• tool specifications.

For example, what should you use to cut your laminate flooring at home? It makes no sense to purchase expensive powerful electrical equipment, such an amount of laminated boards will perfectly help to cut a machine with the name: guillotine. When finishing a commercial laminate flooring on a large area in an office, it makes sense to choose a circular saw.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to increase the technological gap near the wall, left by an insufficient size by mistake. How can you trim the laminate against the wall to increase the size of the gap? An example of using a jigsaw to solve this problem is given in the video:

Whichever tool you choose, not everything depends only on it. It is necessary to act carefully, without haste, carefully making measurements and drawing marking lines for trimming. Do not use too much force on the board during cutting, so as not to break off the edge.
We wish you good luck!