[TheForge] Cut off saw

Mon Dec 22 01:28:01 2003

Saint Phlip
The dry cut saws are medium speed carbide tipped circular saws. There are 
different hardness ratings in tungsten carbide formulas. The typical metal 
working insert is C-6. In 1995 Bosch, the largest tungsten carbide producer, came up 
with a new formula by adding some boron to give the ceramic better shock 
tolerance; this is C-2 grade. The Japanese came up with a zero rake blade running 
turning at slower speeds. An average setup would be a 14" diameter blade 
running at 1300 RPM. So far, all these saws are made in Taiwan, mostly in Japanese 
factories and merchandised by European and American firms.
 So much for history. What is important to you is that a $500 fort-nine pound 
saw can dry cut a 1/4 x 4 x 4-inch beam as fast as you can say one-two-three. 
It will cut as accurately as you set the saw, and without leaving a burr. 
They can make hundreds of cuts before needing sharpening. Some brands are better 
than others simply because of the importer's marketing plan. The two best buys 
are Makita, who only makes a twelve inch version--but it's very good--and the 
PorterCable 1410
http://www.toolbarn.com/cgi-bin/products.cgi/141
After doing research from 1998 to 2000 to find such a perfect ornamental iron 
shop saw, this is the one I purchased. It was the first one in Seattle.
The story doesn't end there. Over the next couple of years battery operated 
tools (metal hydride 18V) started proliferating. Most of the saws run at the 
perfect speed for smaller versions of the C-2 tipped blades. Harbor Freight 
sells A 5 3/8" circular saw that will power a steel cutting blade nicely. Makita 
sells a 6 1/2" battery operated saw that will cut steel like butter. Makita 
also sells a battery operated miterbox saw that will handle steel cutting blades. 
For an ornamental iron shop these saws are IT!
Down side: They will quickly dull if used for stainless (there are SS rated 
blades, but you have to switch over). They will quickly dull if used in solid 
stock of larger cross-section than 1/4" for the 14" machines or 1/2" for 
battery operated. If you want the larger blade in a miterbox saw, you must set up 
your own. 
   Will they completely replace other cutting methods? No, but they are 
becoming number one.
Mky

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