Cutting down a back blade - good idea?

[dragoneggs]

If you have not tried it, look at metal cutting circular saws. For straight cuts I use it over my plasma every time. Was cutting 6" wide 1/4" C channel the other day in about 15-20 seconds a cut. Nice clean perfect cut every time. I have the Harbor Freight saw (think it was $69) but don't think they sell it any longer. More than worth the price! Even cut some 1" solid steel rod without any issues and ready to weld soon as the cut is done!

I have been considering a dry cut saw. Been looking at a few namely Makita and Evolution. Like the miter cut ability. What I liked about the plasma is I never had to unload the back blade from my FEL bucket... made a great saw horse and I could raise it to the height I wanted.

 

[texasranger556]

I've got the Evolution saw. Works amazing for angle iron, box tube, pipe and even pieces of I-beam. Seems plenty powerful, although I have managed to chip enough of the teeth to warrant replacing the blade. $50 for a new blade hurts a bit.

The table is not as sturdy as it could be, and the clamp doesn't have a quick release, but for the ~$225 I paid several years ago I have no regrets.

 

[dragoneggs]

Just thought I would add... after reading the manual again tonight. The new 45XP standard tip is a specially designed drag cutting tip and the manual recommends drag cutting. Even with my sophomoric plasma cutting efforts to date my tip still looks good. I have really appreciated all the comments on this thread. From now on...

1. Clean the cutting surface.
2. Go slow and follow the cut speeds for different thicknesses
3. And most important... get more power to my shop!

I also learned how the lack of C25 gas affects MIG welding. First time I used my MIG outside to tack weld the plow bolts and it wasn't windy but I thought that was the reason for the sizzling ugly tacks. But in haste, I never turned the gas on because I was so focused on getting the dang nuts off. :duh:

 

[ovrszd]

Oh man,,, I've done that soooooo many times.......

 

[shaeff]

Oh man,,, I've done that soooooo many times.......

Me too! Always in haste, need to get this job done NOW!

"Why do my welds SUCK!?"

...
...

"D'oh!!!"

 

[ovrszd]

Me too! Always in haste, need to get this job done NOW!

"Why do my welds SUCK!?"

...
...

"D'oh!!!"

And it's ALWAYS where the weld is most seen......

 

[shaeff]

And it's ALWAYS where the weld is most seen......

Haha! I'm glad it's not just me!

 

[dragoneggs]

Someone suggested saving my scrap for something else and of course I save all my trimmings. But tonight the brain wires touched briefly and I think I will attempt to make a 4 1/2in wide trencher. Actually I can make two! Thinking one could be a very useful BH mounted version, and the other... if it doesn't end up as a sad first prototype... maybe it could become a FEL bucket mounted trencher/shovel?

 

[ovrszd]

I can hear the brain churning from here!!!