Cutting Steel with a Circular Saw

[ClintBlake]

I needed to cut 6 steel plates that are 5/16" thick and 6" wide. Never missing an opportunity to buy a new tool, I purchased the Evolution Rage Multi-purpose Saw for $149 online at Evolution Rage. This is a 7 1/4" circular saw designed to cut just about everything so I figured I would give it a try. The saw made the cuts in the steel with just about the same effort and time as a regular circular saw would cut standard 2x6 lumber. When the cut was finished, the steel was still cool to the touch and required very little dressing.

How does this relate to the Power-trac forum? Well, how many threads are there about making custom attachments? The saw can even make bevel cuts that are ready to weld.

 

[BobRip]

I needed to cut 6 steel plates that are 5/16" thick and 6" wide. Never missing an opportunity to buy a new tool, I purchased the Evolution Rage Multi-purpose Saw for $149 online at Evolution Rage. This is a 7 1/4" circular saw designed to cut just about everything so I figured I would give it a try. The saw made the cuts in the steel with just about the same effort and time as a regular circular saw would cut standard 2x6 lumber. When the cut was finished, the steel was still cool to the touch and required very little dressing.

How does this relate to the Power-trac forum? Well, how many threads are there about making custom attachments? The saw can even make bevel cuts that are ready to weld.

Clint showed me the cut this morning and it looked very nice. This saw cuts many times faster than my band saw and the cut is just about as good.
This was mention on HGTV's website during the national hardware show.

 

[Bob999]

I needed to cut 6 steel plates that are 5/16" thick and 6" wide. Never missing an opportunity to buy a new tool, I purchased the Evolution Rage Multi-purpose Saw for $149 online at Evolution Rage. This is a 7 1/4" circular saw designed to cut just about everything

I note that the blade is sold separately for $25. I wonder if this blade could be used on a stardard heavy duty hand saw that uses a 7 1/4" blade?

 

[IslandTractor]

... Never missing an opportunity to buy a new tool, .

In that case you should consider the Miller 375 Xtreme plasma cutter.

Miller - Plasma Cutters - Spectrum® 375 X-TREME

 

[Oleozz]

I use a Morse Metal Devil blade in my circular saw for cutting steel and it does a decent job.

 

[BobRip]

I believe that there may be issues with metal particles getting into the motor of a normal circular saw. Clint Blake, do you agree.

 

[ClintBlake]

I note that the blade is sold separately for $25. I wonder if this blade could be used on a stardard heavy duty hand saw that uses a 7 1/4" blade?

The short answer is yes you can use the blade on a standard circular saw. The main problems I see is that the evolution saw is designed to catch most of the metal debri in a special guard and it also has a shield to allow you to watch the blade where it contacts the metal without getting pelted with metal chips. I would still very strongly encourage use of safety goggles or safety glasses and face shield.

 

[ClintBlake]

I use a Morse Metal Devil blade in my circular saw for cutting steel and it does a decent job.

I almost bought the bigger evolution saw with the Morse blade. The Morse blade is more expensive than the evolution blade, but it can be purchased locally.

 

[patrick_g]

Great! I buy a 40 amp plasma cutter and then read about a saw that nearly replaces it at a small fractiion of the cost. Oh well, the saw can't do silhouette art in sheet metal.++++++++++++++++ Pat

 

[InlineDieselFan]

Island Tractor and patrick g, beat me to it.

But for the price I think I would end up with the saw also.

steve

 

[BobRip]

I feel the same about the band saw I just purchased. THe evolution cuts about 5 times faster to.
Technology marches on. Next week the laser saw will probably be out.

 

[J_J]

I needed to cut 6 steel plates that are 5/16" thick and 6" wide. Never missing an opportunity to buy a new tool, I purchased the Evolution Rage Multi-purpose Saw for $149 online at Evolution Rage. This is a 7 1/4" circular saw designed to cut just about everything so I figured I would give it a try. The saw made the cuts in the steel with just about the same effort and time as a regular circular saw would cut standard 2x6 lumber. When the cut was finished, the steel was still cool to the touch and required very little dressing.

How does this relate to the Power-trac forum? Well, how many threads are there about making custom attachments? The saw can even make bevel cuts that are ready to weld.

Those metal cutting or cold cut saws are a great tool. I purchased the Dewalt 14 in cold cut saw, and like you said, it cuts fast and clean, and the cut edge has a polished look. Do not substitute the metal cutting bld for the abrasive blade on the cut off saws, I believe the rpms are different. The abrasives cut off saws run at a higher rpm. On the Dewalt, I know the rpms are different. Also, there is a different blade for cutting stainless, and another bld for something else. The blades for the 14 in, are about $150. For the chips, you might try a magnet to catch the iron chips. The saw doesn't get rid if the plasma cutter, like someone said, it cuts straight and bevels, plasma does every thing else.