Metal cutting blade in miter saw
#1
04-25-10, 12:17 PM
Metal cutting blade in miter saw
Hello,
I have a DeWalt 10" miter saw. I believe it is the DW703. Anyways, I don't have any tool for cutting steel (accurately) so I bought a 10" abrasive blade and stuck it in the saw. It works great and I've been cutting unistrut and conduit with it. Am I doing any damage to the saw by doing this? I guess the most important part would be the motor. I've ruined a few plastic pieces on the saw from the sparks, but those are easily replaced.
Thanks
I have a DeWalt 10" miter saw. I believe it is the DW703. Anyways, I don't have any tool for cutting steel (accurately) so I bought a 10" abrasive blade and stuck it in the saw. It works great and I've been cutting unistrut and conduit with it. Am I doing any damage to the saw by doing this? I guess the most important part would be the motor. I've ruined a few plastic pieces on the saw from the sparks, but those are easily replaced.
Thanks
#2
04-25-10, 01:36 PM
Super Moderator
You are trashing your saw!
That type of saw was never meant to deal with the extra power it takes to cut metal.
The saw is also only sealed against sawdust and not dust from spent cutting disk and steel.
Also, the heat generated will as you have found melt the saw, hopefully not catching fire.
If your mitre saw is still any good you would be dollars ahead by buying a cheap import metal chop saw.
That type of saw was never meant to deal with the extra power it takes to cut metal.
The saw is also only sealed against sawdust and not dust from spent cutting disk and steel.
Also, the heat generated will as you have found melt the saw, hopefully not catching fire.
If your mitre saw is still any good you would be dollars ahead by buying a cheap import metal chop saw.
#3
04-25-10, 02:00 PM
ok.. I guess I'll stop then. How can I test to see if I've ruined the saw? I cut some 2x4s the other day and it seemed to be ok. Can I clean the motor out?
#4
04-25-10, 02:43 PM
Super Moderator
Blow the motor out with compressed air and a vac. Might want to check the brushes for wear and scoring.
Cutoff saws are cheap...I've seen them in pawn shops for $50 or less. You can always make wooden guides for different angles. Most guys I knew just cut at 90 or 45 degrees then used a grinder to adjust to the required angle.
Cutoff saws are cheap...I've seen them in pawn shops for $50 or less. You can always make wooden guides for different angles. Most guys I knew just cut at 90 or 45 degrees then used a grinder to adjust to the required angle.
#5
04-25-10, 05:08 PM
The 12" Dewalt I have used for years had a metal cutting blade on it when I bought it from the pawn shop. I was able to bargain down the price considerably by explaining the reasons why it was probably about to fail. Really expected it to. Very surprised it is still runing. Of course that doesn't mean it is OK to use for metal just sometimes you get lucky.
#6
04-25-10, 05:52 PM
We are cutting mild 1/4" aluminum and metal studs with my old Bosch on our present commercial job, and blow it out each afternoon. I can see no appreciative damage to it. Although we are using an 80 tooth carbide blade, and not an abrasive wheel as would be necessary when cutting steel.
