Stan in Oly, WA
Well-known Member
I just finished watching Lanse's YouTube video about the corded Milwaukee 8" metal cutting circular saw. His demonstration of it was typically thorough, and the saw looks great. Cutting metal at home is probably the biggest problem I have in any metal fabrication I want to do here. I've got the use of the local Community College welding shop every Saturday morning, but it's rarely convenient to go there at other times during the week---particularly for a small amount of cutting. I only have metal cutting equipment at home (chop saw, cutting wheel on angle grinder, oxy/acetylene torch, Sawzall, etc.) that can be set up and put away the same day. I don't have a place to keep or use a large band saw.
What experience does anyone have with cheaper brands/versions of the Milwaukee saw? I read the reviews on Amazon for one that sold for under $100, and the people who hated it were the ones who sounded the most knowledgeable.
How about a 7-1/4" metal cutting blade on a regular circular saw? Anyone tried that? Lanse's video showed that the Milwaukee had an effective method for catching most of the metal chips that the cutting produced. That would be a very desirable feature, but the best price I have seen on that saw is $260 on eBay. I'd probably be satisfied having to do some sweeping or using a floor magnet if it would save me over $100, if the tool was otherwise high quality. I'm also slightly less inclined to buy a size that's not the industry standard (8" rather than 7-1/4"), even if it's reasonably common because replacement blades can be more expensive and/or more scarce.
Thanks,
Stan
What experience does anyone have with cheaper brands/versions of the Milwaukee saw? I read the reviews on Amazon for one that sold for under $100, and the people who hated it were the ones who sounded the most knowledgeable.
How about a 7-1/4" metal cutting blade on a regular circular saw? Anyone tried that? Lanse's video showed that the Milwaukee had an effective method for catching most of the metal chips that the cutting produced. That would be a very desirable feature, but the best price I have seen on that saw is $260 on eBay. I'd probably be satisfied having to do some sweeping or using a floor magnet if it would save me over $100, if the tool was otherwise high quality. I'm also slightly less inclined to buy a size that's not the industry standard (8" rather than 7-1/4"), even if it's reasonably common because replacement blades can be more expensive and/or more scarce.
Thanks,
Stan