Is this dangerous?

**Gerbilsquasher** · 6th June 2010, 11:00 AM

I purchased one of those Makita sheetmetal circular saws. Yes they are a bit exxy but they are designed for cutting sheetmetal. Like most Makita tools (not including the newer budget tools made in China) it is (expletive required here) brilliant!! I've cut steel sheet from 0.8 to 5.0 mm thick, and if you use a straightedge guide the cut will be almost perfectly straight as well, with hardly any burr.

Much better than when I tried to cut straight edges in sheet with an angle grinder, before I bought this magnificent saw

.

One project I have in mind is to build a sheetmetal cutting table with this saw mounted on sliding rails - I am sure there is a correct name in woodworking terms and no doubt some of those 'woodies' out there will inform this metalworker as to what it is.

Yes all tools are dangerous if used incorrectly but if you use the correct equipment to start with the risk is greatly reduced. I would have no concerns cutting aluminium sections in my Makita SCMS if the need arose- there was an earlier post from a shop fitter who has done it, and it is the industry norm for sign companies who make illuminated sign boxes from aluminium extrusions. I wouldn't use my SCMS for steel- those hot sparks will make a mess of that lovely milled cutting platform,

but each to their own I suppose...

Buy the proper blade. No point saving $100 if you have no fingers left to use your tools...

Of course the usual rules apply- keep your fingers (and other body parts) out of the way, be aware of potential 'kickback', and let the tool do the work- don't feed it too fast. These blades make a hell of a racket so wear appropriate hearing protection.

**Bryan** · 7th June 2010, 09:50 PM

I think that's called a panel saw.

**Gerbilsquasher** · 8th June 2010, 02:15 PM

Thanks Bryan, I am now better informed and hopefully I will look like less of a nob!

**mic-d** · 12th June 2010, 12:26 PM

May be too late but I was just ordering some router bits from Saw and Bits when I came across this saw blade.

Cheers
Michael

**snapman007** · 12th June 2010, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by mic-d

May be too late but I was just ordering some router bits from Saw and Bits when I came across this saw blade.

Cheers
Michael

Can an 8" blade safely run in a 10" saw?
$4 for a saw blade is bloody cheap.
Thanks for the heads up.

**blackhole** · 12th June 2010, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by snapman007

Can an 8" blade safely run in a 10" saw?

"She'll be right mate

" others may say differently.

Originally Posted by snapman007

$4 for a saw blade is bloody cheap.

I bet you spend about $100

**snapman007** · 12th June 2010, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by blackhole

"She'll be right mate

" others may say differently.

I bet you spend about $100

Is it 96 bucks for postage or a case of you get what you pay for?

**mic-d** · 12th June 2010, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by snapman007

Can an 8" blade safely run in a 10" saw?
$4 for a saw blade is bloody cheap.
Thanks for the heads up.

Safer than running a 10" blade in an 8" saw

If the arbor suits she'll be right mate.

Cheers
Michael

**blackhole** · 12th June 2010, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by snapman007

Is it 96 bucks for postage or a case of you get what you pay for?

you will send your money on router bits, jigsaw blades and a couple of other saw blades.

**snapman007** · 12th June 2010, 09:16 PM

Are their shipping rates reasonable?
I've placed an order & received an invoice for $3.85 with shipping $0.00(TBA).

**blackhole** · 12th June 2010, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by snapman007

Are their shipping rates reasonable?
I've placed an order & received an invoice for $3.85 with shipping $0.00(TBA).

probably $17 which still makes it a cheap blade

**snapman007** · 12th June 2010, 09:42 PM

$17 seems a bit rich for postage. I'd be much happier paying $21 for the blade with free postage.

**mic-d** · 12th June 2010, 09:46 PM

It's because it will be couriered and you must sign for it due to some previous delivery 'problems'

Cheers
Michael

**snapman007** · 12th June 2010, 10:00 PM

As long as it does a reasonable job of what it's supposed to do, I think it's pretty good buying at $21. Plus I save about $24.63 in fuel not having to drive the 5Km to Bunnies.

**Ch4iS** · 12th June 2010, 10:03 PM

The Stehle range he sells are pretty good I grabbed the 7.25" Mild Steel and Aluminium blades when he had stock, never had an issue with them.

Worked great in my triton metal cutting saw, shame it has a max capacity of 40x40 box.

I bought about 5 of each blade and about 25 router bits and from memory postage wasn't much.

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