Anyone use a "Metal Circular Saw" for cutting Tray?

[-Matt]

I use a lot of cable tray with what i do (building posh trailers), at the moment i tend to use the workshop Band-Saw.

However this is bit of a pain, as you have to do it really slowly, as the ends of the tray wobble once cut through, and if not careful it will chip the teeth of the bandsaw. And then i am in trouble, as they are quite expensive. Plus can only fit up to 6" tray in the band-saw vice.

I hate using a slitting disk, as its never a nice cut. And a hacksaw is too much effort.....

Have been looking at a Metal saw like this Milwaukee (which i use for everything else): Milwaukee M18FMCS-0 18v 150mm M18 Fuel Metal Saw Bare Unit - https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Milwaukee-M18Fmcs-0-4002395289264-18V-150Mm-M18-Fuel-Metal-Saw-Bare-Unit

It seems US electricians love these for cutting steel conduit etc, And seen a load of youtube vids of cutting all sorts of steel, which it goes through like butter. But can't find any of going though flexible stuff like cable tray?

Will it have the same issue of the tray flexing once halfway, and the saw jumping?


Anyone use one?

 

[cliffed]

What about a multi tool

 

[Scintillam]

Have evolution 110v and Makita BCS 18v, Makita goes through tray very nicely

 

[Rockingit]

4" Cutting disc on a Makita grinder man, personally.

 

[Scintillam]

4" Cutting disc on a Makita grinder man, personally.

Not for me, cordless circular saw is far easier and no dust to breathe in from cutting

 

[davesparks]

I use an Evolution rage mitre saw, plus a block of wood to clamp it properly without it bouncing around.
Or if that's not available a grinder, jigsaw, circular saw, whatever comes to hand, as long as you know how to use the tool and support/clamp the work as required you will get a good cut.

It sounds like your problems with the bandsaw come from inadequate clamping of the tray.

 

[123]

What about a multi tool

I'd like to see someone cutting lengths of tray with a multitool. With the volume on mute of course

 

[UNG]

Used an 18v Dewalt metal cutting circular saw for many years when working on comms sites for cutting tray, cable ladder, unistrut and even the antenna brackets. The skill is keeping enough pressure on the cut to maintain a steady cutting speed without slowing the blade down otherwise the batteries die quite quickly

 

[Rockingit]

Not for me, cordless circular saw is far easier and no dust to breathe in from cutting

I get where you're coming from - it's just I often have to go wrapping tray around bits of buildings definitely not in straight lines so custom bends, sets etc. where it's nipping out bits of the rims.

 

[Timbo]

Here's a bargain for you.

Milwaukee M18FMCS-0 18v 150mm M18 Fuel Metal Saw Bare Unit

The Milwaukee M18FMCS-0 Mitre Saw features Milwaukee® designed and built brushless POWERSTATE™ motor for up to 3x longer motor life and up to 2x more cuts per charge, making it ideal for professional tradesmen and DIY enthusiasts.

www.ffx.co.uk

 

[UNG]

Not for me, cordless circular saw is far easier and no dust to breathe in from cutting

Use an inox disc a lot more efficient with very little if any dust

 

[telectrix]

hacksaw for me. keep the old skills alive. anybody can butcher metal with power tools. takes a skilled person to cut metal straight.

 

[-Matt]

Cheers, Well i went for it and ordered the Milwaukee which turned up this morning.

It absolutely flies through tray, and actually leaves a very neat cut.
Feels a good quality tool as well.

Can think it will also be good for steel conduit, din rail, steel hydraulic tube etc.

Will be interesting to see how long the blade stays sharp for.

 

[Andy5678]

Can those metal blades be used on other circular saws more suited to woodwork

 

[nicebutdim]

.

 

[-Matt]

Can those metal blades be used on other circular saws more suited to woodwork

I think so, its just the motor speed is optimum for steel (slower), so it may burn the blade out quicker, plus the metal chards would come out of the dust port into your face - rather than staying under the saw.

 

[DPG]

.

Good point there.

 

[nicebutdim]

Good point there.

I'd posted that circular saws intended for wood run quite a bit faster, but realised that this isn't the case with all of them. Another post highlighted speed before I had a chance to edit

 

[PEG]

I have used the Rage Evolution type of blades,to cut boarding used around the bank cash machines .... legitimately....it is 32mm ply,sheathed both sides with a thin,bonded layer of stainless steel sheet. It coped fairly easily,but the waste material is brutal

For the perfect job on the OP's trailer work,might i recommend,investing in a water laser,or Fibre laser....lovely finish and +/- 0.1mm

 

[AlexStone]

Might be a bit late but hers my experience in cutting metal, either tray or trunking.
The best saw to cut metal is a ....metal circular saw, mainly for the guards then for the rotation speed. Using a regular wood cutting saw will throw all the waste literally in your face. Been there, done that and its not the best experience.
Now, if you are a dewalt person, like I am, you're stuck with their 373, decade old, brushed motor metal saw, which is antic but still better than a wood saw. For some reason, dewalt still didn't come up with a brushless motor saw.
But then you have Makita, Milwaukee and even Hilti I think, which they have the latest generation brushless motor metal saws.
Personally I use a dewalt jigsaw with a metal blade, for a big big majority of the cuts. Adaptable speed and way cheaper blades compared with saws. The only problem was with the compartment dividers on the trunking, but what the jigsaw blade cannot reach, I finish it with either a hacksaw or even a pair of tinsnips.

Hope it helps...