Thursday, June 26, 2008

Cordless Metal Cutting Tools

That's cute.....

The first time I saw a Panasonic cordless metal cuttin saw, I thought, "that's cute, but I can't see that thing being of any real use on the job". I was wrong. If you visit any job you will see cordless metal cutting saws in use in almost all of the trades.

What are they?

Cordless metal cutting saws are simply a cordless circular saw turning a carbide tipped metal blade at the appropriate rpm. These saws typically have an extra guard to help with the metal shavings. These saws cut mild steel very clean and cool. One of my favorite stories is that of a sales rep walking into a customers office and cutting off a piece of threaded rod with the tool and threading a nut on, before the customer could through him out. He sold many, many tools that way.

What can they cut?

Cordless metal cutting saws can cut most mild steel including threaded rod, unit-strut, metal siding, EMT pipe, duct work, really any mild steel. Blades are available for aluminum also. I have heard them being used on copper, not sure that it is recommended though. By for the most common use is for cutting threaded rod, strut and EMT. If you are cutting mostly thin metal, blades are available with more teeth that will give you a better cut.

Who makes them?

Metal cutting cordless saws are availble from Panasonic, DeWalt, Milwuakee, Ma5AEkita and others. If you already have a cordless circular saw, you can buy carbide tipped blades for most saws, Tenyru is among the biggest supplier of this type of blade. I still think the tools specifically designed as metal cutters do the best job as they are set up just for that, but many of my Bosch customers have had good success with a carbide tipped metal blade on their saw.

Give them a try.

Many cordless power tool manufactures have a 30 day no questions asked return policy. I have offered this to many customers, but once they see what these tools can do, I don't get a single tool back.

You can find more on specific metal cutting tools at
http://www.protoolguide.com/Panasonic_Metal_Cutting_Saws.html
Check out http://constructionfastening.com/ for specialty tools and hangers for the low voltage industry.

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