Metal cut-off wheel in compound miter?

[Blue85]

I have a Ridgid 12" miter saw http://www.amazon.com/Ridgid-R4120-12-Inch-Compound-Miter/dp/B001W0ZIAY. What happens if I put in a 12" metal cut-off (abrasive) wheel with the same 1" arbor size? It would be great to save the money and shop space by not buying a dedicated metal chop saw. Assume that I will clean all of the sawdust out first to avoid a fire.

 

[ryoken]

apparently this isn't a good idea.... wrong shields, motor, clamping, etc... wazzabie just asked this recently...

 

[Blue85]

I did search. How did I miss that thread? Oops.

 

[ryoken]

yeah, here it is, i thought the same at first, just throw a blade in it...


http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278583&highlight=WOOD

my 14" ridgid was $175 at homo depot, pretty cheap.. no complaints, i beat the snot out of it...

 

[Stomis]

Just do it. I've built everything using a chop with a carborundum blade. Go slow and wear glasses its fine....

 

[bp71k5]

I've also used my dewalt miter saw with a metal cutting blade and it did work, but the molten metal fragments got shot into the plastic dust "funnel" and surrounding parts and left them less than nice looking with metal fragments embedded inside. If it's a saw you want to keep nice, don't use a metal blade.

 

[CGT80]

I use my 12" dewalt miter saw with a premium dewalt cut off blade. The dewalt blades last much longer than the norton ones. I have done quite a few projects in the last few years with that saw.

For nice wood work, I use a frued fine tooth blade and for cutting aluminum I use an aluminum specific frued blade.

For $300 that saw has done the job of three and the miter capability is much better than a metal chop saw.

For steel, I removed the plastic insert that sits in the saw table. It started to melt. The rest of the saw has held up well to metal chips. I just clean it once in a while and spray wd 40 on it.

 

[toomany]

I've also used my dewalt miter saw with a metal cutting blade and it did work, but the molten metal fragments got shot into the plastic dust "funnel" and surrounding parts and left them less than nice looking with metal fragments embedded inside. If it's a saw you want to keep nice, don't use a metal blade.

x2

I did a roll cage in one of my Camaros using a Dewalt miter saw. Cut through it just fine....melted some plastic and ate up the kerf plate, but it cut easily. After that I use the grinder and a bunch of test fitting now. A dedicated metal saw is on the list of tools though.

 

[Desert Rat]

Believe it or not I threw a metal blade in my radial arm saw and used it to cut up metal stuff for fabrication. Made a hell of a mess on the table but it worked.

 

[TexasSilhouette]

I use an Evolution Raptor with carbide tipped blade. SO much cleaner and cooler than an abrasive saw.
http://www.evolutionpowertools.co.uk/us/evolution_raptor.html