Best Overall
DeWalt DW872 14" Multi-Cutter Saw
Runner-Up
Makita LC1230 12" Metal Cutting Saw
Best Bang For The Buck
Porter-Cable PCE700 14" Chop Saw
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It ’s an understatement to say that saw through metallic element by hand is difficult study , but there ’s no need to break a sweat when today ’s powered alloy - cut saws make flying work of the undertaking . sure as shooting , a hacksaw can undertake occasional small jobs , but for declamatory pieces , or if youcut metalon a even groundwork , a power tool is a more sensible root .
However , the wide variety of metal - reduce chop byword , band proverb , and circular saws on the food market makes it challenging tofind the right tool . We evaluated some of the top options and rounded up those that we feel stand out from the residue of the crowd , such as our favorite : DeWalt ’s DW872 , a various workhorse that ’s priced fairly and build to last . It also has the best 14 - inch carbide metallic element - cut blade for oecumenical - purpose exercise we found . But we also like other metallic element - reduce saw for other cause , such as theWen 94396 , which we ’ve tested first - hand in the past tense . In this guide , we ’ll help clarify the options uncommitted , discuss the key technical characteristic of each type , and offer our suggestions for the best metallic element - cut down saw on the marketplace .
Metal Cutting Saw Comparison Chart
Our Top Picks
Now that you ’ve learned about the differences in the types of metallic element - cut creature and their feature of speech , it ’s time to check out some of the best models on the marketplace .
The DeWalt DW872 is a frequent favourite in autonomous reviews of the best chop saw for metal . The powerful 15A ( amp ) motor combine with a 70 - tooth carbide - tipped blade to provide tight , fresh cutting of steel , aluminium , pig , and other metals , as well as plastic , composites , and wood .
The DW872 has a course - leading cutting capacity of up to 5 - 3/16 - column inch diam in self-colored bar or 6½ inches by 4½ inch in orthogonal stock . Users can make bevel of up to 45 degree using the adjustable fence , and the clinch has a quick - release lever tumbler .
At just over 50 pounds , the chopper saw is fairly portable while also being tough , though the pressed - brand base is n’t quite as strict as some cast version . The blade guard is plastic . There is neither a chip tray nor a spark deflector , but since the DeWalt raise very few sparks , this is n’t really an issue .
Get the DeWalt metal - cutting date atAmazon , The Home Depot , orAcme Tools .
Runner-up
Another popular , high - performance selection , this Makita model offers proven durability , competitive performance , and rapid registration . It has a leaf blade slenderly smaller than the DeWalt , with a maximal cut of 4½ inches . However , the 60 carbide - fee tooth supply fast cutting and a quiet finish through a wide variety of metals . The foot is a solid aluminum casting , and the steel guard is steel , although it produces very few electric discharge .
While several chop saws have a speedy - vent clamp for quick , repetitive cutting , the Makita also boasts a quick - release fencing for rapid setting of unlike slant . Quick - and - easy vane changing requires a socket wrench , but it ’s included . A twosome of safety goggles also comes with the saw . Although a chipping tray is provided , it catch very small . The Makita chop go steady makes a useful light- to medium - duty tool , but for DIY users , it ’s a significant investment .
Get the Makita metal - cutting saw atAmazon , The Home Depot , orAcme Tools .
Best Bang for the Buck
At first glimpse , it was unmanageable for us to realize why the Porter - Cable chop see is so affordable . Its overall structure is hardy , and it has a powerful 15A motor . It feature an adjustable fencing for cutting angles at up to 45 degree and a nimble - release clamp . The spark deflector protect the drug user and offer a unmortgaged view of the cut job .
The big dispute in this chop encounter is its abrasive wheel . While it feed at 3,800 rev ( revolutions per minute ) , the genuine press clipping fastness is considerably dim than with a serrate blade . Additionally , while substitution bicycle are a fraction of the toll of a tungsten carbide vane , they wear out much more quickly . So while the maximal cut is posit at 5 inches , it quickly reduces with veritable use . Abrasive cycle also bring forth a lot of Dame Muriel Spark . Still , we reckon this chop shot saw ’s humble Leontyne Price makes it a suitable selection for home welders and engineers who do n’t need high precision .
Get the Porter - Cable metallic element - thinning saw atAmazon , The Home Depot , orAcme Tools .
Photo: Amazon
Best DIY
Evolution RAGE4 Multi-Material Cutting Chop Saw
DIYers in the market for a multipurpose sawing machine may care to chequer out the Evolution RAGE4 . Lightweight and affordable , it ’s a well - made , sturdy tool with an adjustable fencing and quick - spill clinch . The 10A motor is n’t as powerful as some , but it ’s a practiced mates for the 7¼-inch tungsten - tipped blade .
Thanks to its remarkable versatility , the vane is the ace here . It can make accurate cuts in ferric and nonferrous metals , plastic , PVC , composite , and woods . The maximum thickness in steel crustal plate is only ¼ inch , but it can saw through a corner section up to 5 inch across .
The saw beget very little heating and few sparks . Weighing just 20.1 pounds , it ’s extremely portable and easy to salt away , get it a good option for a small workshop with limited distance .
Photo: Amazon Photo: amazon.com
Get the Evolution RAGE4 metal - cutting saw atAmazon , The Home Depot , orTractor Supply Co.
Best Portable
Wen 94396 5” Handheld Portable Band Saw for Metal
Wen has a report for produce durable tool at competitive Leontyne Price , and we think this handheld portable dance band saw is a safe instance . It boasts a reliable 10A motor that drives a 10/14 - TPI variable pitch blade suitable for a miscellany of material . substance abuser can adjust the speed , so the provender charge per unit can be optimized for metals graze from aluminum to cast iron . It can complete a maximum cut of 5 inches .
The ball - bearing guide help ensure smooth cutting , and an outside lever simplifies blade tensioning . A rubberized grip offers room for a gloved hand , and an auxiliary handle at the front supply a sure grasp .
At under 15 pounds , it ’s easy , but that ’s because it contains quite a lot of charge plate . Although the saw is n’t delicate , it might suffer damage in tough jobsite environments . Reports also be of occasional breakdowns , though these seem to be keep apart incidents rather than a vulgar problem .
Photo: Amazon
What our quizzer says : Glenda Taylor , a Bob Vila stave writer and product tester , notes in theBest Portable Band Sawsthat she “ tested the Wen by cutting slant iron , steel , PVC , and conduit . It sliced through all of them like butter . With a cutting capability of 5 inches by 5 column inch , this is a mysterious - throat band saw that will foreshorten through tidy items , and because it ’s corded , it wo n’t miss power as long as an wall plug is nearby . ”
Get the Wen metallic element - cutting saw atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Best Circular
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Metal Cutting Circular Saw
Milwaukee makes the cut with its M18 Fuel circular saw , a versatile tool popular with jobsite welders , facility contractors , and sheet - metal worker . It uses a powerful brushless motor that features RedLink Plus electronics to maximize battery life-time . Unlike fleecy motors , brushless version are maintenance - free .
The Milwaukee M18 has the good alloy - cutting circular saw blade we ’ve seen , with 30 carbide - tip tooth ideal for tackling angle iron , rebar , sheet steel , and EMT ( electrical conduit ) , among other metal . A across-the-board stainless brand skid ( base plate ) provides constancy when sawing , and a clear guard pop the question unspoilt cut back - line visibility . Its 5.9 - Irish punt weightiness cause it very manageable .
We detect it unmanageable to find fault with the Milwaukee M18 Fuel metal - cutting circular saw for the most part , but it is expensive , and a stamp battery and battery charger are not include .
Photo: Amazon
Get the Milwaukee metal - cutting see atAmazon , The Home Depot , orAcme Tools .
Best Heavy-Duty
Shop Fox W1715 ¾ HP Metal Cutting Bandsaw
Shop Fox produces affordable sonorous - obligation machinery direct at home and small workshop users . The Shop Fox W1715 metal - cutting band visualize has a powerful ¾-horsepower motor with three speed ranges , yet it plugs into a standard 110 - volt outlet .
Thanks to the admit erect sawing fond regard , the band see can be used either horizontally or erect . Its maximal cut is a 4½-inch diameter in round stock or 6 inch by 4½ inches in orthogonal . Adjustable clamp earmark saw at any angle . The saw shuts off mechanically as soon as the cutting is finished .
Some fabrication is required , and since it weighs 122 pounds , I do n’t suggest trying this alone — it ’s a job for two multitude . Once assembly is accomplished , the wheel on the base make it relatively well-heeled to move around . Although the Shop Fox W1715 is a significant investment , it ’s a good time value when compared with similar competitor .
Photo: Amazon
Get the Shop Fox metal - cutting come across atAmazon , The Home Depot , orAcmeTools .
How We Chose the Best Metal-Cutting Saws
As an engineer , I have all-embracing experience with metal - cutting saw and metal - cutting saw blades . The Bob Vila team also researched moderate brands and the latest products to make certain we were aware of recent development . While the technical aspects discussed here are clear important , several other key factor impacted our choices .
What to Consider When Choosing theBest Metal-Cutting Saw
Finding the best adage for cut metallic element is n’t as straightforward as it might seem . Different sizes , superpower pick , and cut capacity are available . Also , it ’s important to consider how it will be used : Will the prick be stationary in a shop , or do you ask a portable saw ? To get the right combination of both operation and value , take the fall out consideration into account .
Blade Type and Size
The two main type of tools for cut alloy are chopper sawing machine and band saws , and they have different case and sizes of blades .
Angled Cuts and Fence Adjustment
Chop saw get their name from the rise and fall of the blade . Unlike a woodworking mitre saw , the blade can not be rotated or tilted . or else , a rotating fence is fitted , and the workpiece is clamp against it at the require angle .
Handheld metal - cutting band saw are typically used for get pipework or reduce rebar . In theory , they can ignore at any angle , but their freehand nature can make it difficult to maintain truth . Workshop versions of this power saw can offer bully versatility , either with a rise - and - declension natural action like to a chop saw or by using a flat board to support the workpiece , which is then fed into the blade .
Motor Power and Source
Since it ’s the maximum available from a received electric release , corded motor are often bound to 15A ( amps ) of power , so shop models often have a motor of this sizing . More portable sawing machine are usually fight by 10A motors , which are , stringently speaking , less powerful but still able to deliver a undecomposed performance . Heavy - responsibility modelling are often assigned a horsepower rating rather than amps , and a dedicated circuit is sometimes required to run them .
The big businessman for cordless metal - cutting adage is blackleg in volts ( vanadium ) instead of amps , which describes the battery capacity . easy - obligation 12V models are the smallest , 18V or 20V models are the most usual , and powerful 36V pecker are now useable .
Vise Adjustment and Blade Change
Chop saws and workshop stripe saws feature a bench vise for securely clamping the work during cut . Unlike a standard vise that has two jaws , most have a single jaw that closes against the fencing . The distance the jaw can open delineate the maximal size of it of workpiece that it can admit . Quick - release mechanism are a convenient addition on many of these adage .
Changing blades is aboveboard on chop adage , which usually have a way to preclude rotation while the main nut is loosened and a new blade is fitted . Band saws are a fleck more knotty because blade stress and tracking must be set , but it ’s not a difficult task .
Safety
Chop saws invariably have blade precaution that expose the minimum amount of sword necessary to thin out metal while offering maximum protection for the manipulator . Spark deflector are also common , but while they do a good problem of repress most of the stuff throw off , exploiter should still wear safety goggles or glass .
The intent of a band byword makes it impractical to have a full blade guard , so a length of blade stay on peril at all clock time . Extra tutelage must be take when using these tools .
initiation locks , another important rubber feature , help prevent inadvertent cognitive operation . Some handheld metal - cutting saws have a soft commencement , which concentrate the initial torque when the trigger is pulled , thus get them easier to manipulate .
Photo: Amazon
Portability
The ease of transporting a creature that cut metallic element depend largely on the character of saw . hand-held circle sawsand metallic element - cut circular saws , which are standardized to their carpentry twin , are usually light and very portable .
Chop byword vary in weight , so we considered model that weigh from about 20 pounds to more than 50 pounds . That ’s still fairly movable , but weight might be a factor if the peter must be taken to and from a jobsite every day .
sonorous - duty workshop band power saw can weigh 100 pounding or more , so they are n’t typically consider portable . Some , however , have wheels to move them around if necessary .
Photo: Amazon
Additional Features
Metal - cutting tools may have few pattern specs and spare characteristic to make them easier and more convenient to use .
Safety Tips for Using Metal-Cutting Saws
Any saw that can shorten metallic element has thepotential to be dangerous , but have a few simple precautions will assist forbid accidents .
FAQs
The information in this guidebook provides a comprehensive explanation of the central features of the well metal - cutting saw . However , during our inquiry , we come across some general questions , which we ’ve present alongside their answers below .
A hand saw for cut metal is called a hacksaw . Powered saw are often called chop saw or cut - off saws , but alloy - cutting band saws and metallic element - edit out round saw also are available .
Because some saws are better at fussy project than others , no single result exists as to which saw is the best . This clause consider the various features and offers a smorgasbord of solution .
Photo: Amazon
A cut - off saw commonly has an scratchy disk rather than a toothed blade . It works similarly to an angle zep , but it ’s mounted on a sturdy base , which helps provide stability and improve both control and accuracy .
Each of the listed alloy - cutting saws could be describe as a insensate - swing saw , because unlike metallic element - cutting lathes and James Mill , they do n’t utilize lubricator . However , the terminal figure typically mention to chop saw , and theDeWaltandMakitaare our favorites .
No . Saws designed for cutting wood might be able to cut soft metals like aluminum or brass , but cutting metallic element with ahand sawis no base on balls in the Mungo Park . And if you expect your hand saw to double up as a sword - cutting saw , forget about it . There are metal - cutting saws that are equal to of doing it , but even then , manufacturers do n’t recommend it because swarf ( alloy scraps ) can damage the motor or other moving parts . It ’s smart to comply manufacturer ’ recommendations as to the capableness of their machine .
Photo: Amazon
It ’s possible , but it depends on the type of proverb and the blade fitted . Sawdust tends to clog metal - thin band byword brand because they have lots of small tooth . Using a saw like theEvolution RAGE4is a multipurpose result . However , if you cut Sir Henry Joseph Wood on a even groundwork , a consecrated saw is usually a worthwhile investment .
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