19 replies to this topic

[Twister]

This little guy is the bomb. I think it was intended for cutting metal. Any way it's one of those tools you would never think about using, having or even it existing. Then when you finally decide to buy it it becomes so handy and opens your fabricating abilities up so much, you'll look back and think how did I exist with out this? Not to mention I didn't get that sick to my stomach feeling I get after I've bought a tool. The words "why did I spend the money? did I need to? oh man what a waste?" always roll through my head. With this little guy, I came home zipped off the corner of my 1/4 inch welding table to see what it would do and have had nothing but fun and good times since.


These pictures are of the hydraulic ram we cut in half. The ends were welded on and I needed to save the shaft inside and the piston. A grinder would have sparked the chrome shaft and destroyed it. My saw was laying near and I thought to myself. I wonder if old zippy would do it?  









cool huh? not a scratch. I set the depth so I wouldn't nick the shaft with the blade.

[Twister]

Here I had to trim some material off of this bracket. Again not a big deal. I go grab the plasma and zip it off. But then I have to smell the smoke, turn the compressor on, grind the slag off and burn my hands because it's hot or wait for it to cool. I started to think why can't anything be easy? Then as I was procrastinating I looked over and  the saw was lying there again. I figured it couldn't hurt to try it.




So I did.



It zipped through it with little effort, was clean straight and cool to the touch.




yes I had to touch it to see if the makita rep was lying or not. I didn't get burned woo hoo!



The upside of this tool is I go through one blade to 3 or so boxes of cutting discs, several plasma tips and grinding blades. The product is always clean straight and can be cut anywhere. The only down side is if someone rams or pinches the blade it takes the teeth out. But used proper it's just a crazy little tool.

[Bushluver]

This might not be the place for it but I would love to know what these cost.
Great write up.

[Twister]

sure it's the place. I'm just waiting for the info to be sent over. I'll put it up plus some more things I've done with this.

[big block]

i have been looking at thease also, to bad you cant put the blade in a regular saw, i think thease have a gear reduction to turn slower?

[Crash]

Interesting! Any problems with kick back?

Bushluver, I googled it and best I can tell its Makita BCS550Z and averaged $150. Hope this helps

[Bushluver]

Thanks Crash.
With Makita is there a premium line and a jobber line.
I know Dewalt has several different grades.

[Twister]

I think it only has one line. Unlike snap on their tools aren't wrapped in a different color and sold for a lower or higher price. I called for the info on thursday. I'll see if I can't get them to send it today.

[Twister]

Model No:BCS550 Electric Brake
Compact & Lightweight With Well Balanced Design








 Designed for cutting channel, corrugated steel, conduit, pipe, sheet metal, square tubing, angle iron and more
 LED Job Light illuminates cutting area
 Large Lock-Off Safety Lever prevents accidental startup
 Stainless Steel Base Plate
 Ergonomic Soft Rubber Grip for vibration absorption and comfortable operation

Price

The saw alone BCS550  - $141.48
18V (3.0 Ah) Li-Ion Batteries BL1830 (194288-3) - $90.42
5-3/8" C.T. Saw Blade 30T (A-95037) - $36.00
Charger (DC18RA) - $122.29
Car charger - $122.28

[G-Man]

big block, on 27 May 2011 - 04:08 PM, said:

i have been looking at thease also, to bad you cant put the blade in a regular saw, i think thease have a gear reduction to turn slower?

Yes, these saws (and all purpose built metal cutting saws) are geared to run slower with more torque.

I've been evaluating some metal cutting blades that are supposed to be usable in a regular circular saw. Irwin and Lenox make them and so far I've used an Irwin blade to cut some bar grating, 14ga sheet and some 1/4" plate. My saw (Makita 5007NB) runs slightly faster than the Irwin blades are rated for but they seem to work. But OMG are they NOISY!!! Definitely want to be using ear protection. I noticed some chipping of the carbides already after very little use, maybe 15 linear feet of cutting, so I don't think they're going to be that cost effective compared to a proper saw made for metal cutting.
Also the chips tend to jam the guard and the aluminum base gets all gouged.

Bottom line, if you need to do that "one thing" then a high speed metal cutting blade in a good circular saw will work for a while but if you're going to do a lot of cutting, buy a purpose built saw.

[Jigger]

Just bought one of these. It's the TITS!!! Awesome little saw!

[Mild Bill]

Just bought this saw too very impressive lil unit!!

[Jigger]

Any of the makita L ion 18V tools are awesome. I used the 1/2" impact to debrake 2 rockwell steering axles with 1 battery and still had enough battery life to pull a tire off my trailer. Plus I don't have to deal with cords, airlines or the noise of my air compressor.

[Twister]

That little saw rocks but it'll make ya deaf if you don't wear ear plugs. and like Jigger said all I use now is the 18 volt line. No mo air

[Mild Bill]

Any other tools you endorse ? Had I not read this thread I wouldn't have bought it, you look at it on the shelf and think , that lil thing you must be joking? But its handy!!!

[Jigger]

The tools are pretty reasonably priced. Once you have the charger and a few batteries, it's pretty painless. I really like the 1/2" impact. It's compact and light. The trouble light works awesome too.

[Optimus primer]

where are you buying them? acklands price is $288.00 for saw alone.

[Jigger]

Don't buy from acklands. They are out to lunch unless you have access to someone who has an account there. i.e. oil co. etc. The prices were quite a bit cheaper then. I bought mine from allied dist. in Brooks. I think it was $150 for the saw. $90 for the batteries.

[Twister]

I get my Makita fix from Altarus. Supply Calgary.  403 279 7083.  I would have to say the impacts rock. I use the 3/8 and have the small and large 1/2 " the small guy I use on everything the big guy I use on stubborn stuff. The best part is the batteries only take 15 minutes  or so to charge.

[Mild Bill]

Which 1/2" drill do you recommend?