Metal Miter Saw: Choice Of Miter Cut-off Wheels. How To Cut Metal? Feed Saw Characteristics

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 05:33

Miter saws for metal appeared on the market relatively recently. In a relatively short period of time, they began to be considered an indispensable household and industrial tool. They are used when you need an accurate cut of a metal workpiece. Let's take a closer look at the purpose, the choice of such a tool and the characteristics of the broach saws.

Appointment

Miter saws for metal are pendulum tools capable of making an angle cut. Despite their narrow profile, they have a ton of possibilities. They are used in workshops and factories. Without them, it is impossible to make window stops, door frames, as well as other products used everywhere. These saws cut pipes, profiles and metal sheets as well as circulating analogues.

Device

The device of a miter saw is quite simple: its main elements are a gearbox, a cutting disc, a base, a handle with a start button, and a motor. Today it can be collector and asynchronous. The first option is good because it is easy to maintain, the second is durable and produces less noise during operation. As for the type of transmission, it can be belt or gear. It is the first one that is practically silent, in this case the disc does not vibrate.

The disadvantage of this type is slippage from the base if the unit is running for a long time . The serrated version does not have this drawback, but such a saw makes noise and vibrates during operation. The blade, which is the key element of the saw, is made of durable metal, as it must withstand an enormous load.

In order for the unit to produce less noise, and also in order to compensate for deformation that occurs at high temperatures, the planes of the serrated saws have waves or cuts.

Another feature of miter saws is the rotary table. It is due to this type of platform that the cutting at an angle is carried out. In order to achieve maximum accuracy, the saw is equipped with a fine graduated scale. The presence of a scale is convenient because the operator does not need to perform additional measurements with auxiliary devices. Some models are even equipped with a laser ruler.

In addition, the product can have an automatic broaching . This is convenient, since there is no need to independently advance the metal to the desired mark: this will be done by special grippers. Also, modifications can be equipped with special anthers, thanks to which you can not think about disposing of shavings and debris. This equipment is relevant for the maintenance of the workplace.

Choice

Knowing the main characteristics of miter saws for metal will allow you to buy the right option, based on the type of tasks and your own preferences. When choosing between the type of electric drive, it is worth giving preference to the option in which the electric motor is located behind the disc. Unlike counterparts with an arrangement on the right or left, this model does not have limited visibility and the likelihood of injury is reduced.

When choosing between the type of transmission, you need to weigh all the pros and cons . For example, belt driven products are quiet. But if oil gets on the belt or pulley, it will cause an emergency. When accelerating, the belt may slip, which is a prerequisite for repair.

With regard to the gear train, slipping is excluded here, but noticeable vibrations will quickly wear out the cutting elements of the device. When choosing the optimal power, it is worth looking closely at products of at least 1500 W: they are the ones who are able to cut dense metal. The maximum bar is 3000 W. Analogs with a power of 1000 W cope with thin workpieces.

Disc features

A disc for metal facing can have a diameter of 15 to 35.5 cm, the inner diameter is always 3 mm. The disc can be changed as needed. Considering the diameter of the disc, one can take into account the recommendations of specialists who speak of the need to purchase several elements of different diameters at once. The kit will allow you to choose the most suitable option for a specific metal with the highest quality cutting. However, when choosing, you need to take into account that not every disk can be installed on a specific machine.

It is necessary to carefully consider the recommendations of the saw manufacturer, since ignoring this fact is fraught with burnout of the electric motor. The sharpening type of the disc must be negative. Also, when choosing, you should carefully inspect the product for visible damage. A quality disc has no chipping or other defects. Its surface is smooth and its teeth are sharp.

Based on this, it is worth taking a closer look at models with a disc that have fine teeth and a smooth wave. T Such units cut metal with high quality and at the same time do not overheat the working blade of the disc. It is important to pay attention to the fact that the blades for miter and circular saws are different, which should be indicated by the marking. Speaking of the seat, equal to the diameter of the axle on the gearbox, it should be noted: it should be selected especially carefully, correlating with the axis parameter.

Of course, you can use adapter rings, but only the right option will contribute to the high-quality and efficient operation of the miter saw. The presence of soldered inserts on the disc itself is important, as well as the number of teeth. Such a product is more expensive than monolithic varieties, but it will last many times longer than other analogues. The larger the diameter, the more expensive the disc will cost.

Features of products with a broach

The options with the broaching function are professional equipment, they differ in comparison with the household varieties. They are convenient for cutting long slabs and pipes. The design of such devices is equipped with two rails parallel to each other. The cutting disc is mounted on the rails themselves, it moves freely along them and has especially fine teeth. This is no coincidence, since the smaller the teeth and the larger their number, the lower the level of load on each of them.

The feed saw is characterized by a substantial kerf width on the part . Products of this type are heavier than other varieties. The rotation speed of some modifications can exceed 3000 rpm. Sometimes the model is equipped with an electronic control of the saw blade rotation speed. Such units allow you to get a smooth and fast cut.

The presence of a broaching mechanism turns an ordinary saw into a user-friendly machine. Most often, such structures are used for cutting wide and long wood.

Gadgets

The devices that are used to equip miter saws for metal are different. Their purpose, depending on the type of equipment, is to facilitate the operator's work and ensure its quality and safety. For example, in addition to the rotary table design, which allows you to achieve a given degree, models can have a table with two sides of the cut angle.

Anthers can be both bags and hoses, resembling parts of industrial vacuum cleaners . They reliably protect the operator from metal dust that can enter the respiratory tract. In addition, the product may have a protective casing and illumination of the working area. Those who are especially careful in choosing metal trimming can choose an option with a limited cutting depth.

In addition, the device can have the option of adjusting the rotation speed. Also, the number of revolutions may differ by a smooth increase when turned on. This is convenient and will not allow the blade to jam at the very beginning of the cut. Other units can be equipped with automatic shutdown when jammed.

How to cut?

Before turning on the unit, it is assembled and the reliability of the units is checked. It is important to remove the key from the saw blade fixing screw. Before switching on, make sure that the disc is not interfered with and that it can rotate freely. After that, you can start the device by pressing the start button, which is located on the handle. To turn off, release the switch button.

To make bevel cuts at 90 and about 45 degrees , it is necessary to loosen the screw of the turntable fastener and rotate the table to the specified angle, holding the handle of the turntable fastening screw. Immediately you need to fix the given position. When working for a long time, it is necessary to check the accuracy of the trimming, since the screw that secures the turntable sometimes looses.

For sawing with a left tilt within 45-90 degrees it is necessary to set the correct slope. It is necessary to loosen the screw that secures the tilt angle and set the specified angle. When fixing the desired parameter, tighten the screw and clamp the workpiece with a vertical clamp. After that, the device is started and sawing is carried out. At the end of it, release the shutdown button, wait for the complete stop of the cutting blade, then return the handle to the upper position.

Do not raise the cut-off wheel until it stops rotating.

During this time, the cut-off element opposite the side surface of the cut-off wheel can catch on the teeth and fly off, which can injure the saw operator. During operation, the protective cover must remain on the device - it is strictly forbidden to remove it. When the blade is lowered for sawing, the guard will rise. Also, the cover will automatically lower when the handle is raised.

Before starting sawing, make sure that there are no foreign objects (eg nails or extra workpieces). You can start work with the saw blade latch down. At the same time, it should not touch the surface of the workpiece and the turntable in the lower position.

When turning on, you need to firmly hold the handle, since during this time the saw can move up or down . When cutting, it is important to hold the workpiece with a clamp against the front stop or the surface of the turntable. This will prevent rotation or swaying. It is important to ensure that no chips accumulate under the metal workpiece. You cannot cut several metal workpieces at the same time.

If it is necessary to use auxiliary surfaces, it is necessary to select supports that can hold the workpiece so that it does not slip during operation.

The saw should run at idle speed for the first few seconds after switching on. The sound of the spinning disc will allow you to assess the health of the equipment. Only then can the metal be cut. In addition, you must not work in an uncomfortable position for the user, as this is dangerous.