Many jobs require you to cut the metal, and it isn’t easy to use a grinder to achieve that. Moreover, the grinder can be very inaccurate when you are cutting the metal. In such a case, it becomes even more critical to have the right tool for metal cutting. One such tool that performs amazingly well while cutting the metal is the metal cutting circular saw. This circular saw allows you to cut through different types of metals very easily. Using the circular saw is also safe for metal cutting, and you should have one such saw at your workshop.
The circular saw is used not only by professionals but also by hobbyists and DIYers. The best thing about the circular saw is that it gives you precise, smooth, and clean-cut when working on the metal. The blade of the metal cutting circular saw is also designed in such a way that it can deal with metal without getting hot. We get a lot of queries from our readers who wish to know about the best metal cutting circular saw available on the market. So, we decided to pend down a comprehensive guide to help our dear friends and readers. You can scroll down to check out the review of the top 5 circular saws, and you can also go through the buying guide on this page. So, let us move ahead and clear one such doubt before moving ahead to the reviews.
Can a Circular Saw Cut Metal?
Many people have a question if the circular saw can cut metal. Most of the woodworkers have used the circular saw only for cutting the wood, and you would understand that there is a massive difference in the density of the wood and the density of the metal. So, to begin with, your regular woodworking circular saw will fail if you try cutting metal with it. You need to use a specialized metal cutting circular saw for cutting the metal. These circular saws are designed with high torque motors that can easily deal with high-density material.
Moreover, the blades used in the circular saw are also very different. The blades have a carbide tip, and they also have a ceramic coating. Some of the blades are entirely designed with ceramic. The advantage of such blades is that the metal and the blade would not become hot. It remains so cool that you can touch the working material right after cutting it. These circular saws also remove the material with a lower kerf and what this means is that there is no abrasive action and hence a smoother finish. If you have to work on metal, we recommend buying nothing other than metal cutting circular saw.
Best Buy Metal Cutting Circular Saw
Moving on to the main agenda, we know you are looking for the best circular saws available on the market. We researched for you and have listed the top 5 options that you will find. Remember that the blade is an essential part of the metal cutting circular saws, so pay a lot of attention to what type of blade you are getting with the saw. Let us now move ahead and check out the review of the top 5 best metal-cutting circular saws.
1. M18 Fuel Metal Cutting Circular Saw
If you are looking for the best-selling metal-cutting circular saw, you should check out this Milwaukee Electrical Tool Corporation model. This saw has a brushless motor with a maximum of 3900 RPM. The saw is high-speed, and it can cut through the metal almost instantly. The standard blade that you get with this circular saw is 8 inches, and it is a circular saw. This means that you don’t have to worry about carrying the extension lines to the work location. Another good thing about this circular saw is that the brushless motor will not wear, and hence you would not have to worry about replacing the carbon brushes from time to time. This reduces the downtime and minimizes the maintenance time as well.
Talking about the battery offered with this saw, you get a lithium battery that can give you as many as 370 cuts. The body of this metal-cutting circular saw also has hanging hooks that allow you to hang the circular saw on ladders or hooks. This circular saw is for people who want durability. The brushless motor makes it a lot more durable than any other option available on the market. The price of this saw is premium, and it is lightweight too. You get a 5-year warranty with this circular saw, so you can throw away your worries if you purchase this saw. It is certainly worth having a look at this option.
Pros
- The brand offers a 5-year limited warranty with this saw.
- It is a cordless circular saw with a brushless motor.
- There is no maintenance required for this saw, and it is highly durable.
- It is highly versatile since you can use it for cutting wood, PVC, metal, and many other things.
- The brand has an excellent service network.
Cons
- You can’t adjust the bevels while using this circular saw, and you will find it slightly expensive.
2. DEWALT 20V MAX 5-1/2-Inch Circular Saw
One of the very popular brands when it comes to the power tool is DeWalt. So, the next circular saw for metal cutting on our list is from DeWalt. Before you read the review of this saw, you should note that this listing is available with two options. One of the options is for the tool only, and the second option is for a combo pack of the tool and the blade. Moving ahead, this is one of the most powerful saws available on the market as it has a maximum speed of 3700 RPM. You can use this circular saw with a carbide-tipped blade, and that will give you the intended result if you would like to cut the metallic construction material.
Another fantastic feature of this circular saw is that it comes with a bright LED. The LED stays on for 20 seconds even after you release the trigger. This will help you enhance the visibility of the material, and it will help you make easy cuts too. There is a sightline integrated into the saw, allowing you to get a higher level of accuracy. The steel shoe makes this circular saw even more durable, and the rubber over-mold adds a comfortable grip for the user. Because of this rubber grip, you get a higher level of balance & control while using the saw. You would also need to purchase a suitable battery for this tool, but if you already have a cordless DeWalt tool, you can use the same battery.
Pros
- DeWalt is one of the most reputed brands when it comes to power tools.
- The brand offers a 3-year warranty on the circular saw.
- It is one of the most potent saws, and there are multiple combo packs available that can save you money.
- The clear window and the LED light improve the visibility while cutting metal.
- This circular saw is available at quite an affordable price.
Cons
- The blade is not offered with the saw, and you would need to purchase it additionally.
3. Evolution Metal Cutting 7.25†Circular Saw
If you think you can’t compare the battery-powered tool to the corded tools, you may be right up to an extent. The corded tool offers limitless potential, and it also saves you a lot of money on the batteries. So, the next circular saw on our list from Evolution Store is a corded circular saw that is very robust and very affordable. The great thing about this option is that it comes with a blade that can easily cut metal, and it can also help you get a 45-degree bevel cut. This is a feature that goes missing in many circular saws, but if you need bevel cuts, then buy none other than this circular saw.
Another nice feature of this circular saw is that it supports a dry cut. This means that you get fast, professional cuts without any heat or spark. The metal is cool to touch right after you cut, and the finish is also very smooth. The blade provided with this circular saw is carbide-tipped, and it will cut the metal like a hot knife through butter. There is also a cut view window integrated into this circular saw which makes the cutting line visible. The rubber grip is very ergonomic, and all these features make it possible for you to cut the metal with a high level of accuracy. You should note that the cord length of this circular saw is 10 feet which is usually enough for working.
Pros
- Evolution Store offers a 3-year limited warranty on this circular saw.
- The circular saw has a bevel adjustment feature that offers you a higher versatility.
- The gearbox in this circular saw offers high torque, and it cuts through metal like butter.
- There is a special cutting window that helps you have a clear view of the material you are working on.
- The blades are well designed, and you can make dry cuts with almost no sparks and heat.
Cons
- Nothing that we could notice.
4. SKILSAW OUTLAW SPT78MMC-01 15 Amp 8 In. Worm Drive Metal Cutting Saw
Moving on to number 4, we have a circular saw from Skil Store. This is a cordless circular saw capable of cutting metal, and it is all because of the 15 Amp motor. The saw features a word drive gear that improves the circular saw’s efficiency and torque output. The sight window also helps you look at the cutting line when you are working. This feature is quite welcoming since it improves the accuracy and precision when you are cutting. The chip tray is quite large, and it can accommodate a lot of shavings. You won’t have to empty the chip tray. Another unique thing about the blade is that the blade has a cermet tip.
The design of the handle is very ergonomic, and you get terrific balance and comfort while you are using the circular saw. The saw has an arbor size of 5/8 inches. The lever that has been integrated into the saw can raise or lower the guard for a plunge cut. The maximum RPM of this circular saw is 3900. You can use it for metal fabrication, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and even pipe fitting. The cuts from this circular saw are spark-free, and the speed is also phenomenal. This circular saw can help you improve your productivity. You may find it to be slightly expensive but remember that you are paying for the quality of the circular saw.
Pros
- The word drive and the powerful motor deliver an extraordinary level of torque.
- The sight window, along with the chip tray, improves visibility and accuracy.
- The carbide-tipped blade works very well, and it helps you get a consistent cut.
- The cuts are spark-free, and there are minimal burrs when you are using the saw.
- The grip of this circular saw makes it very easy to use it.
Cons
- No warranty information is available.
5. Makita 4131 7-1/4″ Metal Cutting Saw
The last metal-cutting circular saw on our list is from Makita. This circular saw has a powerful 13 Amp motor that can cut through different types of metal in an instant. This circular saw comes with a blade cover that provides you with better protection from flying chips. The blade is designed in such a way that there are no sparks when you are using it. Apart from this, the circular saw also gives you a smooth cut, and the finish is good enough for the final output. The cermet-tipped blades of this circular saw are also very advanced, and the brand uses ceramic material for manufacturing the blade. Because of this material, the blade and the material don’t get hot.
The blades also have a longer life because of the material that it is designed with. If you need to remove the blade cover or the chip collection window, you can do that without needing any tool. This improves the accessibility associated with the use of the Makita circular saw. The maximum RPM of this circular saw is 3500 RPM, and it can cut through any material very easily. You get a circular saw, blade, hex wrench, wrench holder, and safety goggles in the box. The bevel capacity of this circular saw is 90 degrees, and the cord length is 10 feet. The warranty offered by Makita is one year, and you will be disappointed that it is lower than the industry benchmark.
Pros
- In the pack, you get a wrench and safety glasses which is a good idea.
- The saw has a ceramic carbide-tipped blade that doesn’t get hot even after prolonged use.
- There are no sparks while cutting, and the finish is also very smooth.
- The brand offers a 1-year warranty on this circular saw.
- It is a corded saw, and hence you don’t have to worry about charging the battery again and again.
Cons
- It is one of the most expensive circular saws on the list.
What to Look While Choosing a Metal Cutting Circular Saw?
Buying something for the first time can be difficult. You can never be sure of what you need. In such a case, we have listed a short buying guide that can help you purchase the metal cutting circular saw. Check it out below.
1. Power Source
When you are looking for the circular saw. The first thing that you should check out is the power source of the circular saw. You will barely find the gas-powered circular saw on the market, so we will not even talk about it. The two major choices that remain for you are the corded circular saw and the cordless circular saw. You can choose between the two depending on your usage and the presence of a power source around you.
2. Type of Blade
While buying the circular saw, you should also look at the blade that you are getting with the saw. The blade is one of the essential components of the circular saw. The options available to you are abrasive blades and cold saw blades. The cold saw blades are a lot better because they give you clean results without burrs or sparks. The heat generated is almost negligible. On the downside, the cold saw blades are expensive and heavy. So, you need to make a trade-off between the quality and the price.
3. Blade Specifications
After you have selected the blade, you should look at the specifications of the blade too. Understand the size of the blade, TPI, kerf, coating on the blade, the material used in manufacturing the blade, and if there is any coating on the blade. All these factors are very important from the metalwork perspective.
4. Size of the Blade
Moving on, the next factor to consider is the size of the blade. You can buy a 12-inch blade for performing home-based work or DIY projects. Even a 7-inch blade would work great in most conditions. You may have some challenges in doing industry-grade work with 7 inches and 12 inches blades, so instead, you can opt for a 14-inch blade for industry-grade projects.
5. Motor & Speed
The next thing to check before purchasing the circular saw is the motor and the speed. Check how capable the motor is and what kind of maintenance it will need. In general, you can opt for a brushless motor, which will prove to be a lot better than the other options. The maximum no-load speed of the motor will be between 3500 RPM to 3900 RPM. This is also an important metric while purchasing the circular saw. The motor power is usually defined in wattage and amperage. The standard specification that you can opt for is 15 Amp with 1000 watts or more.
6. Bevel & Vise Adjustment
You often need to make angled cuts, and for that, you need to have a saw where you can adjust the bevel. You should check if the metal cutting circular saw has bevel and vise adjustment. These two features will improve the utility of your circular saw.
7. Chip Collector & Spark Deflector
The next thing on the list is the chip collector and spark deflector. You may not need a spark deflector if you buy a circular saw with a cold blade. There will virtually be no sparks in that case. You would, however, need a chip collector and ensure that the capacity of the chip collector is good enough to accommodate the chips and shavings.
8. Viewing Window
You should also check if your circular saw has a viewing window and a LED light. These two features will enable you to see the material clearly when you are cutting it. Eventually, this will translate into a higher level of accuracy and precision. So, make a choice according
9. Grip & Portability
You should look at the grip, and the weight of the circular saw. It should not be difficult to work with the saw, and at the same time, you should not find it difficult for yourself to work long hours either. Apart from this, you should also understand the portability associated with the saw. This decision should be based on the fact that you will be in the workshop or at the client’s location. How portable should your circular saw be will also depend on the type of work that you do?
10. Warranty & Brand
The next thing on the list is the warranty policy associated with the circular saw. The general industry standard for the warranty is three years. However, you will find some outliers too. We mean that you will find the circular saw with a five-year warranty, and you will also find the options that have only a 1-year warranty. We always feel that the higher the warranty, the greater the peace of mind is. So, make a choice accordingly.
11. Cost
Cost is one of the most important factors when it comes to the purchase of any tool. Talking about the circular saw on this list, you will find them priced between $150 & $350. You need to choose your budget, but at the same time, you need to understand the pros & cons of each product that you are considering. Sometimes, the cheaper circular saw will offer you a better value proposition. So, choose a budget and then look for the available options.
Final Thoughts
Once you start using the metal cutting circular saw for cutting the metal, your life will never be the same again. You will realize how efficient and easy to use your circular saw is. These types of circular saw will make it so easy and safe to work on the metal, and you will not find any other tool convenient for yourself. Since many options are available on the market, it is important to check the buying guide and understand your requirements first. Based on your needs, you can purchase one of the circular saws listed on this page. If you are in a hurry to purchase the circular saw, then even going through the pros and cons will be enough for you. We hope all this information will help you during the purchase. If you have any other questions, feel free to drop in a comment, and we will respond shortly.
For More Circular Saw Visit Links Below:
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Milwaukee 6-1/2″ Circular Saw |
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Compact Circular Saw |
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