Saw for Composite panels?

I'll shortly need to cut a number of wall panels to length. These are a sandwich of lightly ribbed steel sheet (0.5 - 0.7mm) and a 70mm foam core. I'll have around 40metres of saw cut in total.

For the last, similar job, I used metal cutting discs in a small angle grinder, but it was a slow and painful process, and, as I couldn't get right through the thickness in one pass, difficult to align the cuts from both sides. It also got through discs at an alarming rate.

So I have an excuse for a new toy, but which? I have a small, elderly Metabo jig saw, that probably wouldn't be up to the job, and I don't think I've seen long enough blades for it. So do I go for a bigger jig saw, a reciprocating saw, or even a B&D Scorpion? I'll accept the argument, as put forward in the FAQ, that a good jig saw is a very different animal to a cheapo, but does the same apply to reciprocating saws? Let's assume that I'd also use such a device for a range of other jobs it could do better than a chain saw or a hand-held circular saw.

Can a cheap cordless (e.g.

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) really cut it (sorry), and is, say,
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inferior to a Dewalt DW303K at well over twice the price, in terms of the finished result - I'm not expecting to be using one in ten years time?

Any other recommendations or experiences will be gratefully received.

Do all these reciprocating saws take each other's blades, or could one be stuck with the saw equivalent of Betamax?

Reply to
Autolycus
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Makita make jigsaw blades to cut this sort of stuff, they are 105mm long, so should manage 70mm.

P-47204, P-47210 and P-49644

Don't know if your Metabo takes the universal fitting though.

ASAIK they all take the same blade shank. I've had 2 x cheapies (Challenge Extreem & JCB) and the blades fitted. Problem I've found with the cheapies in the blade holder mechanism - bloody blades keep falling out.

Reply to
The Medway Handyman

BTW - if you do buy that, would you review it on the group please? I do need to get a new reciprocating saw, but it's not something I use a lot, so I don't want to spend much - as long as the blades stay in place!

Reply to
The Medway Handyman

Just don't buy the Scorpion. Unless they have substantially improved it, it's about as much use as an ashtray on a motor bike.

Reply to
Andy Hall

In message , Autolycus writes

I have a pile of 80mm seconds to cut up shortly so this thread is interesting.

I asked the manufacturers (Steadmans) what to use and they suggested an Evolution reciprocating saw. I have not followed this up as the job is not yet urgent.

One interesting suggestion they made is to use a power drill with a conventional twist drill to clear unwanted insulation from the steel! (I have to form overhangs to drip to the gutter)

regards

Reply to
Tim Lamb

Looks like the JCB one I've got, works ok on box section roofing, no problems with the blade holder using Bosch blades.

Reply to
badger.badger

In message , Tim Lamb writes

Nothing in Google on *evolution reciprocating saw* but plenty on evolution tungsten carbide tipped circular blades for cutting metal.

regards

Reply to
Tim Lamb

I got one as a present some years ago. Doesn't get used for much, but it has its uses.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

Saw some long B&D Piranha jigsaw blades today, 132mm overall length,

101mm of teeth (in a progressor style, which is to say deeper wider spaced teeth at bottom, gradually becoming shallower narrow spaced teeth at top)

Rated for 65mm cutting depth of wood, 30mm of aluminium, or 3-10mm of steel, so I'd imagine they'd cope with your composite stuff ok.

Part number X26052 in case that helps, I bought some "just in case", I did have a job recently they would have helped with, but probably now they'll not find a use for ages, but you never know ...

Reply to
Andy Burns

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