When I first saw the Panasonic EY3530 Metal Cutting Saw, it looked cute. Cute, but not something that seemed useful in the real world. This assessment was incorrect. Any job you visit will be using many different metal cutting saws to get projects done for all types of trades.

So, what is a metal cutting saw?

If you have a cordless circular saw that uses a carbide tipped metal blade at different RPM’s then you are using a cordless metal cutting saw. To help control metal shavings, these saws usually have an extra guard. These saws cut very clean and cool on most mild steels. There is a story going around of a sales rep that cut off a rod and re-threaded a nut before the customer could throw him out of the office. This abrupt marketing tactic sold many tools.

So what can these saws cut?

A cordless metal cutting saw can handle most varieties of mild steel, such as duct word, EMT pipe, metal siding, unit struts and threaded rods. You can also use blades that are best for aluminum. These are also sometimes used for copper, though this doesn’t exactly adhere to the manual. Usually, these are used for cutting EMT, struts and threaded rods. If you’re someone who primarily uses thinner metals, you can use a blade with a higher tooth count, which will cut more cleanly.

Who makes these saws?

Easily the most popular is the Panasonic EY3530 Metal Cutting Saw, but there are other brands you may prefer, like DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and more. For those of you who already own a cordless circular saw, you may want to consider buying carbide tipped blades. A big supplier of these blades is Tenyru. That said, I still have to believe that it’s best to use the tools that were designed for specific jobs, especially when it comes to metal cutters. But a lot of my Bosch customers tell me they really like the results of a carbide tipped metal blade on their saw. So you may want to try them out.

You can usually return cordless power tools within 30 days, no questions asked. I tell all my customers about this policy, but none of them have ever returned a tool. You should try out the Panasonic EY33530 Metal Cutting Saw.

To read more of Kyle’s writings on power tools, check out his sites: Makita circular saw and table saw dust collector.