Do-it-yourself pendulum saw for metal

[Metal Pendulum Saw] is a necessary tool for processing this material.

Since the metal is very durable, not every saw can handle it.

The pendulum saw is popular because it gets the job done efficiently, whether you bought it from a store or homemade it. If the price of a suitable saw does not suit you, then you can make the tool yourself.

Assembling a saw with your own hands is not difficult: in the article you will learn about its main functions and how to make it.

How a pendulum saw works and works

Any pendulum saw, regardless of whether it is made by hand or produced by a well-known manufacturer, has the following components in its design:

bed;
powerful electric motor;
saw blade;
protective casing;
return mechanism;
clamp for clamping the sawn product.

Arrangement of pendulum saw units

The massive, heavy saw frame is made of cast metal to ensure stability of the tool during operation. All other saw components are attached to it. First of all, this is a pendulum arm on which a powerful electric motor is mounted, an elongated shaft with grooves and screw threads for installing a saw blade. This lever has a spring mechanism that returns it to its original position after finishing cutting the product.

A button to turn on the saw is installed on the lever handle. For ease of use of the tool, a latch is added to the button that blocks the tool from turning off when the button is released. The cutting tool is completely covered with a protective casing, protecting a person from injury during operation. On some models, manufacturers install two casings - one fixed, the second sliding, completely covering the cutting zone.

Device with description of nodes

A pendulum saw for metal is used not only when working with metal products. It can work with wood, ceramics, and plastic. But to cut other materials you need to use a different cutting blade. Various cutting attachments can be supplied as a set, but can also be sold at retail.

A clamp consisting of two parts is attached to the frame for clamping the product being cut. The first part is rotating, which can be rotated at an angle of up to 45°. It has a pointer and a scale graduated in degrees. The second part has a screw adjustment of the pressure. The clamping jaw on the second part has a hinged fastening, which allows you to firmly fix the part at any turn to the front of the cut of the product, guaranteeing an accurate cut at the selected angle.

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Pendulum mini circular saw with longitudinal stroke

And again, I greet you, dear country house builders and enthusiasts who are renovating a house, apartment or cottage.

Today we will talk again about a circular saw that you can easily make at home. The basic version of manufacturing our circular saw was outlined in an article posted at: Do-it-yourself circular saw

For those who are not very familiar with the question of what a pendulum circular saw is. Let's explain in a nutshell. A circular saw for wood is an electrical equipment where the main cutting tool is a saw blade. In addition to a machine with a fixed disk, the concept of a “circular saw” also includes a pendulum circular saw. It differs from a classic circular saw with a fixed disk in the mobility of the working disk, which is fed to the material fixed for processing.

Let's try to slightly change our circular saw. And through the changes, we will achieve a significant increase in the functionality of this equipment. Namely, setting the working longitudinal stroke of the cutting tool; in our case, the longitudinal stroke will be approximately 350 mm.

A homemade pendulum mini circular saw, provided it is carefully and correctly assembled, will always perform high-quality sawing of your material and will have a service life that is practically not inferior to factory-made models. By replacing the circular blade with a cutting blade for metal, the saw can also work great on metal.

Drive unit

It is most convenient to use a belt drive as a drive mechanism. To do this you will have to find two pulleys of the same diameter. One of them is mounted on the motor shaft, the second - on the drive shaft of the cutting disc. The disk shaft is mounted on two bearings. It is best to use the scheme when the drive mechanism is located on the left of the disk mounting cloud. It’s more convenient to work this way, and safety rules are followed. The disc fastening nut will not be at risk of loosening.

To tension the drive belt, the engine is mounted at the rear of the pendulum with 4 bolts located in longitudinal slots. It can shift in the direction of the central axis of the machine (perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the motor shaft) by 5-7 centimeters. This will maintain the required belt tension and prevent it from slipping. It will also be easier to replace the belt if the previous one becomes unusable.

Materials and tools

To work you will need:

Bulgarian;
welding machine;
drill;
set of dies, taps, wrenches.

You will have to buy an electric motor with a power of 1.5-2 kW, single-phase or three-phase. In addition, you will need two pulleys, a shaft, bearings 204 or 205, a metal corner, and sheet steel 2-4 millimeters thick. When all this is assembled, the actual production of the machine begins.

You can make the drawings yourself using material from the Internet, or use ready-made ones, such as these. But experience shows that it is best to adapt the drawings to the materials that you have available. As a rule, DIY designs work best when you “customize” them to suit you. Naturally, in this case, certain rules and requirements must be observed that apply to a high-risk tool, such as a cutting disc machine or a pendulum saw, both homemade and industrial.

It consists of several main components:

electric motor;
pendulum;
drive mechanism;
cutting disc;
desktop.

Let's look at them separately.

Cutting and primary processing of the workpiece

The fastest way to saw a workpiece is with a grinder with a thin metal cutting disc. If it is not possible to use a grinder, you can use a hand hacksaw for metal

It is important to correctly install the file into the hacksaw. The saw teeth should be directed forward and the hacksaw should cut while moving away from you

Cutting and preparing the workpiece

First, the approximate shape of the knife is cut out using straight cuts. Then the bends are cut out. The easiest way to cut them is with several oblique cuts converging at one point.

It is important to leave an allowance of 2-3 millimeters to the drawn outline. This is due to the fact that when using a grinder, the metal at the cutting site overheats. By grinding off 2–3 mm using a file and sandpaper, you can remove the overheated edge of the metal

By grinding off 2–3 mm using a file and sandpaper, you can remove the overheated edge of the metal.

Engine

If you have a three-phase motor with a power of about 3 kilowatts, it can be connected to 220 volts using a star circuit instead of a delta circuit. But it must be taken into account that its power will decrease by 25-30%. The main thing is that the speed indicated on the nameplate will be maintained.

To install on a metal cutting machine, the engine must have a speed of 2500-3000 per minute. This is due to the fact that it is at these speeds that the cutting disc operates optimally.

For a homemade metal cutting machine, circles with a diameter of 300-400 millimeters are used. Here, too, you need to proceed from the needs of production. You shouldn’t chase too large a disk diameter - the farther the working edge is from the center, the less cutting force, and a more powerful engine will be required. The optimal ratio of engine power and disc diameter is 2 kilowatts at three thousand revolutions and 300 millimeters in diameter.

Exploitation

Before use, the machine must be installed on a raised table or workbench, this is necessary for the comfort of its use. It is also necessary to make room for cutting, carrying material and storing workpieces.

The Makita LC1230 saw is compact; its installation requires a small area, but do not forget about moving the material and workpieces; as a result, the working area of the cutting saw is a rectangle of 2x4 meters. With a material length of 2–3 meters.

Cutting with a pendulum saw is not a difficult task, but nevertheless requires attentiveness and accuracy. Thus, sparks and hot metal particles flying from under the saw pose a particular danger. Partially, the collar installed on the saw body saves you from them. But nevertheless, we should not forget about personal protective equipment.

Desktop

Installing a disc-type cutting machine is not particularly difficult for a qualified mechanic. It is important to adhere to some fundamental requirements:

correctly calculate the disk rotation speed;
adjust the angle of rotation, it must be strictly perpendicular to the plane of the desktop;
set the force for feeding the disk into the cutting zone;
install an emergency stop button on the handle;
equip the cutting machine with protective covers for the disk and rotating parts.

How to make it yourself

It is not necessary to spend significant amounts of money on purchasing an expensive pendulum cutting machine. Every master can make such a tool with his own hands. The basis for a pendulum saw for metal can be a conventional electric drill, grinder or electric motor. Even with minimal knowledge and skills in working with tools, you can easily assemble a homemade unit that will not be inferior in power and performance to factory models.

Before you start making such a power tool with your own hands, it won’t hurt you to first familiarize yourself with the drawings and instructions for assembling the machine. During operation, you must adhere to the following algorithm:

Prepare the engine from the angle grinder. The V-belt from the vehicle should be installed so that torque is transmitted from the engine to the spindle. To securely fasten the pendulum mechanism, you will have to make a metal frame. As a material for it, you can use a metal blank with a square cross-section or an attachment to an electric drill. The spindle body must be secured to one side of the frame by welding, and an electric motor must be installed on the other

Pay special attention to the size of the shaft, which must correspond to that shown in the saw assembly drawing. A groove should be made in the frame so that the rolling axis of the cutting disc can be inserted there. At the same stage, you need to weld the frame, but this must be done in such a way that the spindle, rolling axis and motor are parallel to each other. To make a protective case, you can use a sheet of tin

Additionally, a drive handle must be installed on the belt casing.

If you are interested in purchasing professional tools for long-term use, we advise you to choose from machines from reliable and trusted manufacturers. You should not buy cheap devices made in China. And a hand-held metal chain saw will do an excellent job of performing a small amount of work at home.

It is no coincidence that pendulum cutting saws are popular among professionals and amateurs. After all, this equipment has a lot of advantages, among which the most relevant for consumers are versatility, high accuracy and processing performance, and safety. All this makes such machines one of the most attractive for home craftsmen who need a simple tool to perform a small amount of work.

Of course, it is necessary to select this equipment with special care, paying attention not only to the price, but also to the key performance characteristics, as well as the manufacturer. If necessary, you can even try to make such a machine with your own hands, especially since this will require the most accessible tools and materials, minimal knowledge and experience in working with the tool

The main thing is to choose a suitable drawing and carefully study the order of the work and follow it exactly.

Peculiarities

The device is a design based on a special rotating disk. Using the device you can cut wood, steel, ceramic and other surfaces. Also very often, installers use it during concrete work with the foundation, for cutting reinforcing bars, in the manufacture of porcelain stoneware or when working with solid bricks. Such a tool is popular only on construction sites or in production, since at home there is no need to cut large materials in large quantities. The device should be used very carefully, and before starting work it must be properly configured, otherwise even an experienced operator may be injured.

Cutting machines are used for industrial purposes when it is necessary to quickly and efficiently cut reinforcing bars or boards. The tool for professional work has a large cutter diameter that can cope with cutting a huge number of objects.

Manufacturing companies also present on the market small-sized versions of the device, created specifically for domestic use. There are several stages of protection for operator safety. The main component of the device is the stationary base of the machine - this ensures perfect threading. The frame has a closed body - this guarantees protection of the worker’s hands from cutters and waste flying in all directions.

It is worth noting such important elements of the machine as a durable body and cutting disc. These designs can be divided into subgroups depending on the purpose and direction of rotation of the cutter:

vertical devices;
horizontal;
devices capable of cutting at different angles.

In large companies, electric automated machines are used in production, which are expensive. There are other options - these are small-sized devices that require the constant presence of an operator. Such models are most often found in enterprises. The main feature of the design is high quality and wear resistance. Manufacturers claim that such a device, with constant loads and careful use, will last about 15 years. The unit is capable of processing any surface at high speeds without creating defects or damage.

How to make a start button for a pendulum machine from an angle grinder

The angle grinder works when you press a button. Moreover, the spindle rotation speed depends directly on the pressing force of the button. This means that an adjustment mechanism is built into the button, the operation of which facilitates the operation of the tool. When operating an angle grinder on a stationary machine, it is necessary to consider the starting system so that you do not have to hold the handle with one hand and press the button with the other.

If the tool is equipped with a regular button, which automatically locks when it is turned on, as for example in the first version of the machine, then no difficulties arise here. First, the tool is turned on, and then you can perform work. However, most angle grinders are equipped with self-off buttons that must be held by hand while operating. There are two ways out of this situation:

Use ties (for example, plastic) or clamps of the appropriate diameter. They fix the button in the pressed position. In this case, it is also necessary to take into account the latch, which is responsible for turning the tool on automatically. Both the latch and the button must be tightened with a clamp, tie or other similar materials. In this case, the principle of operation of the device will be as follows - if you need to start the tool, you need to plug the plug into a socket or make a switch
It is rational to remake the starting system if the tool is planned to be used more often as a cutting machine than as a stand-alone angle grinder. To do this, it is necessary to route the wires from the angle grinder to a separate switch, which will turn the tool on and off if necessary.

The power button, if it is displayed, is best located on the handle. A homemade machine does not require large expenses for its production, which, in fact, is its main advantage.

Advantages and disadvantages

Assessing the advantages and disadvantages, it is worth noting that there are much more advantages. These include:

Functionality. By changing the working blade and operating power, such a saw can be used for cutting workpieces made of various materials.
Quality. Most of these tools are made for professional use. Therefore, the quality and service life of such saws is increased.
Accuracy. The workpiece is cut very accurately at the required angle of inclination, which cannot be done using another tool.
Speed of work. Thanks to the design of the machine, you can cut a lot of workpieces in a short period of time. At the same time, changing the angle does not require spending a lot of effort and time.
Easy to maintain. Changing working tools is quite easy, and the necessary parts can be easily found in almost any hardware store.

The only disadvantages include the high cost of the tool. But when used professionally, it is compensated by properties and characteristics. It should also be noted the low quality of discs made by unscrupulous manufacturers

Therefore, when purchasing consumables, it is recommended to pay attention only to trusted manufacturers.

Pros and cons of a pendulum saw

Before adding a pendulum saw to your toolkit, you should study not only the principle of its operation and capabilities, but also all the advantages and disadvantages of this necessary tool. It is necessary to distinguish a professional tool from a household one, because some advantages that suit a home craftsman may turn out to be disadvantages for a professional.

The advantages of a pendulum saw include:

multifunctionality;
fairly simple replacement of the saw blade;
accurate and high-quality cut of the object being cut;
fairly high cutting speed;
ease of installation;
availability;
easy maintenance.

The disadvantages of the tool include the fact that during operation it is necessary to exert significant force on the lever. In addition, the design of the tool limits the thickness of the workpieces being cut. The productivity of such tools is not very high, so they are used mainly in everyday life. For professional work, other devices are used.

What are they?

All electric pendulum saws can be divided into products according to the type of material being processed:

for metal;

cutting (universal).

Electric saws from the first category are capable of working with aluminum and other soft and harder materials. Some models come with a carbide blade and even a rotary table, making the task much easier. You can buy a product for cutting with a large broach. A tool for metal eliminates the thermal effect on this material, thus mechanical cutting does not affect the composition of the alloy, and therefore the characteristics of the metal do not change.

The power of the pendulum saw and the type of disk that sits on it determine what kind of metal the tool can work with. Non-ferrous and ferrous metals can be processed. If we talk about the scope of application, metal saws are used for cutting:

corners;
rods;
fittings.

There are lower power pendulum saws available for sale that are used for cutting wood. Such units are classified as one of the types of circular saws. They are used for trimming timber or cutting wood at right angles. During operation, such a tool swings like a pendulum, hence the name.

During operation, the operator has the opportunity to follow the cutting line, which is very important if no preliminary markings have been made. Disadvantages include limited cutting width and the need for additional effort by the operator

The design uses cutting elements with a diameter of 50 to 65 cm.

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Cutting width

The most important indicator that depends on several factors: the design features of the saw and the parameters of the saw blade. The larger the diameter of the latter, the wider the cut.

If we talk about the design, then in some pendulum saws the disk moves exclusively in the vertical plane. More functional models contain horizontal guides, thanks to which you can move the cutting blade back and forth.

If we compare pendulum saws with and without guides, then with an identical saw blade diameter, in the first case the maximum cutting width will be several times larger.

How does a pendulum saw work?

Pendulum saws for wood are similar in principle to saws with a circular blade. The only difference between the two types of dust is that in pendulum dust the cutting blade moves during operation using a pendulum device, while in the disk model the blade remains stationary.

With this saw you can make precise and clean cuts at an angle of 90 degrees. Some models can cut at a different angle, with the saw blade in an inclined position.

When cutting metal or hardwood, you can use an abrasive disc. For different types of work, you can use replaceable disks of different configurations. Universal circular blades are also produced to work with any part material.

In any dust, protective devices must be installed to reduce the risk of being damaged by a rapidly rotating saw blade.

The main disadvantages of these cutting saws:

cutting by hand requires a lot of effort, which leads to rapid fatigue;
the cutting model, like the jigsaw mechanism, can cut a limited thickness of the workpiece;
The device has low productivity, so it is used as additional equipment or for solving everyday problems.

A wood jigsaw will also help you make patterned cuts with curved lines.

Amateur or professional instrument?

It is worth noting that the purpose of both categories of devices is aimed at implementing the same tasks. A professional pendulum saw for metal or wood differs from an amateur one only in the quality of assembly, materials of manufacture and the possibility of non-stop operation over a longer period of time. Conventional household models have a smaller margin of safety, insufficiently precise fit of structural elements, but are an order of magnitude cheaper.

Design features of the cutting machine

In order for the machine to serve for many years, it must be made of reliable materials. It is better to make metal structural elements from steel alloys, which are particularly hard. In this case, the operation of the finished equipment will be smooth and stable.

It is better to make the platform from heavy, rigid material - a lot here determines the subsequent position of the machine (whether it will be mobile or stationary).

To ensure reliable fastening of the workpiece, you can mount a more complex structure by including a vice as an element.

The disk may have an abrasive surface if it is intended to process the edges of the metal from burrs formed during cutting. This disc is convenient for processing chamfers.

Classification according to the method of feeding the cutting element

There are a large number of machines on sale; before purchasing, it is important to understand how the cutting element feeding system works. The cutting element can be fed in the following ways:

front feed of cutting disc;
a device with the implementation of lower feed of the cutting element;
a structure whose base works in a pendulum manner.

The metal base of the cutting machine can be floor-standing or table-top when used. In the first case, a larger diameter disk is installed, which allows cutting a larger volume of parts. Desktop equipment is more mobile and has a reduced weight.

Cutting tool

Abrasive discs are used as cutting tools. The diameter of such a circle depends on the model, its performance and the work requirements of the owner.

Most often, such saws are equipped with 12-diameter disks with 60 teeth. Moreover, the manufacturer of the discs does not have to be the same as the manufacturer of the tool. The main thing is that the dimensions of the circle coincide with the recommendations indicated in the technical documentation. To improve the strength and performance of the blades, the manufacturer typically applies carbide tipping to the ends of the teeth.

What is this?

The saw performs reciprocating movements during operation. The saber works exactly the same way.

A cutting pendulum electric saw is a fairly compact machine in size, where the cutting tool is a disk and is mounted vertically on a special pendulum.

The size of the device may vary depending on the model and power. The pendulum provides the ability to raise and lower the cutting blade when working on metal or wood.

The assortment is extensive, which allows the buyer to choose such popular saws as Makita, Zubr, PM 400, etc.

Device Features

Drawing of a typical saw device

Circular and pendulum saws have approximately the same principle of operation;
The main difference between the devices is that with a disk cutting tool and the motor are fixed motionless, while with a pendulum device they rise and fall due to the pendulum;
The cutting pendulum installation provides a high-precision cut at a right angle;
Additionally, tools such as PM 400, PM 55, Interskol, Zubr, Makita, KD 300, PM 70 and other representatives of the pendulum saw segment are capable of cutting at an angle;
Often, a cutting system for cutting wood or metal includes an abrasive disc;
The use of appropriate disks allows you to work efficiently. To process a particular product, you simply need to replace the blade;
The blade can also be universal, allowing you to cut all kinds of workpieces with one disc;
A modern cutting pendulum electric saw for cutting workpieces is distinguished by the fact that the cutting blade and disk can be replaced in the shortest possible time. This is what distinguishes the leaders of the segment in the person of PM 70, PM 55, KD 300, Zubr, Makita, Interskol, PM 400, etc.;
Each cutting tool must be equipped with protection systems. This is because the rotating cutting blade is potentially dangerous;
By choosing the desired size of the device, you can cut workpieces at home;
Manufacturers offer both household and industrial models.

Despite its fairly significant advantages, the pendulum cutting saw has several disadvantages.

For sawing, you have to apply significant force, as when using a grinder.
A cutting saw has certain restrictions on the width of the material being cut.
The device is not very productive, so it is often used as an auxiliary equipment in factories or home workshops.

The estimated price of devices for home use is from 12 to 40 thousand rubles.

How it works

To cut materials, you need to know exactly how a pendulum-type electric saw functions.

A pendulum saw can safely be called a circular saw. Here the circular machine is installed on a special frame;
The machine operates from the mains;
Factory models can be equipped with special turntables, due to which the device is used as a miter box. This function cannot be called necessary, but sometimes its relevance is in demand;
The electric cutting saw received its name due to the fact that the cutting blade is lowered by hand along a pendulum path onto the workpiece, and when the cutting is finished, it rises to its original position;
Depending on what blade is used, the size and power of the device, a factory-made or home-made electric saw can cut metal, wood, tiles, porcelain, plastic, glass, etc.;
Cutting discs are used to cut metal. They can be borrowed from an angle grinder;
If it is wood, a circular blade is used.

Saw features

A homemade pendulum saw is suitable for processing any metal elements and structures, creating workpieces, etc.

Most often it is used for cutting products, because... This is precisely its key purpose.

The only negative is that the price of pendulum saws is quite high, and therefore not everyone can afford them.

The homemade model has the same principle of operation, which is described below.

A pendulum saw for working on metal is also called a miter saw.

This is a type of circular apparatus, it operates using electric current and is mounted on a frame.

Video:

Factory models are equipped with a special turntable, thanks to which the saw can function not only as a cutter, but also as a miter box.

If you only need a cutting function, then in a homemade model you don’t have to make a circle, so assembling the saw will cost you less and it will be somewhat easier to do.

The name of the saw comes from its functions: during operation, it makes pendulum movements - the cutting mechanism moves alternately up and down, making cutting movements on the metal.

While the machine is operating, the cutting circle is lowered onto the workpiece, and after the work is completed, it must be raised to its original position.

If you buy a ready-made device, then it will be enough to study the main characteristics and brands (Makita, etc.) of the device, as well as read reviews from saw owners.

If you assemble a pendulum saw, you can use it to cut not only metal workpieces, but also glass, porcelain, wood, make tiles of the size you need, etc.

Makita models have a wide functional range, but a homemade model often does not have such parts and is suitable for working mainly with metal.

However, if you often work with other materials, you can make or purchase the necessary equipment to make the cutting saw more functional, especially since this is not at all difficult to do.

Most of the tools needed to work with products will not cost you much: for example, to cut wood you will need a circular saw blade, and for ordinary metal processing a disk that previously belonged to an angle grinder will do.

Therefore, converting a saw is very simple: by replacing the blade from a machine for working with metal, you will get a machine for working with wood, etc.

Changing disks and other elements is very simple. Once you assemble the saw with your own hands, this will not be a problem for you.

The advantages of this type of saw include the ability to create a high-quality and precise cut, which is not always possible when working with other tools. However, you should not compare a saw made by yourself with tools from well-known manufacturers, for example, Makita.

An even cut is obtained due to the fact that the cutting saw has a powerful drive, as well as a cutting wheel that rotates at high speed.

Video:

Another advantage is that these metal saws are safe when working with your own hands: the abrasive wheel of the device is covered with a special housing that protects from sparks and chips that may get in during operation.

Thanks to the high power and rotation speed of the wheel, the work happens faster than when using other tools, which means the energy consumption required for cutting metal will be much lower.

Finally, pendulum saws are more functional - they can process metal products at different angles up to 45 degrees.

If you decide to buy a ready-made tool, the price will depend on several factors: firstly, the size of the product and its power.

Saws designed for processing thick and large parts are very bulky and heavy.

It is very difficult to move such a tool; as a rule, it is placed in a garage or workshop, where there is a three-phase grounded outlet that is necessary for work.

Compact saws are easier to work with: they can be carried around the area or taken with you to the right place. However, they are not suitable for processing massive products. Usually they make this particular version of the tool with their own hands.

Wood trimming and types of cutting discs

It’s probably not worth explaining what a circular saw is, but not everyone knows such a term as a miter saw (or miter saw).
Carpenters, joiners and craftsmen who deal with finishing and repair are well acquainted with these tools, because without them it is almost impossible to quickly make precise cuts in wood at given angles. Trimming tools are a universal tool in terms of the material being processed. In addition to wood, they can process metal, plastic and foam. This is determined by the type of cutting blade installed. Therefore, this tool is also called a “metal and wood miter saw.”

Conventional combination pendulum saw (crosscut)

Trimming requires fastening to a fixed platform. Of course, a trimmer will not be able to process logs for building a house. Wood cross-cutting machines are designed for this purpose. But unlike machines, which can only be used stationary, the cross-cut machine can be moved and work can be carried out on a temporary basis (tabletop, stand, etc.). (See also the article Brushing wood: features.)

By the way: if you want to build a house made of wood, do not forget that you need to protect the ends of the wooden house from fluctuations in humidity with paint or impregnation.

Wood miter saws and their design

Pendulum miter saw design

It would be fair to divide the types of trims into the following:

simple pendulum;
combined;
with a broach.

Pendulum trimmers

The basis is the bed. A rotary table is fixed to the bed, which makes it possible to adjust the cutting angle, accurately determining its value using the angle setting ruler.

The longitudinal stops along which the processed material is fed are fixed to the frame and do not rotate. The cutting angle is adjusted by rotating the turntable relative to the bed on which the circular saw is mounted.

The saw is attached via a swing arm with a spring-loaded hinge. The rotary lever (pendulum) provides movement in the vertical plane. Hence the name - pendulum saw.

Combination saws

A trim that allows you to change the cutting angle in two planes is called combined. To do this, another hinge is added to the above-described device. Combined miter saws for wood allow you to change the cutting angle along the horizontal axis only in the direction opposite to the fixed electric motor. (See also the article Wood sander: features.)

Combination miter saw

Broach saws

A miter saw with the ability to move the saw horizontally not only around the hinge axis, but also along the cutting line in a straight line is called a miter saw with horizontal movement. Such products are also called “wood broaching miter saws.” In the photo behind the electric motor two horizontal rods are visible. These are the guides for horizontal movement.

Miter saw for wood with horizontal movement (with broach)

Almost all miter saws come with dust bags. There is also the possibility of connecting a dust removal system. How to do this is described in the factory instructions included with the equipment.

Interestingly, making a miter saw on wood yourself is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. After all, the design principle itself is quite simple. If desired, craftsmen can even make a full-fledged cross-cutting machine. Below are devices made by yourself.

But, in our opinion, it is still better not to take risks and give preference to factory designs.

The crosscut in the photo is made from a regular circular saw

You can make a do-it-yourself wood trimming machine from the most affordable materials

Characteristics and types of cutting discs

The following basic parameters will help you choose a good blade for a wood miter saw. And although experts say that choosing it perfectly is a whole science, we will still try to figure it out.

So, the disks may differ:

By type of material;
By the number of cutting teeth;
By diameter;
By type of teeth;
By the angle of the teeth;
According to the permissible rotation speed.

Now - a little more detail.

Material type: solid and carbide

Monolithic discs are made of one material; they are considered not very reliable, as they quickly become dull. But they are repairable and allow you to sharpen them yourself.
The carbide blade has plates of a durable alloy, mainly tungsten carbide, at the tips of the teeth. Such disks have earned the greatest popularity due to their reliability and high service life. However, their price is noticeably higher than that of monolithic ones.

Number of cutting teeth on the disk

small quantity: 10 – 40 pcs.
average: 40 – 80 pcs.
large quantity: 80 – 90 pcs.

The number of teeth affects two factors: cutting speed and cut quality. A large number of teeth will provide a cleaner cut, although the cutting speed will be much slower. A small number of teeth will provide high cutting speed, but the quality of the cut will be rough.

Diameter

external varies from 190 to 355 mm;
internal (landing) can take values 16, 20, 22, 30, 32 mm.

One of the most popular sizes is 185 mm.

The outer diameter mainly affects the depth of cut. Accordingly, it is recommended to select the outer diameter of the disk depending on the thickness of the material being processed.

Attention! The inner diameter of the disk must match the diameter of the mounting pin.

Types of teeth

The following options are possible:

replacement tooth;
trapezoidal tooth;
concave tooth;
flat tooth with a chamfer.

Now - a little more detail about the purpose of each type.

Replaceable tooth: processed material – hard and soft wood, plywood, MDF, chipboard.
Trapezoidal tooth: suitable for cutting massive materials, plastics, chipboard, wood, non-ferrous metals (brass, copper).
Concave tooth: mainly for cutting single- and double-layer coated boards, abrasive materials, laminate.
Flat tooth with bevel: for rough longitudinal cuts in wood. Such discs are not afraid of either nails or hardened cement.

Tooth angle

positive tilt angle: from 5 to 20 degrees;
negative: mostly “-5” degrees;
zero: 0 degrees (strictly along the radius).

A wood miter blade with a positive bevel is best used for longitudinal and cross cutting of wood. Negative or zero tilt angles are recommended for working with harder materials, such as metals.

Rotation frequency

It could be like this:

low: 3800 rpm – 6000 rpm;
average: 6200 rpm – 9000 rpm;
high: 15200 rpm – 23800 rpm.

The maximum rotation speed is indicated on the product.

Attention! The number of revolutions indicated on the disk must be greater than the permissible rotation speed of the miter saw shaft. This directly affects work safety.

Conclusion

I think from this short review you learned how to choose a crosscut tool and choose the right disc for it. In the video presented in this article you will find additional information on this topic. Good luck!

How it works

This type of cutting equipment falls under the category of circular cutting machines. In its design, the cutting disc is mounted on a special frame, and the power source for the machine is the electrical network. The presence of the word “cutting” in the name indicates that the cutting disk is lowered during cutting, and after the end of the working cycle it returns to its original position.

The powerful cutting blade allows you to make cuts in a wide range of materials - not only metal and wood, but also tile, plastic, glass and porcelain. To work with wood, you can install a blade used in circular saws on the machine.

Console (pendulum)

A bushing shaft is installed horizontally in the holes of the racks, to which a rocker arm is welded, consisting of two levers, the ratio of which is one to three. A platform for installing the electric motor is welded on the short arm. On the long arm there is a cutting wheel drive shaft. The ratio of the lengths of the levers is approximate; it must be calculated so that in the non-working position the weight of the engine outweighs the weight of the assembled saw part (with protective covers). To bring the disk of the switched-on machine into contact with the metal, it is necessary to apply a small but noticeable force.

For ease of operation, a return spring is attached to the bottom of the engine platform, and the upward deflection angle of the pendulum is adjusted by a cable or chain, fixed at one end to the table and the other to the bottom of the long lever.

Sharpening two-handed saws yourself or how to simply restore an old long hacksaw

If you have an old two-handed hacksaw Druzhba-2 in the garage, then before using it, it is recommended to restore its integrity

Before using the tool, pay attention to the following points:

Handles - wooden handles may have dried out over a long period of non-use, so it is possible that they could freely fall out of the holes. You can restore the serviceability of the handles by dipping them in water for several hours so that they swell. You can also machine new handles for the tool, which won’t take a lot of time and effort.
The presence of corrosion on the canvas - signs of rust should be eliminated, and then treat the device with machine oil
Sharpening the teeth - after storing the tool for a long time in the garage, there is a high probability that the hacksaw needs to restore the sharpness of the teeth

If there are no difficulties with restoring the handles and removing corrosion, then sharpening the teeth is just the opposite. A large saw requires a lot of time and effort to restore the integrity of the links. However, there is an advantage to this, since large teeth are much more convenient to sharpen. Although the tool differs from an ordinary hand hacksaw, however, the principle of restoring the sharpness of the teeth is similar. A step-by-step description of sharpening teeth on a two-handed saw has the following format:

First you need to fix the tool. It will not be possible to do this in the jaws of even the largest vice, so we use two corresponding board lengths. We place the boards parallel to the blade, leaving only the teeth visible. If you don’t have a vice, you can use a clamp
Work should begin with setting the teeth. All teeth must be the same height. You can determine the presence of protruding links by eye, and to align them with the rest, you should work with a flat file
At the next stage, it is necessary to align the teeth at the same angle of deviation from the plane of the blade. To perform the wiring, you will need a special tool. It is also recommended that you first make a template (layout) to check whether the links are sufficiently spaced (or buy one). The teeth should be spaced 0.5 mm from the plane of the blade or 1 mm from each other. The wiring process is performed one by one. Not many craftsmen know how often to set teeth. According to the rules, it is necessary to carry out setting no more often than 1 time per 5-6 sharpening of teeth
As soon as the teeth are set apart, you can move on to the final and most important stage - sharpening. For this, a special triangular file is used, the size of which must be no less than the height of the teeth
Correct sharpening is performed by moving the file away from you with medium pressure against the tooth. In the reverse position, the file should not touch the blade. It is necessary to pass the file confidently, but not quickly
First you need to go along one side of the teeth, and then along the other. When sharpening, you should also choose the appropriate angle from 35 to 70 degrees.

Finally, all that remains is to treat the tool blade with machine oil and use it for sawing thick logs, trees and even lumber. When carrying out work, it is recommended to follow safety precautions to avoid injury.

This is interesting! If you have mastery of working with a grinder, you can sharpen the teeth with a power tool with an abrasive disc.