OT Best Skil Saw to Cut Up Car

[AquilaBMW]

I need to cut some parts of the Silver Donor car that is sitting in the garage. In particular, I need to cut the rails or tubes that run through the engine bay - the Bumper Shocks are mounted onto these I believe.

Any recommendations on which Skil Saw would be the best to use? Or reciprocating Saw. I have a coupon from Old Harbor Freight I want to use before it expires.

Thanks!

[2000740]

I used to be in the construction industry so I used plenty of reciprocating saws. Dewalt is good but once I started using milwaukee I never went back. I've never used the harbor freight saws so I can't speak on their reliability. If you only plan on using it for that job I would imagine you would be fine with that. Just make sure you get quality blades. Sometimes getting the cheap blades will just make you work harder.

[KGB7]

Get an Angle Grinder with a cutting disk. It will cut through anything like hot knife through butter.

Dont bother with saws, they take too long and are pain in the butt to use.


p.s. Make sure you get a cutting disk for metal, because they make them for wood and other materials as well. Just an FYI.

[AquilaBMW]

I used to be in the construction industry so I used plenty of reciprocating saws. Dewalt is good but once I started using milwaukee I never went back. I've never used the harbor freight saws so I can't speak on their reliability. If you only plan on using it for that job I would imagine you would be fine with that. Just make sure you get quality blades. Sometimes getting the cheap blades will just make you work harder.

Thanks for the advice. The tool is only for this job, that is why I have no plans to invest a lot of money into it. Gotcha on the blades. What do you think is best - Skil Saw or Reci-Saw?


Get an Angle Grinder with a cutting disk. It will cut through anything like hot knife through butter.

Dont bother with saws, they take too long and are pain in the butt to use.

p.s. Make sure you get a cutting disk for metal, because they make them for wood and other materials as well. Just an FYI.

No can do... I am surrounded by too much wood, worried about starting a fire.

[novasol]

If you use a Sawzall use it on a lower speed, high speed will burn through your blades and actually be slower.

Brand blade matters more. Get a Lenox, Bosch Demolition, or Milwaukee. Don't get Dewalt crap.

[AquilaBMW]

If you use a Sawzall use it on a lower speed, high speed will burn through your blades and actually be slower.

Brand blade matters more. Get a Lenox, Bosch Demolition, or Milwaukee. Don't get Dewalt crap.

Thanks Jonathan. So, go with a Sawzall then. I don't think Harbor Freight has those brands of blades though.

Any particular thing to look for when acquiring one? Amps? Voltage? Speeds?

Michael

[2000740]

I would definitely go with the reciprocating saw. You can buy longer blades than for a skil saw. If you're going to gut though thick sections of metal that will come in handy. Look for the highest amps you're willing to spend on.

[KGB7]

Are you cutting steel or other type of metal?

You might get paper on fire if you hold it in front of the grinder but not wood, unless its covered in flamable liquid.

Saw will cut steel but will take too long.

If you going to use a saw then get lubricating oil to keep the blade from over heating and burning up.

[novasol]

Thanks Jonathan. So, go with a Sawzall then. I don't think Harbor Freight has those brands of blades though.

Any particular thing to look for when acquiring one? Amps? Voltage? Speeds?

Michael

Get a 10amp or above. Forget about cordless. At that higher amperage range you should be into orbital action and variable speed(which is necessary for metal IMO).

The Milwaukee 6523 Super Sawzall will definitely do the job, if it's in your budget.

I can't stress enough the right blade though. A crap blade just won't do. See what they have...I don't know the store since I'm not in the US

[AquilaBMW]

I would definitely go with the reciprocating saw. You can buy longer blades than for a skil saw. If you're going to gut though thick sections of metal that will come in handy. Look for the highest amps you're willing to spend on.

I think the highest they have at HB is a 9.5 Amp.


Are you cutting steel or other type of metal?

You might get paper on fire if you hold it in front of the grinder but not wood, unless its covered in flamable liquid.

Saw will cut steel but will take too long.

If you going to use a saw then get lubricating oil to keep the blade from over heating and burning up.

Believe me, I like the idea of a grinder - AND - I have a compressor so I could run an Air Grinder. I have used them before they work great. I am not so sure about using them for large pieces though. Also.... them sparks concern me greatly.


Get a 10amp or above. Forget about cordless. At that higher amperage range you should be into orbital action and variable speed(which is necessary for metal IMO).

The Milwaukee 6523 Super Sawzall will definitely do the job, if it's in your budget.

I can't stress enough the right blade though. A crap blade just won't do. See what they have...I don't know the store since I'm not in the US

Don't think they have 10 Amp Saws at HB. They are a discount type hardware store.

[2000740]

The higher amps the more power you will have. If you get a lower rating the saw will probably get bogged down when cutting through the thicker stuff. But if you don't mind it slowing down on you and you only plan to use it for this one job I think 9.5 would be fine. Especially since you won't be spending too much on the saw. I would try looking on Craigslist to see if you can find a better quality saw in your area.

[KGB7]

You wont notice diference between 0.5 amps.

Buy it at Harbor Freight, use it and then return it. You can always buy a better one at a letter date.

[2000740]

You wont notice diference between 0.5 amps.

Buy it at Harbor Freight, use it and then return it. You can always buy a better one at a letter date.

No, you won't notice the difference. I meant that the difference between a harbor freight saw and a good quality saw would be very noticeable. I looked on their website and the highest rating they have is 7.5 amps. When you compare that saw to one with at least 11 amps they're worlds apart.
If he did go the route of buying and returning it it would make more sense to buy a good one from home depot. He would be getting his money back anyway.

[ryan77]

I can cut a car in half in 5 min with a cutting toarch.

[motion]

However you do it, be careful if there's still fuel in the car.

[eseeling]

check out the Dualsaw - it cuts metal wood, etc. - here is a video cutting a car in half.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqgQPhEwAZ8
I think I saw a dual saw or similar technology at Costco - I'm not sure of the price

[AquilaBMW]

However you do it, be careful if there's still fuel in the car.

Good Point !!!!:eek:

[TxDarth]

I have both, in fact several of each, I will tell you and put up a sawsall against an die/angle grinder. The saw will be much faster, especially if you use a quality blade at a moderate speed.....can't beat it. Except that torch idea or a plasma cutter - taht would be the fastest hands down!!!!:D

[rdorman]

In college, we used a sawzall to cut the roof off of a car to make a convertable... we used milwaukee! We also used a partner saw. It is like a angle grinder but with a 12" disc and gas powered... butter! Yes, alchohol was involved and there where no killing of small animals. The car didn't last long on the road though. So we turned into a hot tub. Do you know how many places and old Pinto will leak out of the cockpit? Lots of tape and caulk.

[DUDMD]

I would never attempt to cut a huge piece off with a die grinder. It is too dangerous and slow, compared to a saw with a proper bladed.

[TxDarth]

As a side note some people have mentioned Milwaukee Sawsalls - good products IF you get the heavy duty models. They are still made in the USA - however the lessor models are now made in China and not much better than the Harbor Freight versions. Just make sure to look at the label - might stay away from the made in China versions.:evil2

[novasol]

Yeah Michael, the 9.5amp one on the website will do the job.

Just don't use the blade it comes with, or any harbour freight one, you'll be cursing after 5min of using it. Pony up the cash and buy a decent blade, you can get them as singles so it's not that much cash really. I can't stress this enough.

[AquilaBMW]

Thanks guys! I will be getting the Saw from HF shortly and will pony up for diamond blades from Home Depot or OSH.

[silverhair]

What parts will be cut?

You could always use air. Air chisel hammer with the right bit would do the job too if your cutting sheet metal. No warping of the metal that way.

[AquilaBMW]

What parts will be cut?

You could always use air. Air chisel hammer with the right bit would do the job too if your cutting sheet metal. No warping of the metal that way.

Cutting up an entire car eventually. For now, I just need to cut off the tubular rails in the engine bay.

[Loeborg]

Use a torch. If this is all scrap, why in the world would you go any other route?