Twin Blade Cutter....

[zman]

Anyone get a chance to try a Craftsman Twin Blade Cutter (http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@0395443496.1094522937@ @@@&BV_EngineID=ccdiadcmhhihglkcehgcemgdffmdfko.0& vertical=TOOL&pid=00926829000&tab=des#tablink) yet. Just wondering....

[Kurt]

Don't have one yet but seen the add for it last week. I think it would be handy around the shop. I'll wait for a feedback report before i buy.

[BELLM]

Any idea what they sell for?

[roaddevil]

I have one i dont like it as much as my portaban. It has a tendacy to kick once in a while when cutting hard or thick stuff. Great for tubing.

[zman]

I think they run $160. I'm kind of intrigued on the claim of less heat transfered to the material being cut. When it kicks is it like a 4 1/2" cut-off wheel?

[Brad54]

I've got one and did a write-up for my Shop Talk section in Super Rod magazine on it (yeah, yeah, shameless plug, stop whining about it).
I've used it a little, and I haven't had it kick back. That's not to say it doesn't, I just haven't had it happen. The opposite rotation of the two blades is supposed to stop that (since kickback occurs when the teeth grab and make the tool jump instead of cut into the material. Theoretically, if one blade bites, the other will bite in the opposite way. That's their theory. As I say, I haven't experienced it. This should also keep the tool from running way like a cut off wheel).
Almost completly burr-free cuts in metal. MUCH better than cut-off wheel or especially chop saw.
Cut through a 2x2x1/8-inch box tubing. It practically fell through the tubing while we were cutting it. Same with 2x2x1/4 aluminum angle. No burrs, and you could grab it with your hand after--it wasn't hot.
Major dislike: it cuts like a saw, not grinds, which is good, but then you have small little sharp pieces, instead of little grinding dusts and pieces. When grinding or cutting with a powered saw, you can "aim" the pieces away from you (you don't stand with the rooster tail of sparks aimed at your face). With the Twin Cutter, because both blades are spinning, one aims away from you, but one aims at you, too. I didn't like that feature of it--got a lot of sharp metal shavings stuck in the hair on my arms, and it hit my face, etc.
A full face mask is a must.
Other than the shavings hitting me, I love it. It's very fast, burr-free (safety!--no sliced fingers), doesn't generate heat at the cut point, and goes through pretty decent material. Doesn't create anything close to the mess or firehazzard of a chop saw.
Takes a couple cuts to get used to holding it comfortably.
If you're a tool hound, you'll love it. If you're a shop minimalist, you won't be overly impressed.
It doesn't generate (much) heat at the cut-off point because it cuts material out, rather than grinding it away.
-Brad
ps: Sears DOES NOT advertise with us, and we're not on their budget for next year either.

[roaddevil]

I dont play with any Aluminium 1/4" steel is about the smallest I did use it on a house demo and it worked great there.
http://www.milwaukee-et.com/int/int_products.nsf/Files/HBS120EX500.jpg/
This is what i prefer but you have the have the area to get the saw inside. It cuts fast and clean.
Ill have to try the twin blade on some thinner metal.

[SanDiegoJoe]

[ QUOTE ]
I dont play with any Aluminium 1/4" steel is about the smallest I did use it on a house demo and it worked great there.
http://www.milwaukee-et.com/int/int_products.nsf/Files/HBS120EX500.jpg/
This is what i prefer but you have the have the area to get the saw inside. It cuts fast and clean.
Ill have to try the twin blade on some thinner metal.

[/ QUOTE ]
http://www.milwaukee-et.com/int/int_products.nsf/Files/HBS120EX500.jpg

- I guess that Milwaukee won't allow remote links.

[oldchevyseller]

the tool is amazing, cut a bunch of 1/4 diamond plate aluminum,for the back of a big tow truck and it worked fantastic, no jumps,or kicks,the only odd thing is feeding the wax stick while you go, and the blade guard keeps shutting on you, but i would get one if you can afford it, you got to keep the blades lubed, other wise it worked fabulous, cut a bunch of 1/4 steel 2 inch angle also, ,you must wear a shield the thing throws chips big time,

[Bugman]

How fast does it use up the lube sticks, and what do the lube sticks cost? Pretend your one of my highschool metal shop students. What kind of mischief can you see yourself getting into with this saw?

-Jeff

[Brad54]

It's a destructive highschool student's wet dream.
Cuts aluminum, steel (the rep told me it will go through 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch rebar, but that will wear the blades out quicker), plastic, wood, wood with nails, etc. etc. etc.
You can make plunge cuts in the middle of a big sheet, unlike a shop saw, air nibbler, or reciprocating saw.
Literally, when I was photographing my neighbor as he cut through the box tubing, I had to have him do it again slower because he went so fast I missed the shot.
I forgot about the lube sticks. It can eat them pretty quickly if you feed them into it quickly. I haven't priced those yet.
-Brad

[oldchevyseller]

lube sticks are 4 bucks for 6 of thm , just feed em when you need and the ylast pretty long, i would say 6 ft for a aluminum cut