While primarily designed to cut wood, a Ridgid miter saw's wood cutting blade can be replaced with a metal cutting blade which will allow you to cut metal almost as easily as you cut wood. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Use the star bit driver on the other end of the arbor wrench that Ridgid provided with the miter saw to loosen the screw that holds the arbor nut cover in place. This is the small, aluminum cover on the side of the blade guard. If you have lost the special wrench, a slotted screwdriver will work as well.
2. Rotate the arbor nut cover up to allow access to the arbor nut.
3. Remove the arbor nut by using the Ridgid arbor wrench and turn the arbor nut to the right while depressing the arbor lock that is located under the handle on the opposite side of the blade guard. Most nuts are loosened by turning them to the left, but due to the direction the blades spins the bolt had to be threaded in reverse to keep the nut tight when the blade is under pressure.
4. Raise the blade guard and remove the blade and replace it with the metal cutting blade.
5. Replace the arbor nut, arbor nut cover and screw.
6. If your Ridgid miter saw comes with a clamp, use it to hold the metal down against the table. If it did not, put a leather glove on your hand that will be holding the metal down as cutting it will cause a lot of sparks.
7. Remove the dust collection bag from the saw before cutting. Sparks don't play well with fabric.
8. Grasp the handle, depress the trigger and lower the miter saw head to the metal. Do not start cutting the metal until the blade reaches full speed. Apply steady downward pressure to the saw head until the blade cuts the metal in two. Don't over apply pressure or you risk breaking the blade.
9. Release the trigger and wait for the blade to stop spinning. Lift the saw head and remove the two pieces of metal.
Tags: arbor cover, blade guard, cutting blade, arbor wrench, metal cutting, metal cutting blade, metal down