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Thread: Which reciprocating saw blade for cutting cast iron pipe?

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Buffalo, NY
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    Which reciprocating saw blade for cutting cast iron pipe?

    Tomorrow I have to cut up some 3" sch. 40 cast iron pipe and I was wondering what blade to use on my reciprocating saw. I need something that is readily available everywhere (like the borgs). I also have a diamond encrusted blade from paws off tools which is designed to plow through concrete and other masonry products - would this work?
    Any advice offered would be greatly appreciated.

    Brian
    It’s only work if somebody makes you do it.
    A day can really slip by when you're deliberately avoiding what you're supposed to do.
    Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side and it binds the universe together.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
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    SF Bay Area, CA
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    Brian,

    Maybe it is surprising to you but cast iron is relatively soft and very easy to cut, drill, tap, etc. Just get good old metal cutting blades and you should be fine.
    Wood: a fickle medium....

    Did you know SMC is user supported? Please help.

  3. #3
    Brian,

    I have had good luck cutting large diameter cast iron pipe with a 3M cast iron cutting blade and my circular saw. It's an abrasive blade that wears away as you use it. It is loud and makes a fair bit of dust, but it cuts quick and clean.

    Phil

  4. #4
    What Chris said.
    Regular old metal cutting blade.
    Cuts like buttah.

    Per
    "all men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night....wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible."
    T.E. Lawrence

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Buffalo, NY
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    Thanks for the responses guys. The last time I cut CI pipe it took forever to get through. Now that I think about it, the old 4 amp sawzall that I had (and still have) may have been the real problem. That will be solved as soon as the UPS guy gets here - I ordered a new 13 amp sawzall from amazon the other day. That should make a big difference.
    It’s only work if somebody makes you do it.
    A day can really slip by when you're deliberately avoiding what you're supposed to do.
    Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side and it binds the universe together.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    South Central Pennsylvania, USA
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    Pick up one of the Milwaukee Torch blades and you'll be fine.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Allen, TX
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    yeah, i use the milwaukee blades from the borg too. there are probably higher quality blades that last longer, but right out of the pack they cut iron easily enough.

    agree on replacing the mickey mouse sawzall, a proper size sawzall will make a bigger difference than the blade. i have the same sawzall you ordered, it cuts 1/4 and 3/8 angle iron easily, which should be pretty similar to your pipe.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    London, Ontario
    Posts
    302
    Hello there,

    My day job is sales mgr of a tool store, this is the blade you want,

    http://www.milwaukeetool.com/webapp/..._192590_192327

    If the link does not work, Milwaukee part #48-00-1420

    Good luck,

    David.

  9. #9
    for cast pipe you want a finer toothed blade. Less shock to the fragile iron.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Bucks County, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    940
    How did you make out? -- I have had a hard time cutting CI pipe.

    Normally you use a chain cutter -- it has a ring of carbide discs that crack the pipe -- very quick. You can rent them.

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