Makita Metal Cutting Saws
Makita cut off saw options for clean, fast metal cuts on site, from cordless metal cutters to bench chop saws for repeatable lengths.
When you are knocking up tray, cutting strut, or trimming box and angle for frames, you want a Makita metal cutting saw that goes through steel without showering sparks everywhere or chewing discs. Makita cold cutter and metal chop saw setups give you straighter cuts, less burr, and quicker repeat work. Pick the size and power that matches what you cut all week, then get stocked up and crack on.
What Jobs Are Makita Cut Off Saws Best At?
- Cutting Unistrut, tray, and threaded rod to length on first fix so brackets and hangers land where they should without a load of filing after.
- Chopping box section, angle, and flat bar for gates, frames, and fabrication work when you need repeatable, square cuts that actually line up on the bench.
- Trimming steel sheet and cladding trims with a cordless metal cutter when you are working up ladders or moving room to room and cannot be dragging leads about.
- Doing cleaner internal cuts on finished sites with a Makita cold cutter style setup, keeping sparks down and reducing the mess and scorch marks you get from abrasive discs.
- Prepping pipe, conduit, and metal stud cleanly for fit-out so couplers and fixings seat properly without fighting burrs and ragged edges.
Choosing the Right Makita Cut Off Saw
Match the saw to how you work day to day: handheld for moving jobs, chop saw for repeat lengths, and the right blade for the metal you are actually cutting.
1. Handheld metal cutter vs metal chop saw
If you are up steps, working in risers, or cutting in place, go handheld cordless. If you are batching cuts at the bench and want consistent angles and lengths, a Makita metal chop saw is the one that keeps everything square and quick.
2. Blade diameter and max cut depth
If you mostly cut strut, tray, and thinner section, smaller blades keep the tool compact and easy to control. If you are regularly into thicker box and steel section, step up to a larger diameter so you are not forcing it and cooking blades.
3. Cold cutter blade vs abrasive disc
If you are working near finished surfaces or indoors, a Makita cold cutter style blade is worth it for cleaner cuts and less spark. Abrasive discs are cheap and will cut anything, but they are messier, louder, and leave more burr to clean up.
4. Brushless cordless vs corded
If you are already on LXT and doing lots of cuts, a Makita metal cutting saw brushless model is the sensible pick for runtime and control. If it lives in the workshop or on a fixed bench and you cut all day, corded keeps you going without swapping batteries.
Makita Metal Cutting Saw FAQs
Can a Makita circular saw cut metal?
Yes, but only if it is set up for it. You need a proper metal cutting blade and a saw rated for metal cutting, otherwise you will get nasty kickback, wreck blades, and make a mess of the cut. For regular steel work, a Makita metal cutting saw is the right tool.
What is the Makita DCS552Z 18V LXT 136mm metal cut saw?
It is a cordless Makita metal cutting saw on the 18V LXT platform with a 136mm blade size, built for fast, controlled cuts in sheet and light section without dragging leads around site. It is the sort of saw you grab for tray, stud, and quick alterations rather than heavy fabrication.
Is a Makita cold cutter really cleaner than a grinder?
Yes, in normal site use it is noticeably cleaner. A cold cutter style blade throws far fewer sparks and tends to leave a straighter edge with less burr than an abrasive disc, which is exactly why people use them on refurbs and fit-out near finished surfaces.
Will a cordless metal cutter handle thicker steel section?
Some will, but do not kid yourself. They are brilliant for sheet, tray, strut, and lighter section, but if you are constantly into heavy box and thick plate you will be better off with a larger capacity saw or a bench chop saw setup that is built for that workload.
Do metal cutting saws leave a burr that needs cleaning up?
They can, but it is usually far less than a grinder if the blade is right and sharp. If you are getting heavy burr, it is normally a blunt blade, the wrong blade for the material, or forcing the cut instead of letting the saw do the work.
Who Are Makita Metal Cutting Saws For?
- Steel fixers, fabricators, and welders who need a Makita metal chop saw for straight, repeat cuts that keep joints tight and measuring simple.
- Mechanical and HVAC fitters cutting strut, tray, and bracketry all day, where a cleaner cut saves time on deburr and makes installs look sharper.
- Electricians and maintenance teams who want a cordless metal cutter for quick alterations on plant rooms and refurbs without setting up a grinder station.
- Site teams doing snagging and handover work who need controlled cutting with less spark and less collateral damage near finished surfaces.
The Basics: Understanding Metal Cutting Saws
Metal cutting saws are not all the same. The blade type and the way the saw is set up changes the finish, the mess, and how safe and controllable the cut feels.
1. Cold cut metal saws (Tooth blade)
These use a toothed blade to shear through metal rather than grinding it away, so you get a cleaner edge with less burr and far fewer sparks. That is why they are popular for tray, strut, and steel saw work on fit-out jobs.
2. Abrasive cut off saws (Disc)
These use a grinding disc and will happily chew through a wide range of metal, but they throw more sparks and dust and the cut edge usually needs more clean-up. They are fine for rough work, just do not expect a tidy finish straight off the saw.
3. Bench chop saw setup (Repeatable cuts)
A chop saw gives you a stable base, a fixed fence, and controlled plunge, which is what makes it faster for batching the same cut over and over. If you are fabricating or prepping piles of strut, this is where time gets saved.
Metal Cutter Accessories That Save Time on Site
The right extras stop bad cuts, dead batteries, and wasted time cleaning up edges.
1. Metal cutting blades for steel and aluminium
Keep a spare blade that matches what you cut most, because the wrong blade loads up, wanders, and leaves you with a burr you will be filing for ages.
2. Spare batteries and a fast charger (for cordless metal cutters)
If you are doing repeated cuts, one battery is not a plan. A second pack and a decent charger keeps the saw working instead of you waiting around while the steel pile grows.
3. Work clamps or a material stop
Clamping the work properly stops it chattering and snatching, and a stop makes repeat lengths quick and consistent when you are cutting tray, strut, or box in batches.
Shop Makita Cut Off Saws at ITS
Whether you need a Makita metal cutter for quick site cuts or a Makita metal chop saw for bench work and repeat lengths, we stock the full range and the blades to match. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you are not losing a shift waiting on kit.
