Makita LC1230N 305mm TCT Dry Cutting Metal Cut Off Saw

The Makita LC1230N is a 305mm dry cutting metal saw. It uses a carbide tipped blade instead of an abrasive disc. That means no sparks and almost no burrs. It suits light pipe, angle iron, tubing, conduit and channel. Workshops and fabricators will get the most from it.

How deep does it cut? You get 115mm at 90 degrees and 90mm at 45 degrees. The blade has a 25.4mm bore. A 1,650W motor spins it at 1,300rpm. That is slow enough to keep the cut cool and clean. Weight is 19kg so it moves around a workshop without fuss.

Abrasive discs wear down fast and need regular swaps. The TCT blade lasts much longer. Less downtime and fewer consumables make it cost effective for high volume work. The tool is double insulated for extra electrical safety.

Buy it if you cut a lot of metal and want cleaner cuts with less mess. A TCT blade and a socket wrench come in the box so you can start straight away. Makita backs it with its manufacturer warranty.

A dry cutting saw uses a carbide tipped blade with teeth rather than a grinding disc. Each tooth shears a small chip from the metal so heat stays in the chip and not the work. At 1,300rpm the 305mm blade turns slowly enough to stay cool. That is why the cut is clean with few burrs and no sparks. The 1,650W motor gives steady torque through tube and angle. Carbide tips wear slowly so the blade keeps its cutting performance far longer than a disc.

Clamp the workpiece firmly before every cut. Keep the blade guard in place and wear eye protection and ear defenders. Let the blade reach full speed before you lower it into the metal. Hot chips and swarf can still fly out so keep your hands clear. Unplug the saw before changing the blade with the socket wrench. The double insulated body helps but keep the cable away from the cut.