Diablo Wood vs. Metal Blade: Can a Framing Blade Cut Steel?

In a pinch, you might wonder if you can use your standard wood-cutting blade to get through a piece of metal. In this video, I’m going to cut metal with a Diablo blade designed specifically for wood to see if it’s actually possible - and if it’s worth the risk to your tools.

The Test: Wood Blade vs. Metal Blade

We put two different Diablo blades head-to-head using the DeWALT DCS574 7 1/4" Circular Saw. You can see the performance difference for yourself in the links below:

1. Diablo D0724 (Framing Blade for Wood): While this blade is designed for wood, it was able to cut through the metal. However, the process was significantly slower, and the cut quality was much lower.

   • Check out the Wood cutting blade Diablo D0724 here.

2. Diablo D0748CF (Steel Demon for Metal): This blade is specifically engineered for cutting metals like steel and stainless steel. As expected, it delivered a much cleaner, faster, and safer cut.

   • Check out the Metal cutting blade Diablo D0748CF STEEL DEMON here.

The Saw

If you're looking for the power to drive these blades through tough materials, the DeWALT DCS574 is the workhorse I used for this test. It handles both wood and metal cutting with ease when paired with the right blade.

• Do you like the saw? You can catch two deals in a row on the DeWALT DCS574 at Acme Tools here.
  
  
  

The Verdict

The test showed that while you can cut metal with a wood blade in an emergency, it's far from ideal. Using a specialized blade like the Steel Demon will result in:

• Better Cut Quality: A cleaner, smoother finish.

• Increased Longevity: Specialized blades are built to withstand the heat and friction of cutting metal, so they’ll last much longer than a wood blade would in the same scenario.

• Tool Safety: Proper blades put less strain on your saw's motor.

Conclusion: For the best results and to protect your gear, always use a blade designed for the material you're cutting.