cutting 55 gal drums

[sunshine estate]

What would you recomend to cut plastic (food safe type) 55 gal drums in half? I have carpal tunnel so any sort of hand saw is out of the question.

I'm thinking a scroll saw; if you think it would work, what type of blade would be best?

Thanks...

[diehard47]

I cut plastic barrel once by using skill saw with blade on backward.

[sunshine estate]

Uhhh...my first reaction was "What were you on when you did this?" and then I thought maybe the friction might have melted it as you went along?

[agmantoo]

I use my circular hand saw with a fine tooth blade. Works fine.

[ace admirer]

wood blade in recipicating saw (sawsall etc) i have cut them with a chain saw, don't recomend that

[seedspreader]

I cut mine with a skill saw with the blade on the right way. Worked great.

[rambler]

Recipricating saw, any blade, works real well. Metal blade will cut slow but smoother, course wood blade will make a rougher, faster cut.

Jig/ scroll saw will work fine too, might be a little slower.

--->Paul

[sunshine estate]

Thank you...yes, I'd like a smooth cut, I'm glad you mentioned that...I've had some rough edges on plastic drums cut by other people end up scratching my arms to the point of drawing blood...

[shadowwalker]

After you cut the barrel, you can use a hand file to get the burrs off the plastic barrel.

[neal68]

i cut mine with a jig saw and a metal cutting blade and it worked perfect

[longrider]

we used a jig saw with a big toothed plywood blade.

[Hee Haw]

I used a jig saw also, worked fine, with good smooth cut.

[ace admirer]

You might be able to flame burnish the cut edjes with a propane torch. it will smooth and round over the corners.