DIYbanter - View Single Post - Coldsaw vs. Metal-cutting saw?

wrote:
Dave wrote:
Can someone who has experience with coldsaws please explain how these
differ in performance and blade lifespan (cost effectiveness) compared
to true coldsaws?

[...]
I cut 2" solid square, or 1/4" round, with equal precision. The blade
speed is so slow, at about 44 rpm, that the danger is minimal- sure,
you can hurt yourself with any tool, but the difference in danger level
between a 2000 rpm carbide blade, and a 44 rpm steel blade- well, the
cold saw will hardly cut thru your glove if you brush up against the
spinning blade- try that with a Dewalt, and you will be counting to ten
using your feet.

As you can tell, I am sold on cold saws. I bought mine used for a
grand, almost 15 years ago. No problems with it in all that time,
except when an overenthusiastic employee actually snapped the 3/4"
diameter, 2 foot long saw handle off at the threads, by pulling down
too hard while cutting steel. No damage to the blade, or the saw, but
the handle broke- this is a testament to the way these things are
built. [...]

What I don't understand is, with such a low RPM, is a very large blade
pressure applied with a coldsaw? Is that why they need to be so massive
and have a long handle? Thanks.