Hello, no I have never used one of these "super sized" saws............but I know Makita makes a 16-5/16" saw. These (I hear) are used at barn-raisings and other projects that require massive saw blades.

I hear they are called "Widow-makers". DO YOU FEEL LUCKY?.... There may be other manufacturers as well. Again, I don't have personal experience with these....but I would guess they aren't for the faint of heart.

If you go that route, please take any and all precautions!

Check out the attached links. Again, this is NOT a recommendation. As they used to say on Hill Street Blues: BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

http://www.makita.com/tools_Item_View.asp?id=238

http://www.makita.com/tools_Item_View.asp?id=321

Regards,

-k2 in CO

Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum

http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous

production framers will use those too, solid stock and glue lam headers of the six by variety get chopped down quick- i hear the kick at startup will about take your arm off. i very rarely feel the need to cut something that thick, and when i do i'll just make a second pass and save myself seven hundred dollars worth of saw and whatever those blades cost. i would like a ten , maybe even 12 incher though- four by headers, tgi's with 3 and a half inch nailing flanges, etc. i'm sure i'll find plenty uses whenever i get one. i know makita, skilsaw, and milwaukee all make a ten incher, but i've got reasons against them all, mostly cost related.

Hello again Johnny,

Here's another option--again, one I haven't needed personally--but I've seen these things in catalogs for years. Might be worth a look, and the price might be more reasonable:

http://www.praziusa.com/beamcutter.html

Good luck, and be careful with that thing! :)

Regards,

-k2 in CO

Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum

http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous