Low profile slitting saw arbor

[mklotz]

I needed a slitting saw arbor that could get very close to the surface so I put this together.

The kit consists of four pieces - the arbor, the "top hat", a suitably sized SHCS, and, of course, the slitting saw...

The arbor is turned down to fit into a 3/4" collet and has flats so, if the saw hangs up and overtightens the SHCS there's something to grab to keep it from turning while you reef on the screw. The hole in the business end of the arbor is bored to a nice sliding fit on the crown of the top hat. There's a small shoulder there which centers the saw. These shoulders are turned to match the seemingly endless sizes of saw holes out there. The saw blade is a carbide-tipped version sold for small woodworking panel saws. (Yeah, I hate the brown stuff too but these saws work well and seem more durable than the ordinary metal slitting saw.)

The crown of the top hat is drilled and bored so the SHCS can be inserted into it with no part of the screw head protruding...

Then the top hat is passed through the blade and the crown inserted into the hole in the arbor, the screw is tightened and you're ready to cut metal...

The brim of the top hat is only 0.080" thick so it's possible to get within 0.1" of the vise while sawing without a problem.