Hey phaux,
You need to understand the different terminology as to saw cutting definition.
An abrasive saw uses an abrasive disc that deteriorates as it is cutting....the disc could be considered as a consummable. The disadvantages are that it produces a heavy level of abrasive dust that needs to be vented either by overhead exhaust fan or dust collector that can be as simple as a small hood with a shop vac hose(3") attached. It can be quite a mess without some method of collecting the dust. Also, the cut will not be as nearly as accurate as a steel blade because of flexing of the disc. Many complain about not getting good mitres with an abrasive saw. The only positive attribute is cost....they're much cheaper.
A cold saw is generally a much more powerful saw that is used in a heavy cutting fab shop. They are a steel blade either HSS or carbide tipped & generally run at a very low rpm that gives it the ability to do some serious cutting. These saws are geared as low as 54rpm & most operate with a coolant. Blades are also quite expensive. They are much cleaner as far as residual cutting chips getting spread out from the work station.
The 3rd....my favorite & what I use daily is a 14" dry-cut saw(Porter-Cable). It is a lower rpm(1300rpm) using a C7/72T tungsten-tipped blade that cuts straight, great mitres, up to 4" dia(rd or sq tube) material with ease, cut 3" solid without issue, & needs no coolant to maintain blade life. I get between 1200-1600 cuts on steel(NO SS!!!) before sharpening is needed & twice that with aluminum/brass/copper. The blades are economically priced at $40(14" Freud Diablo Metal Demon) & I have an inexpensive blade sharpener(HF) that re-sharpens the tung. tips easily.
Lastly, many use a 10" hand saw w/tung tips that will also work.....you must be very aware of using these & apply serious safety rules. They can be quite effective on field jobs having a smaller footprint & ease of use. They are limited to the thickness of material & cutting odd shaped material(sq/rect/angle) although can cut sheetmetal very effectively. I also use a 10" table saw w/C5/60T tung-tip blade for all the aluminum sheet I cut. You must use a blade rated for the much higher rpm of a table saw. AGAIN.......BE SAFE!!!!!!!
Attached are pics of my setups & applications I do & website where I get all my blades. Hope this will give you some mental fodder to contemplate.
Denny
Blade distributer:
http://cripedistributingstore.com/index.php/saw-blades/freud-diablo-steel-demon-14-x-72t-ferrous-metal-blade-ro.htmlSome pics: