Cutting of irradiated zircaloy metal clad ceramic fuel pellets requires a special cutting saw that can be remotely operated. The remote operation is essential because of the pyrophoric nature of zircaloy metal and high radiation field associated with the irradiated fuel elements. Conventional saws cannot meet the operational requirements because these are not readily amenable for remote operation and maintenance. Hence we have developed a new laboratory scale cutting saw for cutting radioactive samples remotely. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.