Abrasive Chop Saw Blade - Brands

[Jeeper]

Just picked up a Ridgid metal chop saw off craigslist. It needs a new blade. Any brands to stick with or stay away from?

Just a hobbiest, it won't get used much. Are diablo ones at HD good enough?

 

[B_Bimmer]

All I know is the dewalt branded ones are about 40× better than harbor fright.

 

[sberry]

I use about any of them. On a small such as this user the thinner ones. The QC even from good mgfs is all over the place. Sposedly the thicker ones are 1/8 and 7/32. It doesn't seem to mean much as to how they list it, some say 7/32. Take a good look and compare, these machines are ok but dont have the real power to drive heavier blades as well.
I have several methods to cut, I like a chop for repair work. I almost never cut at angles with them, I am the designer and can straight cut most of the time or nip corners with a plasma. I like a saw with trigger lock, it can do a lot of things.

 

[GaryM909]

I use Walter or Flexovit most of the time. Don't waste your money on the cheap house brands. They wear out too fast.

 

[bobcatdan]

Dewalt works just fine for me. It goes it streak of using my chop saw heavy for a day or two then it just sits maybe making a cut once a month. Blades last me years.

 

[Cope]

I used Norton for years, and would still if anyone nearby carried them. I switched to DeWalt because they're available at Lowe's.

 

[VocaTexas]

I like the Pferd blades. They seem to cut a bit better and last longer than others I've tried.

 

[Stevenn1]

All I know is the dewalt branded ones are about 40× better than harbor fright.

Somehow I ended up with HF (Chicago Electric?) saw and 14" discs. All stickers fell off. The discs break apart on heavy duty steel cutting. It bogs down easily. It vibrates bad too. It's OK for 1-2x year quick cuts i guess. But I would go Dewalt saw and discs next time.

 

[bob15]

United Abrasives: http://www.unitedabrasives.com/

 

[Bobcat753]

These are expensive but are awesome. I use these in my grinders and chop saws and they rock. I have one that has well over 500 cuts and it is still going strong.
http://www.lenoxtools.com/pages/lenox-metalmax.aspx

 

[Cope]

OP, do you have an abrasive wheel saw or one with a carbide blade?

 

[Jeeper]

OP, do you have an abrasive wheel saw or one with a carbide blade?

Abrasive saw

 

[crewchief888]

i typically buy whatever is on the shelf at home depot, had good results with dewalt and avanti brands.

the HF blades ive had have been in the barely usable category.
YMMV

 

[Cope]

Abrasive saw

Duh, and I didn't see the full description in his title.

 

[Jeeper]

Duh, and I didn't see the full description in his title.

No worries. I do that all the time too.

 

[MJD1]

Norton, sait, flexovit or metabo. Buy blade at a welding store not a box store. There are many different grades, and a box store stocks them, based on price and profit margin, not performance.