Lets talk chop saws

[l_bilyk]

First off, what does everyone have and how do you like it?

Second, if you had a choice between a name brand abrasive chop saw or a cheap chinese one that uses carbide tipped blades, which would you chose?

 

[ZRX61]

I have a DeWalt & use this blade:
http://www.bulletindustries.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/99_144/products_id/784
Goes thru steel like a hot knife thru butter

 

[l_bilyk]

I didnt think it was OK to use those on abrasive wheel machines

 

[medic583]

I've got a cheap HF style chop saw.... hate it.... but it works for what I need.

If I could do it again, I'd buy a good brand name saw... something more accurate....

Next up though... plasma.... the two should be a good compliment... the cut off for knocking quick things down... the plasma for doing the fun cuts.

 

[kyoung]

I own this one...

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_265097_265097

It's adequate for what I use it for. The laser is pretty cool!

 

[Senorpablo]

Dewalt makes my favorite ones. Some of the details I look for: pin to lock in down position instead of little chain with hook, D handle, lever quick change angled backstop.

No other model I've seen combines all those features. The Rigid is close, but has the crappy chain not the locking pin...

 

[brianpgriset]

What all are you planning on cutting?

 

[ZRX61]

I didnt think it was OK to use those on abrasive wheel machines

Usually not, but these blades are rated at 4400rpm.

 

[IDASHO]

Most of the work i do is metal fab.

So my nice (metal) chop is a makita 14"

Ive also got a cheap Delta 10" compound chop saw for small wood projects.

 

[Jbullfrog]

I have a 14" Makita. I have two complaints one is the disc tends to flex as it goes thru causing the cut to be croaked and the vise backstop is not flat. It has a recess at the bottom and where the ribs are. This makes it difficult to cut short items like bolts.

 

[brianpgriset]

Maybe give a small bandsaw some consideration.

 

[scotte]

i have the milwaukee the hight amp model w/ the d-shaped handle (dont buy the other one the switches fail) my only complaint is that sometimes it will trip the 20amp breaker in my gararge

 

[Roospike]

Quality

I own the DeWalt 15 amp abrasive wheel chop saw and also the Dewalt 15 amp multi cutting carbide blade saw . Bothe are great saws and the key to the abrasive wheel chop saw is to buy the good blades and not be a cheap a$$ and get harbor freight brands of junk . With the better blades you will get a lot less flex , none if you run your saw right , and you will get no glaze on the wheel.

The abrasive wheel chop saws are good saws when you learn to run them as they should and you learn to understand the "feel" for how much pressure to add to the cut.

The biggest reason i also have the multi cutting carbide blade saw is because i got tired of all the abrasive blade dust on the work bench and all over the shop and also you end up with a better cut on the multi cutting saw with no burr to take off like the abrasive blade has.

There are some junk metals that cant / shouldnt be cut with the metal blade for the fact of blade tip damage as well as cutting a group of bars , a chain ect...

I use the multi cutting saw 98% of the time but pull out the abrasive saw for junk metals , bulk group cuts and also if i need to take it somewhere other then my own shop.

#1 Get name brand saws.

#2 Use quality branded blades

#3 learn to use the saw as it should be

#4 The abrasive saw is fine but if you have the money get the multi cutting saw with the metal blade for better, faster cuts and no abrasive dust.

************ *************

Pictured is the DeWalt DW872 multi cutting metal saw .

 

[Jasondt2001]

Re: Quality

I own the DeWalt 15 amp abrasive wheel chop saw and also the Dewalt 15 amp multi cutting carbide blade saw . Bothe are great saws and the key to the abrasive wheel chop saw is to buy the good blades and not be a cheap a$$ and get harbor freight brands of junk . With the better blades you will get a lot less flex , none if you run your saw right , and you will get no glaze on the wheel.

The abrasive wheel chop saws are good saws when you learn to run them as they should and you learn to understand the "feel" for how much pressure to add to the cut.

The biggest reason i also have the multi cutting carbide blade saw is because i got tired of all the abrasive blade dust on the work bench and all over the shop and also you end up with a better cut on the multi cutting saw with no burr to take off like the abrasive blade has.

There are some junk metals that cant / shouldnt be cut with the metal blade for the fact of blade tip damage as well as cutting a group of bars , a chain ect...

I use the multi cutting saw 98% of the time but pull out the abrasive saw for junk metals , bulk group cuts and also if i need to take it somewhere other then my own shop.

#1 Get name brand saws.

#2 Use quality branded blades

#3 learn to use the saw as it should be

#4 The abrasive saw is fine but if you have the money get the multi cutting saw with the metal blade for better, faster cuts and no abrasive dust.

************ *************

Pictured is the DeWalt DW872 multi cutting metal saw .

Roospike, do you have any problems with the saw 'smoking' or tripping the 20 amp breaker? I have the DeWalt also and i REALLY like it but, it will smoke while cutting through thicker metal with some pressure (not back breaking or shoving) and then it trips my 20 amp breaker...

I am going to take it back and was thinking about the Hitachi cut off saw from lowes http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=205226-67702-CC14SF&lpage=none but I was really liking the DeWalt like I said.

Maybe I just got a fluke... anyone have any ideas?

 

[Major Ramifications]

Roospike,
I like your cutting table with the steel backsplash and sidesplash. At work we used to keep our abrasive wheeled chop saw on a workbench with a butcher block top. That thing burned halfway through the top after a while.

 

[Ign]

Milwaukee w D-handle, highly recommend. Price is very competitive w any other name brand

 

[devinchi]

I have a Craftsman from a few years back. I bought it after checking out all the locally available options. My friends and I liked the cast base as opposed to the stamped steel ones, also the pivot was larger and better than on the others we looked at.

I use a gas powered hand held chopsaw many times every day, and will definitely 2nd the statements about using a good quality blade. MAKE SURE it is rated for the rpm's of the machine. (purchasing saved a few bucks on some blades and I had one blow up on me since it was being spun about 800rpm's over it's rating). Also an extra buck upfront on a good blade can get you lots more cutting time, and save in the long run. I have had cheap blades last a few days, and good ones last weeks.

 

[toolman1967]

Had 3..two cheapos and a Milwaukee. First one was because I was young AND stupid...Second one was just because I was STUPID and Cheap. Finally learned my lesson and bought a quality one. I use it several times a week and wouldnt switch from the Milwaukee. Same issue with sawzalls...Just buy the quality ones and you will save money and heartache in the long run

 

[rsanter]

the Cman one now is a riobi. I have the riobi and it gets a fair grade. I think the dewalt is much better

bob

 

[Red Green]

I have a Dewalt (metal) chop saw with the quality blades and proper pressure it works very well. I also have a Milwaukee handheld bandsaw that I use a lot more because of less noise and mess and it's easier to take to where I am working

 

[Lyaec350]

Why not just get a Jet 4x6 horizontal bandsaw? Cant beat it for the price in terms of cut quality, speed, and cleanliness. Even works ok in the upright mode for quick cuts.

 

[grillmasterp]

First off, what does everyone have and how do you like it?

Second, if you had a choice between a name brand abrasive chop saw or a cheap chinese one that uses carbide tipped blades, which would you chose?

I have a Ryobi 14" abrasive that I bought for $40 at Home Depot- Was considering the Milwaukee- but couldn't pass up the $40 price tag - (Display model). I've also used the lower end Milwaukee, B&D & Dewalt.

- Works great for PVC pipe.......Works OK for metal tubing. I find myself using my Milwaukee Bandsaw more often.
The bandsaw is a much more versatile tool- Also cuts cooler- less mess/waste. I am now considering buying a stand for the "port-a-band"

- I think the thing you will find is very few owners actually love owning/using their abrasive disc chop saws when compared to other tools. Also, the consumables are relatively expensive.

 

[the fab shack]

Re: Quality

Roospike, do you have any problems with the saw 'smoking' or tripping the 20 amp breaker? I have the DeWalt also and i REALLY like it but, it will smoke while cutting through thicker metal with some pressure (not back breaking or shoving) and then it trips my 20 amp breaker...

I am going to take it back and was thinking about the Hitachi cut off saw from lowes http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=205226-67702-CC14SF&lpage=none but I was really liking the DeWalt like I said.

Maybe I just got a fluke... anyone have any ideas?

The problem is you're prob using a dewalt or other lowes type of blade and for thicker stuff, it just doesnt cut that fast. I do metal fab all the time, bodydrops (hot rodders call em channels), 4 link setups, etc. so i use it on anything from .125 to .250. My saw did smoke and burned the brushes up really quick when I had a Home Depot 'red' something 14" blade (blade was 20 bucks alone).. anyways, it was b/c i was having to push it and it was bogging the motor down, etc.

I went to a hardware store that is family owned (small, has a lot of names you only heard of if you are an enthusaists and prices are great).. I have a Pearl or a Norton 14" on it now and it cuts my .125 rectangle tubing for backhalfs like butter.

Keep the saw as you can get parts for them, I dont know of anywhere that will sell brushes, etc. for a hitachi.. just get yourself a really good blade.

As for the person who uses the Bullet blade, I have looked at those a few times, how thick of metal do you cut with it?

 

[jerryW]

To tell the truth, I sold off my chop saw when I got a band saw. Even cheapy chi-com beats the hell out of a chop saw, inho.


jerry

 

[Jasondt2001]

You know as cheap as band saws are becoming, I'm browsing them as we speak. Does it cut better than a chop saw usually? I've never used one but I have heard others speak nothing but great things about them!

 

[Lyaec350]

Yes, abrasive saws make so much mess and the cut is generally pretty rough with a huge burr. You also lose a lot of material to the kerf because the blade is so thick. A cheap 4x6 bandsaw (they're pretty much all made in the same factory) provides a much cleaner cut, less mess, no heat, smaller kerf, and is basically plug and play. Clamp the piece in the vise, turn the saw on, drop it down onto the piece you're cutting and walk away, the saw shuts off when the cut is done. Finally, the bandsaw can usually also be locked in the upright position for small cuts that should be done vertically. Granted the little stamped table is nothing compared to a true vertical bandsaw's cast iron table, but it is useful occasionally or if you don't already have a big heavy upright.

 

[CBSuperDuty]

Anybody got links or brands/PN for these cheaper but still OK Bandsaws?

 

[Freejack]

I have an Emerson branded dry-cut saw that is very similar to this Ridgid unit less the nice quick clamp vise (still has an nice cast clamp and backing plate). I don't do a lot of metal work, but I love using it. So much quieter than an abrasive saw, cuts straighter and the work is cool to the touch as soon as you are done cutting.

The only downsides: Blades are expensive since they are usually 14" and 100 tooth. Also, depending on the side of stock you are using, the cut does need a bit of cleanup, usually thin strip you can almost pull off by hand.

I have a DeWalt & use this blade:
http://www.bulletindustries.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/99_144/products_id/784
Goes thru steel like a hot knife thru butter

Shiver runs up spine I would be very leary of that blade. It looks no different than the standard dry cut blades, and those are generally rated for a max of 1500 RPM. In addition, the clamping mechanisms on most abasive saws is truely not all the substaintial and abrasive blades generally cannot grab or ****** work like a blade with teeth could. Finally abasive saws do not have the proper guarding for a blade with teeth. Look at the difference between the Dewalt D78715 and the DW872.

Jake

 

[Freejack]

Anybody got links or brands/PN for these cheaper but still OK Bandsaws?

As far as metal cutting bandsaws, Grizzly is generally a fairly reliable brand of import product with good pricing: Grizzly metal band saws

Jake