Metal Chop Saw Help

[Nighttrain]

I bought the Ridgid 14" chop saw yesterday and have a question. I am cutting 1/2" by 2 1/2" flat stock steel for some brackets. THis is the first time I have used a metal saw. It is taking over ten minutes per cut. I am cutting it vertical (1/2") thick. I am holding down pretty tight on the blade just before the motor dogs down. I know this is pretty thick stuff but should'nt this saw cut a lot faster? Thanks

 

[Monte]

how thick is the disc ?
do you have some bucks left for a plasma cutter ?

 

[Iknfixit]

Had the same problem cutting 5/8'' rebar, found out the composition of the cutting dics varies greatly depending on who makes it. Personallly found the Dewalt blade took forever to cut through, swapped out blade for a Makita brand and was amazed by the difference. Just the physical apperance of the blade was quite different. Both were for steel cutting. Moral of the story is, just buy one brand at a time until you find one that you are satified with rather than buy 5 of a untried brand just because they're on sale!

 

[JASTECH]

If the motor dogs down, maybe try a different dog? j/k

Maybe a diamond blade will do much better, others will chop in, lol

Agree on the Plasma cutter. I have the Rigid chop saw and it cuts better/faster then my Dad's DeFault chop saw.

 

[alan camby]

you need to find a blade that has either Zirconia or Cubitron abrasive grain. The cheap wheels are made out of Aluminum oxide. Cubitron is the best.

 

[BD1]

What kind of blade do you have ? Some are for light gauge metal studs and others are anywhere from 1/8'' thick to 1/4''. Thinner would be better. You might have a hard spot in the metal. Could be a bad spot in blade; meaning it don't want to cut. Try cutting a different piece of metal with that blade. I had blades do that too, it's like they won't do sh$$. I think
it's like a glaze on the blade. Used different steel and seemed to cut.

 

[alan camby]

Found a wheel made of Cubitron.
http://www.toolup.com/sait_24053_14...ce=CAfroogle&utm_medium=CA&CAWELAID=649786591

I am using a Kimball Midwest 87-1750 Cubitron Blade.

 

[RECox286]

Don't know if this is true, but if you overheat the work piece, it may

temper the metal, thereby making it almost impossible to cut thru.

At least when I cut thick stuff, this seems to be the case.

Try mild pressure for short periods, so the work piece will not overheat.

Try different cutting blades as stated above. 1/2" material is a lot of

steel to be cutting on one of these machines. You may want to try

a saw that uses a metal cutting bandsaw blade, or a plasma cutter.

(Especially if you need to do a lot of heavy cutting.)

Uncle Bob

 

[Nighttrain]

Thanks guys, believe me I want a plasma cutter but it will have to wait. I went to TSC and bought a Dewalt disc and just put it on. It's cutting like butter now, well maybe frozen butter but only a minute or so to cut through. The original wheel was 1/8" this one is a bit smaller. THis blade has a bit of a wobble but is working. I only need to make 21 more cuts on this project. Again thanks

 

[John Timmins]

Use a file to cut the glaze on your blade.

If you are cutting with a new blade look how long the sparks are. If they get a lot shorter, stop the saw and raise it up. Using gloves grab the blade and rotate it slowly one revolution while you file the edge of the blade .

The idea here is to gently rub the blade a little across the surface, not rub flat surfaces on it. Another way is to rest the file against the blade and rotate the blade ONE time. Don't ruin the blade. You can always do it a 2nd time if you need to.

After filing, chances are it will cut that steel like a brand new blade because you removed the glaze on the edge.


Try it ! Let us know how it worked.

 

[Nighttrain]

John, Thanks for that tip. After about five cuts on the new blade it stopped cutting again. About had it with this saw. I am pretty new to metal work so I need these tips. Ill file it tonight and let you know. I do see the glaze your talking about on the blade.

 

[Goldhawg]

John, Thanks for that tip. After about five cuts on the new blade it stopped cutting again. About had it with this saw. I am pretty new to metal work so I need these tips. Ill file it tonight and let you know. I do see the glaze your talking about on the blade.

I have to recommend the Milwaukee cold saw, Milwaukee 6190-20 14-in Dry-Cut Machine. I looked and looked and found one a few months back on c/l for $120. I finally used it this past weekend to cut stainless steel exhaust and it is so smooth and clean a cut w/little mess. That baby flat out rocks! check out a youtube video of one operating. If you do a lot, may pickup one new. BTW, sometimes you can see them on ebay w/o blades for ~$250; Cripes has diablo closeout blades on sale right now for $40 on ebay. So maybe around $300 you could have one. Good luck.