Looking for advice for metal working people..

[lessthanchris1]

I need a chop saw for cutting metal. Using my hand held dewalt 4.5" cut off/grinder thing isn't going to do the trick for cutting angles.

Do you guys have any recommendations on what I should buy? I was looking at miter saws, but I'm not sure they are tough enough for metal.

They have a dewalt one capable of cutting 4"x4" pieces for $199, 15 amp motor.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=280130-70-DW713&lpage=none


What do you guys think?

[Joe Dillard]

I use an el cheepo HF (I think it's either a Chicago Electric, or Campbell - I for get which) 14" chop saw. IIRC, I got it on sale for ~$80 and bought a handfull of 14" blades. It works okay for what it is, no real complaints.

I have used it to make bumpers, rocker guards, trusses, skid plates, drive shaft shortening, roll cages, tire/can carriers, shower door frames, and a bunch of other misc stuff.

http://www.fototime.com/EC7E1B93C65B201/standard.jpg

[Dan90YJ]

I have the dewalt one. I have used and abused it left and right and it is still ticking. The clamping set up is 'weak' but works.

Also get the thickest blades you can for it, the thin ones walk bad.

[lessthanchris1]

Thanks guys! I'm going over to Lowes to check out the Dewalts tomorrow. I have had plenty of bad experience with HF stuff, but would have considered it for the price, BUT, i need to cut angles for my tire carrier.

Will post pics when completed!

Chris

[Rock WoRM]

I went back and forth between the Dewalt and the Ridgid @ Home depot. The ridgid was on sale, so... guess what? lol.
I don't have much experience with metal chop saws, so I'm no expert, but it seems to slow down a tad with heavy material. Maybe they all do that??? Other than that, happy with it. Anywho, I doubt you'd could go wrong with a Dewalt. :happpyd:

btw... I thought I saved it, but could'nt find the link, but there was a thread either here or JF for a company that sells metal cutting wheels (blade/tooth type) that looked pretty cool. Faster, cleaner cuts and they said it takes less rpm torque to make cuts? That ring a bell for anyone?



WRM :bsod:

[wildtyphoon]

dont use a wood chop saw for metal.... it has to many plastic parts that will melt..... guess how i know this....

[chuckp]

Abrasive chop saws suck. Buy a horizontal bandsaw or a dry cut saw.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200365120_200365120
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200326857_200326857

[dharmabum]

Ive got a cheap one from Lowes or Home Depot cant remember which. It actually works pretty good for what it is and if you are just using it to do a few angles for your tire carrier it would be fine. If you are going to be doing daily fab work step up to a good bandsaw, less mes, cleaner cuts, much more precise, etc... I have both and each has their place/use however for small infrequent jobs a cheapie chop saw can do pretty well. Just so you know a chop saw will have some blade deflection on bigger materials like 2x4x.25 wall so you will not get a perfectly straight cut for mitered joints but a little time with a grinder and a flap disk and you can make chop saw cuts fit real nice.

[lessthanchris1]

Abrasive chop saws suck. Buy a horizontal bandsaw or a dry cut saw.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200365120_200365120
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200326857_200326857

I like the band saw, but don't have room for one.

I like the cut off saw, (was looking at these at lowes) but I don't think i can cut angles with that, can I?


Also, thanks for the advice on not using a wood chop saw, thats what i was going to do.... melty, eh?

[jeepsr4me]

Check out local Pawn shops. With the housing market down the pawn shops are full of tools. I went into one today and he had 4 chop saws, all for less than 80 bucks Out the door. 1 of them had the ability to do angle cuts.

[James (Cubby) Culbertson]

It all depends on just how "precise" you want to get. I use a HF chop saw for most rough work (cutting rebar, rough things to length etc...) and it works just fine....it's been going now for about 10 years. For angle work however, I found it just wasn't cutting the mustard. I bought a small horizontal bandsaw and it does wonders in terms of fitment (ie. it cuts on the angle I wanted!). So in a nutshell, the chop saw is my go to for rough cutting and the bandsaw is for more detailed work.
Cheers,
cc

[chuckp]

I like the band saw, but don't have room for one.

I like the cut off saw, (was looking at these at lowes) but I don't think i can cut angles with that, can I?


Also, thanks for the advice on not using a wood chop saw, thats what i was going to do.... melty, eh?

Most cutoff saws are angle adjustable. Not sure if the HF one I linked is. The nice thing about the drycut saws is that you don't get the blade deflection or all of the choking dust and smoke. Down side to a dry cut is that you will want ear protection, they are really loud.

[James (Cubby) Culbertson]

The HF saw is adjustable but doesn't stay real accurate or cut square. It's good enough for most items but if you're looking for nice fitting parts with angles, a bandsaw is probably the better bet.

[chuckp]

The HF saw is adjustable but doesn't stay real accurate or cut square. It's good enough for most items but if you're looking for nice fitting parts with angles, a bandsaw is probably the better bet.


Have you got one of their dry cut saws? Or are you talking about their abrasive saws?

[James (Cubby) Culbertson]

It's an abrasive cutoff. I wasn't even aware of "dry cut" saws for metal. When the chop saw dies, I may have to look into that!
cc

[Rock WoRM]

Well, whilst U guys are discussing abrasive vs. dry cut... that was the point to/of my question above. There are dry cut blades avialable for the 14" abrasive that can handle the abrasive's rpms... but I lost the link. :walt:



WRM :bsod:

[lessthanchris1]

I'm scared of dry cut, the blades are $100 each!

[chuckp]

Don;t be scared. Just add up the cost of the dozens of abrasive blades that you will use up before using up one dry cut blade.

[Buckshot500]

Meh, I just use my P/C tiger saw (sawzall) for most cuts that aren't square. You just have to keep it steady & watch how it's cutting.