Welding Tips and Tricks

Hey guys, I want to replace the chop saw I have got. It is a $50 special with flimsy steel base which flexes when cutting. This causes cuts to be waaaay off what I want.

Recommendations for a home-diy-hobbyist please! Or are there any plans to replace or reinforce the base on one of these?

Thanks

Even the above average chop saws flex and cut off the mark. I've owned Hitachi, Makita, and now Milwauke and all have cut off the miter when rushed. When you try to cut slower they heat up and glaze the blade, not really the best thing in the arena for precision cuts. The blade flex is it's biggest problem in my mind. This coming from a guy who has bought three of them, they are handy for quick cuts that don't have to be precise. Besides, if you use one for all your cuts you'll be much better at filling gaps with your welder in the end.

Len

I've done tons of cutting with my dewalt 14" abrasive.
Allow me to share some pics.

~John

3"x3" square tubing, 3/16" wall.

2"x2" angle, 1/2" thick.
Always cut angle facing down.

We use the DeWalt at work, regularly.

It can be adjusted (with patience) to make very square cuts at 90*, but it does not like miter cutting. The blade will always walk to the outside of the cut.

If you do mostly square cuts, I'm a fan of the DeWalt as the best cost/benefit compromise, and the occasional miter cut can be suitably precise with pre-loading (setting 43* for 45, for example, so the average is in the ballpark and it can be dressed to the desired angle.

If you do primarily miters, you'll do better with a cold-saw or a dry-cut saw, both much costlier in initial outlay and replacement blades.

If you do a mix, with occasional miters that need presicion, a "port-a-band" hand-held band saw is a good choice, if your cuts fall in it's range.

Steve S

Otto Nobedder wrote:We use the DeWalt at work, regularly.

It can be adjusted (with patience) to make very square cuts at 90*, but it does not like miter cutting. The blade will always walk to the outside of the cut.

If you do mostly square cuts, I'm a fan of the DeWalt as the best cost/benefit compromise, and the occasional miter cut can be suitably precise with pre-loading (setting 43* for 45, for example, so the average is in the ballpark and it can be dressed to the desired angle.

If you do primarily miters, you'll do better with a cold-saw or a dry-cut saw, both much costlier in initial outlay and replacement blades.

If you do a mix, with occasional miters that need presicion, a "port-a-band" hand-held band saw is a good choice, if your cuts fall in it's range.

Steve S

I second this.
ABRASIVE IS TERRIBLE ON MITERS!!!!!!!!!

It will walk to the outside 1/2" to 3/4" and cut into your base.

Like this!!!!

That being said, don't do miters, just cut straight stuff.

Does great cutting anything straight....

All great info guys, thanks. Looks like a portaband or cold-saw will go on the wish list!

Is it normal for an abrasive to wander in both directions.. top to bottom of the cut as well as front to back?

Negativ3 wrote:All great info guys, thanks. Looks like a portaband or cold-saw will go on the wish list!

Is it normal for an abrasive to wander in both directions.. top to bottom of the cut as well as front to back?

Yeah,
It will wander both directions....

I'll be buying a Morse 14" cold saw pretty soon....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up4oB5AkP4U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1DYRWDVquo

For years, I made passing grade with a DeWalt chop saw.

Then, following advice on this forum, I bought a band saw. Same price as a chop saw (portable band saw), and the precision is much better.

My chop saw has a layer of "dust".

AnvilJack, mind sharing what type of band saw you went for? Many thanks.


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AKweldshop wrote:

Negativ3 wrote:All great info guys, thanks. Looks like a portaband or cold-saw will go on the wish list!

Is it normal for an abrasive to wander in both directions.. top to bottom of the cut as well as front to back?

Yeah,
It will wander both directions....

I'll be buying a Morse 14" cold saw pretty soon....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up4oB5AkP4U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1DYRWDVquo

Looks like the blade lance/ChuckE2009 uses.
Are wet saws the same way? Or just too expensive for home hobbyists?

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Invest in good cold cut saw, you will wonder how you ever lived without one. I use an Evolution 355 which has a cast aluminum base. No flexing of the base and nice straight cuts.

I used an Evolution Rage 2 and loved it. My only issue was that the head was not square to the base, so all of your cuts were perfectly straight across, but sloped from top to bottom... like this \ obviously not that bad, but I started working at a different shop before I could rectify the problem.

Makita LC 1230 or Morse 14". The Jancy is about the same as the Morse. That Makita beats them both(after almost a year of use).I think I'll order another right now. Just in case............
Companies these daze seem to discontinue long lasting tools in favor of Disney-esque nonsense." Oh look ! A center punch with a built in ruler....free if you buy an M-12 Fool, heated asz warmer ! "
Milwaukee crap is now a prime example of that philosophy. I figure the five year warranty will bury them soon.

The rage is my go to for every thing from alum, steel wood, & plastic.It cuts so much
faster than other chop saws & so many different materials.No heat after a cut & no burrs.

Check it out.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMAlHzqfyKg

Fly

I have the makita 2414DB and ya its light duty but gets the job done.

Have been looking for a cold cut saw....

300 vs 600 ? I assume the table on the morse is rock solid but the table looks decent in the Rage2...
Wow

thanks for the info guys

606.00
MK Morse CSM14MB 14-Inch Dry-Cut Metal Cutting Saw
http://sto00.mailcar.net/catalog/index. ... GoogleBase

290 +ship
Evolution Power Tools RAGE2 Multi Purpose Cutting Chop Saw, 14-Inch
http://www.amazon.com/Evolution-RAGE2-P ... B000WEORGM

Anyone have experience with a Klutch 14" dry cut saw from Northern?

Honestly....in comparison to a bandsaw....a chopsaw is almost useless. Do yourself a favor and buy a bandsaw. Milwaukee makes an excellent one....portable one....you can make any cut you want....clean, straight, done!

Bandsaws are nice. If you have enough patience. Prefer my dry cut saw. http://youtu.be/4yEozmsITic

I am now a fan of the dry cut chopsaw! I have the Dewalt... It amazed me when I cut a piece of 6" HR C channel

Will the band saw make straight cuts like the dry cut saw or will it flex and cut inaccurately? Also will the band's cut both steel and aluminum with the same blade?

pretty much when you need a band saw you need a band saw
when you need a chop saw you need a chop saw like apples to oranges.
i don't see one being better just different applications