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Chop Saw
Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 12:55 pm
by Negativ3
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
![Image](http://www.sitebox.ltd.uk/prodimages/Makita/Chop/2414b.jpg)
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 1:35 pm
by Braehill
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
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 2:35 pm
by AKweldshop
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.
![IMG_2898.JPG](./download/file.php?id=4430&sid=a4738df19be9103e49b22a2377c84b5e)
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![IMG_2899.JPG](./download/file.php?id=4431&sid=a4738df19be9103e49b22a2377c84b5e)
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![IMG_2900.JPG](./download/file.php?id=4432&sid=a4738df19be9103e49b22a2377c84b5e)
- IMG_2900.JPG (114.48 KiB) Viewed 3374 times
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 2:38 pm
by AKweldshop
2"x2" angle, 1/2" thick.
Always cut angle facing down.
![IMG_1109.JPG](./download/file.php?id=4433&sid=a4738df19be9103e49b22a2377c84b5e)
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![IMG_1110.JPG](./download/file.php?id=4434&sid=a4738df19be9103e49b22a2377c84b5e)
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Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 8:14 pm
by Otto Nobedder
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
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 11:29 pm
by AKweldshop
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!!!!
![IMG_8308.JPG](./download/file.php?id=4435&sid=a4738df19be9103e49b22a2377c84b5e)
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![IMG_8309.JPG](./download/file.php?id=4436&sid=a4738df19be9103e49b22a2377c84b5e)
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Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 11:33 pm
by AKweldshop
That being said, don't do miters, just cut straight stuff.
Does great cutting anything straight....
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2014 11:56 pm
by Negativ3
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?
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 12:12 am
by AKweldshop
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
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 12:51 am
by AnvilJack
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".
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 2:29 am
by TWings
AnvilJack, mind sharing what type of band saw you went for? Many thanks.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 2:59 am
by 79jasper
Looks like the blade lance/ChuckE2009 uses.
Are wet saws the same way? Or just too expensive for home hobbyists?
Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 5:51 pm
by Tassie Dave
I just saw a Makita 4131saw and also a Metal cut off saw Model LC 1230.
I as yet have not had chance to look further into either of these saws so any info would be greatly appreciated.
At the moment we have a Makita cut off saw old type and every time i use it sparks go everywhere including my bald spot.
We don't do enough cutting to warrant a cold saw unfortunately and a band saw
forget it. Bloody woodworkers
Cheers
Dave
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 7:40 pm
by Tassie Dave
As a follow up from my previous post this is the blade i saw on the net.
Have any of you guys used this blade or have any comments on it. I need something like this for our Workshop in preference to a porta band.
I saw somewhere that they had a 100 tooth blade but am unable to find one. The blade in question has 60 teeth.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/makita-305mm ... ut-off-saw
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:48 pm
by soutthpaw
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.
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 1:48 am
by GreinTime
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.
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2014 4:51 am
by Antorcha
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.
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 2:57 pm
by Fly
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
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif)
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2014 3:47 pm
by camshaft
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
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 5:12 pm
by Blaze659
Anyone have experience with a Klutch 14" dry cut saw from Northern?
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 2:06 am
by pwilson
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!
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 11:33 am
by soutthpaw
Bandsaws are nice. If you have enough patience. Prefer my dry cut saw.
http://youtu.be/4yEozmsITic
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 12:28 pm
by GlenC
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
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 5:28 pm
by Blaze659
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?
Re: Chop Saw
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 5:39 pm
by motox
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