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Metal Chop Saw Who Has What?

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by montanacj, May 3, 2017.

  1. May 3, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

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    I am looking at getting an inexpensive metal chop saw or abrasive cut off saw. I had my eye on the harbor freight version but also see there are big name ones for about twice the price. I.e. $90 vs $180. My intended use is for hobby work only, so it won't see a lot of use. It seems the blade is separate for the HF version and people are getting unrated blades like dewalt instead of HF. What's everyone else using and or experiences ?
    Thanks
     
  2. May 3, 2017
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    I have a DeWalt 14" and it works well.
     
  3. May 3, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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  4. May 3, 2017
    Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep..

    North Central FL
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  5. May 3, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    I've got one of those too... It's awesome.
     
  6. May 3, 2017
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
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    I have a Harbor Freight metal band saw. It has worked well. I used it to build my trailer and the welding bench I have.
     
  7. May 3, 2017
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    chop saw too many sparks
    the only good use was cutting hydraulic hoses
    I also use a porter cable brand band saw for metal work
    [​IMG]
     
  8. May 3, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    I was in the market for a chop saw about a year ago and looked into the HF ones. I noticed there was really no difference between the two models they carry. Same hp, same rpm, same amp draw. I got the cheaper one with a coupon for $60. I have used the crap out of it with zero issues. I think I'm on my 5th wheel. I figured I could go through 3 of these saws for the price of a "good" one, but I've been pleasantly surprised.

    Just don't cheap-out on the abrasives. Go to a metalworking supply place and get good, quality wheels. They seem to last forever and don't pose as much of a danger.
     
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  9. May 3, 2017
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
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    I didn't know theses portable band saw, I have a fix one. It is different from the disc saw; but it seems amazing.
    Problem is that we cannot buy all. For metal I use an abrasive disc or a portable jigsaw like DEWALT 6.5 Amp Jig Saw-DW331K - The Home Depot but now I consider that the tools hand free with lithium-ion batteries are perfect and powerful, just need of 2 batteries.
     
  10. May 3, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Got an old chop saw at the dump, bought some 10" abrasive blades on ebay. Works fine for limited amounts of cutting.
     
  11. May 3, 2017
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    I use a diamond blade on my miter saw, works but it's sssssllllllooooowwwwwww.

    H.
     
  12. May 3, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I have two hack saws! :coffee::lol: (It's the coffee talking...) And I use my sawzall quite a lot.
     
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  13. May 3, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Best metal cutting carbide cold saw I have ever owned............Evolution EVOSAW380 | Evolution Power Tools | Evolution 15............ and at $359.99 the cheapest anywhere. Cuts accurate miters , through tubing , bar stock , channels , angles like butter. Bought this one a few years back , use it all the time and still on the original blade........................... last night cutting some tubing.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
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  14. May 3, 2017
    BobH

    BobH Member

    Oviedo, Fl
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    Ok, sorry to ask what may be a dumb question, which shows what I don't know about the subject.
    Is there a difference between a carpenters compound miter and a saw an metal fabricator would use, other than the blade?
     
  15. May 3, 2017
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    Surface speed of the blade, rpm. Number of teeth per inch on the blade and of course the actual material the blade is made of.
     
  16. May 3, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Tarry, can you post a short video of that thing cutting?

    I'm hoping for a band saw, myself. Not a portable one but a floor model. Not as versatile or accurate, perhaps, as a chop saw.

    The abrasive saws do make a lot of sparks, which is bad. And, it seems most of the cheap ones have crappy clamping set ups which, to me, is an important part of the equation.
     
  17. May 3, 2017
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Peninsula, Ohio
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    I have an old Taiwanese floor band saw and it cuts pretty accurately.
     
  18. May 3, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    I just remembered... The HF saw I'm using was the second attempt. The first one I got tripped the breaker when I plugged it in. I plugged it into a high-amp outlet and the switch started melting and smoking. :lol:
    Return-amundo.
     
  19. May 3, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Hey Dave , I'm not quite that ambidextrous to Wrestle that saw and film at the same time........but here is a video of the 355 saw which is a little smaller and does not have the quick release vise..............but the basics of the 1450 RPM carbide blade and approach to cutting are the same........................basically it's all about letting the blade do it's work as very slight feed pressure is all that's needed to cut through almost anything........I have just started experimenting with some wax lubricant to extend blade life but at this point the blade keeps right on cutting....................on the negative side it's noisy , so ear protection is a must and the little metal shards coming off the blade during the cut need to be swept up or vacuumed off the floor daily or the Mrs. will lock Ya out of the house.

    Videos | EVOSAW355 & EVOSAW380: Steel Cutting Chop Saws
     
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  20. May 3, 2017
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Wow. Thanks for posting that. Seems pretty amazing. And, IIRC, a good floor model band saw is much more expensive. Been a while since I even looked at them.

    Found the saw and blades at fastenal website. Not sure it's the same saw but close at 390 bucks and change. Replacement blades are kind of salty. Guess that's to be expected.
     
    Last edited: May 3, 2017
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