Chop saws

admin

Hi all. Was out shopping for a chop saw today, and saw numerous choices. Now I need some advice!Cecked out a cheap model on sale at our local discount store (princess auto - similar to HF) for $129 CDN. 15 amp, 14" & all but only rated at 2HP.http://www.princessauto.com/download...2/shop-CAN.PDF (page 174)Saw a Delta on sale for $139 CDN (reg $199), also rated at 15 amps 14", but no HP listed and can't find it on delta's website. Seems much better built (stronger & more user friendly...)Then I noticed a DeWalt for on sale for $209 CDN (reg $289), same amps and 14". Found out on their website its a 3.2 HP model. Seems sturdily built, is DeWalt actually North American built, or offshore?http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/to...productID=2036Next up a makita for $229 CDN same amps & 14" but no HP rating, even on the website. Seemed like a well built saw though.http://www.makita.com/Tools_Item_View.asp?id=159Lastly, a Jepson saw. Same amps, 14" but this one 4.2HP. On sale for $249 CDN (reg $349). It's their flagship 9515-T2 "top of the line model".  Also well built, by the looks of things, and seems like the most power for the buck, but a little more than I was hoping to spend.http://www.jepsonpowertools.com/product/p9515t2.htmlSo that's the lineup. Now come all the questions! What do you think of these brands? Have any of you had any experience with them? Which are cheap Chinese junk, which are North American? I don't quite understand why they all draw 15amps @ 115v and put out different horsepower ratings. Are some electric motors simply more efficient? Can the HP ratings be trusted, or are they arbitrary?I'm leaning toward the Delta, since it's one of the cheaper ones, and a name I trust. Also I have some experience with their tools. However I have no idea of the HP rating on that particular one, and I couldn't find it on their website. It seems well built though. The other one I like is the DeWalt, I own some of their stuff already and love it. It's a little more than I want to spend though, but maybe its worth it... A friend has one and it seems to cut straight, and has O.K. power. It's rated at 3.2HP, is this enough?I'm a hobbyist, and the saw will get used on the weekend for my projects at home (building a welding table, a roof rack for a van, trellises, maybe a light trailer etc...).Don't hold back , I'm open to any opinions, pointers, experiences or advice you're willing to share!ThanksLuc
Reply:Frenchman.I have a 871 Dewalt, It works ok , just has enough power. All chop saws are very messy.They make alot of grinding dust. The 872 Dewalt with a carbide blade is the one to get if you can afford it. They are around $600 from the Dewalt service center in Edmonton. I am going to get a bandsaw from Busy Bee in Calagry on sale for $245 and another  model for $365. Just have had it with all that black fine dust. You can check them out online at... busybeetools.comJohnEdmonton
Reply:I've also got a DeWalt 871, it's got 2 horse on the 870, and has the handle on it MUCH more comfortably.  The vice is also real easy to switch between miter angles.I've never been a big fan of the Jepson tools I have owned, and Makita builds all around good stuff, I haven't had too much to complain about their tools.
Reply:I just got through building a rotisserie for my '75 Z project and used a cheap HF chop saw bought foR ~50US, using cheapo and Norton disks.If you have a significant other that you wish to keep that way, get a bandsaw - the black dust really grated on mine - but she IS a neat freak - and I mean compulsive.It doesn't matter if you have the chop saw outside the garage - the dust will find its' way inside - believe me.That said, the chop saw is faster and cheaper, although I think that the bandsaw would have ultimately been a better way to go for some of the things/cuts on metal plate I had to do...A good site for 4X6 bandsaw info is here:4X5 Bandsaw Yahoo GroupThey will have recommendations for blades.
Reply:If your looking for an abrasive one I've used the Milwaukee chop saws for years and have had great sucsess with them.J P Streets Welding LLC
Reply:I second jerry all the way... If you want good power tools 1 word says it all Milwaukee......  Heres a link to their chop saw selection... http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/weba...CategoryId=362                                                                    John DeereLast edited by JohnDeere; 05-06-2004 at 07:05 PM.
Reply:My brother just bought a milwaukee impact wrench and it works great it is a good name.
Reply:I don't quite understand why they all draw 15amps @ 115v and put out different horsepower ratings. Are some electric motors simply more efficient? Can the HP ratings be trusted, or are they arbitrary?
Reply:Ignore the HP ratings.  U can get not more than 1 1/2 hp out of a 120V circuit so all that is moot.  Cheap chops will not last. Its best to run a dedicated circuit with number 12 wire and lable it so other tools cannot get plugged in to it.  With good saws I havnt had one that wouldnt trip the breaker at some point during startup on a good power supply so you may need to upgrade the breaker and if its on a general use circuit you cannot.  When you do that its also easy to overheat the saw.  Mine will oull near 40 A under extreme load. When I am making heavy cuts I keep my hand on the motor as heat can come on darn near instantly. Dont make too many continious heavy cuts in a row without some cooling time. It wont happen on small matl like most angle, but 4 inch pipe or a railroad iron it would. I like my Ridgid, and for me a trigger lock is a MUST, some new ones dont have it. Attached Images
Reply:I bought the $50 HF chop saw, and I'm glad I did. It seems to do every thing a chop saw is supposed to do. So far I have built a trailer with it. When I upgrade, I'm going for the bandsaw to get away from the noise, dust and sparks. If this one does die sooner than it should, I will probably get a better one. But, for now, this one was great to get started with.I have to add that I haven't tried one of the others yet. I will let you know if I get a chance to use a better one and compare whether it is actually more powerful. I'll also post it if this one doesn't last very long.Last edited by Sirarcalot; 05-07-2004 at 02:07 PM.MM175Lincoln AC225 Tombstone
Reply:Hey S,  Does that filter stay there during operation?  If so, what exactly are you vacuuming, just the fines that make it through?I had a collection on a chop that was used exclusively for cutting metal clad electrical cables.  It collected all the steel, insulation, copper and blade dust with no problems, right into a shop-vac.
Reply:OK S does the drier vent hose actually provide superior cooling to the saw motor, or did you just put it there to look cool?Seems like adding a muffin fan on the intake end of the hose would really cool the saw motor.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:Bonjour FrenchCanadian;The problem with the Cheap Princess Auto chop - is just that.  It's cheap.  Priced cheap - Built cheap.If you are doing quick (quick is a relitive term) cuts and don't really care about how accurate it is - it's okay.  When you put any pressure on them, you will see how the saw wants to twist at the pivot point.  Also the start switch in a short while you wiil find do not function well and you have to play with them to get them to go.  It's a pain in the A*$.   I would recommend the DeWalt or the Makita.  The extra $ to start will pay off in quality cuts and less frustration.Here in the Great White NorthMosquitoes can't fly at 40 below
Reply:Hi guys,Thanks for all the advice! I had a closer look at the Princess Auto saw and Snidley's right - cheap. Actually, I think I've made my mind up, I phone Acklands-Grainger here in town and they have the Makita 2414DB on sale for $199.99CDN 'till the end of the month. That's even cheaper than the DeWalt, and when it comes to metalworking tools, I think I would have to pick Makita over DeWalt personally anyway. I checked around regarding ease of getting parts & repairs and Makita parts are readily available everywhere since it's a very common saw, so that's a good sign too. It's a little more than I wanted to spend, but I've got some overtime dough on the way... so sometime this month I'll pick one up. :-)I realise Big Rig Guy will be dissapointed, but hopefully I'll have better luck than he did with his "Flying Makita" :-) (see tread http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread...ghlight=flying).Incidentally, Snidley, I'm from Winnipeg too - grew up just south of there near St. Adolphe. Small world, isn't it?Luc
Reply:Originally posted by david_r A horsepower is 746 watts, yesterday, today and tomorrow.  It's all marketing crap.  Their taking the amperage spike, multiplying by 120 and dividing by 746.  The inrush current can be MUCH higher without tripping your breaker.  That 4 hp claim isn't doing you much good when it's pulled 25 amps and tripped your breaker.All of the consumer chopsaws I've seen come with a NEMA 5-15 plug.  That means they are  designed to run on a 15 amp circuit.  Circuits aren't supposed to be run at full capacity, so I'd guess you'd be lucky to get 2hp out of a 15 amp circuit running at 80% capacity.Nice to see this is no longer limited to air compressors
Reply:Crap I just saw the other thread.  Sorry!  Can't delete now (I *hate* that!)
Reply:That is a good idea about putting a fan on that hose.  It is there just so the intake air to the motor is picked up from outside the containment and doesnt suck so much grit thru the motor. I just stuck a couple furnace filters behind it to see if it would keep some grit from bouncing back.  A piece of regular fiberglass bat in a holder would be better. There is a screen that is the bench where it sits and the whole setup makes for a lot cleaner deal and is good for catching all the little drops. I fed the chop with its own circuit and the lights and the recept from another so I could up the breaker on the chop circuit.  There are locator dowels for it to sit on so it stays put and I modified the back deflector a little to shoot down and so it didnt collect the dross so much. Attached Images
Reply:Rusted, glad to hear you're enjoying your new bandsaw so much!! I had thought about just going out and getting a bandsaw too. However, I just can't afford that right now. Well...that, and the fact my father-in-law has a nice little bandsaw he hasn't used in years that I've been eying up lately... I'll get one one of these days!For now I'm sure I'll enjoy my chop saw. I'm gonna use it outside of the shop and shoot the *hit that comes out the back into the flowerbed next to it.Luc
Reply:Just remember to get a good set of ear plugs or earmuffs.  They can be a pain - but they're worth it.Here in the Great White NorthMosquitoes can't fly at 40 below
Reply:Originally posted by Snidley Just remember to get a good set of ear plugs or earmuffs.  They can be a pain - but they're worth it.
Reply:Hey bud it is me again,What every one said is right.  But you have to look at it as a hobby save some money and buy cheap if you burn it up you know you have to go big.  I run a weld and fab shop part time 20-30 hours per week so I run production.  I have a Milwaukee chop with the cast iron base it is my second one.  Burned up the first one on cutting some hardened 2" shafting.  Made a couple grand profit on that job so trashing a $150 (US) chop saw was a who cares.  The DeWalt I have before that was junk didn't last much more than a few months.If I were you I would seriously consider a small band saw.Also the chop saw is less of a consideration (for a hobbist) than the blade you put on it.  Stay away from Milwaukee or DeWalt private labels they are chinese import and will get chewed up fast.  Norton makes several good options as well as Pferd.  Good LuckRon ShopFloorTalk Millermatic 350P, M-25, M-40 gunsDynasty 300DX, Coolmate 3, Crafter CS-310 TorchTrailblazer 302, 12RC, WC-2430A spoolgunSpectrum 2050Thermal Arc Plasma Welder PS-3000/WC-100B
Reply:TheFrenchCanadian. Sorry for being thick. But, why do you say you can't afford a bandsaw when they are less than most of the chopsaws you are looking at?MM175Lincoln AC225 Tombstone
Reply:Hi guys,Actually, the cheapest I've seen around here for a bandsaw is about $330 to $350 CDN. Remember, all the prices I quoted in the beginning are CDN $. I found a place that stocks the Makita 2414DB for $199 on sale, and may be able to get it at a jobber rate through a friend for another 20% off that price. That makes it almost half the cost of a bandsaw. At that rate I'd rather get a decent chop saw that'll probably last me a good long time, than a not so good bandsaw I may end up having to put up with with forever.Also, I don't have too much space to spare. So in terms of being able to store it and take it out when it's time to use it, a chop saw is way ahead. If I find I really could use it later, I may end up with a bandsaw as well, who knows? As well, my Father in law has a nice one he may be willing to part with for cheap (re: nothing??), at that price, I could definitely find a place for it!! Sorry for rambling on so, it's getting late. Hope that makes sense, if I still seem to be out to lunch, by all means let me know! I'm always open to feedback! thanksLuc
Reply:THAT'S IT!  Time for a road trip.Northbound officer:  "Welcome to Canada.  Do you have any guns?"Me:  "No but I'm smuggling in this cheap-*** chinese bandsaw."NBO:  "Enjoy your stay in Canada."Southbound officer:  "You have any pot?"Me:  "Pot?  Uhhhmmmm.  What was the question?  Oh yeah, no pot *on* me.  Then again, my blood THC levels are off the charts."SBO:  "Welcome back to the United States."Luc,You might try Busy Bee tools.  Their kinda the Harbor Freight of the Great White North.  They list their version of the 4x6 for $245 Candadian.Someone on this site mentioned making a lower stand for their's so that it could be stored under the workbench.Then again, that free bandsaw sounds like a pretty good price.
Reply:Originally posted by david_r THAT'S IT!  Time for a road trip.Northbound officer:  "Welcome to Canada.  Do you have any guns?"Me:  "No but I'm smuggling in this cheap-*** chinese bandsaw."NBO:  "Enjoy your stay in Canada."Southbound officer:  "You have any pot?"Me:  "Pot?  Uhhhmmmm.  What was the question?  Oh yeah, no pot *on* me.  Then again, my blood THC levels are off the charts."SBO:  "Welcome back to the United States."Luc,You might try Busy Bee tools.  Their kinda the Harbor Freight of the Great White North.  They list their version of the 4x6 for $245 Candadian.Someone on this site mentioned making a lower stand for their's so that it could be stored under the workbench.Then again, that free bandsaw sounds like a pretty good price.Thanks for the tip on Busy Bee David_r, I hadn't heard of them before. I just checked 'em out online, and they have some pretty good prices. Do they mostly stock cheap stuff (like H.F. and Princess Auto)?They're not too far away either, about 400 miles or so. I usually get to Calgary, Alberta a couple of times a year in general...Couple of interesting bandsaws there, I must admit...Last edited by TheFrenchCanadian; 05-11-2004 at 03:28 PM.
Reply:He!, Frenchie Busybee has a 4x6 1/3 hp  they a clearing it out for $195John{Edmonton}
Reply:Thanks for the tip Seejays, is it an in-store special? I don't see it online... they do list item B2442 on for $245.00 is that the one? I wish I was a little closer to Edmonton... Luc
Reply:Luc,I've not shopped at Busy Bee.  I've heard them mentioned while reading about mini-lathes and such and read the lathes were very similar to the chinese stuff we get down south.
Reply:Luc, It is a instore special. I was talking to them about the one for $245, regular $295. It is a new model with 1/2 HP. The old one is the same but has 1/3 hp. I think it would work for me. Maybe the experts might want to comment about the HP.John
Reply:Thanks guys, I maybe the next time I get to Alberta they'll have a sale on!!