Chop Saw Info

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a few quick questions... which chop saw would work for my situation? i plan on cutting 1" x 16 ga square tube (mild steel), 1" x 1/4" (max) flat stock (304/304L SS), and up to 1/2" mild steel round stock for grills that i will be making. i CAN do it with my angle grinder, but i think i can get much more product, as well as higher quality product out the door with a chop saw. I want to stay reasonable in price (below $200) and i need it to last. Also, how long can i expect the cutting disks to last? i am thinking about a 14" saw (easy to find, reletively well priced), but i am curious to know how long i can expect to be able to use a "blade".One last one... is there anything else that can do the same job, that is around the same price, that is quicker, more dependable, long lasting, or jsut all around better to use than a chop saw? i thought about a horizontal bandsaw, but i don't know if i'll have enough room in my little shop. i'd like to be able to throw it under a bench or up on a shelf if i need the extra room. if it turns out that a bandsaw suits me better, then i can probably work it into the shop, but i think a chop saw would be better for me at this point.thanks guys.Later,Andy
Reply:For accuracy, a good bandsaw was the way we went in the last shop I worked at.  For speed, the chopsaw was unbeatable, but not as accurate.  I can't speak as to the life of a disk since we didn't hardly ever used it except to cut the heads off of bolts.  It's a long story, don't ask.Contact me for any metal polishing needs you may have, my avatar is a pic of a standard, painted fire axe that I ground, sanded polished and buffed to a mirror finish.
Reply:when you say "not as accurate", how much inaccuracy are you talking about? i think i can get away with about 5 degrees +/-. he stuff i'm working with can be a little off and i can still work with it... i thought about the band saw a little more... after looking at it a little closer, i figured that i can get it into a corner pretty easy, so the portablilty and strorage isn't much of an issue any more, and as far as speed, i can cut multiple tubes at once, thus reducing the total time spent on cutting (right?). when all is said and done, these grills will be sold, so they need to be of high quality, accurate cuts, but like i said, they can be a little off since my tolerances are a little loose.Thanks,Later,Andy
Reply:band saw  if set up right  less waste per cut, cleaner cut.. not as messy and a lot less noise
Reply:Perhaps, you might consider a power hacksaw.  It sits on the floor, has an automatic shut-off, so you can be doing other work when its running, and it will stow under a bench when not in use.  And, you can build it.    Chop saws are dirty.Last edited by Weldordie; 12-02-2007 at 01:18 AM.
Reply:thanks for the info guys... i nver thought about the sound factor... i think i'll end up getting a band saw strictly for that reason now. the little room that it'll be in would probably drive me nuts from reverberation alone. as far as keeping the material loss low and the cleanliness factor, i am not too worried about those aspects. i can sweep/vacuum as needed. the band saw woudl also give me a little more capacity if i ever got one of those infamous "bigger jobs" that would require me to buy more toys.as far as the hack-saw idea, i doubt i'll go that way. it seems like it's take too long. i plan on cutting up about 5 or 6 grills worth of stock per night, and then just piece them together like a kit. plus, when i have to quickly modify a small piece, the chop saw or bandsaw would be easier to use in these situations. not to mention, with as much stock as i plan on cutting, i'd go thru about 10 or 12 blades, minimum. good idea for some, but not for my scenario.Thanks for the input guys.I've heard from other sources that a cutting torch and/or plasma cutter would be a better choice than a saw. does anyone have any input on this? remember, i need the angles to be within 5 degrees +/-, and straight and clean cuts. i ahve not experiene with either one of these cutting devices. from my understanding, they would leave a somewhat un-even and "sloppy" edge. any input is greatly appreciated.Later,Andy
Reply:I have no experience with a plasma, but a torch does yield a more sloppy cut.  The thickness of metal will have some effect on your ability to make a nice cut with a torch, but no matter how thin you are talking about, it won't do as clean or accurate a job as a saw.  I would say a good bandsaw would be your best bet for reasons mentioned above.  Now, getting a good one within your price range might be pretty tough.  HF sells one for under 200, but it's not a great unit.  With some modification, I'm told they can be made to work pretty well, but I don't know how much modification is required or how much the mods cost.  Best of luck to you and let us know what you decide/how it turns out for you, I'm in the same boat of needing a cutting tool, can't decide what would be best for my proposes and can't afford to make the wrong decision right now.Contact me for any metal polishing needs you may have, my avatar is a pic of a standard, painted fire axe that I ground, sanded polished and buffed to a mirror finish.
Reply:I have seen these before on job sites and was wondering if you are aware they exist.  Portable Bandsaw w/ mounting base.  Basically, a "bandsaw" chop saw.  You can remove it for portability or take the whole rig to a job site.  Pretty compact too. I have the HF portable bandsaw and have been considering building a base like this for mine.  Not sure if Grizzly sells it separate or how much.  I'll have to call and see.http://grizzly.com/products/G8692Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:sears has the best chop the base is cast not stamp and has a lazer cut line