suggestions for a cutoff/chop saw

admin

I'm thinking of buying a decent chop saw some time next week.  I'll build a production table or the like to use it.  I'm not a welder by trade, but I do quite a bit of low-end fab work - mainly just for fun and as a hobby...  Here's my question; are there some available where I can mount the base of the saw, and the head can move to cut angles...  i've not seen this in the saws ive found, but Maybe I'm just looking at the lower end saws??  What does everyone else use??
Reply:Also, Peep this thread: http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=60147JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:There are metal cutting carbide saws like the Rage 3 that will miter like you want. Personally I'm not super keen on a metal saw with no vise however.One option is to just build the swivel into the table like Farmersamm did here a while back. I can't find the link right now, maybe someone else can remember it and post it up. The big key to a table like that is to put the pivot in line with the fence where the blade is so the saw always cuts to the same point irregardless of angle..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Look at a evolution rage 3 compound sliding miter saw have had one since feb hundreds of cuts with a steel blade, also have a ss blade
Reply:We had that Milwaukee and the finger-tighten blade nut backed off (granted, due to student misuse) allowing the blade to wear the spindle. The spindle is buried and a hassle to change.I've cut literally tons of metal with Makita 2414s. One needed brushes after two years...They are also less expensive.
Reply:My only problem with my 14" chop saw is the fiber disk deflects on taller cuts no matter how slow I cut.  Which makes a metal disk saw sound a lot better.  Maybe I just can't cut...JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:You can just use a normal wood cutting miter saw with a metal cutting blade. What I do on smaller things where I want the angle to be accurate. Got an old HF 10" miter saw I use both ways. Put on a worn down 14" chop saw blade and fire her up. All the plastic is out of that saw. Usually just figure out a way to use clamps to hold the stuff if need be.It works, just have to use some care. Kind of my garbage saw that I use for all sorts of things. Maybe one day build a lil more complicated vice type clamping system.Also got a normal 14" chop saw. I sort of use whatever the job requires. Looking to set up an old table saw to do bigger sheet type cuts.
Reply:I wanted a mobil stand on casters for my chop saw and rigged this up.... It catches 'most' of the slag but now that you mention your needs... I see no reason I couldn't fabricate some sort of 'Lazy Susan' assembly that fits the barrel top so angled cuts would be easier to accomplish. As it is I can rotate the saw stand to allow cutting of longer or odd shaped pieces. By rigging it so the saw itself rotates it might be possible to make angled cuts. A lot of design variables to consider when you start re-inventing the wheel though...... Clamping the part to be cut would be the hardest part ....The infeed stand & the outfeed stand could be built to rotate around the drum on casters and incorporate clamps on both of them I suppose. Attached Images
Reply:I made a miter saw. I use it every day. I have no idea why this is not commercially available at the consumer level. It's way better than the standard pivoting fence b.s. Most of the big industrial saws pivot like this.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...27s#post284989Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Originally Posted by bottlefed89I'm thinking of buying a decent chop saw some time next week.  I'll build a production table or the like to use it.  I'm not a welder by trade, but I do quite a bit of low-end fab work - mainly just for fun and as a hobby...  Here's my question; are there some available where I can mount the base of the saw, and the head can move to cut angles...  i've not seen this in the saws ive found, but Maybe I'm just looking at the lower end saws??  What does everyone else use??
Reply:I have this HF saw and it was on sale for $99 plus 20% off.http://www.harborfreight.com/3-12-ho...saw-68104.htmlSo far I have no complaints and it works well for what I do. I will say if you want to cut anything thick (thicker than 3/16) it doesn't cut like butter you have to slowly work into it and it will take a few seconds. It's nothing like that video of the chop saw with the blue blade. Or it could just have a cheap blade, after all it is harbor freight but for the $80 I spent on it I'm happy.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Hey guys,Just a head's up regarding "chop" saws & "dry-cut" saws & blades. If you have a "chop"(abrasive) saw, under NO circumstances use a tung.-tipped "dry-cut" saw blade. The abrasive saws are generally in the 3800rpm range & a dry-cut saw is 1800rpm max.. A wood saw is also in the 3800rpm range & not to be used with a dry-cut saw blade. A wood saw will suffer with metallic particles embedding in the motor windings & shorting out & will ruin the saw. I've seen the results of a dry-cut blade(1800rpm max) disintegrate on a chop saw(3800rpm) with not pretty results to the operator. BE CAREFUL!!!!!DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:i have the HF  cut off saw and it works well for the $$, have you considered a hand held  band saw for cutting?  I wish  i had the $$$$ for the cut offsaw that use a fluid to lubricate it and it goes at a slow speed.  i am afraid my pockets are not as deep as i would like thenm to bebobs77vet/37ford4drEastwood digital TIG200HH190Lincoln Invertec 155sLincoln weldpak 100sears/craftsman (lincoln) 50a 240v buzz boxO/A rig Harris gaugesnexion cut 50 dxchicago electric (HF) 240v spot welder
Reply:Not sure of your budget but I wanted to add this tip that might affect your purchase:  Depending on what I'm cutting, it's either the metal bandsaw or the plasma cutter that I choose instead of the chop saw, almost always.  The chop saw is messy, the cuts are rough and there's the issue of sparks shooting halfway across the county.  I really can't remember the last time I used it.  If you can afford it and you're in this pastime for the long run, look into these options because eventually you'll end up buying them anyway and shelving the chop saw.Lincoln AC225 & MigPak 140, Lincoln Magnum SpoolGun, Miller Spectrum 375-X Plasma, Syncrowave 200 TIG, Millermatic 252 MIG, Miller Digital Elite, General 7x12" horiz/vert bandsaw, 3' box/pan brake, 20 ton press, milling machine, 12x28 lathe, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by AquafireNot sure of your budget but I wanted to add this tip that might affect your purchase:  Depending on what I'm cutting, it's either the metal bandsaw or the plasma cutter that I choose instead of the chop saw, almost always.  The chop saw is messy, the cuts are rough and there's the issue of sparks shooting halfway across the county.  I really can't remember the last time I used it.  If you can afford it and you're in this pastime for the long run, look into these options because eventually you'll end up buying them anyway and shelving the chop saw.
Reply:Has anyone experience with the Jancy Slugger saw?
Reply:I've had a Steel Max dry cut for 2 years and use it almost daily. i can't say anything bad about it at all. much better than the Evo saw. but more money also.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:I been wanting one of these lately for a few different cuts but cant seem to find one made in the states. If anybody has knowledge of one built here I would really like to hear about it. But I detest buying one from China. I may have to just keep torching things.  Or build my own from scratch. Harold