Cold Saws

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I'm looking for some "working opinions" on cold saws- not abrasive chop saws. I'm thinking about the Milwaukee machine mostly because of the base and clamping setup. Has anyone used these or other brands of saw? What is your feeling for these things? Any bad experiences?Thanks for your input, Dave Believe half of what you read and none of what you hear.
Reply:I think you mean a "dry cut" or TCT saw. Milwaukee doesn't make a cold saw. Either way, this subject has been discussed to death. Do a search for: "dry cut", "evolution", or "milwaukee", you'll find lots of opinions.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:I meant dry cut saws, sorry for the confusion. I did a search this morning and to say it's been discussed to death pretty much says it all. I got to the second page and I think my mind is made up. Milwaukee it is. Nice solid base, decent workholding setup, plenty of power, fair price. The only bad thing is the OEM blade. Believe half of what you read and none of what you hear.
Reply:I bught the Makita after much research.http://www.amazon.com/Makita-LC1230-...068670&sr=1-10It has a better clamping system and cast base, not stamped. I am happy with my choice. My friend has the DeWalt, we both agree the Makita is better.
Reply:Originally Posted by A/C GuyI bught the Makita after much research.http://www.amazon.com/Makita-LC1230-...068670&sr=1-10It has a better clamping system and cast base, not stamped. I am happy with my choice. My friend has the DeWalt, we both agree the Makita is better.
Reply:Too bad they missed the major design superiority of a D handle. BIG improvement over the one they've got.200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Here is a way to make any one of these saws easier to use, set up, store, and transport. We bought a Milwaukee and mounted it on a Delta Miter Saw Stand for portability and easy setup. We also put a 12" Lazy Susan bearing under the saw so the whole saw can be pivoted to allow mitering the stock while it's still sitting on the roller extensions, something the makers of these saws seem to have forgotten about. This project was made and pictures were posted about it over a year ago on the Miller website. To date this saw and stand have gone through about 4 blades (3 were Northern Tool) and it has been loaded into and out of the truck, and wheeled into and out of the shop so many times that I couldn't begin to count them. It is performing very well, with only one exception. It is absolutely necessary to clean off the saw and table, and to empty the saw catch pan before tilting the saw up on end. If we fail to  do this, some chips occasionally get into the Lazy Susan bearing and cause turning problems until they can be blown out with an air gun.These saws are far superior to the abrasive type saws both in speed and cut quality. It's also interesting to note that you can pick up the drops immediately after the cut with your bare hands without getting burned. They're hot, but not so hot that you can't hang onto them. The cut surface of the stock is smooth and straight, almost as good as can be done with a mill. We also have the Milwaukee 8" metal cutting circular saw. It's been great for field cutting of sheet steel up to about 3/4" thick, but we found that it is necessary to always guide it against a straight edge. If you don't and end up binding the blade in the cut you will break teeth and ruin the blade. The $17.95 Harbor Freight 7 1/4" blades work almost as good as the $60 Milwaukee blades in this saw, so for most uses we install the Harbor Freight blades.About the only thing that the abrasive chop saw ever gets used for since buying these saws is to cut rebar or hardened stock.Charley Attached ImagesLast edited by CharleyL; 05-16-2011 at 08:45 PM.Miller MM252Miller Bobcat 225NTMiller DialArc HF / DIY Cooler2 Victor O/A TorchsetsMilwaukee 8" Metal SawMilwaukee Dry Cut "Chop" Saw 5 Ton Wallace Gantry Various Grinders, Benders, etc.
Reply:good idea on the stand,my back hurts from moving my 50lb Milwaukee abrasive sawMM 180
Reply:I like the folding stand, I saw one at Lowes a week ago and may pick one up eventually.  I just got a milwaukee 6190 and a diablo steel demon blade.  Wow, this saw has some power.  I'm very impressed by the test cuts I have made.  I still need to get a blade for stainless (I generally do from sch10 anywhere to 18ga).  I'll probably pick up and aluminum specific blade also.here's a cut in some steel pipe (not sure what but it is at leat 1/8" wall).http://static.photobucket.com/player.swfI can't get the vid to workhere is a direct linkhttp://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h2...l/8c4a315a.jpgLast edited by rollertoaster; 05-17-2011 at 01:13 PM.Chuck Norris was born in a log cabin that he built with his own bare hands.