Compound Miter Saw with cutoff wheel

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I was watching a DIY show today and they were using a compound miter wood saw with a cut off wheel to cut steel. Is there any reason why you couldn't use one of these instead of the regular chop saw, being that you can adjust the angle of the saw verses having to adjust your work piece?Your info and advice would be much appreciated.Lincoln Power Mig 140C
Reply:I have been wondering the same thing.  Seeing as how you can use a cutoff wheel in a circular saw, I can't come up with a reason why not, but some of the elder welders around here will certainly know better than I.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:Been there, done that.  Not good for a nice woodworking saw. I forgot to take the dust collection bag off and now it looks like a mosquito net.  Changed my ways since then.  I would suggest using plasma, cutting torch, any number of other steel blade saws (bandsaw, sawsall, portable hacksaw, etc.) or getting a real metal cut off saw.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:I know I'm not about to cut steel in my $600 compound miter saw. Forget it.Use the right tool for the right job!Patriot Performance AutoLincoln Power Mig 255CLincoln AC-225 StickVictor Journeyman O/AQuincy QT-5 Compressor
Reply:I still use my old compound miter for notching tube/pipe up to 3" diam. It get's maybey 5-10 cuts a month so not a lot of use.If I were to need more notching done I'd get an end mill but for the little I do it to costly.In short. Yes you can. But a proper chop saw would be better suited for the job.My Photos on Flickr
Reply:I picked up an old beat-up compound makita miter saw at a flea market for $20. It had a zip wheel in it. I have used it (and abused it) cutting metal for about 2yrs now and it just keeps chugging along. No problems. Just have to be creative about clamping sometimes. I'm sure one made for this service would work much better and I wouldn't use a good saw for this. I'm sure my old makita pulls better than those things they call cut-off saws at HF.RON
Reply:Thanks for the info.Lincoln Power Mig 140C
Reply:Keep in mind they give those tv shows the tools they use. And no I wouldn't ruin my compound miter saw like that. You can get a good chop saw for around 200 bucks. Mine is a Rigid because everyone in town was sold out of the Dewalt (that should tell you something right there) and I had to have one. After using it for almost 2 years I have no complaints at all.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:I have used my Makita 14" double miter saw with an abrasive blade to cut steel.  It does work, but not all that well.  The problem is the blade rpm.  Chop saws made for cutting steel spin close to 4000 rpm.  My miter saw spins at a slower 3200 rpm.  It doesn't sound like alot of difference, but it is.  The blade just doesn't spin fast enough to cut with any efficiency.  Cuts take forever and the saw seems to bog down easier than a chop saw when I put pressure on the blade.  It's not because of a weak motor either.  The Makita 14" chop saw and the miter I have here both have similar amp rated motors (15 amps I think).   It's the lack blade rpm that kills the deal.   That's too bad cause I don't work much with wood.  I bought the miter saw to make better miter cuts on steel, since mitering with a chop saw is a hassle and not all that accurate.  It looks like the best choice for miter cutting steel would be a horizontal metal cutting band saw, which is alot more money and takes up alot more space in the shop.   I guess that's what I'm saving up for next....MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I had a NICE Kobalt miter saw and LOVED the thing, it had a laser and everything.It lasted 3 days, the plastic on it MELTED and i mean TORE UP.The metal flew into the laser pointer glass/aiming area and plugged it up and wouldnt work anymore. That was a quick expensive mistake. It WILL melt stuff and all the slides stopped working right from all the metal. I went and bought a chop saw and works well for me. I hate the abrasive wheels w/ all the dust, honesty now I use the O/A torch for AS MUCH as I can when it comes to cutting.
Reply:I agree... Old saw you don't care about-fine              New or nice wood working tool- NO WAY!
Reply:you need to be care full of plastic parts, saw dust is not red hot but sparks from steel cutting are, and will burn up parts of your saw.Me!
Reply:I've used my compound miter saw for years, cutting nothing but extruded steel.  I had to remove the plastic shields and put them away for when I ever want to use it for wood.    It's made several trailers and numerous other projects.  I have a Milwaukee chopsaw too.  I use the miter saw ten times more though.