how to use a chop saw

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hey guyswas trying out my chop saw today, cant manage to get a straight cut. be it 45degree or just a straight cut. it even cut into the recess of the blade.am i going too fast?any tips on how to get straight cuts? thanksoh and a side note whats the pros and cons of both chop and band saws?THANKS
Reply:Once I got a bandsaw, I have only used my chop saw twice. The bandsaw is way better imho. When you are cutting with the chop saw, watch the blade before you start the cut and while you start the cut. The deflection on mine was incredible. You will have better luck if you slow down the cuts, but it will be frustrating. My vote is for a bandsaw.
Reply:You've already found the big down side of an abrasive chopsaw. The accuracy is fair at best. As said go slow and easy to limit blade deflection. The up side is that they make fast cuts where exact accuracy doesn't matter that much. Chop saws are usually fairly inexpensive.On band saws there are 2 (well 3 but I'll leave out vertical band saws right now) types. A floor mounted saw and the hand held portabands. Both can give excellent accuracy and squareness. The portaband is a bit tougher since most of the accuracy comes from you and whatever you have the material clamped in. Floor saws once set properly will cut material accurately over and over. The down side is space and portability with the big saws, variable accuracy with the hand helds, and speed with both. They usually cut much slower. An up side with a good floor saw is you can start it cutting and go do something else. The price on these is also usually higher than a chop saw..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:bugger lol thanks for the input. couldve bought a band saw for an additional $80 for what i got the chop saw. rrrrrr shouldve asked sooner. being a hobby guy i have nothing but time
Reply:Originally Posted by nerdstarhey guyswas trying out my chop saw today, cant manage to get a straight cut. be it 45degree or just a straight cut. it even cut into the recess of the blade.am i going too fast?any tips on how to get straight cuts? thanksoh and a side note whats the pros and cons of both chop and band saws?THANKS
Reply:Hi, I haven't had too much drama getting straight cuts using an abrasive saw, however I think that some saws (and blades) are made better than others. I use a cheap crappy imported Chinese model and the frame flexes slightly so one thing I noticed on mine was that you have to apply light pressure straight down over the handle and not from a slight offset from the side, and also not to put too much pressure down on it, otherwise it doesn't cut straight. In other words, let the blade do the work instead of  trying to force it down with a lot of pressure, at least on plain mild steel.   I put more pressure on stainless so it cuts quicker and doesn't let the S/S doesn't harden up as much before I get a chance to cut it. I mainly cut up to 100mm x 100mm RHS and SHS mild steel on mine. Flat bars are positioned vertically and are done only with light pressure. Cutting Stainless on the band saw doesn't harden it up as it doesn't get too hot and the coolant keeps the blade and the work cool.The other thing is that the long lengths of steel to be cut have to be supported at the same height as the deck otherwise the cut will not be 90 degrees.But other wise it works well. I have recently bought my self an old band saw as I am tired of all the grit dust caused by using the abrasive saw, not to mention that it cuts quieter as well.Disadvantage with band saw is that you have to have a couple of different band saws blades in different teeth per inch sizes depending what your cutting, ie; thick solid steel you need less teeth per inch and thin walled RHS  more teeth per inch, where as with an abrasive saw, 1 type does all. So overall I think it is good to have both as they will both suit different situations. One can never have enough tools. Last edited by Ed.; 07-11-2010 at 08:55 AM.Miller Auto Invision 456 + S-62 wire feederC6240B1 Gap bed lathe16 ft3 air compressor16 speed pedestal drillHafco BS-912 Bandsaw
Reply:some very useful information here. I purchased a Ryobi for $200 from bunnings basically because it came with a 2 year warranty so thought id be safe in that regard. Obviously i was wrong however purchasing from a major retailer getting my money back wasnt a problem. I set out today a bought a cheap chinese band saw $289 (so i only had to add $89 on my intial investment.All i can say is WOW. cuts so easily and accurately im amazed best thing is its soooo quiet and no sparks flying about increases the places i can use it.for a hobbyist this is awesome glad i returned the chop sawTHanks guys
Reply:Glad you're happy with the band saw. But just to add some info that might help someone else that is stuck with an abrasive chop.. The blades wander less as the get smaller in dia.. If the piece being cut is not to big, set aside some half used blades for these cuts. And +++ to the above advise.Have fun!!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:And another vote for a band saw!Mine is an older model can't think of the brand right now "Made in the USA" model, floor model 16" capacity with coolant pump.I use it for all critical cuts!I have like most here probably have, an abrasive saw, but it only gets used for small stuff like when I need to cut some small bar or round stock like for example, 3/8" solid round to length, not needing to worry about cross cut accuracy, but need to cut a lot of them, I have a table setup with a stop so I can make quick cuts!#1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:The OP asked about differences; the cut-off saw will slice very hard material that a standard band can't touch. A good one can also go through smaller stock such as tubing very fast  while leaving a clean surface. It also tends to be noisier. Its kerf is wider, so more stock can be wasted, and it can't make short blind cuts the way a band saw can. To enjoy all its benefits, a band saw needs a band welder to accompany it. I need all three; don't have the welder yet, at least not working.Almost forgot; the chop saw doesn't work well for wood or plastic, (unless it has the proper non-chop [abrasive] blade.)