chop saw cutting

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Alrighty...Just today I received my 14" HD Milwaukee chop saw. I am in need of a little information as to using it. I am cutting angle, which apparently won't line up correctly for a 90* corner. Is there a trick to this? Is it possible? Whats the deal. In the manual it says to place the smallest side of the material upwards, so that would be the joining angle. Can you flip it over or cut it with a side laying flat and the other side 90* from there facing vertical?If someone could kind of explain how to get a 90* angle out of angle iron and a chop saw I would be much appreciative.
Reply:Im thinking it's not possible to get one how I want. I see how it can be done with the edge being outboard, not inboard. I will probably go with a jig saw, or use square tubing.I want to say the only possible way is with one edge laying flat, and the other sitting vertical, but is this SAFE to cut with the chop saw?Last edited by GrantH; 11-21-2007 at 06:07 PM.
Reply:I am a little confused here. If you are just trying to cut angle with a good square end set the angle in the vise so it looks like an up side down V. If you are try the miter the angle you will have no choice but to clamp it in with a flat side down. It is alot harder to cut metal with large surface areas but it can be done, just take it easy on the motor. Always try to reduce the surface area when cutting metal. It is easyer on the motor and makes the blades last longer.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:I'm a little confused as well! haha. I know that doesn't help! With the angle edge up, opening down, it only lets the angle join (from what I can tell) where the flat edge would be outboard of the square...
Reply:I am real sorry but I am missing something here. Is it possible for you to post pictures of what you are trying to do or want to do. I would take some shots right now but my chopsaw is in a place to hard to get at. Ever since I bought a bandsaw I hate using the chopsaw.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:Yah, I will go take a few pictures.
Reply:First pic:  This is a cut made at (or close to) 45* with the material layed as shown.Second Pic: Saw at 45 with fence pushed all the way up.Third Pic: I can get the "have" labeled piece if I cut the material positioned as shown, of course angled to match the 45* I need. My problem is the "need" labeled piece. My saw will only go 45-90, I can't get the blade or material to position to cut this angle. This may be a calling for the trusty ol' angle grinder, just wanted to see if my new chop saw could be used. Break her in a bit.
Reply:All right I see whats up. You can't cut the angle you are looking for like that.  I use a piece of tubing to help hold the angle while cutting 45's. flip the piece as needed, lay a piece of tubing under or on it depending on the piece.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:Even after waiting for that picture to download (resizing is nice) I don't see why the saw won't cut it with the material flipped around.  Is it because you want to cut the end off and so there will be nothing for the clamp to hold?  Sometimes, yes, it might just be easier and faster to make a slice with an angle grinder and cutting disk.
Reply:MAC702:The "need" label line cannot match up with the saw blade at all, unless fed from the side that has no clamp, the saw would have to be mirrored for it to work.Jamlit:When you say flip as needed, you are talking about across the blade axis correct, and lay on tubing to level it out and clamp it down? I'm trying to figure all this out on scrap before I go and buy the actual amount I need.
Reply:Grant, can you place a piece of 1" X 1" (or whatever) wood in with the angle to help you "lock it down" in the vice jaws? Just cut right through the wood.If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:I'm sure I can I don't see a reason why I couldn't. Never even thought of that to be honest. That was a concern of mine, clamping only a small ledge, rather than a full surfact, so I guess I will be making a 45 degree cut for the one side and matching it with an angle grinder for the other side.
Reply:Grant, take a look at this thread. Just about the same discussion. http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread...ing+angle+iron
Reply:If you flip the angle iron and the wooden block upside down after the first cut, you should be able to cut the second angle piece.If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:You can even do it without the wooden block.  There's nothing unsafe about having the flat on top and only the bottom of the vertical touching the base.  As long as you have a good clamp.You do NOT want to cut through the wood with a chop saw's abrasive blade.  Make sure the wood stops short of the blade.
Reply:One other thing you can do is not trust the markings on the saw for a 45 deg angle. I use a small alum framing square fixed at 45 and 90 to set the miter.Line it up to the blade then set the fence accordingly and lock it down. You will then have a pretty close miter.mm135HTP Invertig 201 With water cooler9" Southbend LatheLots of hand tools.
Reply:Yep, thats what I am doing, for 45 and 90's.