Chop saws

I need to buy a chop saw and wanted everyones opinion on what they have pros and cons etc. I can't afford the high dollar stuff likes Dakes and more interested in big box store stuff, Dewalt, craftsman, hitachi etc.

 

Have you considered a band saw instead? They make a cleaner cut, in my opinion.

 

mines a milwaukee. years of trouble free service.

 

I have a Milwaukee. It's pretty good. Chopsaws are a little caveman when compared to other things, but they get the job done.

 

just don't buy one with plastic components near the business end of that thing. it gets a bit warm ya know.

 

I have a Dewalt and it has been good to me for several years.

 

we have a craftsman used for 5 yrs in production exhaust cutting.
the clamp is crap, but we took it off 5 yrs ago
we also have a band saw that is used more,
chop saws make a mess.

 

I am pretty sold on DeWalt stuff myself.

 

I have a hand-me-down chop saw. Not really good for anything but exhaust pipe. Cutting 3/16" box or any other heavy steel is a real akward task for mine. I'd love to have a bandsaw, even a handheld style.

 

Ok, Im open to band saws. Ill be using it for cutting pipe, tubing, round, square bar etc. Nothing bigger than 2 inches. Whats a reasonably priced band saw go for, make, model...

 

I have a Milwaukee. It rocks like a hurricane. Band saw will my next big tool purchase.

 

I got one from Grizzly, very well built and easier to keep square than the little cheap ones from Harbor Freight.

 

i have a dewalt, micakita, and a milawakee,,,,, i leave them set up wt differant angles,,,thay all work fine,,,differance is how fast you want too adjust them, and do you need too change the blade in 30 seconds..

 

At the risk of starting an anti HF rant I use a HF band saw wouldn't want to use it 8 hrs. a day 5 days a week but it has done a great job for me. A friend complained of knocking blades off but I suspect he put a lot more pressure on feed than I do. It replaced a power hack saw so my threshold wasn't too high but it just churns along doing what I need to do!

 

X2.....chop saws pretty much butcher stuff but great for exhaust tubing.
Cold saws and band saws are much more preferred.

 

Personally, I would get a Milwaukee Porta-band. They are very handy and portable, plus you can get a stand for one to use it as a stationary bandsaw. I don't think they can be beat for versatility. The only downside is that you're not going to be cutting large pieces with it, I think the throat is only 5" or so on the deep cut models.

 

I have an ancient Black & Decker that refuses to die and I can still get parts for it. I bought a Craftsman wood cutting band saw and converted it to metal cutting with a series of jack shafts and that is my preferred metal cutting tool. You really need to slow them done though. Do a search on it here there is a lot of info and that's how I slowed mine down.

 

We cut alot of steel at work mostly flat bar, angle, and pipe.
For years we used porta bands ,band saws, cheap chop saws.

We got a dewalt dw872 14" ,4 hp 1300 rpm with a 70 tooth heavy metal carbide blade,
It cuts steel like butter,fast,the blade life is good.
It will set you back just under $500 but you'll never look back

 

Get the Milwaukee or similar with the metal cutting saw blade. I bought one a couple of years ago and never used the abrasive wheel version again. Thing cuts through mild steel like butter, and next to no sparks or mess compared to the old style. Probably one of the best tools I've purchased in a long time.

 

Been said, but we use a HF chopsaw and never really had any major problems with it. Replaced the bushings two years ago but that has been it. Would I want to use it daily probably not but as a hobbiest sure. Like anything it's all how you use it. Hope this helps.

 

I have a cheap pepboys chop saw for steel ,15 amp works great .I dont use it everyday and first blade is gone........Still works good.............

 

I bought a Rigid chop saw from Home Deepthroat, and it worked well for me for the last few years, and cut through 2" thickwall square tube easily. I've been happy with it, but as previously stated, they do make a mess.

 

Bosch and good blades..... very straight chops every single time. I bought the cheap hitachi and it was shit.... pure shit.

 

If I got to do it all again, I'd start with a Port a Band

 

Regarding chop saws, I have a very old Hitachi that I often use to make really straight cuts in sheet metal pieces for small panels, patches, things like that. I find that by feeding sheet metal clamped with vice grips into the cutting blade I can use the blade itself for a guide and get good cuts. Always use a good pair of safety goggles, always.

 

If your not going to cut anything bigger than 2" checkout a milwaukee portaband. It doesnt take up much space and can take it anywhere. I use mine all the time and you can cut up to a 4"x4" piece.

 

i have a dewalt..,,,,,spend the extra money for good blades..it will last longer and not explode all over you and your shop...it happened...

 

I have a Jepson. Works great. I've had it 20 years or so.
Chop saws have their place. I still prefer my band saw for nice cuts.

 

I've been using one of these for a couple of years. The cuts are super clean and no black dust all over everything.
http://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-6190-20-14-Inch-Cutoff-Machine/dp/B00023S336/ref=pd_cp_hi_1

 

Consider a Milwaukee porta-band, will cut about 5X5, handheld. I have a chopsaw, bandsaw, and porta-band.