chop saw

[Army grunt]

I have a14" Hitachi chop saw.Its creat, also a 8"Hitachiit is great.
Army Grunt

 

[JB4310]

Little hijack here, I've never gave any thought to a metal cutting chop saw before today, now I'm seriously considering one. Normally I use hand held saws, from 4.5" to 12 inch gas powered. of course you can't get a very square cut with a hand held roaring in your hands.

I was thinking about getting a horizontal band saw but don't have the floor space to dedicate to leaving it set up all the time. with a 14" chop saw I could just put it on a rack when not in use.

Any thoughts on which one would be more useful? what trade offs?

I passed up a great deal on a little band saw last year cause like I said I'm running out of floor space.

Thanks, JB.

 

[moored4]

Little hijack here, I've never gave any thought to a metal cutting chop saw before today, now I'm seriously considering one. Normally I use hand held saws, from 4.5" to 12 inch gas powered. of course you can't get a very square cut with a hand held roaring in your hands.

I was thinking about getting a horizontal band saw but don't have the floor space to dedicate to leaving it set up all the time. with a 14" chop saw I could just put it on a rack when not in use.

Any thoughts on which one would be more useful? what trade offs?

I passed up a great deal on a little band saw last year cause like I said I'm running out of floor space.

Thanks, JB.

Suggestion JB4310! Go back and read this entire thread! Alot of discussion on just what your asking!:thumbsup:

 

[forgeblast]

I have a 14 inch milwaukee chop saw. It is a nice saw and have not had any problems with it, I was using a cut off blade in my angle grinder, but with the easy to use vice and the ability to change the degree of the cut makes a big difference.

 

[bigdad]

Does the cut off wheel last very long on heavier gauge metal?

I think they hold up pretty well. They are not that pricey anyway.

 

[bigdad]

I used an angle grinder for years and was getting pretty good at straight cuts. One day I was doing a routine cut, no binding, taking my time and wham! The disk came apart and a piece of it hit the lense of my safety glasses. Big slice in the lense and a dandy shiner to go with it. Hello Popeye..........Hello Milwaukee chop saw. No sermon...... just the facts.

 

[JB4310]

Suggestion JB4310! Go back and read this entire thread! Alot of discussion on just what your asking!:thumbsup:

Well I just did again for the second time, couldn't find any mention of comparing a band saw to a chop saw.

I think they hold up pretty well. They are not that pricey anyway.

I found that the thinner blades cut much faster than the thicker ones.
I know, not rocket science I guess

Actually a thin Harbor Freight blade I just picked up for my 4.5 inch grinder, made 2 cut offs on thick walled 2"x2" receiver tube with out showing much wear at all, I was surprised. and the cutting went very easily.

JB

 

[robs660]

Metal pipe? Invest in a carbide metal saw. It will be well worth it over time. I run the snot out of mine

 

[moored4]

Well I just did again for the second time, couldn't find any mention of comparing a band saw to a chop saw.

IJB

I just read your OP and you really have to read between the lines to get that you want a comparing of band saw and chop saw!!! Sounded like you had made up your mind not to go with a band saw cause of floor space!!
I'm sorry I didn't understand what you were trying to Articulate!!:confused2:

 

[RobertBrown]

I bought the harbor freight and didn't get one cut before it quit and I had to take it back. The switch went out, couldn't handle the amps.
I bought the Dewalt and I wish it had more nuts. It's 15 amps, 14" keyless chuck I think it depnds on the diameter of the pipe and how many pipes you are planning to cut. The Dewalt is nice because it doesn't weigh a lot. I keep it on a shelf over head. But I wish it was faster.