14" Dry chop saws - any recommendations?

newbury · Nov 20, 2015

Starting to get ready for welding projects, realized my skill set with an angle grinder is artistic, not precise. So I started looking at "chop saws". I don't have one.

I'm not familiar with the "dry chop saws" that don't use abrasive disks, but they seem to be the way to go.

Any recommendations as to brand or special features?

I'm dismissing abrasive because a cheap HF abrasive is about $100 and a cheap dry cut, Evolution 15-Amp 14-in Chop Saw, is about $200 and also does wood.

4570Man · Nov 20, 2015

I have two abrasive chop saws and two metal cutting bandsaws. My woodworking tools are another story. I have 3 wood cutting miter saws and 1 wood cutting bandsaw.

truckdiagnostics · Nov 20, 2015

Skip the chop saw and get the horizontal band saw, abrasive saw, load and dirty,

Big Barn · Nov 20, 2015

I've had my Makita abrasive chop saw 30 years now. Loud but quick and dirty, sometimes just what I need.

You could also consider a port-a-band saw and buy or make your own table. I think I may do that some day.
These are my other saws I use for metal.
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truckdiagnostics · Nov 20, 2015

I have big barn's third one down? which looks a identical to the one I got from harbor freight, which also looks like 4570man's last pic, I have run a lot of steal through it. Don't know how much more it would be than saw you are looking at, I had a chop saw with the abrasive blade, have not used one with a circular metal cutting blade, I do have a metal cutting circular saw, like it for cutting sheet steal, it is slow and loud. The horizontal band is nice to set up, start walk away and have cut and shut off.

bdog · Nov 20, 2015

I have a dewalt dry cut saw and like it a lot. So much nicer to use than my old abrasive unit. I am not a dewalt fan I generally dislike their cordless tools but this saw is nice.

MMagis · Nov 20, 2015

I’d love to have a horizontal band saw, but I just don’t see where it can take the place of a chop saw. They excel at cutting heavier stuff, but for most things we’re cutting the chop saw is WAY faster. The non-abrasive are intriguing to me, but my cheapo chop saw it still going strong. One thing to consider, an abrasive blade runs maybe $10, the non-abrasive are around $100. I don’t know how long they last, so that’s worth looking into. Maybe read some reviews on Amazon, it looks like there aren’t many here that have much experience with them.

KubotaToy · Nov 20, 2015

I have a "Cheap" HF chop saw that has cut anything thrown at it for 8 years and some things that it should have not cut. I also have two bandsaws (vertical and horizontal) for those precise cuts when needed. That reminds me, I need to order a new bandsaw blade before winter projects start.

Teachu2 · Nov 20, 2015

I have a 12" Makita. Makita LC1230 12-Inch Metal Cutting Saw - Power Metal Cutting Saws - Amazon.com I bought it new about 15 years ago. Since then, I only use my 14" abrasives on mystery metal, like bedframes.

Better price thru HD: Makita 15-Amp 12 in. Metal Cutting Saw-LC1230 - The Home Depot

These are also known as "cold saws". All the heat goes into the chips, and the material stays cool.