Chop saw blades

   / Chop saw blades #1  

blueriver

Super Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2007
Messages
5,012
Location
S.E.Oklahoma
Tractor
JD 5520 Montana 4340 Farmall Super A Montana 5720C
I use my chop saw a lot with abrasive blades ... Anyone use a carbide metal blade in a chop saw? If so .. How do u like it and how long do they last?
 
   / Chop saw blades #2  
No, don't. If your abrasive saw was made for abrasives, it'll likely burn up the motor. Cold cut saws with metal blades require heavier torque and in some cases gear reduction as the blades turn slower.
 
   / Chop saw blades #4  
The abrasive run faster around 3900 RPM VS 1300 RPM
 
   / Chop saw blades #5  
I may go a bit wide since no specific issue with the abrasive was brought up ...

They can be a pain, esp if loaded up with metal, and are usually equipped to cut steel vs soft metals. btw: angles cut best with the 'mouth' down, square tubing in a v-block, and flat stock on edge. 'Chunking-out' of a wheel, if not from plunging too quickly into a cut, usually comes from too much pressure on a wheel that needs to be dressed, and I would (do) use the same abrasive 'stick' for that as with vitreous grinding wheels.

Similar-looking dry cutting saws from Milwaukee and DeWalt turn at about half or less the rpm. Some guys have had success cutting aluminum extrusions with the carbide blades in the faster saws, but with the risk tossing teeth at very high speed, and/because of difficulty in feeding smoothly into the cut likely had someone hold their beer while they did it. :eek: I say don't. I might sharpen your blade with a nicked tooth here or there (esp if only for wood-cutting), but bust off a few in a row and it's a tosser.

A lot depends on what or how much material you're cutting, or maybe the variety. What abrasive saws do most poorly is cut thick or heavy stock that's better sent to a bandsaw or an industrial cold saw that uses carbide and flood coolant. Abrasive saws are hardly very versatile, say up to choice of wheel and that's about it. The box store cold cut carbides don't cost much less than say a decent used industrial cold cut saw (wet) or bandsaw. I'd hate to much fab work without one or the other of those.
 
   / Chop saw blades
  • Thread Starter
#6  
I have no experience with a cutter that uses a carbide blade ... All my cuts are made with the chop saw and abrasive blade.. Square cuts as well as 45 degree .. There are no specific problems was just wondering

I like my set up .. I have a 10' long table and can move the saw around on the table...I buy my bladed by the case... Just was thinking out loud.
 
   / Chop saw blades
  • Thread Starter
#8  
I have a DeWalt .... Just can't wear the dang thing out.
 
   / Chop saw blades #9  
I bought my DeWalt back when they are 400.00 in 2001 or 2002. I wore my armature out in a year or two. Had it rebuilt and used it relatively little since I have been using band saws. A little slower, but a lot less noise, and I can set it down to cut and walk away and do something else. Even my portaband is a better solution for most things. You can buy a decent band saw for the price of one good metal bladed, cold cut "chop" saw. Plus you end up loosing less metal.
 
   / Chop saw blades #10  
I bought my DeWalt back when they are 400.00 in 2001 or 2002. I wore my armature out in a year or two. Had it rebuilt and used it relatively little since I have been using band saws. A little slower, but a lot less noise, and I can set it down to cut and walk away and do something else. Even my portaband is a better solution for most things. You can buy a decent band saw for the price of one good metal bladed, cold cut "chop" saw. Plus you end up loosing less metal.

I like the abrasive chop saw for its speed and accuracy particularly with some homemade fixtures to assist the clamp in holding various shape material in position.
I have a band saw too and thought it would be the cats meow particularly on thinner materials. It is good, but controlling the blade drift to get a straight cut, on mine is not easy. Blades aren't too expensive but breaking one and having to change it and adjust tension on a new one is not getting any work done.

Every tool has it's place and preferences.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2018 TowMaster T-12D T/A Flatbed Trailer (A55852)
2018 TowMaster...
UNUSED FUTURE FT-CL100C HYD CLAMP GRABBER (A52706)
UNUSED FUTURE...
2018 FORREST RIVER CRUISE LITE CAMPER (A55745)
2018 FORREST RIVER...
L-SHAPED FUEL TANK (A55745)
L-SHAPED FUEL TANK...
2011 MACK Tender Truck w/ADAMS Rear Discharge Bed Auger (A55314)
2011 MACK Tender...
2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 4X4 PICKUP TRUCK (A52141)
2006 CHEVROLET...
 
Top