Chop saw suggestions needed, Harbor Freight???

[Soundguy]

i have had the 49$ one from harbor freight a few years now.. have made lots of projects with it.

use the russian blades if you can find them..

soundguy

 

[jobguy]

I bought the 14" Harbor Freight cutoff saw as well. It was worth the $50 I spent. But, I want to get a better saw. It is "wimpy". It will cut 1/8" bar on edge, but not 3/8".

TRR, I cut through a 2 in bar by dressing the wheel (see my bold statement above) when the wheel started loading up and it didn't cut very well. Just hold the dressing stone on the wheel as it spins and it will cut like new for awhile, then you have to do it again.

 

[TRR]

Quote:
Originally Posted by TRR
I bought the 14" Harbor Freight cutoff saw as well. It was worth the $50 I spent. But, I want to get a better saw. It is "wimpy". It will cut 1/8" bar on edge, but not 3/8".

TRR, I cut through a 2 in bar by dressing the wheel (see my bold statement above) when the wheel started loading up and it didn't cut very well. Just hold the dressing stone on the wheel as it spins and it will cut like new for awhile, then you have to do it again.

I saw that and was quite surprised. I'll try that next time. I've just replaced the cutting wheel and I've heard that the american wheels on the HF tool improves the result.

 

[jspinfirewood]

I would stay away from a HF chop saw. I bought one to cut some 1 inch square tubing to build a firewood rack and it lasted for about 20 cuts then just died. I brought it back to HF and got a refund. I went with a Hitachi chop saw, plenty of power to cut through the steel and never looked back.
:thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

wow.. the one I got 2 ys ago cuts it all. 3 and 4" angle iron, square tube, 3/8's stock, round stock and all. jst don't force it and let it go thru and it makes a good straight cut and don't eat wheels fast.

maybee the newer ones are more wimpy?

I don't have an exact count.. but would wager I've made hundreds of cuts on mine. my backhoe subframe and my rops cannopy were both multi day cutting projects.

soundguy

soundguy

 

[deereman75]

I would get the milwakuee abrasive one, here in canada you can get then for about $200, and they are great. I have cut a jackhammer chisle in half with one, and it had no trouble at all. (that is a tough alloy, when forging it for tool making, it was still harder then one of my punches when white hot)

 

[davygp38]

I used a Delta compound miter saw with a metal cutting blade, for years, until the cutting surface of the saw got clogged up with metal shavings, and I could not adjust it any more. I then bought a Ridged chop saw, which works good, abut you cannot make an accurate miter on it, or any of the metal chop saws I have used. I find that I have to draw a line, and try to free hand each cut, or if I am doing multiple pieces I have to spend half the day setting up a large bulky jig. I admit that part of the problem is I don't do this kind of work all the time, but I had no problems with that old delta miter saw.

 

[Deere Dude]

I got a $49 HF saw about 10 years ago or so and through heavy use, the brushes went. I got new brushes and it worked very well, cutting up to 4" angle iron. Last year the brushes finally went again after about 5 years so I bought brushes and also the $75 HF saw they had. The professional or contractor grade upgraded saw has more power and much heavier brushes and hogs through almost anything that I can fit in the clamps. For the same use I would bet the contractor grade would last longer. I would definitely buy either of them again. The price is totally right.
And I like those steekin' sparks. :thumbsup::laughing:

 

[Soundguy]

heck.. my 49$ hf saw came with a spare set of brushes. havn't even had to use them yet.

so far mine still hogs thru anything i can fit under the blade or in the clamps. and that includes 4" angle iron and 2" round piston ram stock. just takes longer.. and don't force it..

soundguy

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I bought a Milwaukee chop saw a while back, and I'm not really impressed. It cuts fine and everything, but it has to be set up just perfect to cut straight, and the tool-less blade change system allows the blade to slip. It may be better than a HF model, but it's nowhere near 4 times better even though it cost 4 times as much.

I ended up getting a second hand horizontal band saw, and I doubt I'll ever use the chop saw again.