chopsaw looking for work

[Soundguy]

A while back I posted about trying to decide between a decent set of torches/bottles or a band saw as my next large tool purchase... At the time I was doing everything with a chopsaw, or a sawsall... ended up getting a set of torches. Fast forward a couple of months.. and wow.. havn't even plugged the chopsaw in since then. Have it setting on top of a shelf even to free up some space

Have gotten were I can do some pretty darn good cutting without making a whole lotta slag even. Have even got pretty good at burning rusted nuts off and cutting out stuck bolts... can't believe I waited so long to get a 'real' set of torches. ( had a small soldering / brazing set with the real small bottles the size of like 2 litre soda's inherited them from passed FIL.. )

soundguy

 

[wushaw]

Keep it you will need it for some things, I have two bandsaws, sawsall, cutoff wheels, torch, plasma and I still find myself grabbing the chopsaw every now an again for a fast cut where accuracy doesn't count....it still has its place in a shop.

 

[Soundguy]

yeah.. I'm not getting rid of it.

If I have to cut some large rouds.. etc.. the torch gets messy..

soundguy

 

[yomax4]

What Brand of Torch do you all use?

 

[Skyco]

My big torch set is Smith. My portable one is Victor.
I use my HF Plasma Cutter for most cutting I used to use the torch for. If I need to cut really thick or away from the shop the torch is used.
I also have a portaband clone, sawzall clone and horizontal bandsaw for cutting.
Never had a chopsaw and don't really need one now, seem to have all my bases covered with the other metal cutting tools I already own. If chopsaws had been available cheap when first starting out years ago, like they are now, I'd likely have bought one. I'm kind of intrigued though by the chop saws now that use a carbide tipped blade like a wood saw instead of abrading their way through something.

 

[Thomas]

Than there the art of bending metal..good rose bud tip you should consider.

 

[TWD]

Got rid of my chop saw years ago.

I use a Porta-Band for on the quick or mobile jobs, and the Kama Bandsaw (stationary) for extremely accurate and clean cuts. :thumbsup:

Plasma and Oxy/Acet for the rest...

Not using a chop saw =

If I needed a lot of repeat cuts fast I think a cold saw would be next.. but I don't

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I have had real good luck getting precise cuts with my Milwaukee abrasive chop saw. It's great for angles.

I need to spend more time with my torch. I think my hand is not steady enough to get the kind of cuts everyone else talks about.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

About the only thing I use the chop saw for any more is cutting rusty metal .
Bill

 

[lhfarm]

I've been using mine to cut bricks (pavers) for a patio. Did a couple of hundred cuts. Not fast, but the blades are cheap and I had the time.

Not having a set of torches or any other cutting tool, I've made good use of a cheap saw. But I hope to do more metal projects and need to find a set of torches.

 

[Soundguy]

did you upgrade to a tile blade.. or still using the abrasive blade when you cut brick?

soundguy

 

[lhfarm]

did you upgrade to a tile blade.. or still using the abrasive blade when you cut brick?

soundguy

That would have been too easy and the nearest box store had masonry blades on sell for $3. I was doing a very nice herringbone pattern, so lots of long cuts too. Made me a stand out of some wood blocks so I could sit in a chair, but the brick in place and just let the saw take its time. I'm newly retired and have a lot more time than money.

 

[Soundguy]

whatever works!

soundguy

 

[buckeyefarmer]

sure does make a lot of dust cutting brick. I'm afraid of ruining the motor with the dust.

 

[lhfarm]

sure does make a lot of dust cutting brick. I'm afraid of ruining the motor with the dust.

I kept an air hose by the chair and blew the dust off after each cut. There was/is lots of dust. I posted in another thread asking for help in finding brushes. I'm sure I did some damage to them during the project. Had to replace the on/off switch too. But it did work.

 

[Soundguy]

I imagine metal powder ain't too friendly either..

soundguy

 

[crazyal]

Never wanted a chop saw until the dry cuts came down to a price where it's an option that I'm thinking about. All the sparks, noise, and dust just turned me off of abrasive cutting.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

sure made it nice to cut this rebar

 

[easygo]

What are you guys talking about chop saws are great. The advantages are that they are fairly slow, inaccurate and loud but make a nice fireworks display. I love mine because that is the only thing I have to cut stuff with besides a couple of angle grinders.