cutting metal?

[scott_vt]

Mornin Sam,
At work we use amongst other cutoff machines, the saw that munzzzzzz posted a link to. We have the stand with the support tables on either side of the saw and have incorpoated measured stops on each side of the saw. It is a great piece of equipment but a bit pricey.

I would try to fix the saw that you have and put on a new blade unless your looking to buy yourself a present !

 

[bx23barry]

Best thing out there:
Dake Manual Cold Saw at Van Sant Enterprises, Inc.

 

[RedRocker]

Best thing out there:
Dake Manual Cold Saw at Van Sant Enterprises, Inc.

Yeah, if you don't mind the extra 2K on the price tag.

 

[Desert Moose]

$2000???? Yowza!!

I'll take a look at the metal blade saws this weekend. Just made the first tractor payment, so might end up with a Harbor Freight abrasive saw. They're about $90 here.

Believe me, on the horizontal band saw, I've looked in the manual, tried new blades, adjusted everything, and even slaughtered a chicken and said voodoo chants over the thing...... Haven't once obtained a square cut out of it. I'll probably keep it to use in the vertical position while freehanding small stuff thru it.

Thanks for the input. Sam

 

[jmc]

Sam,

I used to hang out on home or hobby machinists' sites and there has been a lot written about those little band saws. Seems like one site even had a special section dealing with them. My recollection is that when you buy them, they're like a kit to be assembled and tweeked but with a little work they have a lot of potential, especially for the price.

John

 

[texasjohn]

Watch the HF sales... get their flyers... sign up on line...you will get discount coupons emailed to you... and sometimes therse are for 15% off of any purchase.

Net... the HF chop saw for $90 goes on sale for $59 then you can get 15% off of that if you happen to be lucky enough to get a coupon when you are ready to purchase the saw.

At $90 it's cheaper than many other alternatives.
At the reduced prices noted above, it's a bargain... for when you need to cut metal.

Alternatively, you can get an abrasive blade for your Skil saw... dedicate it to that purpose, make sure that there are no plastic parts that will melt... this is the cheapest entry into metal cutting... and may, over time, sacrifice a skil saw. I found true Skol saw along the interstate... fell out of somebody's truck... inserted a blade... works fine. I also have the HF chop saw... both have their uses.

 

[RichT]

Best reasonable option I've found for square cuts on tube steel is:

a) as recommended in previous post, pick up a 14" HF chopsaw on sale

b) pick up a 14" metal cutting carbide blade here: Bullet Industries : Carbide Tooth Metal Cutting 14" x 66T [5090] - $40.00

I successfully used this combination to cut steel for a driveway gate (posted in a separate thread here). Good, square cuts needing very little trimming, deburring.

 

[gsdavis1]

What about cutting metal out in the field. You can't always put an implement on the bench for the chop saw. What do you guys use?

Greg

 

[sandman2234]

Depending on the size of the metal your trying to cut, a Port a band works wonders. Otherwise a torch, but watch for the fire hazard.
The el cheapo saws sold by most of the import places are really pieces of junk! However, most of them can be tweaked to a point that they will cut a straight line, most of the time. It takes a lot time time and patience to do it, plus a couple hundred pounds of drops, but once you get it set, it pretty much stays there.
Take some more time with your existing saw, and maybe you won't have to spend most of a tractor payment on something that you already have.
David from jax

 

[texasjohn]

When material cannot be positioned on a chop saw... try a Skill saw with metal abrasive blade and a generator for power, if necessary in the field. I do.