i may be looking into getting a metal chop saw this summer to make building stuff easier. cutting angles with a grinder is getting to be kind of a PITA.

what brand/model do you have? what do you recommend?

 

I have an old Makita - not sure of the model number (I'll check and add it). It has been good to me.

What is your budget and how much to you intend to use it? Might want to have a look at the cold cut saws (they are on my wishlist)

 

haven't heard of cold cut saw, what does that mean? it probably means its too expensive

i was thinking no more than $200...is that gonna cut it for a decent one?

 

Just make sure you get one that is accurate!!!!


...so I can come over and use it.

 

yeah no kidding!

 

That's plenty for a decent metal chop saw. The cold cuts are $500 plus.

They use a slower speed and a carbide blade. Like this:

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/to...?productID=159

 

Maybe Shane will pop in - I know he has a cold cut saw.

 

those are cool! no sparks and clean cuts.... but no way i can afford those now.

between lowes and home depot, i've got these to choose from:

Dewalt - 199
Hitachi - 149
Ryobi - 139
RIGID - 129
Task Force - 99

 

I have the 14" Hitachi and it works great for the weekend fabrications. It is the only piece of Hitachi equipment I own and I am pretty impressed.

 

I use the dewalt, its very accurate and powerfull. We had a cheap one from harbor frieght, the power was ok, but the blade wobled so much it would make 45's off by almost 1/16".

 

I am all too firmiliar with the inaccuracy with harbor freight.

Makes me sick.

 

bump...anyone else have personal experience?

 

I want to hear about long term accuracy...please.

 

I've got the rigid one, its acurate but a pain to adjust. I normally end up hammering it into the 45 degree position. Probably just mine cause the display model at home depot moved easier. And I have heard good stuff about the Milwaukee 14" chop saw. I think Wabfab uses that one.

 

I have an old Makita that after several years of hardcore use in the steel framing industry, is still running strong and amazingly accurate. I have had less than good luck with their cordless drills, but their chopsaws and sawzalls are pretty bomber.

 

I have a 14" Milwaukee chop saw. Very versatile tool...great for

 

So THAT'S what those scars on your head are from!!!!! Your wife must be pretty handy with that thing by now....

 

14" HF version hear.

works great. might be a bit underpowered for thick/large stuff but hell at $50 a pop i can burn up at least 2 before i look at upgradeing.

accurate... shure, 90 on the nose. as for angles... its steel, your gonna be welding it together and a small gap would be perfered for that mig.

 

Best bet for using a chop saw to cut angles is measure the angle first w/ an triangle (45 or 30/60/90) or an angle finder and mark your angle with a pen/chalk to cut on your steel, then cut it. The "angle finder" on my chop saw is always off a tad one way or the other and it makes fitment a PITA sometimes...so I just don't bother using it as it isn't always "true" to the blade.

 

When I did steel framing, unless I was making a grip of angle cuts, needed to be able to cut fast, and didn't need them super accurate, I never used the angle finder, and always did exactly what you said, Brian. It was just easier to mark it and cut it.