Sometime recently there was a discussion of using a miter saw with an abrasive blade to cut metal, and many suggested using a chop saw instead (probably good advice), especially since reportedly you can get one at Horrible Fright or Home Depot for $30 - $40.
I checked around, and I can't find one ANYWHERE for less than $130 to $150. Am I missing something, or what? Where are all these "$40 chop saws"????
Ron M.
Wayne
My HF store has them for $49.95. Of course you need the pack of wheels for $20. I have two and both work fine.
If you have occasional cuts of smallish stuff, the metal blades on circular saws will do it. WEAR GOGGLES and clamp the work firmly.
I had the HF cutoff saw, bought it on sale for $60, which I think is what it's on sale for at this very moment. It did a good job, especially for the money. I made hundreds of cuts in steel pipe and never changed the abrasive, and never burned out the motor (surprisingly). Admittedly, the abrasive was getting pretty small there. :-)
I don't think it has the sack to cut 4" solid steel as the instructions suggest though.
sometimes, the word "cut" is relative... a better quality might cleanly cut what the HF one chews and grinds slowly.. but nobody (I hope) is going to buy a $60 chop saw and expect it to cut a bunch of 4" steel..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required