chop saw conversion

[speial-m]

i know i have heard about this, taking a regular wood chop saw and converting it to a metal chop saw, i know the first thing, metal cutting blade...thats a givin, but i heard you have to change the speed and some other things to, i have tried to search but not coming up with anything relating to it...

[Pook]

abrasive wheels or carbide? if you wanna just use the abrasive wheels just check to make sure your saw doesn't exceed the speed the disks are rated for. I'm pretty sure you'll be all right, I've thrown cut off wheels on skill saws for sheet metal work a few times with no problems.just don't plan on using it for both wood and steel and if your saw has plastic safety covers they will be garbage in no time at all.

[v6toy4x]

I used an old 10" crafstman chop saw with a carbarundium blade and it worked fine just have to watch out for the "shavings" they get inside the turntable and rust up so it becomes hard to swing on the angle you need to tip it over and blow it out often

[maddog]

Your right about anything plastic. It will become a funky mess in no time. As far as the turn table I've tried several different lubricants hoping it would help in the grit not sticking to and inside the turntable. Didn't help only seemend to make things a little more messy. An air compressor and air nozzel is pretty much the best way to clean the tracks out. But why ruin a good wood miter saw (if it is)? They cost more than a good metal chop saw. Think you can get a 14" chop saw at H.F for around $100.

[FrontCC]

can a chop saw do miter and beveled cuts? thats the only reason i could see using a wood cuting miter saw for metal (with the right blade of course)

any other way of getting crisp clean angled cuts without using a miter saw?

[Brad]

can a chop saw do miter and beveled cuts? thats the only reason i could see using a wood cuting miter saw for metal (with the right blade of course)

any other way of getting crisp clean angled cuts without using a miter saw?

horizontal bandsaw ;)

[FrontCC]

ya but for the average garage fab guy....

[maddog]

can a chop saw do miter and beveled cuts? thats the only reason i could see using a wood cuting miter saw for metal (with the right blade of course)

any other way of getting crisp clean angled cuts without using a miter saw?

Be careful with all cuts. Miter cuts yes, bevel be extremely careful. You'll have more uplift drag on the blade as it heats up. But then again if you have a miter saw that does bevels why ruin a good saw. Even only a few cuts with metal starts the deterioration. But I guess some have to do what they have to do at the time they need to do it.

[FrontCC]

well im not for ruining my $275 saw - but what options do i have for making those kinds of cuts? you know what i mean...i dont have access to a shop so how can i make these cuts, cleanly, without messing up the saw?

[speial-m]

thats really the only reason i am conveting my chop saw to metal, nice clean cuts up to 45 degree angel

[PTSchram]

I got my miter saw at Ace hardware a coupla years ago for $100. It might be a good alternative for someone who didn't wanna ruin a good miter saw.

In the early 90s, I used a Makita miter saw to cut aluminium tubing. The first time through, it was frightening but I got used to it. IIRC, we used a fine tooth carbide wood blade to cut the tubing. It might work on steel tubing as well.

But, I have little more than $100 in my bandsaw(s). When they wear out, I go buy another one.

[csudman]

I've been using a cheapo 14" miter for about a year and a half, sometimes I have to hit it to make it work, but it still does. I just put a abrasive blade in it and had at it.

[D60]

I'd be careful doing beveled cuts with an abrasive blade, I mean they deflect even when cutting straight down

[Black Sabbath]

In the early 90s, I used a Makita miter saw to cut aluminium tubing. The first time through, it was frightening but I got used to it. IIRC, we used a fine tooth carbide wood blade to cut the tubing. It might work on steel tubing as well.


I have used a wood chop saw with a carbide tipped blade to cut brass and aluminum on a few occasions with great results. I don’t know how well it would work on steel but looking at the rpm difference between a multicutter and a miter saw I would have to guess you would burn up the blade in short order. If you want scary, I remember watching my old boss rip 1/2" aluminum on the table saw :eek: I defiantly stood clear of that operation.

[ZJim]

I'd be careful doing beveled cuts with an abrasive blade, I mean they deflect even when cutting straight down


That would be my concern as well.

[speial-m]

i just wanted to cut some square tubing for driveshaft and for some f/r bumpers, wanted to get some really good 45 degree angels and good straight cuts

[Brad]

i just wanted to cut some square tubing for driveshaft and for some f/r bumpers, wanted to get some really good 45 degree angels and good straight cuts

harbor freight chopsaw will do that, just keep you're receipt. I got one a few years ago for 50 bux and exchanged it 5-6 times during the year warranty. otherwise check craigslist, I see chop saws for sale on there sometimes.

[Wild Turkey]

A friend of mine uses 10" craftsman chop saw with a morse metal devil blade and swears by it.