I'm in the market for a chop/cut off saw. I don't know what constitutes a good one or a bad one. I was at Home Depot today and saw a nice looking Ryobi 10" for $99. I don't need any thing real serious...it's would just be for personal use (hackin' up tubing and what not). Can I get a few reccomendations? Thanks in advance.

:usa: My wife purchased a Millwaukee for me .It works great.It cost more but you get what you pay for.

Look for the 15 amp motor, the rest is made in china anyway...

I just picked up a Makita 2414NB 14 in blade, 15 amp. (slightly used, $150, new $220). I love it. Cuts through 1/4 inch angle like butter. More than you want to spend, but you definatly get what you pay for. If you are talking very occasional/light duty work, I've had decent success w/ a older high-quality circular saw and metal blade. Search the pawn shops for a 20 dollar saw, add a 5 dollar blade, viola, your set for under 30 bucks.

I bought the Ryobi 14" chop saw about 3 years ago. It has always worked great for me. I liked the cast base.

I bought a Ryobi and returned it within 6 hours cause the thing wouldn't cut through butter. Replaced it with a Ridgid that was about 40 bucks more and no complaints. You definately get what you pay for when it comes to chop saws.

http://home.off-road.com/~cj5/press/press4.jpg

I just bought a millwaukee 14" and it works ok but a larger motor would be better. It will do for now and maybe I will buy a bandsaw later on.

Make sure when you are looking, that you distinguish between the radial arm saws that are primarily made for wood, and the metal cut off saws. You can pick up the radial arm saws for around $100, but the cut-off saws are going to start at $160 or more. I did a lot of research before I bought mine.
I decided to go with the Rigid from Home Depot since it has a lifetime warranty on most parts in it. The only thing that I don't like is that it doesn't have the cast base. I have a frend that has a Ryobi with the cast base and he loves it. Another brand that has one is Dewalt. The nice thing about the Dewalt cut-off saw is that it has the D-shaped handle with the coil spring instead of the pretensioned horizontal spring. Although, I heard from a lot of people that they were having problem with Dewalt's base bending since it has no side supports.
The D-shaped handle is nice if you have the saw up on a shop bench, because it is easier to pull down on. Most of the rest have the normal handle that sticks straight out. This is nice if your saw is on the floor and you want to push down on it.
The Dewalt also has the quick angle adjuster on it, which is really nice. All the rest you have to use the wrench that comes with it to adjust the angle of the steel holder on the base. Kind of a pain, but you get used to it.
Things I think that you should look for are 15 amp motor or better, good solid base, preferably cast, but there are good stamped bases, quick adjustment on the screw that holds the clamp, and a decent warranty.
Sorry that this was so long, but like I said, I did quite a bit of research before I bought one. HTH Thomas:vader2:

I bought a Dewalt. I've used it to cut up to 2x4x3/16" tube with good success. It had a LOT of power. It says it is a 15amp motor, but it was tripping a 20amp breaker regulary. You will end up wanting a lot more power than you think.

Yes this is my first post. Does anyone know where I can get some purple bulbs for my headlights? :jester: :nuke:

I bought the Ryobi cus it was cheap and they were out of the RIGID one. (wouldve got it )

Not totally crappy but pretty close.

I'm getting a dewalt with a carbide blade when I get sick of this one. I like little teeth flying off and hitting my face.

FWIW I have used a skil saw with abrasive blades for a lot of stuff..will kill the saw but it works.

MJ

Dewalt Multi cutter.

Reconditioned $199 at Harbor Freight or Northertools.com.

Motor is very powerful.

70t Carbide tip blade cuts cleaner and cooler than abrasive.

Replacement blades are very expensive, but the cost per cut is supposed to be cheaper in the long run.

I've always used hitachi...only one complaint--the blade isn't big enough to get through a 2x10. instead you have to flip it over.

Number 1 priority I'd say make sure you get one with a big blade

I can relate to the SKILSAW method. I used one to cut through a 3x6x.240 rectangle iron for my bumpers. With the right blade, it'll cut anything. The ONLY thing I don't like about it is the guesswork into the angles I want.
I'm currently looking for a DeWALT chopsaw, but the only one I saw in a pawn shop got snagged as soon as it was placed onto the shelf. I was going to go on the economical side, but decided to save a little more moola and get it right the first time.:D

Here is a pic. Not that great, but only one I have.

http://home.houston.rr.com/shrake/images/Saw_and_Slider_small.jpg

Originally posted by ouibus
Make sure when you are looking, that you distinguish between the radial arm saws that are primarily made for wood, and the metal cut off saws. :

OHH come awn are there really people that stupid?

Who would mix this up with a Chop saw!

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00002234Y.01.LZZZZZZZ.gif

My guess is he is talking about a miter saw.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/42600-42699/42654.gif
Still pretty stupid but, it does look sorta similar...

I think if youre gona spend 150 plus for a chop saw.Why not spend a little more and by a four inch band saw way nicer to use and cuts better

Yeah, when I had the same decision to make, I got the band saw. Cuts slower but I got the auto-cutoff horizonal/verticle combo. Pretty sweet. Just set the piece, turn it on, drop the boom, have a cold one while fooling with other stuff, drops the piece and cuts off when done. No fuss, no sweat...

Hadn't realy thought about a band saw but now that you mention it...could be more versatile. Thanks for the ideas.

I have a Milwaukee porta band and a DeWalt multi cutter.
http://www.northwestpowertools.com/bandsaws/62326.jpg
The only time I use the porta band is if I can't get the part into the Multti cutter. There not that great for fab work and the blades ware out quickly. The blades are kind of expensive @ $7.00-9.00 ea!