Wood chop saw for metal??

[1996cc]

I already have a wood chop saw. Is there any reason I can't buy a metal cutting blade/disc and use it for metal? I don't know anything about the differences; speed, etc???

[Gouky]

a wood saw will spin way too fast for a cold cut blade. it'll most likely work with an abrasive blade though.

but, look at all the plastic peices on your saw. each and every one of them will be melted and or on fire at some point from the hot sparks.

now look at all the nice ajustement mechanisims... they will be gummed up with crap so badly that the saw will not adjust anymore.

so, the awnser is "sorta" if you never want to use it as a wood saw ever again.

[roverjohn]

Go find a used portaband or get a real hot saw. You'll be a lot happier.

[jays68yak]

Ive done and I wont do it again. I used a wood saw for about a year. Oh man it sure is scary when that 10 inch blade lets go. Im WAY happier with my 14" metal chop saw. IMO get a metal chop saw before you hurt yourself or someone else from the blade blowing up.

[Aces'n'8s]

It may get a few jobs done, but it is an unneccesary risk. If you're hard up for cash, HF or the classifieds should provide you with a cheap chop saw.

[GiS]

Is this the same concensus on a vertical bandsaw? I used to do alot of woodworking have now fell in love with metal fab, slowly converting all my tools. Is it just a matter of a new blade for a vert bandsaw?

[Gouky]

Is this the same concensus on a vertical bandsaw? I used to do alot of woodworking have now fell in love with metal fab, slowly converting all my tools. Is it just a matter of a new blade for a vert bandsaw?

well, i could not afford a metal vertical bandsaw so here is what i did:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=244394&d=1147293207
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=244396&d=1147293207
you need to slow the blade down considerably.

i need to make a new guide mechanism soon, but it's working really well for me so far.

yeah, it's a little getho... but it works really well especialy considering the saw was free and i threw about 100$ worth of parts at it. hell, the speed selector on it is even "quick-change" no tools required at all, just press the middle pulley in, move the belt and release the middle pulley. the spring keeps everything tensioned.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=244395&d=1147293207

[roverjohn]

A friend of mine converted a wood band saw also but instead of all the pullies he swapped in a DC motor. Works like a champ as a big reostat(variac) now controls the speed.
John..

[fivetenben]

but, look at all the plastic peices on your saw. each and every one of them will be melted and or on fire at some point from the hot sparks.

now look at all the nice ajustement mechanisims... they will be gummed up with crap so badly that the saw will not adjust anymore.


Makita wants more $$ for the plastic parts on their chopsaws than a cheapie metalcutting chopsaw, ask me how I know...

[1996cc]

Okay, probably not worth it. I'll just make due with the sawzall and grinder with cut-off wheel for now. Thanks for the advice, I don't need to be the next Darwin nominee. Just FYI, this is an older saw so almost all of it is metal. I think the only plastic is the clear guard (the one that moves) and the handle.

Maybe I just suck, but it was really hard for me to cut a straight line with a port-a-band. I made about 6 - 3" cuts in some 1/2" angle, and I don't think one of them was completely straight.

[Gouky]

Okay, probably not worth it. I'll just make due with the sawzall and grinder with cut-off wheel for now. Thanks for the advice, I don't need to be the next Darwin nominee. Just FYI, this is an older saw so almost all of it is metal. I think the only plastic is the clear guard (the one that moves) and the handle.

Maybe I just suck, but it was really hard for me to cut a straight line with a port-a-band. I made about 6 - 3" cuts in some 1/2" angle, and I don't think one of them was completely straight.

if there's no plastic on the saw *(that you can't remove) the only other safety concern is the RPM. just make sure that your saw RPM isn't higher than the rated RPM on the abrasive blade and you'll be safe

no guarantee that the bearings will last very long though.

[JonsYJjeep]

I used my Miter saw before as a chop saw. Worked ok, gets the job done. But I do have to agree with everyone else, Get a real chop saw. I forgot to take the dust collector of my Miter saw and well, it caught on fire. :D So I took that off, but it did melt the back where the sparks hit. :smokin:

[noflyzone]

One of the $99 chop saws will probably work for you if you take it easy. That is my plan once I'm done with the move.