What Brand Chop Saw?

[silveradoreb]

I am asking for a chop saw for christmas. Any brand preference or ones to stay away from? I have been looking at Dewalt, Makita and Milwalkee. Mostly ones under 300 bucks. Thanks alot.

[76scoutman]

I love my DeWalt chop saw. It has given me many years of hard service.

[spaggyroe]

I have a makita and couldn't be happier.

[TeenyCAR]

Ask for a gift certificate for the 300 and use some of your own money to get a dry cut saw, definitely worth it.

[dimichele]

I have a dewalt, it is loud, messy,and trips the breaker a lot, but I think that goes for any chop saw. My cousin who owns his own shop, been a mechanic over 20 yrs, tons of bling tools, owns a hf cheapie. A chop saw is a chop saw, if your going to spend money go with a dry cut or band saw.

[crazrunner]

x2 on dry cut, I have a milwaukee and I love it makes super clean cuts

[jmhinescj]

Iv'e been using a milwaukee for a few years and love it. My company (comercial construction) buys the makitas...theyr'e tough and I think a little lighter than some of the others. Iv'e heard of a few poeple that have had trouble with the cheaper of the 2 dewalts

[SPEEDCRAVIN]

[QUOTE=dimichele;7520057] A chop saw is a chop sawQUOTE]

I strongly disagree with above stated... I have had a Dewalt years back and it was a good saw until it got stolen and then I got a makita, 2 of them on special... I friend of mine has had multiple HF cheapies and he just continues buying them:shaking:. I was at his shop using it once and he said stop-stop dont bare down on it or you will trip the breaker and I did, 3 times before my cut was done. Later that day he was using the same saw and let the smoke out. He said he had only had it 2.5 months:eek:

I never trip my breakers using the saws and I always bare down to get the cut done... I will say I have used them less since I got my bandsaw...

I think I would go Makita chopsaw before I would buy a band saw but just because its smaller and more portable. I have taken one to a buddies house many times where I could not have done that with my gonzobig bandsaw...

JOSH

[D60]

Since all the brand names run about $200, I simply can't understand why anyone would get anything but the new style Milwaukee. AFAIK it's the only completely tool-less abrasive saw on the market. It's the same body/design as their dry cut, but with an abrasive blade, and it generally retaills for $200 to $210. Even the blade change is tool-less, a feature even my dry cut doesn't have.

The tool-less fence adjustment is fawking sweet, no more re-positioning fence bolts in different holes or having to find a wrench to change the angle of your cut.

The release/lock mechanism for the rapid slide on the clamp uses a small lever, far easier to operate than the old style when wearing gloves. Also if you wanna store the saw folded shut there's a nice mechanical lock back at the pivot, rather than the chain of old.

Here's $199 and free shipping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/MILWAUKEE-6180-20-14-CHOP-SAW-ABRASIVE-CUT-OFF-MACHINE_W0QQitemZ330189594886QQihZ014QQcategoryZ79 706QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[nate379]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330191216923&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr12_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=330189594886&itemcount=12&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

My buddy runs one of those on the chop saw at the shop. Works great.


Every shop saw I have used with an abrasive blade can't cut a straight line. I don't know if it's just me? My chop saw just collects dust and I use my 4.5" grinder.

[TeenyCAR]

That's what's great about the dry cut saw. With the steel blade it doesn't have the deflection that the abrasive saw does. I bought mine off Ebay for 350 with free shipping. I'm done with abrasive saws. I have a verticle bandsaw for plate work but if you're just cutting tube the dry cut is much nicer in my opinion than even a horizontal bandsaw. A friend has a horizontal bandsaw and even that silly thing can't cut a perfectly straight line. It's also slow. It reminds me of the commercial "set it and forget it". hahahaha

[Twisted Minis]

I just got my Milwaukee chop saw. I bought the one posted above, with the cast base and tool-less adjustments. Its very nice.

I ran out of blades this last week, and got some from Home Depot, because no one else is open at 6PM. As soon as I put in their cheapo blades, I could hardly cut anything over 1/8". I glazed the first blade within seconds, without pressure on the handle, trying to cut 2x2.

Basically what I am saying, is if you buy a chop saw, stick with the quality blades. I learned my lesson. I will go back to a Milwaukee, or DeWalt blade today. I am still curious to try one of those Bullet carbide blades designed for a standard chop saw.

[broncofreak2000]

Since all the brand names run about $200, I simply can't understand why anyone would get anything but the new style Milwaukee. AFAIK it's the only completely tool-less abrasive saw on the market. It's the same body/design as their dry cut, but with an abrasive blade, and it generally retaills for $200 to $210. Even the blade change is tool-less, a feature even my dry cut doesn't have.

The tool-less fence adjustment is fawking sweet, no more re-positioning fence bolts in different holes or having to find a wrench to change the angle of your cut.

The release/lock mechanism for the rapid slide on the clamp uses a small lever, far easier to operate than the old style when wearing gloves. Also if you wanna store the saw folded shut there's a nice mechanical lock back at the pivot, rather than the chain of old.

Here's $199 and free shipping:
http://cgi.ebay.com/MILWAUKEE-6180-20-14-CHOP-SAW-ABRASIVE-CUT-OFF-MACHINE_W0QQitemZ330189594886QQihZ014QQcategoryZ79 706QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


x2 I have had a Dewalt that I sold, a black and decker professional that I burnt up, now I am very happy with my Milwaukee.

[hy_desert_4wheeler]

I have a RIGID that I have used to cut everithing from cold roll up to 2X2solid steel.. never had any trouble with it in the three years I have had it..

[CJ]

I have a RIGID that I have used to cut everithing from cold roll up to 2X2solid steel.. never had any trouble with it in the three years I have had it..

X2 for the rigid, I have one and could not do with out it. We also have atleast 6 that our pipe fitters abuse and they still work grat after several years.

[66cummins]

Porter cable dry cut brand new on ebay. $255 shipped to the door

[Todd W]

I HATE chop saws... save up for a dry cut or get a nice bandsaw (http://www.tricktools.com/stationary_bandsaw.htm).

I've personally used that Kama Bandsaw to cut thin slivers off tube, and plate steel half as thick of a quarter. (I was doing that for fun to see how thin I could go.) Oh, and it's anything but slow, put in tube, set your angle, and pull, bam you are done. Maybe a few seconds longer to setup than a chop-saw style that you never change the angle on.


For a home garage that sees occasional tube cutting, and other misc cutting I use my portabands. Ever since I got them I have not used the chop saw once.

(I have a Milwaukee chop saw)

Be sure to check your local craigslist.

[D60]

Porter cable dry cut brand new on ebay. $255 shipped to the door

Any more info? Best I can find on Ebay right now is $299 plus $27 shipping.... puts it well within striking distance of the Milwaukee dry cut for $355 shipped........and the extra dough is worth the tool-less. But $255 would be nearly abrasive saw price for a dry cut.

[66cummins]

Any more info? Best I can find on Ebay right now is $299 plus $27 shipping.... puts it well within striking distance of the Milwaukee dry cut for $355 shipped........and the extra dough is worth the tool-less. But $255 would be nearly abrasive saw price for a dry cut.

I bought it from so cal tools on ebay about 2 months~ ago. $200 plus tax and shipping. You are right though, only two or three on there right now. They would have 30 or 40 at a time on there. I love the thing. 45* angles are actually 45's and you can shave half a blade width if needed. I'll never use my abrasive chop saw again.

[nate379]

How long to the blades last?

I was looking to see if I guy could just but a dry cut blade on the normal chop saw, but the rpms are way off 1300 for trhe dry cut... ~4000 for a abrasive

[braxton357]

Had/have a dewalt for a few years now and it's a piece of shit. Recently bought this ridgid http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100042983
saw and really like it. It's noticeably heavier, but it's got a cast base, easy to adjust fence, and the handle is turned the right way. Well worth the money, and sometimes HD has reconditioned ones for sale for 120.

[crazrunner]

here is were i go my Milwaukee from and they have gone downin price I paid 400. In my opinion stay away from dewalt and go with milwaukee or makita.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MILWAUKEE-6190-20-14-DRY-CUT-MACHINE-CHOP-SAW-NEW_W0QQitemZ330189908546QQihZ014QQcategoryZ79706Q QtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

[redranger4.0]

$329 and free shipping gets you a jet portable bandsaw. (not portaband)

http://www.amazon.com/414458-HVBS-56M-6-Inch-Horizontal-Vertical/dp/B00004T9KU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_8?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1195942147&sr=8-8

[jptbay]

Ridgid.

Well built, cast base, tool-less fence.

LIFETIME WARRANTY.

[silveradoreb]

Wow, didnt expect to see so many replies. Thanks alot. My friends work at a shop that uses a dry saw, and I used it to cut like 1/4" thick flat bar and each piece went flying and I lost one. Other wise I like them, no dust, sparks, smell etc. So it looks like I might ask for one of these and if not I am leaning toward the Milwaukee posted above. And I like the fact dewalt is redially available (Lowes etc) but I have burt up 2 dewalt XRP drills about a month ago drilling 3/16 with a hole saw, so not sure on there quality anymore. Drills were each only a few days old to.

Edit: my buddy told be the blades for the dry saws are a litte over a 100 bucks which sucks, but how long do they last.

[dirtoyboy]

had good luck with the harbor freight one..if u can believe that...maybe its just luck of the draw

[the burbanator]

ive had goot lcuk with my harbor freight one as well. paid 50 bucks for it about 2 years ago and use it for alot of stuff. built a few roof racks, some trailor hitch load hauler deals, a flat bed and some utlity stuff with no probs. never tripped a breaker. sometimes the cut off wheels seem to just stop cutting (cheapie hf ones) though.

[bggrnchvy]

As ridiculous as it is I too have had good luck with my el cheapo HF chop saw. It was $50 on sale a couple years ago and I've built a lot of stuff with it. It's loud, smells, creates alot of heat, makes a mess and isn't the quickest but it works.

I'd pick up a bandsaw in a second if I had the room for it though, quiet, controlled mess, much less heat input, best of all you can walk away and let it cut while you do other things. I use one at work in our little machine shop and it's the bestest:D

Basically my advice is if you are sticking with an abrasive saw just get the cheapy, deal with it's flukes or spend the money and go to a different type of tool all together.

[silveradoreb]

As ridiculous as it is I too have had good luck with my el cheapo HF chop saw. It was $50 on sale a couple years ago and I've built a lot of stuff with it. It's loud, smells, creates alot of heat, makes a mess and isn't the quickest but it works.

I'd pick up a bandsaw in a second if I had the room for it though, quiet, controlled mess, much less heat input, best of all you can walk away and let it cut while you do other things. I use one at work in our little machine shop and it's the bestest:D

Basically my advice is if you are sticking with an abrasive saw just get the cheapy, deal with it's flukes or spend the money and go to a different type of tool all together.

Thanks Kyle. You know of a good band saw, I might start looking online.

[IDASHO]

Id love to have a nice band saw, but as much as I'd actually need it, Ill stick to my Makita abrasive chop saw. Plus, it takes up much less space.

Only down side is that is EATS discs :flipoff2:

[D60]

Ridgid.

Well built, cast base, tool-less fence.

LIFETIME WARRANTY.

I was very curious about this so I checked it out today at my local HD.

The cast base is sweet, very thick.

The tool-less fence is only so for angle change. To move the fence fore/aft you still gotta have a wrench.

I'm not sure how Ridgid's warranty works? Do you have to send it back to them? If so the shipping could be spendy, not to mention the PITA of packaging it. If they have a nationwide network of repair centers like Milwaukee that would be sweet tho.

It was $180 at my local HD. From what I saw I'd pony up the extra $20 and get the Milwaukee.

[Twisted Minis]

I was very curious about this so I checked it out today at my local HD.

The cast base is sweet, very thick.

The tool-less fence is only so for angle change. To move the fence fore/aft you still gotta have a wrench.

I'm not sure how Ridgid's warranty works? Do you have to send it back to them? If so the shipping could be spendy, not to mention the PITA of packaging it. If they have a nationwide network of repair centers like Milwaukee that would be sweet tho.

It was $180 at my local HD. From what I saw I'd pony up the extra $20 and get the Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee is 100% tool-less. The back fence is adjustable with a lever style bolt. And you can move it forward and back with a knob thats easy enough to turn by hand. Only thing that is a pain, is that to change the blade, you have to hold up the blade guard, and hold the spindle lock with one hand so that you can get to the nut that holds it in places. But easy to get used to.

[D60]

The Milwaukee is 100% tool-less. The back fence is adjustable with a lever style bolt.

See post #9 in this thread

And you can move it forward and back with a knob thats easy enough to turn by hand.

That "knob" is more of a button. It's spring loaded. You depress it and then slide the fence. You can let off as soon as the fence moves and it'll then pop up into the next detent. If your button doesn't depress give it a light hit w the palm of your hand or a small hammer; it should free up.

[RCman]

Another vote for the Milwaukee #6180-20 saw. Picked one up a few days ago on sale @ Amazon.com with 2 spare blades and free shipping for $199.99.

Saw preforms flawlessly. Cut through 2"x2" .250" wall like butter. :D Cuts the thinner stuff very nice as well. Even with my short use of it, I'd have to say I love it.

[nissancrawler]

Dad has has a black and decker professional for over 15 years. 5 years into it, there was a great deal on another one, so he bought it in case the other went out. (we lived on a farm 20 miles from town, so we had a lot of spare tools) We were always fighting for use of the chopsaw, so I opened up the new one and started using it for my own. 15 years later, his is running strong, and 10 years later, (he gave me the newer one when I bought my house) mine is going strong.

Somebody mentioned the cheap blades being crap for cutting. I know I sound like a broken record because I've said this 10x before on here, but DO NOT BUY HF blades!!

I had several of them and grinder wheels. I put one chopsaw blade in, hit the trigger, it came apart before the saw hardly started. Hmm, must be a fluke, right? I put another one on, spun it up, barely touched the metal and *CRACK* parts of the blade are buried in the sheetrock behind the saw.:eek:

I tried a grinder wheel, and I'll admit I was bearing down, but nothing more than I usually do, and it started chunking on me. I packed all that shit up, took it back, and got dewalt stuff at lowe's like normal.

P.S. The red dewalt chopsaw blades are worth the money over the regular ones, they cut about 15-20% faster, and with half the dust, plus they last longer.

[D60]

P.S. The red dewalt chopsaw blades are worth the money over the regular ones, they cut about 15-20% faster, and with half the dust, plus they last longer.

I hate DeWalt, and so it pains me to admit that you're right. I picked up one of the red blades recently and it's nice.

Haven't had any problems w HF 4.5" grinding wheels. Lately the HF 14" chop saw blades just seem to cut damn slow. I dunno if maybe they're just too old as I've had them in the shop for several years now. Maybe the adhesive or glue is breaking down 'cause it seems like they glaze over in no time.

[black86yota]

I too have had good luck with the HF chop saw at the shop at work. We use norton discs with no prob. I did notice it goes quite a bit slower than the old industrial black and decker chop saw at my old work. Still cuts fine, for the price ya can't really argue. I plan to either pick up a hf chop saw or find the space for a hf bandsaw.
-Justin

[Berwolf]

Is this the dewalt blade everyone is talking about:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/6HD25

[D60]

Is this the dewalt blade everyone is talking about:

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/6HD25

Looks like it. They retail for around $8 at Lowe's.