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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Chop saw versus Miter Saw

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John A (TX)

12-08-2003 20:52:08




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Here's the question: Can a miter saw - with the correct metal-cutting blade - do double duty as a chop saw?

Sure seems like it ought to be able to, but there's probably something here I'm not considering. RPM on the miter saw seems up around 5K .. I have no idea how fast a chop saw spins. And maybe bearing loads are different .. no idea.

In both cases, I'm not talking about doing professional kinds of workloads .. just the around the home & shop projects we all like.

Opinions will be appreciated! TIA ..

John A (TX)

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Farmered

12-10-2003 03:31:45




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 Re: Chop saw versus Miter Saw in reply to John A (TX), 12-08-2003 20:52:08  
Your fine woodworking projects will all be black after you use your mitre saw for cutting metal.
Get a chop saw or , if you are interested in precision, get a metal cutting band saw. Chop saws are good for cutting steel braid hydraulic hose and spring steel in my shop. I use the band saw most of the time. Ed



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Thanks Everybody ..

12-09-2003 09:29:42




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 Re: Chop saw versus Miter Saw in reply to John A (TX), 12-08-2003 20:52:08  
As usual, lots of good advice. A lot of it is good common sense, too (which tells ya how bad off I am today!) A tool made for wood cutting isn't likely to hold up too well cutting steel. Duh!

I think, for now, the cheapie HF or Northern chop saws are prolly the way to go for me. (Though I'm gonna check the pawnshops for that $70 deWalt! Found a brand new DuoFast nailer in a hock shop a few years ago .. 'nuther story.)

Thanks again, y'all.
John A (TX)

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Van

12-10-2003 04:44:55




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 Re: Re: Chop saw versus Miter Saw in reply to Thanks Everybody .., 12-09-2003 09:29:42  
John,
You can get a Milwaukee 14" for under $175. The cheapies just dont hold up even for light use and the warranty is non-existant. Another subject, did you get the super M you were looking at?



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ShepFL with link

12-09-2003 07:06:18




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 Re: Chop saw versus Miter Saw in reply to John A (TX), 12-08-2003 20:52:08  
I was thinking of this myself. Here is a link to that thread. Best thing is to get yourself a chop saw. For now I am sticking with the smoke wrench until precision work is needed.
Happy Holidays!



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KX

12-09-2003 06:52:16




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 Re: Chop saw versus Miter Saw in reply to John A (TX), 12-08-2003 20:52:08  
I don't own nor have I ever used a mitre saw but have used up many chop saws. I would think the bearings, motor etc are far lighter in the saw designed to cut wood. I bet a mitre saw cutting metal in my hands wouldn't last 2 minutes. From the guys below that have used both, the posts below are good advice, buying a chop saw might be your more economical decision in the long run. Kinda like the guy that was wanting to dig trenches with his chain saw, anything can be destroyed by using it for more than it was intended or engineered.

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wolfe in tx

12-09-2003 06:33:42




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 Re: Chop saw versus Miter Saw in reply to John A (TX), 12-08-2003 20:52:08  
Get the chop saw your miter will do it but you won't have it long. I got mine at a pawn shop Dewalt for 70$. It was like new. Been 5 years work great. wolfe



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Greywolf

12-09-2003 05:38:32




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 Re: Chop saw versus Miter Saw in reply to John A (TX), 12-08-2003 20:52:08  
A few years back I bought a B & D miter saw that had a 8" metal blade in it. Place used it for cutting hyd hoses. for $40 I figured it was cheap enough to try.

It worked, but that's where I'll stop....LOL. Was difficult to keep a straight cut on larger stock. Depth of cut was too far enough out front to cut completely through. Had to build up behind to complete a one pass cut. the 8" blades don't seen to hold up very well.

After reading the last thread a few days ago on this subject I ordered the "cheapy" from Harbor Freight for $59 and a 5 pack of blades for $20. I figure that since the miter saw is still cutting after my 4 years and who knows how long at the place i bought it from, the cheapy would give me better service for what I use it for for a long time.

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BB

12-09-2003 04:37:01




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 Re: Chop saw versus Miter Saw in reply to John A (TX), 12-08-2003 20:52:08  
I would buy a cheap chop saw. No more than you indicate you intend to use it, you can get one for $100 or less. Mine builds up an "icicle" created from molten metal on the back of the blade guard after cutting for awhile. That blade guard is metal. I would not want that on my mitre saw. That blade guard is plastic.



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Van

12-08-2003 22:19:54




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 Re: Chop saw versus Miter Saw in reply to John A (TX), 12-08-2003 20:52:08  
John,
Spend the money and get the chop saw, the miter saw aint heavy enough to cut metal.
Van



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Andy

12-08-2003 21:26:29




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 Re: Chop saw versus Miter Saw in reply to John A (TX), 12-08-2003 20:52:08  
Use a chopsaw. Cutting steel will make a mess of your miterbox, particals and abrasive powder seem to imbed themselves in aluminum. Chopsaws spin faster, contain the sparks better, and have a vice.



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jailkeeper

12-08-2003 21:21:23




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 Re: Chop saw versus Miter Saw in reply to John A (TX), 12-08-2003 20:52:08  
I think you'll find a chop saw spins much faster than a miter saw. Sure, you could probably rig something up to cut steel with a miter saw, but you'll only get to use it a few times.



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