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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

How to use Chop Saw(metal)

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SDE

07-27-2006 16:59:43




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Bought 14" chop saw. Used light down pressure on 1" X 3" flat stock. It took over forty minutes to make one cut. When the wheel had made a cut that was deep enough to almost reach accross the stock,(2.75")it stopped cutting, unless I pushed down harder. It would then pop the 15 amp breaker. Wrong tool for JOB? Wrong type blade? How do you cut with it? Steady pressure? Intermittent cut? Hack saw blades are cheaper and quicker than this. Did I load the blade with steel? How would I free it up again? Helpful suggestions requested please. SDE

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Jon in MN

07-31-2006 06:05:01




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to SDE, 07-27-2006 16:59:43  
Cheap blades glaze easy. Start with another blade, stand piece on edge and it will cut easily.
You shouldn't change the breaker to 20 amp unless the wire can handle it. If it is a 15 amp breaker you probably only have 14 gauge wire.



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Roy Suomi

07-29-2006 21:25:58




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to SDE, 07-27-2006 16:59:43  
Glazed the blade....I use a grinding wheel dresser. This is a handle with a series of wheels on the end. With the wheel turning touch the wheel dresser to it..It'll start cutting again till next time..I don't like the idea of tapping the wheel , might fracture and come apart on you..



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SDE

07-29-2006 06:12:47




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to SDE, 07-27-2006 16:59:43  
Thank you everyone. We have our county fair this weekend and I haven't much time to try your many helpful suggestions. I will change to a twenty amp breaker and Switch blades and when possible cut the smaller demension as stated. SDE



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Butch(OH)

07-28-2006 05:29:49




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to SDE, 07-27-2006 16:59:43  
It sounds like he was cutting a 1"X3" bar which is a far piece from cutting rectangular tubing. If the saw is one of the commonly sold consumer chops then its a miricle he ever got through it at all laying flat. I gave away a higher end Milwalkee that wouldn't do that cut in less than half a day.

To answer your questions. In my opinion they are not only the wrong tool for the job you were trying to do but the wrong tool most of the time for any job. Main problems are they need about twice the power to cut with any kind of speed and if used very often everything in your shop will be coated with abrasive black dust. Some of the suggestions will help like standing the work on edge. The thinner blades will also help it out. I think (remember I gave mine away) STD blades are 1/8" but 3/32 will help cutting speed. You need a heavy breaker and keep it close to the outlet, long cords are a no-no.

Used outside for chopping up small stuff like 1/2" or less rounds and shapes that are less than 1/4" thick ( tubing, angle iron etc) they are fine, otherwise sooner or later your going to be band saw shopping.

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Bud in NC

07-28-2006 03:41:34




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to SDE, 07-27-2006 16:59:43  
Different "blades" cut differently - some better than others. I normally use DeWalt and they do a good job....except when I hit a "hard spot" in the steel. I don't know if the stuff work hardens or if maybe it's ball bearing that didn't totally melt but it's not unusual to find hard spots in recycled steel. That's when I back up and grab the cutting torch.



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paul

07-27-2006 20:09:30




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to SDE, 07-27-2006 16:59:43  
I kinda wire shop areas with 20 amp recepticles, 12ga wire, & 20 amp breakers. Might want to consider that too.

--->Paul



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tmay

07-27-2006 19:31:07




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to SDE, 07-27-2006 16:59:43  
Had an old metal worker help me once and when the blade would stop cutting like that he would take a piece of stock and while the blade was running tap the blade 2or3 times. Like everyone has said put the metal on it's edge will cut much faster. Good luck



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old

07-27-2006 18:38:21




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to SDE, 07-27-2006 16:59:43  
More peassure, cut so it has the lase amount to cut at a time, never jam, or jirk the blade in to some thing and NEVER stand right in line with the blade. I use one all the time in my shop and I cut something like that just the other day in less then 5 minutes. It was 4" and 1/4 thick I have also been cutting a lot of 2X6 steel tube and it goes fast also. Good steady hard down preassure say like what you can push down at arms lenght.

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Slowpoke

07-28-2006 01:00:19




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to old, 07-27-2006 18:38:21  
A metal cutting band saw will cut a 1/4x4" in about 30 seconds on edge, and leave a nice finished cut. Flat, maybe 1 minute. No sparks, either.



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geoids

07-27-2006 18:15:21




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to SDE, 07-27-2006 16:59:43  
Are you using the blade it came with? Check the blade - I've had at least 3 that came with a stone cutter instead of a metal cutter. 1" x 3" shouldn't be a major problem with care



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Ryan - WI

07-27-2006 18:02:29




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to SDE, 07-27-2006 16:59:43  
Light pressure is your problem. What you are actually doing is heating the material and then it is workhardening. That makes it even harder to cut. I know it seems counterintuitive but sparks should be flying prety much all over when you use one of these to cut. You need to cut fast enough that you do not give the material a chance to work harden.



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Oliver Power

07-28-2006 03:51:10




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to Ryan - WI, 07-27-2006 18:02:29  
Yes Ryan-WI , you are correct. Cutting heavy steal , slowly will harden the steal. Happens all the time. Need to put all the preasure possible , but not for long steady periods of time. In other words , do not let the steal get too hot , then harden.



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`Bernie in MA

07-27-2006 17:35:37




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to SDE, 07-27-2006 16:59:43  
Do this at your own risk and wear your safety glasses. The glaze is your problem. You need to expose fresh grit. When the blade is spinning give the edge a sharp rap with a piece of steel. That will make a small notch and get it cutting again.



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Mark - IN.

07-27-2006 17:27:19




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to SDE, 07-27-2006 16:59:43  
Used to run one for a couple of years in a machine shop. Used a constant light flow/spray of oil to keep the blade from heating, dulling, and clogging the teeth. Was industrial though, and those poor saws got it a good 8 per day, and went through a ton of blades just the same.

Mark



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Murray E

07-27-2006 17:16:55




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to SDE, 07-27-2006 16:59:43  
SDE, Place the metal on it's edge, it will just drop down through the metal, instantly. I have had one of these chop saws for quite a few years, every time the metal is laid flat it takes a long time to cut through the metal, laid on the edge works quickly and easily. cheers, Murray



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Maark

07-27-2006 17:10:53




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to SDE, 07-27-2006 16:59:43  
Take your blade off and turn it around. Seems that the blade will glaze over.



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Eddie M

07-27-2006 17:19:37




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to Maark, 07-27-2006 17:10:53  
I use them constantly. Get a different type of blade. Some aren't worth having. I've had some that go right through metal and others that sit there and burn their way through. Give it a steady down pressure. You can judge by the sound if you are giving it too much pressure.



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mooger

07-27-2006 18:26:15




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 Re: How to use Chop Saw(metal) in reply to Eddie M, 07-27-2006 17:19:37  
Like Murray E says, the blade has to contact the narrowest side of the piece. With the piece laid flat and the blade buried in a trough, it won't get hot enough to burn through. Use enough down pressure to keep the sparks flying.



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