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chopsaw vrs power hack

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lakewoodpaul

11-16-2006 19:05:23

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Has anyone used a chop saw to cut steel and can you compare it to a floor stand hack saw.Which do you prefer and why. I am thinking of buying one or the other. thanks

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SHeiserman

11-19-2006 09:36:36

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to lakewoodpaul, 11-16-2006 19:05:23

Never used or even been around a power hack, can't help there. I'm surprised how many people prefer a porta band to a chop saw. Porta bands are good where a chop saw can't be used. Chop saws are so much less expensive and blades are easier to get than for a porta band. My deep cut Milwaukee basically collects dust, the chop saw does the work.

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Slowpoke

11-19-2006 01:57:56

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to lakewoodpaul, 11-16-2006 19:05:23

I have the Harbor Freight metal cutting band saw and a Milwaukee deep cut portable band saw. I use the Milwaukee when I can't get the piece on the HF saw or when I'm taking parts from the auto mall scrap bin. Everybody in the neighborhood throws their scrap in it. I run the saw off the truck battery. That way I only take the metal I want. Otherwise, the HF saw is used more than the drill press. With a few modifications, it can't be beat. I've also used a chop saw at work, but the noise is bad for the ears and the sparks are a fire hazard. As far as a power hacksaw is concerned, it only cuts on the forward stroke so it's rather slow. I don't think many are sold these days.

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Pooh Bear

11-17-2006 21:07:10

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to lakewoodpaul, 11-16-2006 19:05:23

Buy the chop saw and build your own power hacksaw.
Free plans at the link below.

Pooh Bear

Power HackSaw Plans

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Oliver Power

11-17-2006 14:04:24

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to lakewoodpaul, 11-16-2006 19:05:23

I own a chop saw , which is what I use for cutting steel etc. around home , as well as on the job. I also have many many many hours of of use on both hand held , and floor model band saws. I would take the band saws any day of the week , as far as cutting for fabrication. The chop saw does have its place , when it comes to chopping up scrap or junk metals , etc.. Look at the Milwalkie "deep cut" hand held band saws. Some day I will buy one for my own use. Floor models are also nice , but take up floor space.

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Oliver Power

11-17-2006 14:23:03

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to Oliver Power, 11-17-2006 14:04:24

Correction; When I mentioned hand held and floor model band saws , I ment hand held "Milwaulkie" band saw , and floor model power hack saw. I have used floor model band saws , but that's not the question in this post.

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chvet73

11-17-2006 07:18:29

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to lakewoodpaul, 11-16-2006 19:05:23

I have both. Since I got the bandsaw I have not used my chop saw once.

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Mike M

11-17-2006 06:51:42

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to lakewoodpaul, 11-16-2006 19:05:23

I have a harbor freight bandsaw and it has served well for many many years. I can cut wood,plastic,steel,and about anything that fits in there. You can even use it upright to cut out stuff like odd shapes in sheet metal. Only time I think I would use a chop saw is if I try to cut a hardened shaft,but then I can usually do it with a cut off blade in the angle grinder.

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Stumpalump

11-17-2006 06:32:27

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to lakewoodpaul, 11-16-2006 19:05:23

I bought a cheap metal cutting band saw from Homier 10 years ago. I think the are still way under 200 bucks at harbor freight. It has worked perfect. It had made me a decient fabricator. I would recomend one to anybody that owns a welder.
With that and a 4 1/2 inch hand grinder you will never miss the chop saw. If you buy the chop saw you will get buy fine and not need the band saw.
If you are chosing between the two go with the bandsaw. Save your lungs.

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RustyFarmall

11-17-2006 06:21:16

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to lakewoodpaul, 11-16-2006 19:05:23

You've recieved some pretty good answers, but no one mentioned the fact some types of steel are specifically formulated to become hardened when exposed to heat, and a chop saw does create heat. Once this type of steel becomes hard, you cannot cut it or drill it. If you are working with this type of steel, you definately want the band saw. Cold rooled or similar steel, which is the most common, works very quick and easy with the chop saw.

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Trucks1956

11-17-2006 06:18:08

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to lakewoodpaul, 11-16-2006 19:05:23

Hey dude, I got a Makita chop saw and I love it!, but I made a stand for it out of a 55 gal. barrel.I took 2 of them cut the top out of one and welded angle iron frame in it for the chop saw and welded the other one on top with a cut out for the chop saw.I have a slide system on the frame that holds the saw and when I cut stuff it throws all the sparks in the barrel!!! It works great.I got the idea from a welding book.If I can I'll get my wife to post some pictures(I'm computer challenged)

[email protected] GOD bless

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RickL

11-17-2006 05:53:17

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to lakewoodpaul, 11-16-2006 19:05:23

I have used both over the years in the shop,have went thru several chop saws and now have a Ellis dry cutting band saw. Simply love it. Blades I get usually over two years out of them and this thing is usually cutting steel or wood all the time. The chop saws will work,you bascially are grinding it into as far as cutting. Cut will be red and hot to touch,noisey sparks,smoke etc. But they will still due the job. I just got tired of going thru so many packages of blades and brushes in the chop saws. I used Makita, Jepsen, Milwaukee, and Dewalt befor going to the Ellis band saw,yes they are higher priced but you gain it back ,to me straighter cuts and angles and blade cost,plus don't have the smoke and noise. Just my two cents

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Stan in Oly, WA

11-17-2006 01:02:58

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to lakewoodpaul, 11-16-2006 19:05:23

Hi Paul,

The information you've gotten on this question is very accurate, but I think that this is not really an either/or question. You're talking about two tools that do different things. You wouldn't have trouble deciding whether to buy a 16oz carpentry hammer or a 12lb sledge-hammer because you wouldn't think either one could do the job of the other. The saws you're considering have quite a bit of overlap so it isn't as clear that neither of them is good at what the other is good at.

Why don't you decide what kind of metal cutting you'll probably be doing the most of and buy a good quality saw of the type that does that well, and a cheap saw of the other type.

Four or five years ago I bought a Harbor Freight 14" abrasive blade chop saw on sale for $50. I only use it occasionally, but when I use it I sometimes cut a lot of metal. It shows no sign of giving up (why should it, there's almost nothing to it?) and HF still sells them for $50 on sale. Now that's my idea of a good second choice tool.

All the best, Stan

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Crem

11-16-2006 21:17:47

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to lakewoodpaul, 11-16-2006 19:05:23

I have a smaller bandsaw which I have used a lot for many years. Since my son gave me a chop saw though I haven't used it very much. Maybe during the winter I will use it more because the of the smell and mess that the chop saw makes. The chopsaw is good to use on harder metal such as bed springs and other harder metal as the bandsaw blade is toast after hitting that stuff and the blades are getting quite expensive. Another thing the chopsaw will cut a piece such as a 4" pipe fairly square whereas the bandsaw has to be set up pretty good to hold the 4" straight all of the way down.

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135 Fan

11-16-2006 20:00:04

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to lakewoodpaul, 11-16-2006 19:05:23

Chop saws are made for cutting steel but are completely different from a power hacksaw. On thinner material or hollow material a chop saw works very fast. If you have a solid piece or very thick piece, ie/ 2 in. solid shaft, a chop saw would be slow and go through blades in a hurry. The biggest advantage to a chop saw is that it is portable. You can take it were you need it. There are some cheap chop saws out there that don't hold up when doing a lot of cuts. Power hacksaws don't really wear out except for the blades. There are metal blades that can be bought for chop saws that last longer but I've never used one. The angle vices on chop saws aren't accurate. That's one of my pet peeves. A mitre saw for wood is dead on and a chop saw for metal can be out by 5 degrees or more on a long piece. Hope this helps your decision. Dave

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dr.sportster

11-16-2006 19:38:15

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Re: chopsaw vrs power hack in reply to lakewoodpaul, 11-16-2006 19:05:23

Chopsaws are quick but make fibres fly around.I drag it outside.Chopsaws may consume more wheels than hacksaws use blades.Chopsaws create some heat in your workpiece.I would imagine the chopsaw is cheaper.I dont own a powerhack but used them at work.One plus for the power hack is you can do other things while it cuts.Noise factor chopsaw loses.If I was just cutting angle,smaller channel, I would also consider the Milwaukee porta-band.I have a chopsaw but was thinking of also getting a power hacksaw or horizontal bandsaw to make a bunch of engine stands for Harleys.Thats a tough call but indoor shop situation I would prefer a power hack.

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