Chop Saw Reccomendations

[dragoneggs]

Bottom line, guy building in garage got little need of more tools, but got real need to learn to use tools he got. (removed) & lot of other men built everything was needed wid torch, stick welder and grinder 70 years back, still can. You want toy, stand up and be man enough to say you collecting toys. I can buy any metal cut to my dimensions cheaper den I can buy & cut. Owning tools not make you craftsman, learning to use tools you got does.

I like collecting toys... and using them even more!

 

[mooch]

I have most cutting tools available, cold cut saw, horizontal bandsaw, vertical bandsaw, plasma cutter, Grinder. If I had to start with one all over it would be the horizontal bandsaw. I am not a fan of abrasive chopsaw and actually gave mine away. You can get the harbor freight or grizzly 4 x 6“ bandsaw for a decent price. There are many ways to modify it true and accurate. It may be a little slower however I still use mine quite a bit. I absolutely love my cold cut saw which is an MK Morse however you don’t necessarily need it.

 

[JohnnyMX]

I am trying hard to keep it minimal as I'm not a business and just a weekend hack. I build with computers all day and still have a desire to get my hands dirty when I can. I'm at the stick/grinder entry point at the moment. I want to work towards learning how to get things more square and less "wobbly". I did some looking around this weekend... From time to time, people give me gift cards to letting them hunt my land, so if that happens it may drive this purchase depending on which of the below is available at which store.

Dollar-wise I just am trying to see if the next step up is a few dollars apart, which is the better bet to make me not need to spend anything else for a good long time.


Hack Saw - $15
-->Grinder/Cutoff - $40-90 (cheap consumables) ** I have this
*********************************************************************************
---->Abrasive Chop Saw - $150-$225 (cheap consumables)
------>HF Horizontal Band Saw - $250-$300 (cheap replacement blades)
-------->Cold Cut Chop Saw - 425-600+ (80-100/blade)
---------->Plasma (my focus is on straight cuts on stock so this isn't a consideration at the moment)

 

[Industrial Toys]

I generally only set to fire to myself when welding Galvanized.

And only measure my square for square if I have been using it to hammer with. Plus grind off any burrs.

Reminds me of the guy on here, seemed like a new welder, (I could be wrong) who insisted he must have (and find) a pure copper ground clamp.

 

[user.69169]

I generally only set to fire to myself when welding Galvanized.

And only measure my square for square if I have been using it to hammer with. Plus grind off any burrs.

Reminds me of the guy on here, seemed like a new welder, (I could be wrong) who insisted he must have (and find) a pure copper ground clamp.

Strongly recommend you google up man called PawPaw Wilson. Great man and an honest blacksmith. Ought to find de story of PawPaw departing Earth on a few welding boards.

Sorry to hear yer square challenged. Any other things you like to tell de group about?

Wonder how dat fellow would have felt bout a copper tipped peckerhead for grounding?

 

[Industrial Toys]

Nothing that a little pill can't take care of.

Friends of mine have welded untold millions of dollars worth of stuff, using the ugliest weld splattered J hook, clamped to the ground wire with hose clamps. Not sure what made them settle on that over a clamp. Maybe too many got run over or something.

 

[user.69169]

Like I said; Remember PawPaw.
Zinc Metal Fume Fever : A Case Study : Blacksmithing How-to on anvilfire iForge

Dats de abbreviated version. Not sure if I saved de email back and forth wid him in hospital.

Choice what you do is yours, long as you wear face diaper in public.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Everywhere, both sides of a story. I don't know anyone that welds Galvanized on a regular basis, but certainly know guys that have done enough it it and are still standing. Heard some guys say, Plasma fumes will kill you too.

I kjnow, if things get stinky and ugly, I'm not exactly breathing the fumes in deeply. More like hold your breath, do a bit and get to fresh air. Extinguish Jacket and Repeat.

 

[MF243RedTop]

Everywhere, both sides of a story. I don't know anyone that welds Galvanized on a regular basis, but certainly know guys that have done enough it it and are still standing. Heard some guys say, Plasma fumes will kill you too.

I kjnow, if things get stinky and ugly, I'm not exactly breathing the fumes in deeply. More like hold your breath, do a bit and get to fresh air. Extinguish Jacket and Repeat.

If doing any substantial amount, I set up a shop fan to blow the smoke and fumes away.