Suggestions on a Chop Saw

[Iplayfarmer]

Here's my report: I'm impressed with the quality of the saw. I'm not so impressed with the condition. I'm used to refurbished being pretty much comparable with new. I would have classified this one as used. There is a place on the handle where the paint had chipped off and it has been painted over (see picture). There is a number hand engraved on the bottom of the handle, and the case has obvious signs of metal dust and debris.

I got the deal because it was refurbished, and it has the same warranty as a new Milkwaukee. As long as it works I'm not going to complain any more.

I have made a few cuts with it, and it's pretty powerful. It beats the 4" angle grinder that I have been using. Time will tell if it lives up to the Milkwaukee name.

 

[Scooby074]

Iplayfarmer: Now ive had a really long day, but that looks like a pic of a homelite waterpump. not a chopsaw Could be wrong though, it was pretty hot today.

 

[jayste]

Scooby, I'm with you and it's not too hot where I'm at. I'm not sure if Farmer is messing with us or he just posted this and left... Whatever, I agree it's a homelite pump!

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Iplayfarmer: Now ive had a really long day, but that looks like a pic of a homelite waterpump. not a chopsaw Could be wrong though, it was pretty hot today.

You can see why I was dissapointed with the condition, then, can't you?

Actually it looks like I pulled the file from the wrong folder. My bad. I'll see if I can post the right file tonight after I get home.

 

[askelfarm]

I guess it depends on what you are cutting. I use a lot of angle iron up to 1/4" thick and a lot of smaller stuff here on the farm. Believe it or not I have used the same 10" B&D miter saw I bought at a yard sale for $10 more than 10 years ago. Im not doing anything precision, but it works great.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Here's the right picture (I hope). It's hard to see with the glare, but you can tell where the edges of the chipped paint were.

 

[Scooby074]

Here's the right picture (I hope). It's hard to see with the glare, but you can tell where the edges of the chipped paint were.

I agree, not really "refurbished" in my book either, but if the price was right it should serve you well.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I agree, not really "refurbished" in my book either, but if the price was right it should serve you well.

Our maintenance manager at work buys a lot of stuff from CPO. Anything he has ever received has been as new as the stuff on the shelf at Lowes.

 

[ninefinger]

I must agree. Over the years I have bought recon tools and as you stated, one would be hard pressed to determine that it was not a new tool, I understand your disapointment.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I did learn one thing today as I was making some cuts. Get a good extension cord. This saw uses all of the 15 amps that it's rated at.

I had a 14 gauge cord with a built in circuit breaker. I was going a little gingerly with the saw, because everytime I loaded it down a bit, it would trip the built in breaker. I was going to come and express my disappointment to TBN, but I switched to a 12 gauge cord first without the built in circuit breaker. BIG difference. What I thought was loading down the saw was actually just the beginning of what the saw could do. I cut through a 3" X 4" tube with a 3/8" wall very quickly. I didn't time it, but it was quicker than I had expected.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I am wondering if the others who posted about "miter saws" are possiby in the same boat as me.
When I first started building my FEL, I needed a chop saw and didn't want to spend the money for a questionable quality one and couldn't justify a good brand to make a few cuts I needed at the time.
I had my old craftsman miter saw sitting in the corner and slapped a 10" abrasive blade on it and went to cutting metal. 4 years later, I am still using it for cutting metal as much as I use it for cutting wood.
Talk about a redneck,jack leg,cheap-son-of-a-gun thing to do but I have to say, it was cheap ( all it cost me was a metal cutting blade), handy,powerful (13 amps) and is very easy to set for accurate angled cuts. When I finally wear it out, I'll buy something better but I can't seem to wear the dang thing out.

Thanks for this reply to the original question. I have a nice $500 double compound angle 12" DeWalt miter saw but occasionally need a chop saw. BUT - I've been afraid that the saw speed might send the chop saw blade sailing like a missile!

Can I assume that it's safe to use a miter saw with a chop saw blade?

Jim

 

[Scooby074]

Thanks for this reply to the original question. I have a nice $500 double compound angle 12" DeWalt miter saw but occasionally need a chop saw. BUT - I've been afraid that the saw speed might send the chop saw blade sailing like a missile!

Can I assume that it's safe to use a miter saw with a chop saw blade?

Jim

SOme do, but i dont recommend it. Getting your nice miter saw full of metal shavings isnt worth it in my opinion. Is yours a slider? Then youd likely get metal in the bearings for the slides.

Plus theres the whole "red hot sparks" and old sawdust issue.

Id just bite the bullet and get a dedicated chop saw. I have both a Makita sliding compound mitre and a makita metal chop saw.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

SOme do, but i dont recommend it. Getting your nice miter saw full of metal shavings isnt worth it in my opinion. Is yours a slider? Then youd likely get metal in the bearings for the slides.

Plus theres the whole "red hot sparks" and old sawdust issue.

Id just bite the bullet and get a dedicated chop saw. I have both a Makita sliding compound mitre and a makita metal chop saw.

Good post!

And also IF its a slider it won't cut good.

I know a guy that tried using a sliding miter saw... When he would pull it across the metal to cut it, the blade would get in a bind & break the cutting wheel.

 

[Willl]

I tried a wood miter saw long time ago and melted holes in the plastic blade guard.

Something to think about.

 

[Gem99ultra]

>snip<SOme do, but i dont recommend it. <snip>

Thanks JohnDeere4300 & Scooby.

Yeah, mine's a sliding super duper etc that I really don't want to booger up with shavings. Good advice.

 

[essasmallengines]

I have had a Delta for about 6 years now and it has done well , Lamanate flooring
Trim work and a few decks.