Thread: Chop Saw Recommendations

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The blades make the saw. Some wear and cut real good, others wear out fast and then some won't cut or wear out. Basically more money is better blade, generally.
I have used Dewalt and they are good. Lots of Ryobi tools rate very high and the price is good.

I have a 15 year old no-name 10" that works well for both wood and steel. If I were to buy one today for wood working it would be most likely a DeWalt with a slide motor/blade. I use a 12" version where I volunteer at a theater doing carpentry work and it is slick.

One question - do you really need the big one for steel or will a 10" work for most of your work - the price goes up substantially - and if you are cutting steel, an inexpensive saw with a cut off blade will save you grief as the entire saw takes a nasty beating from the very hot chips - and a damaged/destroyed $350+ saw vs a $75 Harbor Freight.............is more then comforting

Originally Posted by IC2

I have a 15 year old no-name 10" that works well for both wood and steel. If I were to buy one today for wood working it would be most likely a DeWalt with a slide motor/blade. I use a 12" version where I volunteer at a theater doing carpentry work and it is slick.

One question - do you really need the big one for steel or will a 10" work for most of your work - the price goes up substantially - and if you are cutting steel, an inexpensive saw with a cut off blade will save you grief as the entire saw takes a nasty beating from the very hot chips - and a damaged/destroyed $350+ saw vs a $75 Harbor Freight.............is more then comforting

you want the big 14 chop saw i have many chop wheels were they are down to 11 and well not cut because the body of the saw gets in the way then you need a new wheel . if you chop rect tube or a 9 inch housing or big inch tubbing you need the big wheel there is a backer plate that holds the wheel that can stop a full cut to were you need a bigger wheel i just could not under stand why the wheel just would not cut. i have had mine all of 10+ years it works good were it is not to good is if your choping solid steel like 3 inch solid round stock this is were the sait wheels work very good for cutting thick stuff . i used it every day making stand s for becool up till i found a 36 inch throat bandsaw