My chop saw died this morning, need a replacement

[DaveB]

My Mikita metal chop saw died this morning so I am going to have to buy a replacement. I have looked at the several including DeWalt and Milwaukee saws. I also have been looking at the cold cut saws and they look good but are more money. Has anyone used the cold cut saws that wants to comment on how they work for the off road fab work we typically do ? What saws have given you the best service ?

 

[Caleb]

The cold cut saws are the way to go. No more sparks or metal shavings everywhere. Also, you get a lot more accurate cuts with them.

 

[bryson]

The cold cut saws are the way to go. No more sparks or metal shavings everywhere. Also, you get a lot more accurate cuts with them.

This. Except that there are metal shavings EVERYWHERE! They are bigger pieces (actual shavings instead of dust,) but they do get everywhere. Really, really loud - I'd bet it's louder than a standard abrasive chop saw. No sparks is pretty nice. Accuracy is arguably similar on the smaller saws... Unless you spend many many monies to spend on a really nice cold cut saw, the cut will be cleaner, but not necessarily more accurate.

 

[Venture13]

cold saw 14" chop setups are nice, but like 60-100 bucks to change blade, resharpening is an option. Best bet is an abrasive chop saw or get a band saw. I used the cold saws for awhile, gave up and bought a commercial wilton horizontal band saw, with coolant and a Portaband, which every fabricator should have.. Have not used the chop saw in years.

KSL has some good deals on saws now and then.

Oh, the cold saws run a slower RPM than an abrasive, just if ya were thinking about getting a cold saw blade for a normal abrasive chop saw. I tried.. lol

 

[skippy]

I have the evolution rage 2 chop saw that I paid 236 bucks for brand new, No more nasty black dust in the air that your always breathing from the abrasive blade it is alot cleaner cut and the metal shavings are bigger but stay around the saw they dont fly everywhere like a normal abrasive saw. All in all I will never go back to the abrasive saw.

 

[UNSTUCK]

I love my Rigid saw I picked up from Home depot. It as a way nice cast/machined base that is better then any other saw I looked at. Its accuracy is fine for anything less then all day production. The cost was great. I was able to pick up their demo model for next to nothing. I took it home to find it didn't have any brushes in it. I returned it and they gave me a new in the box one for the same price! Cold cut saws have a bit of a learning curve to them. Cut to fast or two slow on a given material and you will break teeth on the blade.
I guess if I was using one all day long I would go with something better then abbrasives. For now i'm happy with what I have.

 

[Caleb]

This. Except that there are metal shavings EVERYWHERE! They are bigger pieces (actual shavings instead of dust,) but they do get everywhere. Really, really loud - I'd bet it's louder than a standard abrasive chop saw. No sparks is pretty nice. Accuracy is arguably similar on the smaller saws... Unless you spend many many monies to spend on a really nice cold cut saw, the cut will be cleaner, but not necessarily more accurate.

Good point, I meant the metal dust. That dust is impossible to clean-up, the shavings/chips are much easier to just sweep up.

A Band saw is definitely the ultimate way to go, but then you are talking even more money upfront. You also need to have more room for one.

 

[DaveB]

Thanks for the responses, I would love a band saw but space is a big issue in my crowded garage. I'll look around and see what I can find. The Rigid unit has good reviews and my dad has one that works well.

 

[XJEEPER]

I use my Sawzall to cut metal, but borrowing a buddys Portaband left me with saw envy....