Topic: recommend me a good chop saw?

[toyodaaddict]

What are all you backyard fabricators using to cut your metal?

 I'm between saws and the place I've been buying my steel is really pissing me off, they cant seem to make a straight/square cut  .  So what is working well and makings accurate cuts for you guys? 

[kneedownnate]

If you have the space, horizontal/vertical saw.  HF has them cheap, or for a little more you can get a good quality (forget brand).

My brother makes exhaust systems for mr2's and went a while with a chop saw and crooked cuts, then bit the bullet and has been much happier with the results, much nicer cuts

[MRHilux87]

I have a Milwaukee brand one.  Ive also used the Rigid.  Both are not that impressive, but better than a sazall.  I use plasma cutter when it doesn't have to be straight.   
"Cold Cut" saws with the carbide blades work amazing, but the blades are over 100 bucks and most of the saws are 220. 
Id really like to try one of the harbor freight horizontal band saw things. 

[jssgbsn]

+1 Band Saw

[toyodaaddict [OP]]

Are the horizontal band saws what people are calling 'cold saws', or is a cold saw something else?  Does anyone own the HF horizontal band saw, is it worth buying.
 

[MRHilux87]

No the cold saw I was referring to looks like a chop saw but has a carbide blade on it and a more powerfull motor...

[emsvitil]

I just got a chop saw blade for my 10" miter saw.........


Remove the dust collection bag and any plastic pieces for the dust collection bag or you'll burn a hole thru them.........

[kneedownnate]

http://redding.craigslist.org/tls/4728741687.html

[bentyota86]

Harbor-snap-on

[helipilot77]

I use a Milwaukee chop saw or a Milwaukee porta-band. If it doesn't have to be super straight I will use a 4" cut-off wheel on my grinder. The cleanest cut is the porta-band but it takes careful attention to make a straight cut.

I'm between saws and the place I've been buying my steel is really pissing me off, they cant seem to make a straight/square cut  . 

Where are you buying your steel? They might be too far for you to drive, but I use Pacific Industrial Supply. Great prices but they charge for cuts. If you only need small peices give Metal Shorts a try. They carry exotics in every size and shape.

[Bam]

I've had my Milwaukee chop saw for almost 15 years now. It's cut more steel than all the garage fabricators here combined probably. I've replaced the brushes in it twice now, but that's the only issues I've had with it.

The cheap band saws aren't worth the money in my opinion.  They are better at some things and leave a cleaner cut.  If you were lookin to spend more than $1k I'd say look into a good used band saw.

[toyodaaddict [OP]]

I use a Milwaukee chop saw or a Milwaukee porta-band. If it doesn't have to be super straight I will use a 4" cut-off wheel on my grinder. The cleanest cut is the porta-band but it takes careful attention to make a straight cut.

Where are you buying your steel? They might be too far for you to drive, but I use Pacific Industrial Supply. Great prices but they charge for cuts. If you only need small peices give Metal Shorts a try. They carry exotics in every size and shape.

I used to buy my steel from Interwest Metals off Pac highway in Fife. For the last year ive been going to Ron & Leo's in enumclaw because they are closer and Ive been less than impressed.  I'll look into the supplier's you suggested

[toyodaaddict [OP]]

I've had my Milwaukee chop saw for almost 15 years now. It's cut more steel than all the garage fabricators here combined probably. I've replaced the brushes in it twice now, but that's the only issues I've had with it.

The cheap band saws aren't worth the money in my opinion.  They are better at some things and leave a cleaner cut.  If you were lookin to spend more than $1k I'd say look into a good used band saw.

It's to bad nobody (tool companies in general) are making tools like they used to. Actually thats the reason I started this thread and didnt just go buy a name brand saw. For example, I used a $20 HF angle grinder to build 2 rigs (replace brushes once). Half way through the 3rd build the HF grinder died, so I upgraded to a milwaukee. The project isnt even done and the milwaukee is already failing. Not mechanically but where the head bolts to the body two of the four mounting points have broke. Who would of thought a HF grinder would out live a milwaukee

 In the end Ill probably just go with a standard composite chop saw and make do. Until I can afford a good band saw

[Bam]

Milwaukee angle grinders are total ! Do not waste your money on one.

I've had really good luck with the Dewalt angle grinders.

[MRHilux87]

I have a dewalt and makita angle grinder that have lasted a few years now with no signs of slowing.  They both are the trigger version, not the switch version.  More amps, better quality.