chop saw turned metal cutter

[wazzabie]

I'm thiniking about taking a wood miter chop saw and using it for metal cutting. Anyone else done this. I would just find a cheap saw on CL to convert.

 

[ryoken]

it's just a different blade....

you can get a brand new 14" rigid chopsaw at homo depot for $175... i beat the snot out of mine...

 

[KirsL]

You can just put the different blade on it and it will work, BUT remember it won't have the clamp to properly secure the piece that you are cutting. Makes cutting small pieces very dangerous. So watch were you put your fingers.

 

[wazzabie]

You can just put the different blade on it and it will work, BUT remember it won't have the clamp to properly secure the piece that you are cutting. Makes cutting small pieces very dangerous. So watch were you put your fingers.

That is where I'll do the conversion. Some how I'll rig a clamp to it.

 

[K85 Octane]

^^ yep
put a clamp on it
run a Norton "metal" cut off blade, I think they are a blue label, the green is masonry

 

[BlazerBud]

Don't do it. Wood saws have magnesium or aluminum covers. Chop saws have steel covers. The heat from sawing steel will melt the blade guard. It could also potentially catch on fire.

 

[Stomis]

Don't do it. Wood saws have magnesium or aluminum covers. Chop saws have steel covers. The heat from sawing steel will melt the blade guard. It could also potentially catch on fire.

Wait you leave the cover on your chop saw?


I use mine for this. Bought a $112 "Skil" brand might box. Aluminum base, and ever comes with a clamp. Couple carborundum blades and guess what its a metal saw now

 

[AZ79K5Project]

I read some stuff on another site regarding this and some old - timers mentioned RPM differences, arbor size differences between the two as well.

I don't have first hand knowledge, but remembering the thread made it sound really bad. I looked but I can't find the thread.

Here's a Pirate discussion on it as well.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=472085

 

[gotblazers]

for harder materials like metal you need more torque and less rpm to properly cut metal. For softer materials like wood you need less torque and more rpm to make a cleaner cut. A wood miter saw will probably work fine as a metal chopsaw you just wont get as clean of cuts. If you can afford a metal chopsaw get it, If you cant then just clean up the cuts that need it based on your use is what i would do.