metal chop saw users

[wraenking]

ok, i went and bout a chop saw today, and was trying to make my first mod.

a egr valve plate cover (so i dont have to use the egr valve)

well, it was going ok until the metal was no longer square. i tried cutting on a funky angle and that piece i was working on flew off to it seems like russia. ill never find it. so before i start to do this again, how do you guys cut small pieces of steel, because i cant secure it to the chop saw.

thanks

tom

 

[HarryH3]

That sounds like a job best suited for a bandsaw. As the name would imply, a chop saw is for making quick, big cuts in heavy steel. Just as you wouldn't use a chainsaw to whittle a chess piece, a chop saw isn't really the right tool for doing fine cuts in small parts. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif You might have to make the first couple of cuts with the chop saw and then finish with a hacksaw and/or cutoff wheel. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[wraenking]

i do have the cutoff wheel, so ill try that. it makes sense. lol

 

[dodgedude99]

damn your lucky that hunk didnt take off any body parts or inbed itself into you.
i dont have a metal band for the band saw, so i either use the fizz wheel or jig saw.

 

[wraenking]

yeah, no [darn]. thats the first thing i thought. i was holding up a piece of plywood at the same time to protect me, but i still havent found that piece!! lol

 

[ugly_blazer]

I sometimes cut small pieces with mine, but I cut them from a long peice of stock so it can't get away. I don't know how safety conscious you are, but I always wear safety glasses when using mine for in case the metal moves and causes the cutting wheel to explode.

 

[dodgedude99]

my fizz wheel has a guard on it, but luckily it hasnt done that yet.
but it has happen when i chucked a 4.5" cutting wheel in the grinder.
my dad almost pissed himself when it went flying past his ear.