metal chop saws- are they worth it

mengele

was have thinking of investing in a metal chop saw for small projects and getting accurate cuts. I see SIP branded ones for around the €200 mark.

do they take much abuse? would they cut fairly thick stuff?

stewygriffin

Is a metal chop saw not just a normal chop saw with a specific metal cutting disc on it?

Calahonda52

mengele wrote: »

was have thinking of investing in a metal chop saw for small projects and getting accurate cuts. I see SIP branded ones for around the €200 mark.

do they take much abuse? would they cut fairly thick stuff?

If the blade is a tct blade then yes worth it, if an abrasive disk then no.
I doubt if its a tct disc for 200 all in, the blade for mine is 150, and need a specialist shop to sharpen it.

stewygriffin wrote: »

Is a metal chop saw not just a normal chop saw with a specific metal cutting disc on it?

no, different speeds: (metal cutting much slower: mine is 1800rpm vs 2800 for wood) and much more robust clamping mechanism required

stewygriffin

Calahonda52 wrote: »

If the blade is a tct blade then yes worth it, if an abrasive disk then no.
I doubt if its a tct disc for 200 all in, the blade for mine is 150, and need a specialist shop to sharpen it.



no, different speeds: (metal cutting much slower: mine is 1800rpm vs 2800 for wood) and much more robust clamping mechanism required

How much would one expect to pay for a metal chopsaw for occasional home diy metal and welding work?

cruizer101

Either Aldi or Lidl recently had one of these type of things for sale would it do the job if it only an occasional bit of work. What sort of stuff are you planning on cutting, would probably bit bit more limited size wise on these.

Edit: also to note have seen people put together similar themselves, so if your handy with angle grinder and welder might be able to rig something decent together, I'm sure there is videos on youtube

stewygriffin

cruizer101 wrote: »

Either Aldi or Lidl recently had one of these type of things for sale would it do the job if it only an occasional bit of work. What sort of stuff are you planning on cutting, would probably bit bit more limited size wise on these.

Edit: also to note have seen people put together similar themselves, so if your handy with angle grinder and welder might be able to rig something decent together, I'm sure there is videos on youtube
]

I would be cutting up a few lengths of 40 x 40mm box steel.Think its 1.5-2mm thickness.Want to make up some frames.

stewygriffin

Like the box steel in the picture above

corkgsxr

stewygriffin wrote: »

I would be cutting up a few lengths of 40 x 40mm box steel.Think its 1.5-2mm thickness.Want to make up some frames.

They'll be perfectly fine for that. Just buy good blades. Nothing worse than cheap blades

bramwell

yes have dewalt abrasive disk . just fab

Coles

No. Get a 9" grinder with 1.9mm skinny disks.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/flexovit-metal-cutting-discs-230-x-1-9-x-22-23mm-bore-pack-of-3/6020d

You'll get better ones cheaper with a bit of searching.

These disks are very easy to control, very accurate, and they are also excellent for cutting aluminium and stainless steel. The 9" grinder is a far more useful investment, but it's also essential to have a 4.5" grinder for abrasive discs and flap wheels. I really wouldn't bother with a cut off saw, and if you thought you really needed one I'd be more inclined to get a medium sized bandsaw.