Which Chop Saw?

[Mantis]

The HF in my area has two chop saws available:

14" Industrial Cut Off Saw #44829, 3400 PRM, 120V, 60HZ, 2 HP on sale for $59.99

or

14" Industrial Cut Off Saw #1624, 3800 RPM, 120V AC/DC, 15.0 AMP for $134.99.

Is the more expensive one much better than the #44829? Which one would you get? Or, should I stay away from the HF ones completely?

[David R]

15 amp is FAR better.

You can buy a Dewalt for about the same price.

David

[Doolittle]

(psst, band saw) heh..

[Mantis]

(psst, band saw) heh..

What kind of band saw & how much are they?

[MicroZone]

Either will do you fine. If you have the cash for both, get both. The chop saw cuts a little quicker. I think I have the lower priced model HF Chop and it does great. Double check the angle plate against a degree finder, it's not accurate, close...but not dead on. I have mine marked with a black Sharpee.

[jamlit]

Yah Bandsaw

[migman]

#1624 is better, and as far as a band saw goes, it is personal preference one whether to use a band saw or chop saw, i prefer a chop saw about 90% of the time, but a band saw will cut sheet metal and diamond plate and a chop saw wont, my chop saw gets used a whole lot more than my band saw, its just more practicle.

[David R]

:blush: Oops. I never checked the number.

I burned up my almost 1 year old Dewalt Chopsaw and they fixed it for free. I was cutting 3/4 x 5 bar stock. Lots of it.

David

[MicroZone]

hahaha...that might burn up a chop saw. :laugh:

[jamlit]

Remember if you are comparing a bandsaw to a chopsaw that comparable bandsaws are more money then chopsaws. Don't but a cheap bandsaw for $150.00 - $250.00 and think it will compete against a good chopsaw. A Bandsaw to me is a much better option over a chopsaw where portablity isn't a big issue for several reasons.

First, money. A bandsaw set up properly will cut allot more material for a faction of the cost. I spent over $500.00 in chopsaw blades and then cut
almost twice as much steel for $150.00 in bandsaw blades.

Second, safety. A bandsaw does a cleaner cut with no sparks, dust, and high speed disks which can break. And believe me thats not fun.

Third, Production. A bandsaw doesn't require a pereson sitting over it to operate it. Set it, turn it on, and let it cut while you do some welding.

These are just some thoughts about bandsaws vs chopsaws.

Here is the harbor freight link to the bandsaw like mine. If you do allot of cutting the price difference between the saws wouldn't be any different when you consider the cost of the blade savings.

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=93507&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=

Have fun and goo luck on your choice.