Chop saw

[Zobman]

I don't have the money to buy a metal chop saw, but I do have a miter saw. I was wondering if anyone has tried to plug a miter saw in one of thoughs router speed controllers to slow down a miter saw to use to cut metal? Not sure if it would work. Anyone else think of this?

[weldgault]

I have always been told, use the right tool for the job and you will never regret it. John

[tortis]

i picked up a chop saw a home depot for 79 bucks. works like a champ

[little Jeep]

Harbor Freight has their 2hp metal chop saws on sale right now for $49.00. I think sale ends 12/15/07. Haven't used it so can't tell you if it is worth $49.00 or not, but looking at it, I was impressed.

[dank11]

Hey!
It should work For the Speed
BUT
most metal cutting saws have Alot better clamping system (I Think)
Thanks!

[little Jeep]

Originally Posted by dank11

Hey!
It should work For the Speed
BUT
most metal cutting saws have Alot better clamping system (I Think)
Thanks!

Like I said, I haven't used it yet, so it's all an unknown to me. However, I did purchase a Dewalt blade so hopefully that will make a cheap saw work a little better.

[Joe H]

You can go nuts on aluminum with a mitre saw and a blade for nonferrous metals. I use a Dewalt compound mitre every day at work to cut aluminum tubing. I've used it on stuff with 1/4" thick walls with no problem.

[Rich59]

I have the HF $49 chop saw. It is well worth the price despite its flaws. It's cheaper than a metal cutting blade for your miter box.

[offrdfun73]

Antother problem with the speed control is that slower speed means lower power and with cutting the RPM's in half you will lose 1/2 to 5/8 oh your power. (3600 down to 1400) even if it was safe you could only cut thin stuff at best. Aluminum is a breeze on a chop sawe I use a timy spray of WD-40 on the cut because I had a little sticking to the blade but with the oil no trouble.

[DesertRider33]

Hmmm... There are speed controls that can be used to slow down a miter saw?

This sounds interesting. I have a Makita 14" miter saw that spins too slow to use with an abrasive blade, but spins too fast to use a diamond or carbide blade to cut steel. It will cut aluminum and wood fine. I would like to use it to cut steel with a diamond or carbide blade, like a 'cold saw'. I would need about 1500 rpms. The saw spins at about 3200 rpms. Chop saws for abrasive blades spin closer to 4000 rpm. I can tell a big difference trying to use an abrasive blade at the slower rpm of the miter saw, it takes way too long to cut anything thick. I don't think it's because of a lack of power, I think it's just lack of speed.

How can I get ahold of one of these speed controllers? Do they cause the motor to wear out quicker? This is a nice saw, I'd hate to kill it with one of my crazy experiments...

[aczeller]

Originally Posted by DesertRider33

Hmmm... There are speed controls that can be used to slow down a miter saw?

This sounds interesting. I have a Makita 14" miter saw that spins too slow to use with an abrasive blade, but spins too fast to use a diamond or carbide blade to cut steel. It will cut aluminum and wood fine. I would like to use it to cut steel with a diamond or carbide blade, like a 'cold saw'. I would need about 1500 rpms. The saw spins at about 3200 rpms. Chop saws for abrasive blades spin closer to 4000 rpm. I can tell a big difference trying to use an abrasive blade at the slower rpm of the miter saw, it takes way too long to cut anything thick. I don't think it's because of a lack of power, I think it's just lack of speed.

How can I get ahold of one of these speed controllers? Do they cause the motor to wear out quicker? This is a nice saw, I'd hate to kill it with one of my crazy experiments...

#1, i have no idea where you could get a hold of one of those controlers besides a specialized electronics/electrical supplier. it'd basically be a big potentiometer switch. the problem you may have is that your saw motor is more sensitive than one may think... especially AC motors (not sure if you r saw has an AC or DC motor)

#2.) they wouldn't make the saw wear out sooner, but the metal shavings probably wood. a miter saw, the type we are talking about here, are not meant to cut metal. period. they are not designed to have the same motor protection from metal shavings and dust that a true chop saw has. good theory to use one, but theory and reality are two different things in this scenario. if you really like that saw, don;t try to convert it.

Later,
Andy