What is wrong with my metal chop saw?

[ngoodman@gmail.com]

What is wrong with my metal chop saw?
When I try to make a cut, my blade is starting to wander instead of holding firm where it is. Does this just mean the blade is dull? Or is there something worse going on?

[Oscar]

Where is it flexing, at the outer edge, or on the inner portion? Have you verified for squareness?

[tapwelder]

What type blade? Sometimes abrasives get glazed and do not cut without much pressure. If carbide, did you bind it causing a bend? Is your spindle tight?

Are you starting cut on long flat side of material rather than corners?

If carbide then blade could dull

Have you used this saw successfully in the past?

[bead-boy]

I got a similar behavior. I put a different blade in mine and it is a floppin' and flexin' back and forth while making cuts. Never noticed it prior to changing the blade.
It is a Norton brand blade, not sure which line or model.
Sure makes me nervous and forces me to wear a bit extra PPE.

[Oldiron2]

From OP:

What is wrong with my metal chop saw?
When I try to make a cut, my blade is starting to wander instead of holding firm where it is. Does this just mean the blade is dull? Or is there something worse going on?

What type blade? Sometimes abrasives get glazed and do not cut without much pressure. If carbide, did you bind it causing a bend? Is your spindle tight?

Are you starting cut on long flat side of material rather than corners?

If carbide then blade could dull

Have you used this saw successfully in the past?

Good Questions.
Why do so many people ask such questions without giving almost any information about the equipment or its history, the materials, the specific situation or any pictures that might show some of that?

-----------------------------
Small town scenario:

Yuppie ('Woke') Patient:

"Doctor, long ago when I was a kid, I was told that my father had died. Could you tell me what he died from?"

Older Family Physician:

"I was still in school in those days, but could you give me some information about him?"

Patient:

"I know that Mom had recently gotten a letter from him saying he was at Pearl Harbor. A few days later she started crying; I do remember it was on December 7.

......

[whtbaron]

From OP:



Good Questions.
Why do so many people ask such questions without giving almost any information about the equipment or its history, the materials, the specific situation or any pictures that might show some of that?

Maybe because they are new here, and haven't been properly roasted yet?

[smithdoor]

I agree 👍

Dave

Maybe because they are new here, and haven't been properly roasted yet?

[whtbaron]

Could also be worn bushings/bearings in the saw itself...

[wb4rt]

The main problem is it’s not a band saw. (Sorry Goodman, I could not resist).

I gave up on my abrasive saw once I got a band saw. I rarely use it anymore because of noise, sparks, inaccuracy, and flying hot metal.

[smithdoor]

A good one.

I did not use a chop saw as ground up to must of bar.

If make 20 cuts on bar and chop saw has 1/4" wide cut that is 5" of bar stock ground up on the floor.

Dave

The main problem is it’s not a band saw. (Sorry Goodman, I could not resist).

I gave up on my abrasive saw once I got a band saw. I rarely use it anymore because of noise, sparks, inaccuracy, and flying hot metal.

[MetalMan23]

Hello, is it an abrasive saw?



Sent from my fab shop using a mig welder and a grinder

[smithdoor]

I guess I should use the abrasive saw.
The best place for abrasive saws is thin gauge metal. At point a thin abrasive saw blade can be used.

I think some like sparks fly as they cut steel.

Dave

Hello, is it an abrasive saw?



Sent from my fab shop using a mig welder and a grinder

[MetalMan23]

Best place for an abrasive saw is in the dumpster

Sent from my fab shop using a mig welder and a grinder

[smithdoor]

I agree 👍

Dave

Best place for an abrasive saw is in the dumpster

Sent from my fab shop using a mig welder and a grinder

[Oldiron2]

Best place for an abrasive saw is in the dumpster

Sent from my fab shop using a mig welder and a grinder

"Best place for a stubborn, opinionated, abrasive (and here, wrong) poster is in ....

Speaking of dumpsters, there have been times when I have happened to come upon stuff in dumpsters that didn't fit in the car, was too big, heavy or weird-shaped to belong tied to the roof, and where a portable abrasive saw would have been quite useful. Sawzalls and similar tools can't always do the job as well...


.

[Broccoli1]

Post a photo of how you have your material set up in the vise before you make a cut.

[whtbaron]

Post a photo of how you have your material set up in the vise before you make a cut.

Doesn't look like the OP has ever been back to check on the answers /questions.... is that fridge full?

[smithdoor]

Sounds typical .

Dave

Doesn't look like the OP has ever been back to check on the answers /questions.... is that fridge full?

[ngoodman@gmail.com]

Here are photos. Notice how instead of cutting straight down, the cut starts wandering to the side creating a V shape on that side.

[Oldiron2]

Although some enlargement shots of the blade might show it better, it appears many of the blade's carbide tips are chipped or badly broken. If it cut fine until now, either the material was too hard, something wasn't tight allowing irregular and excessive contact area, or the carbide had previously been damaged (perhaps cooled with water when still quite hot?).
What was that piece you tried cutting? Looks like an abrasive saw would have been better for it.

BTW, posts can be edited for a short while after submitting. If pictures aren't oriented correctly and need editing, go to your Settings page and near the bottom left, open Attachments in a new tab. Find the offending one in at the top of the list on the right, delete it, modify the one on your computer, and download it instead.

[Lis2323]

What was that piece you tried cutting? Looks like an abrasive saw would have been better for it.
.

A good observation and the reason why although I have and love my dry cut saw I will NEVER get rid of the abrasive chop saw I purchased new over 40:years ago.




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[Oscar]

Here are photos. Notice how instead of cutting straight down, the cut starts wandering to the side creating a V shape on that side.

That blade is shot to sh(#. Did you notice you are missing at least 10 carbide teeth and there's a lot more that are damaged, and those are what actually do the cutting? It's no wonder it's not cutting straight because it's not cutting, and with the pressure being put on it, it creates a counter-clockwise torque, twisting the blade out of square. You simply need a new blade and let the blade do the work, and also don't try to cut anything other than what the blade is rated for. Case closed, the prosecution rests, no further questions your honor.

[psacustomcreations]

If you allow a carbide bladed saw to slam or hit the work piece it will break teeth. This can happen based on how hard the saw kicks when it turns on. Or if the return spring has weakened.
If the clamp is not tight and the work piece spins, it will break teeth.
If you are placing material in the clamp and it is off balanced and hits the teeth, it will break teeth.
If the outbound side flips up or binds on the blade, it will break teeth.

Ask me how I know

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[ngoodman@gmail.com]

Sorry If this is a dumb question but can I simply put an abrasive saw blade on this saw?

[ngoodman@gmail.com]

The saw had worked fine up until this point. Where I noticed I was having a lot of trouble was when I was simply trying to cut rebar. I didn’t think rebar would give me any problems. Perhaps the damage had occurred just prior and I did not know it. Or, I made the mistake of not tightening the clamp tight enough or something similar that caused the damage.