What is wrong with my metal chop saw?

[psacustomcreations]

Arctan
When you cut the 3/8" stock did you have it standing up in edge or laying flat?
Material like that needs to be stood up on edge so you are only cutting 3/8 at a time.
Laying flat is terrible for the blade.

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[ArcTan]

Lesson learned. I had it flat. I need to go back to fabricating preschool

[smithdoor]

You can change your display name from your email to something else.

Contact the Moderator.

On a different site I do that at less once a week.

It is easy for the Moderator to do.

Dave

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?

[smithdoor]

Try Harbor Freight a new 4x6 bandsaw it will over 7½" flat bar and pipe 7½" by rotating half way though the cut too.

It will last a life time.

Dave

Anyone have a used bandsaw for sale?

[ArcTan]

So this brings up another question: are these style chop saws only designed for relatively thin material? Sometimes I need to cut things that's would be dimensionally possible to cut, such as a piece of 2" round bar, or a piece of 1-1/4 x 4" steel. I assume trying that would be a bad idea?

[ArcTan]

Try Harbor Freight a new 4x6 bandsaw it will over 7½" flat bar and pipe 7½" by rotating half way though the cut too.

It will last a life time.

Dave

Dave, I appreciate the tip. But you seem to be quite optimistic about the quality of tools from Harbor Garbage. Either that or you are pessimistic about how long my lifetime will be.
I would probably die before I got out of the store if the experience I've had with their tools determined my lifetime!

[tapwelder]

The HF bandsaw will last. However, debatable if it will still be HF tool after one finishing modifying it.

[smithdoor]

I purchased mind in 2007 works great .
I have done nothing to saw other than saw blades.

Dave

Dave, I appreciate the tip. But you seem to be quite optimistic about the quality of tools from Harbor Garbage. Either that or you are pessimistic about how long my lifetime will be.
I would probably die before I got out of the store if the experience I've had with their tools determined my lifetime!

[smithdoor]

It only tool from Harbor Freight the have that has no modifications.

Dave

The HF bandsaw will last. However, debatable if it will still be HF tool after one finishing modifying it.

[MetalMan23]

The HF bandsaw will last. However, debatable if it will still be HF tool after one finishing modifying it.

I have the hf larger bandsaw, I buy grizzly parts for it online, it's great,

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[Oldiron2]

So this brings up another question: are these style chop saws only designed for relatively thin material? Sometimes I need to cut things that's would be dimensionally possible to cut, such as a piece of 2" round bar, or a piece of 1-1/4 x 4" steel. I assume trying that would be a bad idea?

As with any grinding operation, a number of variables are involved. A fine grain wheel gives a smoother surface but, having more cutting grains in contact, requires more pressure and causes more heating. If cutting thin sections, the pressure per area is reasonable but for wider pieces, the wheel tends to load up and cut poorly unless very hard material is being cut. Using a very coarse-grained wheel improves the situation, as does rotating the work to change the angle-of-approach and lessen the area of contact, usually possible with round, square or angle iron.

All tools have operations they excel at and others they work poorly for. Normal bandsaws don't do well cutting very hard material and can have trouble with angle cuts, if not set up/watched carefully.
BTW, some abrasive saws are made with a cam action that constantly changes the cutting head position and thereby changes the area of contact on the work.

[smithdoor]

When had shop I added a 4x6 go other saws I had. It would move around shop for cutting small parts.
The welder or machine could working and saw could cutting parts they needed.

Dave

I have the hf larger bandsaw, I buy grizzly parts for it online, it's great,

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[BD1]

[QUOTE=smithdoor;8879853]I purchased mind in 2007 works great .
I have done nothing to saw other than saw blades.

My HF 4x6 is over 12 years old. Back then it was only $115.00 with a 30% off coupon, yes 30% ! I replaced motor 6 years ago with a used Craftsman motor from a table saw. I buy blades from Farm and fleet , USA made for $12.00 now. I still use it for my small stuff even though I upgraded to an ELLIS 1600. The ELLIS is an amazing saw.

[Oscar]

So this brings up another question: are these style chop saws only designed for relatively thin material? Sometimes I need to cut things that's would be dimensionally possible to cut, such as a piece of 2" round bar, or a piece of 1-1/4 x 4" steel. I assume trying that would be a bad idea?

You already answered yourself for that situation....

Took almost 8 minutes.

Lesson learned. I had it flat. I need to go back to fabricating preschool

Your solid 2" round bar or 1¼" x 4" steel would present a very similar situation as to when you had the ⅜" x 2½" laying flat. There is a lot more material to cut at once, thus lengthening the process because the motor is bogging down.

[psacustomcreations]

Arctan,
Make yourself a set of V blocks so you can cut square stock on a diagonal. This presents the lowest profile to the blade and makes it easier on the saw. It wont help on the really thick material, but will also help hold round stock better.

[Lis2323]

I took advantage of psa’s tip after he posted the idea a few years back….






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