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Best Abrasive Cut Off Machines For 2024

Brandon Forder
  Mar 28, 2024 9:24 PM

Cutting steel is difficult and requires precision. Circular saws, cold chisels, band saws, hack saws, torches, jig saws, and even an industrial equipment called a cold saw have all been used to cut it at this point. The results of this test, however, convinced us that abrasive chop saws are the superior choice. Pipe, angle, tubing, and flat stock are no match for these sparking behemoths. Although they don't make steel as simple to cut as wood, they certainly make the task much less daunting than it would be without them. Besides, we enjoy the spectacle and sound of sparks, smoke, and steel being sliced and dropped into the work floor. If you're in the market for a new chop saw, read on for our recommendations and a few things to keep in mind.


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Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

Blade Type and Size

Chop saws and band saws, the two most common forms of metal-cutting instruments, each have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, as well as a variety of blade shapes and sizes.

 

Whether it's a toothed blade or an abrasive wheel, chop saws have a rise and fall motion that's reminiscent of a miter saw (often called a cut-off wheel). These days, most toothed blades feature carbide-tipped teeth, which allow them to maintain their edge for significantly longer. They endure longer than abrasive cut-off wheels, but the latter are more cost-effective. The blade or cut-off wheel can have a diameter of between 7 and 7 and a half inches and 16 and a half inches. The maximum cutting thickness is significantly affected by this dimension, albeit this should be verified with each machine.

 

Band saws have a continuous steel ribbon with teeth along one edge, and they come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, from handheld portable devices to large workshop instruments. In contrast to its length, which is always the same, a band saw blade's breadth and number of teeth per inch (TPI) are customizable. Blades with a wider width are stiffer and utilized for straight cuts, while blades with a narrower width and more flexibility can be used to cut around obstacles. Quicker cutting can be achieved with a blade that has fewer teeth, while a finer edge can be achieved with a blade that has more.

Angled Cuts and Fence Adjustment 

The blade of a chop saw oscillates up and down, hence the name. The blade can't be swiveled or adjusted in any way, unlike a miter saw used for woodworking. The workpiece is instead fastened against a revolving fence set at the appropriate angle.

Band saws designed for cutting metal are commonly used for fabricating pipe and slicing rebar. Although they can theoretically cut at any angle, their improvisational style often makes precise cuts a challenge. Depending on the design, this saw can function as a chop saw with a rise and fall motion, or it can support the workpiece on a level table and be fed into the blade.

Motor Power and Source

Since 15A (amperes) is the most power that can be drawn from a regular electrical socket, it is common for workshop models to feature 15A (ampere) motors. Saws with a 10 amp-hour motor are common in the portable kind; they are less powerful than their 15 amp-hour counterparts, but nevertheless produce satisfactory results. Rather than amps, heavy-duty models are sometimes rated in horsepower, and they may need their own dedicated circuit to function properly.

For cordless metal-cutting saws, the battery capacity is expressed in volts (V) rather than amps (A). There are now powerful 36-volt tools in addition to the more usual 18-volt and 20-volt varieties. The smallest ones include a 12-volt battery.

Speed

When working with metal, cutting speed is not as crucial. In fact, you would be better off with a slow but steady pace. There will be less burrs and sparks produced, and the cut will be more precise. When your face is thus near to the cutting disc, the sparks can be alarming and the burrs can be a pain to remove. They also necessitate a spotless, clutter-free work area to eliminate the risk of a fire breaking out.

Beveled Cuts

Beveled cuts are used when joining or connecting metal pipe or tube sections. These allow you to build cross joints, simplify the welding process, and produce a more robust joint. If you want your metalwork to have distinctive beveled edges, you'll need a metal chop saw with angular cutting capabilities, which is not the case with all models.

Maximum Cutting Capacity

In continuation of the preceding thought. Assuming you now know what you'll primarily be cutting with your chop saw, you can move on to considering its cutting capabilities.

Think about the sizes of the tubing, squares, and rectangles you'll be cutting when investigating saws.

You should ensure that your model can accept the blades you intend to use.

Easy Vise Adjustment

A spring-loaded pivot arm is standard on modern metal chop saws. There's a connection between this and the main saw stand.

Another feature of the saw is an angle plate that can be adjusted to hold the material at the ideal cutting angle. The material is clamped in position for the cutting process by means of the vise.

To provide quick and precise results, a vise that can be easily adjusted is essential. Seek out saws that can accommodate a wide range of material sizes and offer quick adjustment. There's little doubt that doing so will help you save precious time in the future.

Portability

The ability to easily transport their vehicles is crucial to certain owners. The ideal chop saw for construction workers who must move between job sites is lightweight and compact without compromising durability. On the other hand, you won't have to worry about portability if you keep all of your metal sawing in one spot.

Easy Blade Change

You'll want a vise that can be quickly adjusted, and a blade that can be quickly changed. This is especially important for any professional endeavor in which a blade swap mid-task may be necessary.

Check the specifications for any mention of quick-change blades.

Safety Features

Chop saws with a guard above the blade should be avoided. The blade can be accessed by simply lifting this guard.

An awning or splash guard may be standard on the model you've settled on. An essential prerequisite, this serves as a barrier to prevent a fire from breaking out.

The greatest chop saws for metal have a spark guard that can be moved or removed as needed. When working with a metal chop saw, remember to always put safety first.


FAQS

What is a saw that cuts metal called?

The term "hacksaw" is commonly used to describe a hand saw designed for cutting metal. Power saws are typically referred to as chop saws or cut-off saws; however, there are also metal-cutting band saws and metal-cutting circular saws available.

What is the best saw for cutting metal?

Since different saws excel at different jobs, there is no universally correct response to the question of which saw is best. Several options for dealing with these problems are discussed in this article.

Can I use any saw to cut metal?

No. Saws intended for wood may also be used to cut soft metals such as aluminum or brass, but steel is too tough for them. Swarf (metal scraps) can damage the motor or other moving parts, therefore even then, manufacturers don't suggest it. It's smart to stick to the machine's recommended capabilities, as stated by the manufacturer.


Conclusion

Using examples and diagrams, this manual explains how to make the most of your metal-cutting saw. Here's hoping you're able to locate the ideal abrasive-cutting equipment for your needs.

Wishing you a pleasant shopping experience!


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