[CrowHorse]

I've got a Rigid abrasive chop saw and it never makes a square cut. Any ideas as how to resolve this? There aren'tany adjustments on it that I'm aware of.....

 

[Sarge]

Chop saws are notorious for not making square cuts . Check to see if it's off square vertically or horizontally . If it's off horizontally, you should be able to adjust it's base to compensate . Vertical cuts usually have a tendency to be off due to the blade flexing as it goes through the steel . If you take your time you can make them pretty good , but overall these saws are only meant for rough cuts . That's why a good large bandsaw costs $1,000 .
Sarge

 

[1339]

Ditto what Sarge said, but even a band saw will cut crooked if too much pressure is used. I have
to either support my cuttoff band saw, or use a bungee to make it have less cutting pressure.

 

[682]

Double check to make sure you are square like everyone has said, about the only other thing is go SLOWWWWWWWWWW...
The blades flex more if you push it. If you go slow enough they do an ok job.

 

[DannyL]

Crow
I experimented with different makes of blades and came to the conclusion that they ALL SUCK and it's just a matter of going slow.

So I bought small hardly used bandsaw and am very pleased with the cuts. One of the benefits is you can set it up, turn it on and let it go! In the mean time do something else.
The other benefit is no sparks. In a garage that is packed like mine that is a big plus.
As for adjustments I never had any luck .....

 

[JEEPN]

Mine does fine, but I let it do the cutting and don't force it. Cuts come out fine and it's still pretty quick.

 

[593]

the new horizontal bandsaw we got in our welding shop cost $1400, and that was with trade in of the old one (which still worked ok).

when the bandsaw blades start to get damaged or worn, they do have the tendency to drift to one side or the other depending on how the blade is worn.

 

[2949]

How about this bandsaw?
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&langId=-1&catalogId=4006970&PHOTOS=on&TEST=Y&productId=35758&categoryId=767241

It's not as nice as what we have at work but it'd work in my shop.

 

[2479]

Crow,
I brougth a new Makita 16" last year and it was out 1/8" out + if cutting thruogh 4"x4"x1/8" box. I took it back straigh away and the dealer tried to exchange it but the importer had no more in NZ so they allowed me to cut and pack the mount points to "adjust" it and will still waranty it if I have any problems. It's

really having to put up with the quailty like this but I needed the 16" so I accepted the cheap fix. On the other hand I have a Makita 14" at home and one at work and never had any problems with them, they are both resonably accurrate for chop saws.
Btw how have you got it set up on a bench with level surfaces both side ?

Shane

 

[DannyL]

Jonald that's the model I have and I love it. There are bigger and better ones of course, but for my limited space it's works great and stores easily too.............

 

[Shrock]

Get a dry cut carbide saw. Makes cutting metal like cutting wood. They are fast as hell and accurate.

Jim

 

[Sarge]

Ok, got a cheap source for carbide blades ? Every one I've seen goes for twice the price of the saw itself ....
Sarge

 

[Shrock]

They are about $90-150 and can be resharpened several times. I bet the average hobbiest could go for over a year or more b4 needing sharpening. Even with all the cutting I do, they last a few months.

 

[Shrock]

Do not try putting one in a regular chop saw. Thed need about 1500RPM max. A regular chop saw is WAY higher than that.

 

[AkDale]

Have you actually had someone sharpen your carbide metal cutter blade?
I have been told by some venders that they can't be sharpened.
I sent one out to try anyway, and it cut about 3 LF of 1/8 stock before it went dull again.
Maybe the guy that sharpened it didn't get the angles right.
When I got it back from him, I didn't see any tell tale signs of overheating on the teeth caused by sharpening.

 

[Shrock]

No I have two I was geting ready to send. I called the blade manufacturer and they said that the angles are very critical, and must be held to much closer tolerances than a wood blade, so you have to find someone with very good equipment and expertise.