ebinmaine 67,627 #1 Posted March 26, 2021 Been looking at adding tools to our arsenal here and there. I currently cut metal with a sawzall or jigsaw for the most part. To try for better precision on angles and overall ease I picked up an inexpensive Porter Cable chop saw. 6 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,321 #2 Posted March 26, 2021 My go-to metal saw is a Port-A-Band. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,627 #3 Posted March 26, 2021 Just now, 953 nut said: My go-to metal saw is a Port-A-Band. One o them is also in the research and possible purchase phase. @OldWorkHorse uses a similar thing. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OldWorkHorse 3,045 #4 Posted March 26, 2021 (edited) I was going to buy sumthing just like this for like 100$ at HF few months back when I new I was gonna be cutting sum metal for this build I put it off and they stopped selling them or they have been out of stock for a long time either way they had great reviews might wanna invest in a top notch blade. I love my HF tools but I love my high end blades to go on them! P.s let me know what u think of this saw cuz I still might need 1. Edited March 26, 2021 by OldWorkHorse 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAinVA 4,619 #5 Posted March 26, 2021 Eric I have had one of these for a number of years. From experience the disks listed as long life don't cut well,. Cutting well depends on fracturing of the grit around the rim to expose sharp grains. With that said I finally upgraded to an Evolution cold cut saw. More expensive but cuts a lot straighter. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roger R 448 #6 Posted March 26, 2021 I have had one for several years. Invaluable for fabrication projects. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,828 #7 Posted March 27, 2021 We was building Dan's trailer this tool was invaluable. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,016 #8 Posted March 27, 2021 A chop saw is in my someday list. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,012 #9 Posted March 27, 2021 9 hours ago, 953 nut said: My go-to metal saw is a Port-A-Band. About 1/2 of the backhoe steel was cut with one. Just happened to see a good deal on CL for a larger Grizzly horizontal band saw so that took over the workload after. It could have been done 100% with the small saw but the big saw allowed for other things to happen while it was cutting so that sped things up quite a bit. But for everyday cutting, the hand saw is my go to tool. Easy fast more portable and no flying sparks. Those chop saws definitely have their place! You can usually find a good used one. Mine was bought used in 07, used hard and frequently and still going strong. The cheap POS bought at HF lasted about a week. 5 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,642 #10 Posted March 27, 2021 I use a six inch power hacksaw for my heavy duty cutting of steel sections etc. I also have an evolution metal saw but I don't like it for steel, I only use it on aluminium. I have a plasma cutter for metal plate up to 1/2 inch thick which is really useful as it cuts non ferrous as well. Only uses compressed air so no consumables. I did have a large bandsaw but I moved it on as I didn't like it as much as the hacksaw. Chop saw is one thing I don't have but I can manage without one for most things I need to do. Mick 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACman 7,618 #11 Posted March 27, 2021 They also work great for cutting PVC pipe . Cutting all that pipe on a new construction for plumbing and ventilation by hand is a lot of work . Nice clean straight cuts every time . 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,874 #12 Posted March 27, 2021 Very useful tool! I recommend using it outdoors only, makes a lot of sparks and disc dust. Don't use a damaged blade. (don't aaaask)! I think I had two 2x4 stacked to support longer pieces for cutting. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OldWorkHorse 3,045 #13 Posted March 27, 2021 I picked this one up for about $129 and just the few times I've used it its paid for itself! Can't imagin how I went this long without one. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,047 #14 Posted March 27, 2021 Have seen a few chop saws that the blade/head is not perpendicular to the base the material is clamped to. As the blade comes down it wants to cut left or right of where the cut started making the blade bind. Sometimes this can be adjusted out of them. If you can find 3/32" thick blades they require much less power than the 1/8" thick blades that seem to be more common resulting in faster cuts. I know one fellow that needed a 2nd saw so got a 12". Now he moves used 14" discs to the 12" saw for better mileage. Garry 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shynon 7,459 #15 Posted March 27, 2021 I have a large horizontal bansaw, but recently picked up this one really liking it 5 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 9,326 #16 Posted March 27, 2021 @Shynon How does the porta band mount to that stand ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shynon 7,459 #17 Posted March 28, 2021 13 hours ago, elcamino/wheelhorse said: @Shynon How does the porta band mount to that stand ? table slides into motor vent hole and secures with a thumbscrew between the throat plate, quick and easy to remove saw and reinstall 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
