School me on chop saws.

Inglis

Inglis

Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2016
Messages
7,590
Location
Asheboro,NC
Rating - 100%
33   0   0
Hey,

I am looking for a little tribal knowledge on chop saws and the properly usage.

I use slab wood to heat my home in the winter time. Currently I use a table saw for the thinner slabs and a sawsall for the thick slabs.

Would a chop saw be a good item to have to speed up my cutting of my slab wood?

Brothers, Sisters, lend me some knowledge on the unknown table saw world.

I wait by the slab pile awaiting your reply.
 
Third..

If your using a saw to cut up firewood. A cheapie that uses a skilsaw size blade will do you wonders. Picked up a DeWalt 799 miter saw (or some such, baddest one they make minus a lazer and light) over Black Friday for $350 that's normally $500. Dang I love that thing.

Lowes has a porter cable 7 1/4" for $120 I think right now that would last forever if all that's needed is cutting to length to fit a fireplace. Plus blades are way cheaper at that size.



Although I've just green it in my head that a v-shaped Rick and a chainsaw would make quick work of slabs for heat
 
Inglis said:
Thanks!

Do chop saws come in different blade sizes and types?
Click to expand...
Yes, most common, and subsequently least expensive, is the 10" blade. Look for something with carbide teeth and since you aren't worried about fine cuts fewer teeth with a positive angle will be faster than more teeth, just a rougher edge. The stove won't care.

There's all kinds of science in a blade but it doesn't matter for your purposes.
 
Scsmith42 said:
^^^. This. Much easier to sharpen too. Slabs typically have a lot of bark and bark dulls a saw blade pretty quickly.
Click to expand...
Maybe for you. I admit that I can't sharpen a chain saw for squat.

Still $30 miter saw and $10 blade Vs. $300 chain saw and $30 blade plus gas and maintenance.
 
How wide are the pieces you are cutting? A chop saw will only cut just so wide unless it is a sliding chop saw. I would think an ordinary skill saw would fit your needs and be able to cut any width you need.
 
J R Green said:
Maybe for you. I admit that I can't sharpen a chain saw for squat.

Still $30 miter saw and $10 blade Vs. $300 chain saw and $30 blade plus gas and maintenance.
Click to expand...
They're were two $80. chainsaws sold here last week. And unless yer cutting dirt, a chain will go though
a lot more slabs than a 30 dollar chop saw. I would like to see a $30. chop saw by the way.
 
Last edited:
SlapChop.jpg
 
It depends on the size of what you are cutting. A miter saw can be dangerous for irregular and rounded pieces. You would need to be able to hold it tight to the fence to cut safely. A chainsaw is probably better, assuming it is branches that are attached to something. If they are not secured, then it gets more dangerous, too. Something to think about.
Also, going cheap does not always pay in the end. An out-if-square and underpowered saw with a dull blade can hurt you. However, a cheap saw with a really good blade will probably be ok. Whatever you do, get a good blade.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Inglis said:
What is a sliding chop saw.?

Slabs are 10 inches to 14 inches wide.
Click to expand...

Technically it is called a sliding compound miter saw.

If budget is a major concern and you are sold on a circular type saw instead of a chainsaw, consider seeking out a deal on a good used radial arm saw. Usually you can find them for low cost and they will have the travel to cut a 14” wide slab (or close to it).
 
J R Green said:
Maybe for you. I admit that I can't sharpen a chain saw for squat.

Still $30 miter saw and $10 blade Vs. $300 chain saw and $30 blade plus gas and maintenance.
Click to expand...

They have some inexpensive guides available now to assist with chain sharpening. Fortunately I have automated sharpening equipment so it’s a breeze.

Where does one find a 30 dollar miter saw? Last time I bought one (Makita) it was a couple of hundred bucks, and my slider was around $450.
 
Scsmith42 said:
They have some inexpensive guides available now to assist with chain sharpening. Fortunately I have automated sharpening equipment so it’s a breeze.

Where does one find a 30 dollar miter saw? Last time I bought one (Makita) it was a couple of hundred bucks, and my slider was around $450.
Click to expand...
There were a few in the link I gave
 
Questioned, questions, if I might. As on chop saws cutting slab wood that is flat on one side only.

What is the max width of the cut?

Max wood thickness?

Max blade die?

Better brands to look at used?

General ideas on this subject?

Thanks!
 
Inglis said:
Questioned, questions, if I might. As on chop saws cutting slab wood that is flat on one side only.

What is the max width of the cut?

Max wood thickness?

Max blade die?

Better brands to look at used?

General ideas on this subject?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

10" saw max width 10" depending on thickness but then you can flip it and do another 10". As long as you apply downward and rearward pressure you won't have any trouble.

Can't go wrong with a Delta
 
Also keep in mind you will need to have some type of table to mount it on. It can be simple saw horses all the way up to a level deck with wings long enough to hold wood.

For me the best solution would be build a set of cross bucks ( http://www.trees2timber.com/userfiles/image/Saw Horse 03.jpg ) to hold the wood and an electric chain saw ( https://www.amazon.com/Oregon-CS150...1516017143&sr=1-14&keywords=electric+chainsaw ).

Make cross buck out of PT and leave outside, grab saw and drop cord. Or you can get a Dewalt battery chain saw if you want to kick in more cash ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GLI0VRM/ref=psdc_552918_t2_B014A0MO0E )
 
J R Green said:
10" saw max width 10" depending on thickness but then you can flip it and do another 10". As long as you apply downward and rearward pressure you won't have any trouble.

Can't go wrong with a Delta
Click to expand...
10" saw max cut is like 8" unless we're talking about a slider. To go 10" you would have to sink the blade up to the arbor, which no saw I've seen allows.
 
If you also want to use it for projects as well, and have the budget, a 12" sliding miter is awesome. Can do longer straight cuts. Can also cut a 4x4 or 4x6 in a single chop.
Makes much quicker and cleaner work of cutting planks for a deck or board for building custom shelves and cabinets.
 
Last edited:
Since I don't think anyone mentioned it and you said you have a table saw, a cross cut sled would help speed things up and have very minimal cost (time & materials).
 
or8h45b.jpg 758f1ede0808e0ff6895ca45e9911540--radial-arm-saw-pictures-of.jpg Use a buck and chain saw for safest and most efficient. If you insist on a circular blade get a radial arm saw and put it on a waist high bench with plenty of length for in feed.
 
Last edited:
If you plan on using an electric chop saw you probably have power close to where you'll be cutting. Chain saws would work better for firewood cutting. Gas units are expensive but very portable.

Ever consider an electric chain saw? A 14" bar would cover all you need to do for less than $70. I picked up a 16" saw for trimming on a ladder.
https://www.amazon.com/Earthwise-CS33016-Electric-Chain-Corded/dp/B075ZK48K9
It has surprised me so much that it's now my "Go To" saw. The gas is for traveling or when I need to move around.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom