Chop saw for metal?

[Freebee]

I have an evolution chop saw that I purchased for wood, the other day I noticed on the blade that it would cut steel so I gingerly tried some box section I needed to cut, it was 50 mm by 20 mm 2mm thick and it did it well. the blade rings like a bell and I got showered with red hot swarf (no extraction ) but I cut 20 pieces and the blade looks OK. you need to let the blade come to a dead stop before you raise it or it tends to fire the cut piece off the saw into the far reaches of your workshop. ALso wear a complete visor not just safety glasses.

 

[Bowlerhat]

Like others, I have an Evolution. The Screwfix Rage (under £300) is a beast. I’m a keen DIYer and this bad boy soaks it all up. The reviews are incredibly positive across the board.

 

[pandos]

I tried a plane but it didn't work.

I used a plane on aluminium many times. Both manual and electric. Just a matter of keeping it sharp and going slowly

 

[Ian_Rob]

I have an evolution chop saw that I purchased for wood, the other day I noticed on the blade that it would cut steel so I gingerly tried some box section I needed to cut, it was 50 mm by 20 mm 2mm thick and it did it well. the blade rings like a bell and I got showered with red hot swarf (no extraction ) but I cut 20 pieces and the blade looks OK. you need to let the blade come to a dead stop before you raise it or it tends to fire the cut piece off the saw into the far reaches of your workshop. ALso wear a complete visor not just safety glasses.

Interesting that you get a lot of sparks and hot swarf. I‘ve got the Evolution Metal Chop Saw (the one with the 355mm/14” blade) and it produces virtually no sparks and leaves the cut pieces cold to the touch. Evolution specifically market it as spark free and cold. It goes through large MS angles and I section very easily. I guess Evolution will have a specific blade for steel that would fit yours…..?

 

[Neeves]

I had to look up to find out what a chop saw is - to me - just a circular saw on an arm.

Jonathan

 

[Ian_Rob]

I had to look up to find out what a chop saw is - to me - just a circular saw on an arm.

Jonathan

….or a way of coping with an extra thick bit of lamb on one your Aussie barbies!

 

[Freebee]

Interesting that you get a lot of sparks and hot swarf. I‘ve got the Evolution Metal Chop Saw (the one with the 355mm/14” blade) and it produces virtually no sparks and leaves the cut pieces cold to the touch. Evolution specifically market it as spark free and cold. It goes through large MS angles and I section very easily. I guess Evolution will have a specific blade for steel that would fit yours…..?

you did not read what I wrote I did not mention sparks and I said the swarf was hot and The cut pieces are cold, any high speed metal cutting creates hot swarf due to friction !

 

[Allan]

Many thanks, that's given me lots to think about. I'll start saving up for the H&S gear!
Allan

 

[ridgy]

Interesting that you get a lot of sparks and hot swarf. I‘ve got the Evolution Metal Chop Saw (the one with the 355mm/14” blade) and it produces virtually no sparks and leaves the cut pieces cold to the touch. Evolution specifically market it as spark free and cold. It goes through large MS angles and I section very easily. I guess Evolution will have a specific blade for steel that would fit yours…..?

I think that people are referring to the 250mm wood/ali/steel version with the do-it-all blade.
I also have one of these and while I like it very much and have cut steel with it, it's not a relaxing experience and I since bought a proper metal bandsaw for that task.
I'm surprised that any real man would turn down an excuse to buy another tool.

 

[Blueboatman]

Every job merits a trip to the toy -I mean tool- shop

 

[Blueboatman]

I have a spare DW mitre/pull over chop saw which I should really try setting up with a multipurpose metal blade. Using an old vacuum cleaner on the suction side does help to control the metal and sparking area a bit
Should probably add an improvised drop down ( hinge down ) clear Perspex eye/face guard at the front of the machine overarm too as with a bench grinder..but much bigger

Meanwhile on f’leabay uk there are -for F Hackett, at least one ‘loaded’ s/h Axminster woodlathe but it might be worth putting up a Wanted listing
on For Sale & Wanted | store.lathes.co.uk and just working out a delivery deal @ invoiced sake price ..ahem .. ?
Usually one or two really decent cast iron machines available ..

 

[davidpbo]

I did a lot of accurate cutting of small aluminium u section with a plastic translucent insert for led tape with an Evolution radial arm saw and it was great.

I also did some cutting of steel with it and don't remember a problem.

Ear defenders and a full face visor essential but not overly expensive. Maybe gloves as well.

If you put a cloth up on the opposite side of the saw where the swarf exits, it limits the spread of it quite well. I think it would also connect to a dust extractor.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I have a spare DW mitre/pull over chop saw which I should really try setting up with a multipurpose metal blade. Using an old vacuum cleaner on the suction side does help to control the metal and sparking area a bit
Should probably add an improvised drop down ( hinge down ) clear Perspex eye/face guard at the front of the machine overarm too as with a bench grinder..but much bigger

Meanwhile on f’leabay uk there are -for F Hackett, at least one ‘loaded’ s/h Axminster woodlathe but it might be worth putting up a Wanted listing
on For Sale & Wanted | store.lathes.co.uk and just working out a delivery deal @ invoiced sake price ..ahem .. ?
Usually one or two really decent cast iron machines available ..

Linky for the Axminster but it would probably no be worth fetching to France

 

[Blueboatman]

Linky for the Axminster but it would probably no be worth fetching to France

Axminster woodturning lathe AWVSL | eBay
Bidding from £500

Edit: Thereare some Record power/coronet twin tube lathes on there too. I owned a 36inch one some years ago from new , pretty quiet, smooth and proper solid. Bench mount to suit, and you could plonk it all in constituent parts in the boot /rear footwell of most any car, even quick ones …

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Axminster woodturning lathe AWVSL | eBay
Bidding from £500

Edit: Thereare some Record power/coronet twin tube lathes on there too. I owned a 36inch one some years ago from new , pretty quiet, smooth and proper solid. Bench mount to suit, and you could plonk it all in constituent parts in the boot /rear footwell of most any car, even quick ones …

Thanks but a tad small and really not worth the trip.

 

[DownWest]

Just remembered there was a whole wheelrights workshop on LBC, they were hoping to sell it complete to someone to carry on.
Maybe a new career?
All sorts of interesting wood working kit to make 'proper' waggon wheels (not chocky ones..)

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Just remembered there was a whole wheelrights workshop on LBC, they were hoping to sell it complete to someone to carry on.
Maybe a new career?
All sorts of interesting wood working kit to make 'proper' waggon wheels (not chocky ones..)

No thanks, I have just found a lathe in a French shop identical to an Axminster Trade one for several hundred euros less than Axminster, now there's a first.