Hey guys, I was wanting to buy a chop saw to use for cutting tubing and stuff like that. Do y'all have any opinions on which brand to get or reviews on the different brands? Or are chop saws even that great..

 

I'm not too picky. Go to home depot and don't buy the cheapest...but also dont buy the most expensive. In the end it's just what feels comfortable to you. They all basically use the same blades.

 

I just got the telescopic Ryobi one. I usually avoid Ryobi and go with Milwaukee, Dewalt, or Rigid, but those were really expensive. So far I am happy with it, but I only have a few hours use.

 

we use milwaukees at work, im not a fan of them, i like the dewalts or rigid better, they seem to have more torque to keep the blade spinning faster

 

We've got a Milwaukee here and it seems to be working just fine.

 

could just be that its extreamly beat and not well maintained haha

 

I've got a 10" Milwaukee for my garage, and a Dewalt 12" compound slider for work. Both really nice.

 

ryobi, rigid, dewalt, makita, make crap. dont go to home depot, go to your tool supply get a milwaukee, and only need a saw once

 

Harbor freight. Assuming that you are just using it for light duty use.

 

I have a Skill. Werks great. Although I do wish it were a slider sometimes.

 

Awesome, I appreciate the input! Yeah I'm not gonna be doing much heavy duty cuttin, just 1/8th and stuff like that. Is the blade that comes with them any good or should I get an upgrade?

 

I have a Ridgid, it's been a great saw. Well constructed and accurate. Hardly use the tablesaw since I got it.

 

Yeah, you usually want to upgrade the blade, stock ones are cheap

 

If you can afford it go with Hilti or Dewalt. Milwaukee, Rigid, and Mikita are really nice too.

 

i love my dewalt.......

 

Wait a sec. This is for steel right? You guys know there is a difference between a wood chop saw and one for metal right?

We have a cheap Ryobi and a great Metabo one that has a lifetime warrenty. The Ryobi one seems to wander when doing tubing, angle iron or anything that isnt flat bar lol. It is hard to get a square cut on it, seems to start good, then run out near the bottom of the cut. The Metabo one is great. No wandering, and it is a square cut everytime. You will get what you pay for.

The blade that comes with whatever you buy will be fine for what you do. Unless it is a softer metal like aluminum.

When you do your first cut, throw a square on the blade and check it against your metal. Even new you shouldn't go by the dial on the saw.

And I second not going to a "big box" store. Most of them just want to sell you on whats on the floor. Go to a welding supply store, or a dedicated tool shop. The prices are normally on par, and they will usually give you a couple of choices for your price point.

 

No, I don't. I slapped one of those composite metal cutting blades from the box-store on mine. Cut steel just fine.

Can't see buying a pro-quality, big $, specialty tool for light duty and occasional use.

I've been wrong before though...

 

There aren't too many tool shops or welding places anywhere around where I live, unfortunetely. I looked at Home Depot and I found a Rigid that I like for $180. And $20 cheaper than the Dewalt. Do you think it would be cheaper at a tool place or somethin?

 

It might be cheaper, but generally you get better service. It wont really apply here, cause your really not making a big purchase.

Rigid isnt that bad either, we have a sawz-all and a couple of skill saws from them. They seem quality, as in they have a good weight to them, and feel solid. I think they are Home Depots brand, which means they are probably something else but just re-branded.
Dewalt IMO has come down in quality. Nothing is what it used to be.

 

hitachi 14", thats what i have, works awesome. cheap and easy to use. I have used the crap out of it too

 

lolz then they aint sawzall's or skil saws

 

really?

Thats like saying the arent vise-grips, they are locking plyers. Its slang holmes.

 

NO! We MUST call them reciprocating and circular saws, or else all work credibility will be lost.

i think there's nothing wrong with a ryobi if you're a weekend warrior. but you do get what you pay for...dewalt or rigid in my books. and to chainfire..im pretty sure ryobi is home depots product..dont think rigid is

rigid products have never let me down.

 

Have you bought yet ?

If not and you have the funds, consider the DeWalt Cut-Off Saw w/toothed blade.

Can’t remember the model but it cuts steel like butter and a very straight cut.

ltr,

 

x2! Model Number is a DW872