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What is a chop saw good for?
A chop saw (a.k.a. a miter saw) is a power tool made especially for accurate crosscutting of trim and lumber at various angles. The chop saw (a.k.a. a miter saw) is a motorized woodworking power tool designed to accurately and precisely complete square and angled cuts in wood.
What is the difference between a chop saw and a Mitre saw?
Whereas chop saws are rugged and relatively simple tools, mitre saws are designed and manufactured to make precision cuts at many different angles. Although a mitre saw can cut non-ferrous metal when used with the correct blade, they are most often used by joiners, kitchen fitters and cabinet makers to cut wood.
What cuts does a chop saw make?
Chop saws only cut up and down. That’s it. They make simple, 90 degree angled straight cuts. Miter saws can swivel, allowing them to make miter cuts.
Is a chop saw the same as a circular saw?
A miter saw can do most of the same tasks as a circular saw, but both tools have their strengths and weaknesses. A miter saw is stationary and the blade is pulled downward onto the wood, while a circular saw is handheld and the blade is pushed through the wood.
Why is it called a chop saw?
Miter saws with abrasive cutting wheels are often used in metal work where they are known as “drop saws” or more commonly “chop saws”. Because the blade assembly could only pivot, not translate, these initial designs were limited by blade radius in how wide and deep a board they could cut.
How thick of wood can a miter saw cut?
A saw with a 10-inch blade makes right-angle cuts across a board 5 1/2 inches wide, sufficient for two-by-six lumber. The same 10-inch saw will cut a two-by-four at a 45-degree angle. Manufacturers also make 12-inch versions, which have a maximum cut of about 7 1/2 inches, wide enough for two-by-eights.
Can I cut wood with a chop saw?
Chop saws can be used for cutting lumber, moulding, decking, aluminum and other non-ferrous metals, provided the width and depth cooperate with the size restrictions of the saw. Material too wide for your chop saw can be cut with a circular saw.
Can I use my miter saw as a chop saw?
Miter saws and chop saws are not the same, even if the descriptions may sound similar. A chop saw is used for straight precision cuts, and a miter saw is used for angled cuts. Though it’s tempting to try to adjust the miter saw to work as a chop saw, the results will not be as good.
Can you put a metal cutting blade on a chop saw?
Yes you can with the appropriate blade. A carbide “steel cutting” blade should be used. It’s a high grade of carbide much harder than a normal wood cutting carbide.
What is the most accurate miter saw?
The Metabo HPT MultiVolt 7-1/4″ dual bevel miter saw is one of the best-built, smoothest, and most accurate miter saws we’ve had the pleasure of testing. It comes with a premium price tag, but definitely makes sense for woodworkers and carpenters who really need portability.
Can a chop saw cut metal?
While a chop saw is the best option for cutting metal effectively, they are not the cheapest of power tools. That said, if you’re cutting metal, mild-steel or aluminium on a regular basis, a chop saw like the Makita LC1230 12-Inch Metal Cutting Saw would be very ideal for all of your future metal cutting needs.
Can a circular saw cut a 2×4?
Choose the right circular saw blade: Typically ripping blades have fewer teeth (10 to 30) and are designed to cut through a large amount of material quickly along the grain of the wood. The best blade for ripping wood (or 2×4) using a circular saw would be a high-quality thin kerf blade like this-Thin Kerf Rip Blade.
Can a circular saw cut mitres?
You can make crisp, accurate bevel or miter cuts with a circular saw but it’s tricky. The blade guard can stick, making it tough to get started. And because the blade is angled, it’s more difficult to follow a line accurately without twisting the saw and possibly binding the blade.
Can you use a miter saw in place of a circular saw?
Miter saws are easier and safer to use than circular saws. While they can only cut boards up to 12″ wide, for beginner projects this is usually enough. If you need to cut larger pieces, home improvement stores are able to do this for you, negating the need for a circular saw until tackling advanced projects.
What is the smallest miter saw?
There’s something to be said for a miter saw that’s compact enough to fit on a small bench and light enough to move around easily. Craftsman’s new 7-1/4 in. compact slide miter saw butts right up to the wall, takes the same size blade you use in your circular saw, and weighs only 25 lbs.
What is cross cut mitre saw?
Miter saws are versatile woodworking tools created for cutting a variety of building materials such as lumber, siding, flooring, or even PVC pipes. Used primarily for crosscuts, which are cuts that go across the grain of the wood, miter saws have mounted circular saw blades that you pull down to cut the workpiece.
What are the 3 basic types of miter saws?
There are three types of mitre saws: sliding, compound and sliding compound. Sliding Mitre Saws. Sliding mitre saws have their blade mounted to a sturdy metal track similar to radial arm saws. Compound Mitre Saws. Sliding Compound Mitre Saws.
