Quick Answer: What Is A Chop Saw Used For

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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 miter saw and a chop 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.

Can chop saw cut metal and wood?

Mitre saws, cut off saws, and chop saws have a ‘cutting plinth’ integrated into the design to provide a static cutting area. Although mitre saws were traditionally used for cutting wood, with the correct blade they can make light work of cutting through steel and aluminium profiles at an angle.

What kind of cuts can a chop saw make?

Chop Saw vs Miter vs Hybrid Saws Compared Chop Saw Hybrid Saw Possible cut types Cross cuts (90°) Straight, bevel, miter, compound Square material capacity up to 4-3/4 in. around 4 in. Round material capacity up to 5-1/8 in. up to 4 in. Rectangular capacity 4 x 7-5/8 in. 2-3/4 in. x 9-1/8 in. up to 2 x 12 in.

Can you cut metal with a chop saw?

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 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 cut aluminum with a chop saw?

If you only need to cut to length use a chop saw if you want to cut angles you will need a mitre saw. The best blade for aluminium tends to be a fairly high tooth count carbide toothed one general purpose ones are ok but you can get ones specifically designed for aluminium.

How much does a miter saw cost?

A basic compound miter saw starts at $100, while miter saws with sliding blades start at $125. Dual-bevel miter saws start at $200, and professional-level miter saws with special features can cost as much as $800.

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.

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.

What kind of saw can cut through metal?

Cut Metal with Your Circular Saw It may not be an obvious choice, but fitted with the right blade, a circular saw is a great metal-cutting tool. In our test, it cut through rebar like a hot knife through butter. You can cut mild steel up to about 3/8 in. thick using a ferrous-metal-cutting blade.

Can I use a circular saw instead of a miter saw?

Circular saws do have more versatility than miter saws. Every cut you can make on a miter saw can also be done on a circular saw, plus a few more. This is why my dad (and some others on the internet) recommend starting with a circular saw. But circular saws are tedious to use.