Metal Chop Saw Who Has What?

I am looking at getting an inexpensive metal chop saw or abrasive cut off saw. I had my eye on the harbor freight version but also see there are big name ones for about twice the price. I.e. $90 vs $180. My intended use is for hobby work only, so it won't see a lot of use. It seems the blade is separate for the HF version and people are getting unrated blades like dewalt instead of HF. What's everyone else using and or experiences ?
Thanks

 

I have a DeWalt 14" and it works well.

 

I have a Dewalt 14" chops saw but the Milwaukee port a band is the way to roll...

FREE SHIPPING — Milwaukee Deep Cut Band Saw Kit — 11 Amps, Model# 6232-21 | Portable Band Saws| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

I have a Harbor Freight metal band saw. It has worked well. I used it to build my trailer and the welding bench I have.

 

chop saw too many sparks
the only good use was cutting hydraulic hoses
I also use a porter cable brand band saw for metal work

 

I was in the market for a chop saw about a year ago and looked into the HF ones. I noticed there was really no difference between the two models they carry. Same hp, same rpm, same amp draw. I got the cheaper one with a coupon for $60. I have used the crap out of it with zero issues. I think I'm on my 5th wheel. I figured I could go through 3 of these saws for the price of a "good" one, but I've been pleasantly surprised.

Just don't cheap-out on the abrasives. Go to a metalworking supply place and get good, quality wheels. They seem to last forever and don't pose as much of a danger.

 

I didn't know theses portable band saw, I have a fix one. It is different from the disc saw; but it seems amazing.
Problem is that we cannot buy all. For metal I use an abrasive disc or a portable jigsaw like DEWALT 6.5 Amp Jig Saw-DW331K - The Home Depot but now I consider that the tools hand free with lithium-ion batteries are perfect and powerful, just need of 2 batteries.

 

Got an old chop saw at the dump, bought some 10" abrasive blades on ebay. Works fine for limited amounts of cutting.

 

I have two hack saws! (It's the coffee talking...) And I use my sawzall quite a lot.

 

Best metal cutting carbide cold saw I have ever owned............Evolution EVOSAW380 | Evolution Power Tools | Evolution 15............ and at $359.99 the cheapest anywhere. Cuts accurate miters , through tubing , bar stock , channels , angles like butter. Bought this one a few years back , use it all the time and still on the original blade........................... last night cutting some tubing.

 

Ok, sorry to ask what may be a dumb question, which shows what I don't know about the subject.
Is there a difference between a carpenters compound miter and a saw an metal fabricator would use, other than the blade?

 

Surface speed of the blade, rpm. Number of teeth per inch on the blade and of course the actual material the blade is made of.

 

Tarry, can you post a short video of that thing cutting?

I'm hoping for a band saw, myself. Not a portable one but a floor model. Not as versatile or accurate, perhaps, as a chop saw.

The abrasive saws do make a lot of sparks, which is bad. And, it seems most of the cheap ones have crappy clamping set ups which, to me, is an important part of the equation.

 

I have an old Taiwanese floor band saw and it cuts pretty accurately.

 

I just remembered... The HF saw I'm using was the second attempt. The first one I got tripped the breaker when I plugged it in. I plugged it into a high-amp outlet and the switch started melting and smoking.
Return-amundo.

 

Hey Dave , I'm not quite that ambidextrous to Wrestle that saw and film at the same time........but here is a video of the 355 saw which is a little smaller and does not have the quick release vise..............but the basics of the 1450 RPM carbide blade and approach to cutting are the same........................basically it's all about letting the blade do it's work as very slight feed pressure is all that's needed to cut through almost anything........I have just started experimenting with some wax lubricant to extend blade life but at this point the blade keeps right on cutting....................on the negative side it's noisy , so ear protection is a must and the little metal shards coming off the blade during the cut need to be swept up or vacuumed off the floor daily or the Mrs. will lock Ya out of the house.

Videos | EVOSAW355 & EVOSAW380: Steel Cutting Chop Saws

 

Wow. Thanks for posting that. Seems pretty amazing. And, IIRC, a good floor model band saw is much more expensive. Been a while since I even looked at them.

Found the saw and blades at fastenal website. Not sure it's the same saw but close at 390 bucks and change. Replacement blades are kind of salty. Guess that's to be expected.