Need a speed control to reduce my chopsaw speed.

[turbo38t]

Anyone know where to get a variable speed motor control to drop my 115volt 15 amp ac chopsaw motor from 3900rpm to 1600rpm or so? I am looking to run some of my Dewalt carbide metal blades for some nice clean cuts versus the standard metal cutting blades and don't want to damage them with the high speed. Thanks. Dave

[Laiky]

i have a router speed control that worked briefly, until the fuse blew, not made for chopsaws, the problem is that you don't have the torque once you reduce the speed.

[welderman23]

i think you could just wire in a rheostat

[ultim8wldr]

you can not do this!!!!
those saws are not designed to cut at a slower speed and the motors are not built to handle the stresses that carbides produce. they are more agressive and grab when cutting.

[turbo38t]

The guy at Sharp-rite where I bring my wood and metal blades to get sharened says he has seen it done quite often. He mentionaed a speed control that you can get through a woodworking magazine but I couldn't find what he was talking about. The Dewalt carbide I have definitely cuts alot "easier" than the disposable type wheels. I guess this is because it "machines" the metal when making a cut versus grinding it. And the nice thing is the metal doesn't get hot. But, I was using the blades at 3900 rpm not realizing max speed was 1800rpm, so you can ultimately see why they didn'rt last as long as they should . Speed=friction=heat. Anyways, if I can't find anything online I'm just gonna drive back to him to see what the piece was called. Thanks again. Dave

[Badd00SS]

Grizzly sells a router speed control, but your chop saw motor WILL burn out if you use a carbide blade and reduce the speed in half. Not Might, it will. I went through two saws this way, then broke down and bought a bandsaw. I will eventually buy a cold cut saw made for the purpose as well, but since I had to cut some 8" and 9" beams, it only made sense to get the bandsaw. Best money I have ever spent. The cut quality is between an abrasive and a cold cut, almost as nice as the cold cut carbide saws.

Not trying to be a downer, but if you want to waste $50 on a speed control, and then have to buy another saw soon to replace the one that gets burnt up, its up to you.

[SundownIII]

Dave,

Listen to what some of the other posters have told you.

A speed reducer for your abrasive saw is not the solution. Reducing the speed also reduces the torque. You WILL (not may) burn up a perfectly good chop saw.

Porter Cable, Milwaukee, Makita, etc all make cold cut saws designed to operate at the speeds dictated by carbide blades. I understand that Evolution (looks like a Porter Cable) also makes a 14" cold cut saw which Sears sells for in the $270 range. If it is indeed, a rebadged PC, it is a good saw.

The cold cut saws are well worth the money. You'll want to keep the abrasive though, since the cold cut saws arn't recommended for re-bar or other "mystery metal" such as bedframes.

Check out FleaBay, since there seems to be a big markup on the saws.

[turbo38t]

Thanks for the advice guys, gonna look into the Dewalt cold cut saw. Really liked that one. Anyways, definitely appreciate the help. Dave

[turbo38t]

Anybody have any decent online places to buy these? Good prices and good service? Thanks. Dave

[Laiky]

This is where i got my milwaukee

http://cgi.ebay.com/MILWAUKEE-NEW-14...742.m153.l1262