setting 45 degrees on metal chop saws?

[droptopgt]

Hey this might be a stupid question, but does anyone know why there are always two bolts on the thing that sets angles on metal chop saws and the proper way to set them? Do you guys just loosen one and keep the other still, or do you loosen both and set it at for example 45 degrees and hope its the right angle?

For example, i had to set my angles at 22 1/2 degrees for some welding and i had to cut a piece on my regular wood chop saw and use that as a guide everything and it gets annoying, there has to be some secret to use of the two bolts? Thanks in advance..

[tnjind]

Nope it's just a simple clamp. Chop saws are not built for accurate cuts. Cut pieces that you know are square are good to use for setting up the clamp.

[BDJ]

Nope it's just a simple clamp. Chop saws are not built for accurate cuts. Cut pieces that you know are square are good to use for setting up the clamp.

Yep what he said, or you could use a speed square to check angle.

[SavageSunJeep]

Is there any reason why I cannot use my high$$ DeWalt saw that cuts all those fancy angles when I do wood working...convert it to a chop saw by just adding a cut-off blade??

[Broccoli1]

Is there any reason why I cannot use my high$$ DeWalt saw that cuts all those fancy angles when I do wood working...convert it to a chop saw by just adding a cut-off blade??

Most Abrasive blades are not designed to run at the speed a Wood Mitre saw turns.

There is one company that is selling blades that they say will work.

I'll have to find the link.


But I wouldn't want to screw with my mid$$ Compound Mitre saw- It only gets fed wood


http://www.bulletindustries.com/catalog/

[SavageSunJeep]

Most Abrasive blades are not designed to run at the speed a Wood Mitre saw turns.

There is one company that is selling blades that they say will work.

I'll have to find the link.


But I wouldn't want to screw with my mid$$ Compound Mitre saw- It only gets fed wood


http://www.bulletindustries.com/catalog/

OK, then why don't they have a Chop saw that is like a compound mitre saw to cut angles etc et

[Fat-Fab.com]

The mechanism would get clogged with the metal and blade particles.

And the price of the unit would go up so high you would be better off getting a cold saw. http://www.bii1.com/coldsaws/coldsaws_manual.htm

TJ

[KBar]

I use a square to set my 45's or 90's. You cant rely on the settings on the saw and I snug up both bolts. I also never use the lock down handle with the bolts, it doesnt hold very well anyhow. The only trouble I have with mine is the blade flexing if I only want to cut off a 1/4" of material.

Heres a link on the evolution tools and blades.
http://www.evolutionpowertools.co.uk/us/index.html

[k.a.m.]

I have the same problem as KBar, if i want to take a little off it makes for a tough cut because of the blade flex. as for cut angles i use my speed square for 45.s and 90.s. i made several wood templates for other angles on my wood chop saw,in a pinch before i got my metal chop-saw i put a blade on my makita. one cut said i was sorry never again.

[c wagner]

They're called "chop" saws because "hack" saw was allready taken!

I just use my angle finder/ protractor thingy, if I need to get closer than that I find a bandsaw.

We have a Dewalt mitre saw at work that we us for cutting Alum. (special blade) well I think we own three of them now. They survive pretty well depending on who is operating them, but we've had them all repaired once. One of the guys found out they don't cut stainless pipe very well I'm sure if it was someone that would have known better it would have been fatal!