Which cut-off saw for the hobbyist?

[Loansharc]

im looking to buy a cut-off saw so I can do some small fabrication in my back yard, small to medium stuff like table frames, legs etc.

I've looked in the usual catalogues (Clarke, Screwfix) but I have a very healthy and justified fear of buying tools from these places!

Can anybody recommend a decent model saw for my needs? The saw must make accurate cuts, and have adjustable cutting angle. I guess my budget is hovering around the £200 mark.

Cheers fellas

 

[bigegg]

The small horizontal bandsaws are brilliant. Pick one up for about 100-120 quid second hand.
They sometimes need fettling, but if you buy one that looks as tho it's been used, you'll usually find someone else has done it.

Theyre not particularly fast, but quiet enough to use without the neighbours complaining - and no sparks either!

The vertical mode is also quite useful (I find) for cutting plate to make brackets, and for notching to join C-section and angle

 

[norlander]

At 200 pounds, you are probably looking at a Rage saw model. They are ok, but can go through blades, and are hideously noisy. I have one. I also have an abrasive disc cut off saw, but not sure if you will find one at 200 pounds, they are noisy, produce dust and sparks, and the kerf is about 3mm.
I would go for a horizontal bandsaw, and in fact I am looking to purchase one soon, fairly quiet,pretty clean in operation, kerf is much finer, and you can do basic tube notching with them.

 

[julianf]

Do you have space and / or like old stuff?

I think my rapidor was £22 quid off eBay...

 

[Richard.]

I've recently refurbished a 6x4 bandsaw and for the home user you will not find a finer tool. I had to fettle the tracking on this to get the blade to stop walking took an hour tops to get cuts that are bang one square. In the 90 and 45. I had an abrasive chop saw before this and although it was more portable everything else about it was awful in comparison. Noisy, dirty, cuts were thick and 45's were terrible. Get a 6x4 second hand. Don't cheap on the blade spend £15 on a m42 or bi metal and you will have an awsome tool.

 

[Richard.]

Tip. As I found out with mine. The worm drive and gear is it's only weak point really. If you do go to view a second hand 6x4. Pull the pully cover back and give the pully a spin. It should spin freely even with the motor and belt hooked up. If it's stiff then prob best to avoid that one as it's worn out or bent shaft.

 

[rikrobson]

have you considered the evolution rage? there are seveal versions chop/slide 210/255mm the sut in steel is clean but is a little on the noisy side.

they have an outlet on ebay selling reconditioned/returned saws. I got one last month 210 slide chopsaw. for about £70-80 delivered iirc

 

[skotl]

have you considered the evolution rage? there are seveal versions chop/slide 210/255mm the sut in steel is clean but is a little on the noisy side.

they have an outlet on ebay selling reconditioned/returned saws. I got one last month 210 slide chopsaw. for about £70-80 delivered iirc

I agree entirely - great performance and value for money, but...

At 200 pounds, you are probably looking at a Rage saw model. They are ok, but can go through blades, and are hideously noisy. I have one. I also have an abrasive disc cut off saw, but not sure if you will find one at 200 pounds, they are noisy, produce dust and sparks, and the kerf is about 3mm.
I would go for a horizontal bandsaw, and in fact I am looking to purchase one soon, fairly quiet,pretty clean in operation, kerf is much finer, and you can do basic tube notching with them.

I also agree with this. The Rage chopsaw is definitely not subtle. I wear MIG gauntlets, ear defenders, a welding mask and a woolly hat when using mine - the swarf goes absolutely everywhere.

But it was £50... if I can find a decent 2nd hand band saw for £200 I'll replace it.

 

[Kent]

Andy stobbs just put up a Makita TCT chop saw.

To be fair I like abrasive cut off saws for all but their noise and sparks. They are easy to transport and take up little space. Best of all is a good bandsaw but with limited room and little work for it? The trick with the abraisive cut off saw is high quality wheels and cleaning off / out the crusty clusters of sparks and don't force the blade if you want a true cut. I have used a Matabo for a few years now and other than a few blades that went wobbly in storage it will do most things up to 80 x 80 x 5 SHS

Noise could be an issue for you? if so consider having stuff cut at the suppliers or choose the time you cut carefully (no earmuffs is not a good idea either). Remember also sparks and hot chippings are good at starting fires and hot sparks even when they are no longer glowing will ruin paintwork and burn into glass

 

[Kent]

I agree entirely - great performance and value for money, but...



I also agree with this. The Rage chopsaw is definitely not subtle. I wear MIG gauntlets, ear defenders, a welding mask and a woolly hat when using mine - the swarf goes absolutely everywhere.

But it was £50... if I can find a decent 2nd hand band saw for £200 I'll replace it.

Just be aware woolly hats and worse still synthetic ones catch light real easy, seen it a few times. Better swap that out for a welders cap

 

[pedrobedro]

Andy stobbs just put up a Makita TCT chop saw.

To be fair I like abrasive cut off saws for all but their noise and sparks. They are easy to transport and take up little space. Best of all is a good bandsaw but with limited room and little work for it?

I have an old abrasive saw because it was cheap and it does the job. I cut some steam pipe with thick wall for a local project and while a band saw did one cut I had done six. With over a hundred lengths to cut it was no contest. I cut outside mostly and aim it at the wall and PPE is obviously needed. I would have a band saw if I had more room and one came up local at the right price but the chop saw is coping with everything I need at the moment. It's done the job for 4 spaceframe chassis and lots of other projects and doesn't eat discs so is quite economical.

 

[Kent]

good discs are essential I am on tyrolit at present and they seem pretty darn good. I have also taken to storing my spare discs in the house were its all heated and dry and they certainly seem to last a lot better and stay straighter than those left in the shop

 

[norlander]

I forgot this :

first off, I had not twigged you could profile tube with a bandsaw, ok, it may not be spot knacker for all jobs, but be OK for MIG, (gaps/bad fit up can be a pain with TIG), but as a basic method it will pass for some projects.
The other thing to note, is the cutting head turns and the workpiece stays stationary, a Rage saw would be similar, but some abrasive chop saws, like mine, need the material clamp to be repositioned and the workpiece angled to suit, you then need movable outboard supports, this can be a right pain when you do not have a lot of space, with a movable cutting head, the workpiece stays put on the outriggers.
I have been using my abrasive chop saw this morning, its a hot and sunny day and the sunlight through the open door showed up just how much killer dust the beasts kick out, its still good to have it in my options, but starting over again, in hindsight, bandsaw would be my choice, and in fact, I am off to get one tomorrow.

 

[norlander]

good discs are essential I am on tyrolit at present and they seem pretty darn good. I have also taken to storing my spare discs in the house were its all heated and dry and they certainly seem to last a lot better and stay straighter than those left in the shop

+1 on that, keep mine flat and in a box, and I let them cut their way,back off a tad to keep the motor spinning full chat and I get decent cuts and pretty good disc life.

 

[Kent]

Don't you just love it when they show things like that in promotional vids. I mean in real life with half a dozen or more cuts to do your "Corrals and gates" might look like a one handed blind man made them after half a dozen pints of strong ale

 

[roofman]

Ime on the lookout for one of these to convert to use metal cutting discs...cheap to buy iff you find an old one and super accurate just by its design and fine depth cutting too with the top revolving screw action on the pull out arm

 

[Loansharc]

Thanks guys some good info on here.

I might take a look at that Rage 2 as I don't have the room for a bandsaw. There's a vid up on YouTube of the Rage in action, and it seems fairly suitable.

My pet hate is when you get these lower budget machines home and they are flimsy or don't run smoothly.

i.e. anything from machinemart

 

[Peloquin]

Just remember to not put pressure on the blade or the teeth fly off. Let the saw do the work.

 

[norlander]

ok, it may not be spot knacker for all jobs

Don't you just love it when they show things like that in promotional vids. I mean in real life with half a dozen or more cuts to do your "Corrals and gates" might look like a one handed blind man made them after half a dozen pints of strong ale

Like I said

ok, it may not be spot knacker for all jobs,

 

[rikrobson]

I'm happy with the rave. Not much sparks. It's almost sparkless on soft mild steel angle.
They also do wood with the same blade. So it's a win win in my book for a hobby saw