Chop Saw Blades Views Please

[cumbriasteve]

Hi All

I am refitting my workshop after taking early retirement, wrought ironwork as a paying hobby.

Business is picking up and I feel the need for a cutting machine instead of waving a 9" grinder about.

A cut of saw around the £100 mark seems to fit the bill for now and then upgrade in a couple of years if required.

I can't decide between a steel or abrasive cutting wheel, I can get about 30 abrasive discs for the price of a steel blade but how does that compare really?

Not bothered about sparks or metal chips flying about, suppose it's all about ease of use, perhaps noise level and certainly consumable usage.

My material is flat and round 10 mm and box to about 40mm, usage is not massive, certainly not production line levels, maybe a set of gates a week and a dozen or so smaller projects if that.

Not an easy one to answer I admit but your views would be very welcome.
Thanks
Steve

 

[astro_al]

If you're doing wrought iron work, why not just cut it all hot with the correct tool in the hardy hole of your anvil?

Al.

 

[gordon stephenson]

I am assuming by wrought iron you mean ornamental steelwork, Don't know about cost re; cutting wheel /steel blade but on the noise side of things I have an Evolution 14" steel bladed chop saw and it works great but is really noisy,if you have any any body living close to you they won't be very pleased

 

[cumbriasteve]

If you're doing wrought iron work, why not just cut it all hot with the correct tool in the hardy hole of your anvil?

Al.

There is a very good reason for that, I don't have a hardy hole in my anvil because I don't have an anvil.

Ok..to be PC...ornamental steelwork with pre bought bits welded to it.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I am assuming by wrought iron you mean ornamental steelwork, Don't know about cost re; cutting wheel /steel blade but on the noise side of things I have an Evolution 14" steel bladed chop saw and it works great but is really noisy,if you have any any body living close to you they won't be very pleased

Thanks for the info, the neighbours are a little close and I thought the steel balde would be a bit on the noisy side, nearly as noisy as me gasping with the hacksaw I think

 

[pedrobedro]

I have an abrasive chop saw and the blades last ages but it does make dust if that is a concern. It's not too noisy inside the shed, the neighbours don't complain about it anyway.

 

[cumbriasteve]

What make it is please pedrobedro, I was looking at a Clarke in Machine Mart for about £140, had a 2000w watt motor so seemed ok.

 

[rich74310]

I have a makita one and its very good. I have had it for a few months done loads of cutting and not even gone through one disk.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I have a makita one and its very good. I have had it for a few months done loads of cutting and not even gone through one disk.

Thanks Rich74310...I think the 2 replies stating how long the abrasive discs last has helped me decide that's the way I will go.

Going to look at my wood cut off saw now, hardly used and hope the shaft size will fit an abrasive disc...could be worth a try but will have to check on RPM etc, I know cutting discs have a max RPM, think I also saw somewhere they had a minimum as well.

 

[awemawson]

Get something like a MEC Brown by Pedrazoli - the 75 models go quite cheaply on ebay and if you use coolant the blade lasts for ever. Wouldn't be without mine.