Square Cuts

[Gizmo.Y]

I am getting majorly frustrated with getting square cuts from ANY of my equipment.

Draper Bandsaw - Spent 3 hours filing and adjusting the guides. Still cuts on the P**s
Rage Saw - Blade is square to the guides, both axis, Still cuts on the P**s
355 Chop Saw - Blade is square to the guides, both axis, Still cuts on the P**s

Its causing me a massive headache and i'm getting rather frustrated now. I can't afford any new equipment, but equally i cant afford not to have square cuts, especially when it comes to 3" stainless tubing.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

The only time my blades stop cutting square* is when they need replacing.

*I'm pretty anal about the initial setup of all my cutting machinery. On my radial arm saw I use a protractor on the workpiece to angle it rather than move the arm of the saw off of 90 degrees.

 

[Bill Edwards]

It might be useful to know just how far out 'on the p***' is - one man's 'miles out' is another man's 'almost c*** on'.

 

[Richiew]

I am getting majorly frustrated with getting square cuts from ANY of my equipment.

Draper Bandsaw - Spent 3 hours filing and adjusting the guides. Still cuts on the P**s
Rage Saw - Blade is square to the guides, both axis, Still cuts on the P**s
355 Chop Saw - Blade is square to the guides, both axis, Still cuts on the P**s

Its causing me a massive headache and i'm getting rather frustrated now. I can't afford any new equipment, but equally i cant afford not to have square cuts, especially when it comes to 3" stainless tubing.

Take heart, it's not just you. I have to take a file to most material to get it square after cutting. I have adjusted my bandsaw as close to square as I dare, I am sure that if I try to "improve" it any further it will be worse not better. My chop saw is no different, the blade seems to deflect as it comes down through the material. Even if I get stuff cutting square it wont be the same next time I try. I am dreaming of one day owning some sturdy industrial cold saw to finally get repeatable square cuts in tube.

 

[robdxr2]

I know it's not the right way of doing it but if you haven't got the time to sort the problem and need to do lots of cuts if you know how far out it is you could put the part you are cutting on the p**s so it cuts it square. I know this is wrong but to get you out of trouble until the problem can be sortted?

 

[Richard.]

I am getting majorly frustrated with getting square cuts from ANY of my equipment.

Draper Bandsaw - Spent 3 hours filing and adjusting the guides. Still cuts on the P**s
Rage Saw - Blade is square to the guides, both axis, Still cuts on the P**s
355 Chop Saw - Blade is square to the guides, both axis, Still cuts on the P**s

Its causing me a massive headache and i'm getting rather frustrated now. I can't afford any new equipment, but equally i cant afford not to have square cuts, especially when it comes to 3" stainless tubing.

Are you sure your square is not on the ***.
When you say all these saws are running out in one fashion or another I have to ask to question are you approaching the job correctly.
No doubt you'll know SS comes with its work hardening challenges which to get around you need sharp tools, relatively slow cutting speed, lubricaion, and a bit of pressure to avoid rubbing.
Have you taken all of the above into account. (Apart from abrasive saws) let them just do the cutting at there own pace.
Before you get carried away have you tried cutting some steel or aluminium and let the saw gently do the work. This will tell you if your saw is out or your cutting method is wrong.