Topic: The $67 mini-chop saw

[mystic_1]

So I'm getting older and my enthuasism for hacksaws has waned over the years.  Also I recently have need to cut some heavier stock such as 1.125 inch tubing, 1/4 inch bar stock, and the like.  A metal-cutting chopsaw is the right tool but I have a small shop and a small budget.   Harbor Frieght sells a "Bench Top Cut-Off Saw" saw for about $28 but it's wimpy motor, plastic housing, and floppy hinge action leave much to be desired.

Therefore, here's my...




Recipie for a $67 mini chop saw:


Harbor Freight (Drill Master)
4-1/2" Angle Grinder
ITEM 95578-0VGA
$19.99


Plus



Pack of 10 4-1/2" Cut-off Wheels for Metal
Harbor Freight
ITEM 45430-8VGA
$7.99


Plus



Grizzly Industrial
G8183 4-1/2" Angle Grinder Stand
Your Price:**   $24.95

BUT available as a knockoff on eBay:


Seller info
mydealsdirect
Buy It Now:  $13.99



Equals

   



Shipping on Harbor Freight items = $7.99
Shipping on stand = $16.99


Total investment = $66.97


I made a little spark guard out of sheet metal I had lying around, it really helps.  The front spark guard comes with the stand.  It still throws sparks around bit it's tolerable.  You can see where I've marked the bed for the cut width at full plunge, with a brand new wheel.

Maximum capacity seems to be about an inch but I got away with slightly more than that by making partial cuts and rotating the work.  Accuracy was fair, the hinge on the stand is pretty good but the stamped sheet metal base is a bit flimsy.  Bolting it down helps with rigidity but there's some flex at the clamp when cutting tubing, it's ok with flat or square stock.  I took a fair amount of time assembling the stand, truing everything with machinists squares and straight-edges.

This setup beats the harbor freight mini-chop saw hands-down.  You get 11,000 rpm of 4.2 amp cutting goodness instead of a lame 7800 RPM, 0.9 amps.

It costs more, but consider that if I ever burn out the motor it's a quick $20 bolt-in replacement as opposed to replacing the whole shebang.

I'm considering adding a router speed controller so that I can fine-tune the blade speed and avoid overheating the stock and blade too much.  Taking the cut in small steps works fine for the time being though.

I made a bunch of cuts on various diameters of tubing so far and I am quite pleased.




cheers
mystic_1

[mcuozzo]

Is this the one you say is wimpy?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=41453

I've been close to pulling the trigger but haven't because I really don't have the room for a full size saw.  I need to be able to move it around easily

And the harbor freight by me has a mini chop saw that's all metal, it really does look like they shrunk the full size one.  Don't know the specs, gotta look into it.

Your idea is definitely cool though, nice work!!!

[mystic_1]

Neither that one nor this one impressed me at all:  http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42307

The one you posted has more power but both of them have plastic components in the hinge area and there was a lot of slop in the display units.  In both cases I could get over 1/2 inch movement of the blade bu wiggling lightly back and forth.  I was also concerned if the motor burned out the whole thing would be junk.  With the stand I'm using I'd just go buy another $20 grinder and be back in business.

mystic_1

[kghost]

Go get one now....I've burned up 2.

Switched to a Makita and its still spinning strong.

[mystic_1]

The Makita would fit in this stand, too


If I burn through five or six of these I'll kick myself and say I shoulda bought a Makita


mystic_1

[mcuozzo]

briging this back to the top because HF is having a sale for a full size chop saw for $59.


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?function=Search

So if you get your 15% off coupon, you can get this saw (blade included) for.....


                                     $51.14

[mystic_1]

"Sorry, the item number is not a valid item"   


Besides, don't have room in the shop for a full sized one, otherwise I'd probably have gone that route.

Also, there's a HF right up the street from me so I saved the shipping, total investment for me was $58.98 minus the 15% would be $50.13

Finally if the grinder I'm using ever burns out (always a concern with Harbor Freight tools) it's a $20 replacement.


BUT, $51.14 is a good price, so thanks for posting.  Any idea how long the sale runs?

mystic_1

[mcuozzo]

huh, let's try that again...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91938

The sale runs till december 14th.

You could buy the replacement plan at HF, it's no more than 20 for 1 year.  Think it's only 9.95 actually.  And if you remember at the 11th month and 29 day mark, just return it for a new one.  They don't even ask what's wrong, they just give you another!!!

[mcuozzo]

Got the saw this weekend.  It seems pretty sturdy, made some simple cuts with it.  It's a chop saw alright, nothing too exciting.

The 2 yr replacement plan is $10.  I joked with the cashier/manager that I just have to remember to break it around Thanksgiving 2011 so I can get a new one free.

So for $63.xx dollars total, not a bad deal.

Matt