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When it comes to successfully completing any type of home renovation or construction work, you need reliable tools to get the job done right. Depending on the specific type of construction project or renovation job that you’re working on, you will need to use a variety of tools to accomplish your ultimate end goal.
While there is a wide array of different tool options for you to choose from, not all of them will be able to provide you with the power and precision you need in order to complete the job in question. Cutting and fabricating is a large part of any construction or renovation project, so using tools that can withstand repeated use for cutting different materials is very important.
One of the most useful tools that any home renovation specialist or construction worker can use to help them on their job is a chop saw. The best chop saws will give you the ability to cut through large pieces of various materials with ease and efficiency.
A chop saw can come in many different configurations and power ratings, which is why it’s really important for you to choose the right machine from the beginning. They are often times used in the process of renovating homes and building new structures because they are very effective at creating different types of molding and frames which are used in the interior design process of many newly built home. The chop saws only move in two directions which are down and up, because of this, chop saws are only capable of producing square cuts or straight cuts.
Although chop saws are limited to restrictive types of cuts and movements, they come in a wide variety of different configurations and design types. Because of this, you need to make sure that you choose the right chop saw model before making the final purchase decision about which option is best for you.
There are a lot of various factors that you need to consider when choosing a chop saw an option that is right for you such as the power rating of the device; its capabilities, size, cut capacity, and a lot more.
All of these factors will vary depending on the type of project that you’re working on so you need to do some research about the various chop saw options out there before making a final decision about which one is best for you. If your someone who has been looking for a solid chop saw to carry out your work projects but haven’t been able to find the right fit for your particular needs, today is your lucky day.
In this guide, we’re going to go over some of the most important elements that everyone should consider before buying any chop saw an option that is currently on the market. We’ll cover all of the important features that you need to look for in a chop saw to ensure that you’ll be able to shop for your next chop confidently saw without any hesitation.
To start off, we’re going to go into depth about how chop saws work and what you can expect to see regarding the various design options, and capabilities that come with many chop saw varieties currently on the market.
Our Top Chop Saw Recommendation
SKILSAW SPT64MTA-01 15 Amp 14″
SKILSAW SPT64MTA-01 15 Amp 14″ chop saw is a versatile machine that gives you the ability to create cuts at angles including 90 degrees and 45 degrees. The SKILSAW SPT64MTA-01 15 Amp 14″ features a 14-inch blade that is extremely powerful and durable so you’ll be able to work with rather difficult materials without having to worry about facing any serious injuries.
The SKILSAW SPT64MTA-01 15 Amp 14″ is powered by a 15-amp motor which generates a nice amount of speed and force for working with a variety of different material types.
SKILSAW SPT64MTA-01 15 Amp 14″ also features a D-shaped handle, and it was designed with ergonomics in mind so you can use the machine at intervals of your choosing without experiencing significant hand cramps or worse.
The SKILSAW SPT64MTA-01 15 Amp 14″ weights approximately 34 pounds which is fairly light when compared to other chop saw models available on the market.
The SKILSAW SPT64MTA-01 15 Amp 14″ also comes with a maximum speed of 3,800 RPM so that you can handle very strenuous project materials without losing speed or momentum in your blade.
How Do Chop Saws Work?
Chop saws work use very simple mechanics in order to achieve the functionality that you expect. You standard chop saw design will consist of a rotor blade, a cutting platform, and measuring adjustments.
Chop saw designs can vary significantly depending on the type of model that you decide to purchase. Things such as the size of the rotary blade and platform will also vary depending on the type of chop saw model that you buy, so it’s important to keep these factors in mind before making your final purchase decision.
One really important factor to consider using a chop saw is the fact that you must first unlock the saw before using it. Every chop saw comes with its own locking mechanism which will allow you to disable changing the configuration of the device during work.
Unlocking your chop saw is very easy; however, the method for unlocking the device can vary depending on the model and type of chop saw that you purchase. If your chop saw is in the down position, you can unlock it by simply pushing down on the device which will release its configuration changing capabilities.
Once the locking pin has been disabled, you will be able to adjust the hinges on the chop saw which will allow you to optimize your positioning for the specific type of job that you’re carrying out. With other chop saw designs, you’ll have to look at the bottom of the cutting blade to find the adjustment knobs you’ll need to use in order to change the position of your chop saw.
The knobs that you see at the of your chop saw near the blade will allow you to change the swivel and angle of the chop saw very easily. You can make the necessary adjustments to the angle of your blade by using these knobs so that you can optimize your work speed and accuracy. Once you’ve made the right adjustments, you can simply tighten the knobs back into their original position in order to continue your work.
Chop saws are designed for very specific types of work and material working projects, which is why it’s crucial for you to understand how chop saws work before attempting to use one on your next project. The chop saws work by lowering the saw blade down into a designated cutting port that will be located at the base of your chop saw.
Chop saws do not move from side to side because they are in a fixed position aside from being able to adjust the height of the blade. Due to this, chop saws cannot make angled cuts into any material which is why you want to make sure that It’s the right tool for your specific needs before deciding to purchase one.
Chop saws are solely meant for creating straight line cuts into various types of materials. Depending on the model of chop saw that you decide to purchase, the type of materials that you’re able to cut will vary significantly, so this is also something that you want to pay attention to during the purchasing process.
If you attempt to cut angles using the chop saw for which it was not meant, you can put yourself in significant danger, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. Only make a square or straight cuts using chop saws and make sure that you guide the blade through the material very slowly, never attempt to force the blade through any material that you’re attempting to cut as this can lead to disastrous results.
Now that you know a little bit more about how chop saws work and their primary function let’s look at some of the vital safety procedures you need to take to ensure that you remain safe while using any chop saw that you select.
Safety Procedures to Follow When Using A Chop Saw
When using a chop saw, you need to remember that they can be hazardous machines if not operated properly. In the following section, we’re going to look at all of the most important safety practices that you need to follow when using a chop saw.
Hand Placement
When using a chop saw, you always need to be conscious of the placement of your hands. When using a chop saw, you have to remember that it only moves in two primary directions which can cause you to easily forget about where you’re placing your hands when carrying out a project.
You always want to keep your hands in the designated safe zones near the top of your blade as designated by your manufacturer. Failing to keep your hands in a safe location at all times can put you at serious risk for severe injury so always keep your hands in the designated safe areas of your chop saw.
Gloves
Very similar to making sure that you keep your hands in a safe area, you should also consider wearing gloves when using a chop saw due to the fact that you’ll be in very close proximity to the blade itself while cutting.
There are a lot of different cut-resistant and abrasion proof gloves that you can choose from on the market, so your options are nearly endless. Wearing protective gloves when using a chop saw can also help you cut down on the amount of pressure and stress felt by the palm of your hands during operation.
Ear Plugs
Chop saws can be very loud on their own, so when you combine any type of material with the noise, the machine already makes, it can become quite overwhelming very fast. The best way to reduce the number of raw decibels that your ears experience when using a chop saw, you should always wear some sort of hearing protection device in order to make sure that you do not risk injuring your ears during the construction process.
Earplugs come in a variety of different designs and configurations ranging in the amount of noise level that they’re able to handle, so you want to keep this in mind when choosing the right pair of earplugs for your desired style and type of work.
Eye Protection/Goggles
Chop saws much like any other type of saw that you use will produce a lot of dust particles from whatever type of material you may be working with on any given project. To protect your eyes from the threat of being poked out or damaged due to flying debris and other particles created by the machine during use.
There are a lot of different safety goggles out on the market for you to choose from so you’ll be able to get the right amount of protection that you need without having to worry.
When it comes to chopping saws, there are a lot of different variants on the market that you can choose from all of which will provide you with differing levels of power and precision. In the next section, we’re going to go in-depth about all of the chop saw variants out there for you to choose from so that you can be sure you’re making the right decision about which chop saw is perfect for your specific needs.
Chop Saw Model Variants
Just like other tools have variants and different models, chop saws do also, and each chop saw variant will provide you with different levels of precision, accuracy, and cutting power. To make sure you choose the right type of chop saw the variant for your intended use, make sure that you read this entire section in full.
We’ll cover the main differences between each variant and how each model type will allow you to get the desired cuts that you’re seeking when working with any material of your choosing.
As stated before, while all of these chop saw variants will vary in terms of the level of results that you achieve by using them, they all perform the same basic functions. Chop saws are made for cutting specific things such as crown molding, picture frames, window casings, door frames, and a lot more.
Regardless of the type of chop saw that you choose to purchase, you’ll still be able to carry out all of these functions in addition to more.
Sliding Compound Chop Saw
Sliding compound chop saws are very similar to compound chop saws however they have a built-in sliding feature that resembles that of a radial arm saw. This sliding component of the sliding compound chop saw gives you the ability to move the blade in a forward and backward position.
Sliding compound chop saws also tend to have larger maximum cutting length capacities so you’ll be able to cut large amounts of material in shorter amounts of time in addition to working with larger pieces of material, to begin with.
Compound Chop Saw
Compound chop saws have integrated blades that can swivel from right to left in order to enable you to create angled cuts in any type of material that you may be working with. They can also tilt in a very specific direction in order to create beveled cuts into the materials of your choice.
Compound chop saws allow you to adjust the blade of the saw on both of its axis which is great for versatile cutting in a rapidly changing environment. A compound chop saw will give you the ability to make angled cuts in one motion which is great if you need to cut crown molding or picture frames.
Dual Compound Chop Saw
Dual compound chop saws come with all of the same features that you’ll find in regular compound chop saws however they give you the ability to move the saw blade in both left and right fashion. With dual compound chop saws, you also get the ability to create bevels at various angles, which is great for those who are working on rather complex materials.
Now that we’ve gone over all of the main factors and features that you want to be considerate of when choosing the right chop saw for you, we’re going to look at the different variables that will affect the precision level, and power rating of each chop saw option out there.
Important Chop Saw Variables
While every chop saw is closely created in equal proportion, they do vary in terms of their power ratings and overall capabilities. It’s important to keep this in mind before purchasing a chop saw so that you can ensure you’re not wasting time or money with chop saw options that can’t meet your desired level of productivity.
Unlocking your chop saw is very easy however the method for unlocking the device can vary depending on the model and type of chop saw that you purchase. If your chop saw is in the down position, you can unlock it by simply pushing down on the device which will release its configuration changing capabilities.
Once the locking pin has been disabled, you will be able to adjust the hinges on the chop saw which will allow you to optimize your positioning for the specific type of job that you’re carrying out. With other chop saw designs, you’ll have to look at the bottom of the cutting blade to find the adjustment knobs you’ll need to use in order to change the position of your chop saw.
Dust Collection
Most chop saws come with a dust collection chute so that you can reduce the amount of total dust pollution that is in the air during any of your particular projects. If your chop saw doesn’t come with a dust collection chute, you can use a blower to remove any of the excess materials left over from your material working project.
Now that you know a little bit more about how chop saws work and their primary function, let’s look at some of the important safety procedures you need to take to ensure that you remain safe while using any chop saw that you select.
Is A Chop Saw Right for You?
Our Top Chop Saw Recommendations
Now that we’ve covered all of the important aspects and features that you need to look out for when choosing the right chop saw for your intended use, we’re going to list some of our top recommendations for the various chop saw options out on the market that you can choose from.
Keep in mind that all of these recommendations vary in terms of their overall power rating and functionality, so you always want to know what your definite project goals are before going out to, but any type of chop saw variety.
Use all of our recommendations are starting points for you to begin looking for the right chop saw that you need, however, always keep your options open and only choose the chop saw that is right for you.
#1 SKILSAW SPT64MTA-01 15 Amp 14″
SKILSAW SPT64MTA-01 15 Amp 14″ chop saw is a versatile machine that gives you the ability to create cuts at angles including 90 degrees and 45 degrees. It features a 14-inch blade that is extremely powerful and durable so you’ll be able to work with rather difficult materials without having to worry about facing any serious injuries.
SKILSAW SPT64MTA-01 15 Amp 14″ is powered by a 15-amp motor which generates a nice amount of speed and force for working with a variety of different material types.
The SKILSAW SPT64MTA-01 15 Amp 14″ also features a handle that is D-shaped, and it was designed with ergonomics in mind so you can use the machine at intervals of your choosing without experiencing significant hand cramps or worse.
SKILSAW SPT64MTA-01 15 Amp 14″ weights approximately 34 pounds which is fairly light when compared to other chop saw models available on the market. It also comes with a maximum speed of 3,800 RPM so that you can handle very strenuous project materials without losing speed or momentum in your blade.
#2 Bosch 3814 Abrasive
The Bosch 3814 Abrasive is powered by a stunning 15-amp motor that is capable of a maximum speed of up to 3,900 RPM which is more than enough power to handle most material types and projects.
The Bosch 3814 Abrasive also comes with built-in motor insulation to reduce the chances of overheating and loud noises made by the machine during use. Bosch 3814 Abrasive features a quick-release button which allows you to easily adjust the angle of the blade without interfering with your work efficiency or accuracy.
The Bosch 3814 Abrasive also has a trigger with a lock on it so that you can run the machine for extended periods of time without having to constantly bear down on the blade using your body weight. The Bosch 3814 Abrasive even has a locking vice grip integrated into the saw, which allows you to hold awkwardly shaped materials without any issues.
#3 DEWALT D28715 14-Inch Quick-Change Chop Saw
The DEWALT D28715 14-Inch Quick-Change Chop Saw is packing a 15.0 amp motor that has a maximum speed of up to 5.5hp which is more than enough strength to cut through the toughest of materials. DEWALT D28715 14-Inch Quick-Change Chop Saw is also packing a quick-change blade release mechanism which allows you to adjust the angle and grip of the blade with ease.
The DEWALT D28715 14-Inch Quick-Change Chop Saw is a robust and powerful machine that will allow you to work with a variety of different materials in addition to providing you with the versatility and power that you need.
#4 Evolution Power Tools EVOSAW380 15-Inch Steel Cutting Chop Saw
The Evolution Power Tools EVOSAW380 15-Inch Steel Cutting Chop Saw comes with an 1800-watt 15-amp motor that has a heavy duty aluminum cast base for stability and protection. Evolution Power Tools EVOSAW380 15-Inch Steel Cutting Chop Saw was designed for cutting steel and it comes with a 14” mild steel cutting blade which allows you to tackle the toughest of jobs.
The Evolution Power Tools EVOSAW380 15-Inch Steel Cutting Chop Saw is known as a cold cut saw and is perfect for those working with really thick metals or other hard to cut materials.
Evolution EVOSAW380 15-inch steel cutting chop saw offers the highest grade Industrial Metal cutting strength on the market today. When cutting steel, The EVOSAW380 cuts cold, No coolant is required. Because the material is cold It can be handled and worked on immediately.
Conclusion
Use all of the information in this guide to help you find the right chop saw variety for your intended use. All of the tips and valuable pointers that we have discussed in this guide will help you make the right decision on which chop saw variety is best for your specific project type and the various materials that you’ll be working with.
Remember that chop saws are made for cutting straight lines and squares so if you need to make angled cuts on a regular basis, a chop saw may not be the best option for you.
You always want to make sure that you’re choosing the right type of chop saw to ensure that you’ll have enough power in order to cut through the various materials and shapes you’re trying to mold. As long as you follow all of these simples rules and tips, you’ll be able to begin making precision cuts in no time with the new chop saw you just selected.
