Hi fellow wood workers, We have a problem finding a chop saw for our part cutting bench. We use it mainly for stop cutting many parts such as stiles and rail for building cabinets and built in units. The only requirement is the saw cut extremely square and consistent. For years we have used the old reliable Delta cast iron saw Mod# 34-080 10″ motorized miter box. The saw is belt driven with a long armature shaft about 10 inches long. A big solid motor that last a long time and cuts incredibly smooth. Well through the years we’ve run out of these good saws, “the newest we have was built in 1992” and are no longer available. We have tried all the new saws out there in the tool catalogs and the closest we come is the 12′ makita compound. They will cut good for a while but with all the movable compounds slides they soon become week. So this is my story. I’m looking for help in finding a replacement for this chop saw job. We always are saying what are the other guys using? Are there commercial saws available in places other that the typical tool sale catalogs? We are Building custom homes and we are able to still build all the cabinetry for these homes.
Your suggestions and guidance would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Rog
Replies
Can't you just get the old saws rehabbed? Seems like a motor shop or machine shop should be able to replace bearings, etc.
We've been rehabbing for years. The large rotating joint of the arm just wears out and becomes sloppy.
Rog
Forget about looking at the chop saws at your tool store.
http://www.omgainc.com/productfamily.php?cid=2
http://www.redmondmachinery.com/browse.cfm/4,630.htm
this saw is built like a battle ship. Much more so then the old Deltas that you have been using. This is industrial strength!
We have one in our shop and along with the Tiger Stop you can not beat the combo. Tiger stop will guarantee repeated cuts over and over again. leave those Deltas, Makitas, DeWalts .........for the carp out in the field. There are other chop saws like the Omga, dont know any of the other brand names but these are the type of saw you want in a shop.
http://www.tigerstop.com/?gclid=CLzrzMG8q48CFQ6CPAodkWEyQQ
Niether of these tools are cheap but you wont be looking to replace them for a long long time.
Doug
Edited 10/25/2007 10:05 pm ET by DougU
Thanks Doug, I check into this. Rog
Ever use a "whirlwind" upcut saw? Now THATS a chop saw.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
Never heard of it. Thanks, Rog
That's not a very big fence. But it does look like the fence slides to adapt to themiter angle so the throat is as small as possible."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Yea the fence isnt much but this thing doesnt compond, not really meant for a crown saw but dead on accuracy is its strong suit.
You wouldnt want to take this thing out to a job site, weights to much but for 85 - 95% of everything in our shop it will work. For large crown/misc we have a couple regular chop saws sitting around.
Doug
It looked like they had a compound model too."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Rog,
There are commercial saws available, however I know nothing about brands etc. I did see a chop saw in a local tool store recently, can't recall who made it. Looked like it was ready for a serious cabinet shop and had a serious price tag of around $2,500.
Here, I went and found the link: http://www.overlandtool.com/products/details.asp?keyword=&mfg=&prodid=7249
Have you thought about a miter gauge with a repeater stop? I know it's not what you're asking about. I purchashed the one in the first link below a few months ago and love it. I've used it to cut parts for a set of kitchen cabinets and also some parts for a nightstand I'm making. Since I bought it, anything I've needed more then 2 of, less then 2' or so, I don't even use the miter saw. It won't replace the miter saw by any means, but it is a nice set up as a back up.
http://tinyurl.com/2j2keg
http://tinyurl.com/34adrg
That said
i'm not sure by the pics,but this may be one of those heavy delta chop saw,guy wants 75.00 for it.http://wichita.craigslist.org/tls/462214350.html .that is craigslist,wichita ks,under tools. larry
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?