Cut-Off saws - Can anyone recommend a good one?

[CJT]

As the heading describes I am after a good quality cut-off saw.

I was trying to build my sliders today when my cut-off saw packed it in with smoke and tripping the power. It would have done no more than two dozen cuts since I bought it in September or so 2010.

Took it back under warranty but they look at them and repair, not replace unless necessary and seeing as there wherehouse is under water it may take a while.

So can anyone recommend a good brand etc. from experience. It wont get used every day but will get used quiet regularly building whatever comes to my mind.

Currently on the go;

1. D2 sliders with nerf and scrub bars.
2. D2 rear bar with quarter protection etc.
3. Fast back cannopy for a ML Triton.
4. Sliders for ML Triton.
5. Storage rack for steel supplies on heavy duty casters.to move around the garage.
6. Rack for storing surf ski's and kayaks.

I have way too much stuff, no wonder the cars wont fit (apart from the D2 being to tall anyway)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I dont mind spending the money (within reason) as I prefer to only have to buy things once.

[Slunnie]

Hmmm, I just lost my reply... so anybody that tells me wireless is the NBN solution may just get my wireless modem jammed up their ..... :mad:

Basically, I said try Maktec. We hammer one of these at work and so far it has been excellent. It will be more than fine for home use.

[jakeslouw]

I'd just use an angle-grinder with 1mm steel cutting disks.

I use a small one for ad hoc cuts (115mm) and then a static one for larger cuts.

The 1mm cutting disks are amazing. With practice, you can cut pretty accurately down a scribed line on anything up to 4mm steel.

[isuzurover]

If you are getting the old one repaired under warranty (eventually), I would make do with thin discs on an angle grinder till then. Chop saws are nice, but I have built sliders, bars, wheel carriers etc etc etc using a 4" grinder running thin discs (and occasional bits from the friendly local laser cutter).

[Basil135]

Hmmm, I just lost my reply... so anybody that tells me wireless is the NBN solution may just get my wireless modem jammed up their ..... :mad:

Basically, I said try Maktec. We hammer one of these at work and so far it has been excellent. It will be more than fine for home use.

Another vote for Maktec.

They are made by Makita, and seem to be very well put together.

[isuzurover]

Another vote for Maktec.

They are made by Makita, and seem to be very well put together.

Slightly OT:
I killed a Maktek circular saw. Just out of warranty. The armature was completely fried.

[Slunnie]

Hopefully it is an anomoly. I've always bought Makita because they just go and go. I tried the Maktec while being told by my supplier that they wouldn't last as they run plastic gears etc (this is in a high school workshop environment where everything gets thrashed and flogged all day every day). I trialled 1 cordless Maktec driver drill and it was excellent so bought 3 more. None of them have given problems where I have seen a few others quite literally fall apart in the workshop from use and accidental damage. When the ol Makita Cutoff saw finally threw its last spark this was also replaced by a Maktec which is going strong. 1 year in my workshops is probably like 25 at home and these are all from 1.5 years to 0.5 years in age.

[bee utey]

Something like this?

DEWALT 9'' ANGLE GRINDER D28492K-XE + 5 GRINDING DISCS (eBay item 370469853916 end time 26-Jan-11 13:13:51 AEDST) : Home (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DEWALT-9-ANGLE-GRINDER-D28492K-XE-5-GRINDING-DISCS-/370469853916?pt=AU_Power_Tools&hash=item5641b95adc)

I have one and love it. Mine has soft start so doesn't jump in your hand. It will cut 50-60mm in one cut.

PS I love Makita too but it all comes fom China now. I bought an electric Makita chain saw last year that was really cheap but is still going well.

[spudboy]

When you say Cut off saw, do you mean something like this Makita Cold Cut 4131 saw? We have one on the farm and it is unstoppable for steel tubing/beam up to 50-60mm, and also for cutting sheets of steel too:


185mm Cold Metal Cutting Saw
http://www.makita.com.au/images/products/makita/4131_zoom.jpg

Cost was $400 I think.

[Slunnie]

I thought we were talking about these:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/01/908.jpg

[spudboy]

Yeah - That is more of a cut-off saw isn't it. Sorry for being a bit off track ...

[Basil135]

I thought we were talking about these:

http://www.mytoolstore.com/makita/lc1230.jpg

That's what I am talking about, Willis....

[roverrescue]

Ive been trying to kill a makita abrasive cutoff saw as per above pictures for a few years now... eventually I will let the smoke out and then buy a horizontal band saw with coolant and swivel head. And if I cant kill it I will keep it for mobile use and may just buy the band saw anyhows!

Id be happy with this one with a different stand built into my roller system and an added coolant system:
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Products'stockCode=B003

The dust and noise of abrasive cutoffs grows wearisome.

My thoughts anyhows.

Steve

[CJT]

Ive been trying to kill a makita abrasive cutoff saw as per above pictures for a few years now... eventually I will let the smoke out and then buy a horizontal band saw with coolant and swivel head. And if I cant kill it I will keep it for mobile use and may just buy the band saw anyhows!

Id be happy with this one with a different stand built into my roller system and an added coolant system:
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Products'stockCode=B003

The dust and noise of abrasive cutoffs grows wearisome.

My thoughts anyhows.

Steve

I like that idea. I had been looking at band saws for a while and I have bought some other tools from Machinery House that I am happy with.

I might go and check them out after the floods have cleared.

[roverrescue]

The nice thing about a "good" hori bandsaw is you set the angle get her going and can then go do something else... once its done the cut is square clean and true.

As opposed to a drop saw where you get just as much "in"accuracy free holding as using the dodgy ass clamping system. IMHO its the same difference between using a half inch chuck hand drill vs a drill press or mill. Both make holes in steel - one does it much nicerer!

S

[grover7488]

The best saw is a Brobo but cost $$$$$

we use either Makita or Hitachi @ work (mainly for unistrut). both resonable for the $.

no abrasive cutter will be super acurate but that is why you weld everything! For the money any of the major brands should do ok for home use.

just remember you get what you pay for and if you buy the more expensive you never look back and think that you should have bought the GMC :wasntme:

[Slunnie]

The best saw is a Brobo but cost $$$$$

we use either Makita or Hitachi @ work (mainly for unistrut). both resonable for the $.

no abrasive cutter will be super acurate but that is why you weld everything! For the money any of the major brands should do ok for home use.

just remember you get what you pay for and if you buy the more expensive you never look back and think that you should have bought the GMC :wasntme:
Absolutely, Brobo are definately the go for cuts, but the hori will probably cut larger cross sections.

[grover7488]

a tool is for life, not just for christmas :p

[blitz]

With out doubt a cold cut saw is far and away much more accurate than a friction cutter of any brand, substancially faster to cut with and no sparks but they cost a hell of a lot more.

A cold cut saw has teeth like a wood cutting blade but only turns at about 30 to 60 rpm they slice through steel like cheese; it is the steel quivelant of a compound saw, when my finances run to toys like this I am going to get one but my Makita drop saw will do until then.

In no particular order makita, Hitachi, DeWalt basically any of the more reputable brands

[zuno555]

Just the blade of a cold cut saw costs as much as a whole cut off saw, but yes, they are a world different. Quicker, quieter and a cleaner more accurate cut.

I bought a cheapy Ozito cut off saw, and SO FAR it has been faultless. I have done a few projects with it, building a steel carport, 20metres by 4, and that included cutting 10mm x 50mm thick flat, and it cut that fine and lots of angled cuts 75x50x2.5mm.

I know you are after quality, but for casual home use its going great. You didn't say what brand your first one was, just my luck it was probably Ozito hahaha :) Maktec ones didn't cost much more tho, and Makita was probably an extra $150 odd.

[CJT]

Thanks for all the imput.

My current broken saw was the Trade Tools brand, cost around $200.

I was going to spend more at the time but was talked out of it for my uses.

But as Grover7488 said, "A tool is for life" and that is how I prefer to think.

I will seriously be looking at the Band Saw as a purchase in the near future.

The only problem with being that accurate with my cuts is nothing lines up on the Disco...:)

[DeeJay]

Ditto re the Ozito cold saw, less noise, less dust & the neighbours should appreciate that;).
One thing they don't like is coming down on a point ie upturned angle, I lost a tooth or two - off the blade- before finding that one out!!
I haven't gone back to the old unit & still have 5 spare discs.

[spudboy]

...The only problem with being that accurate with my cuts is nothing lines up on the Disco...:)

Ha ha - wait until you buy yourself a Defender! THEN you'll see things that don't line up :p