Tool Questions

I wanted to Start this for people that had a questions about a tool they were looking for or on they are planing to buy and the members on here can give some advice on what to buy. Also Its one thread so we wouldn't have to start an new one each time we had a question about tools.

I'll Go first.

I'm looking for a cut off (Chop saw) That can cut metal. The ones I have been looking at are DeWalt so far. I need some help on what I should be looking for. Also could you just use a compound miter saw and just swap the wood cutting blade for an abrasive cut off wheel or is a chop saw more powerful?

Thanks For the help

 

What kind of metal and how thick?

 

Tube mostly but maybe some Flat stock as well. THe one I have been looking at is a 14" chop saw that can do up to 5" round tube. thickness of metal will be about 1/2" at most. Same for flat Stock.

 

Get the chop saw using the miter would be to dangerous, as it would spin way to fast.

 

Sweet thanks for the help.

 

I used a miter saw for cutting metal (with a metal cutting blade) and the sparks/heat damaged a couple of the plastic parts.

 

No prob, i had a makita which worked great.

Anybody got any favorite orbital sanders. I have a dewalt, which i hate and a black and decker which works great, but is starting to die from overuse. I use it about 4hrs a day constant, the more power the better.

 

Budget is around $200 Max. I'm a college kid so I don't have a ton of extra coin. lol

THe Noise and sparks don't mater much because I won't be using it a ton. (I don't think at-least) If I was a metal fab I would go with the cold cut because I can see how they are much better. And a band saw might be a good idea. Never thought about them.

 

Thats what I've been doing. There is a brand new Milwaukee abrasive chop saw here for $150 I have my eye on.

Yeah I saw that. It actually has Free shipping right now. which is nice because that thing weighs about 140lbs