Cutting steel- was Re: [TheForge] Re: A recipe for Emperor Wilson...

[Bruce Freeman]

Then go with a 4.5" angle grinder with cut-off wheel.  You can pick up an angle grinder + attachments (not, unfortunately, including a cut-off wheel) for $15 at flea markets (new).  The grinder is crap and the bearings will blow on you, but it's worth it for the attachments alone.  Meanwhile, you can buy a cut-off wheel and be cutting steel for a year or so before the bearings burn out.  By that time you'll understand why a cut-off "saw" is an essential for the shop, and you won't find the price tag such a put-off.

AFAIK, the difference between expensive and cheap is mainly overall ruggedness, power, and quality of moving parts, mainly bearings.  If you're not using the thing constantly, you can get by with the cheaper end.  Look for a 14" saw retired by a professional worker.  Masons use them and make a mess of them, but they still work fine.

Bruce
NJ

>>> phlip at 99main.com 6/15/2005 12:20:37 PM >>>


OK, the problem here is cash. I very badly want a chop saw, and it will be
the next item of equipment on my agenda, but for the time being, since I'm
not working, I just can't afford one. I'm seriously considering buying the
used band saw from Art because it will do the job, and I CAN afford it, but
I'm just now making the transition from puttering for my own amusement, to
needing the equipment to turn out several pieces at a time. Until now, my
priority has been to do thinks using period/primitive techniques. Now that I
have that under control, I can move on.

Trust me, none of you want me to get a chop saw anywhere near as badly as I
want one ;-) It just wasn't necessary until now ;-)

Saint Phlip,
CoD