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

[Justin Fellenz]

Phlip,

I agree with Bruce. I have found that the 4" grinder with cutoof wheel
works ok but has the downside of being a lot of work, especially on
heavy stuff, as you have to stand there and press the thing into the
metal till it yeilds. On thicker stuff, too, as you get through, the
wheels can bind up and possibly break. Keep the guard on and stay
behind it.

Anecdotal evidence on cutoff saws: I'm on my second ridgid saw from
Home Despot. I bought another one after burning out the first on a
piece of 1 1/4" square mild. I had had it for about 3 years, used it a
couple of times a month, usually on less than 5/8 bar, less than 1/4"
flat, and some waterpipe and tubing up to about 3" sched 40. What I
take from that is that the home depot stuff is ok for occasional light
use but won't stand up to industrial work. It's a step up from harbor
freight, but not a really big step--I sometimes find that when cash is
tight it's worth it to buy two from HF than 1 from home depot: the HF
versions last much longer than half as long as the HD ones, generally.
I bought my second one because they gave me a bunch off because I was
so pissed at having to stop work in the middle of a job because their
tools were wimpy and I'd have to send my machine in and wait a month
for them to decide it it would be warranteed (turns out it was about 3
days out of warrantee). 

J

> 
> 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
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> theforge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> password:  anvil
> ___________
> 
> 
>