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

[Jerry Frost]

A "home shop/hobby" chop saw is the last power saw I reach for; too slow, 
noisy, smokey, dusty and too much heat effect. There's also the very real 
chance of blades shattering on you. If you're properly geared out a 
shattered blade isn't too painful but there's still high speed shrapnel in 
the air.

The large HP industrial strength chop saws are only loud, smokey and dusty 
for annoyance, otherwise they work fine.

Second least favorite is a dry saw, noisy and lots of chips, otherwise a 
fine piece of machinery.

I prefer a horizontal/vertical band saw, running 12/8 tpi bimetal blade and 
coolant. (semi pro/semi hobbyist) Nothing beats them for making large 
quantities of good quality cuts. It's also safe to start up and walk away 
from, even if something goes wrong the worst thing that can happen is a 
broken blade.

Though a bandsaw seems slow it's easy enough to cut multiples and more than 
make up for it. My Jet is a 12" x 8", the jaws being 6" high. If I were so 
inclined I could literally fill the jaws with say 1/2" sq. and cut em all at 
once. Actually I am so inclined and regularly cut as many pieces as will fit 
in the vise.

Don't get me wrong, I have a chop saw but I only use it on very thin stock 
like exhaust tubing. A worm drive skill saw with a carbide blade is a metal 
cutting demon and only slightly less pleasant to operate.

Frosty
------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Phlip" <phlip at 99main.com>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 8:20 AM
Subject: Cutting steel- was Re: [TheForge] Re: A recipe for Emperor 
Wilson...


> I'm going to respond to this one, because it addresses what most of the
> others say.
>
> Ene bichizh ogsen baina shuu...
>
>> Phlip,
>>
>> I have a bunch of different ways to cut up steel, but my chop saw gets 
>> the
>> lions share.  It makes clean, quick cuts.
>>
>> A couple years back,  I bit the bullet and just got a medium priced Riobi
>> Chop saw at Home Depot. Now I can't imagine doing without it.
>>
>> I even used mine when I was shortening my fiberglass sledge handle.
>>
>> When you are making up batches of lodge stakes, it sure speeds up the
>> process to have a bunch of steel cut to length.
>>
>> Dann
>
> 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
>
> "When in doubt, heat it up and hit it with a hammer."
> Blacksmith's credo.
>
> If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is probably not a
> cat.
>
> Never a horse that cain't be rode,
> And never a rider who cain't be throwed....
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
> ___________
>
>
>