Saws

[lesinutah]

Hey
I'm trying to set up.an assembly line of sorts. I have a table saw chop saw skil saw.
I was wondering if anyone has mods on making a saw like a sliding compound miter saw.
I was looking into making a drill press but mechanics behind it if you just buy one seems only idea that is good is buying one.
I was wondering on any thoughts or suggestions.
Les

 

[tolivac]

If you need tools like slider miter saws,table saws,and drill press-go out and look prospective models over and buy the ones that suit you.I would not even attempt to build these.Would be cheaper and easier to buy them.Since they are expensive buy the tool that you think you need first.Keep in mind a table saw can do most of the jobs a miter saw can do-its just that the miter saw is more convenient to use for crosscutting and mitering.The miter gauge on a table saw acts as its "miter saw".

 

[tolivac]

Oh yes-A miter saw CANNOT do rip cuts.The table saw can.Overall the table saw is a more versatile tool-You may not need to buy the miter saw.Many shops have both tools-the miter saw and table saw.Just depends on what cuts you will do the most often.

 

[madman]

I've literally never needed a compound miter saw. When you say chop saw, do you mean miter saw? The thing is, even if you have a board too wide for a miter saw, you just cut it once, flip it upside down, align carefully and cut again.

As for a drill press, you can buy a 'meh' drill holding device for $60 or so, you strap a drill into it, and use it like a cheap drill press.

 

[tolivac]

Coumpound miter saws are those where you can tilt the blade for cutting bevels.A "straight" miter saw just cuts straight or angle miters.No bevels.Slider miter saws just make cutting wide pieces easier and more accurate.If you anticipate wide cuts a slider saw is MUCH better.

 

[lesinutah]

Saws

Compound miter saw or chop saw are generic terms for miter saw. The primary use for miter saw is for baseboards door frames and everything finish trim. Chop comes from up down cut like your chopping the wood.
I don't use miter saw. I don't plan on making cabinets or any furniture. I shall stick to table saw and not worry about a compound miter saw.
The drill press I'll spend$100-$150. I plan to use it to cut Lexan as clamping down drilling using hammer drill is a beotch to cut. The saw torques and I burned up a motor in my 5.5 amp black and Decker drill. The drill press means I'm not holding the drill having it torqued like a .mother. I'll get a drill press but a sliding compound miter saw I don't need.
Thanks for the input.
Les

 

[tolivac]

You have to be careful about the term "chop saw" yes,the simple non tilting miter saws can be called chop saw-this term was first used for abrasive or toothed bladed saws used to cut metal.The cheap metal chop saws use abrasive blades and turn at high speed-the machines that use toothed saw blades-carbide tipped turn at lower speeds so they don't burn or burr the piece being cut.And they don't make dust and filings as abrasive machines do.Toothed bladed machines produce chips that are easily cleaned up.They don't burn the metal and make a smooth cut.Machine shops and welders use these now.
Glad your table saw meets your cutting needs-no other cutting tools required.A drill press would be just what you need.

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

The chop saw use doing finish carpentry. I don't cut metal my blae is for fine cuts to not year up base boards. I really don't cut metal if I do I'd make sure blade was correct. I'm not even sure they make a blade to cut metal. I have used a circular saw with concrete blade on driveways.
I have a grinder and oscillating saw for metal. I'm not versed enough cutting metal. If Ido I'd make sure I had the right tools.
I need to get a plastic blade for a saw. I'm going to research make sure right blade is used.
Thanks for input. I ordered a drill press it's 2 months out. I've found same drill press in clasifieds cheaper than the one I ordered. I'm probably going to cancel order buy a classified one or next week my town is having harbor freight grand opening. I bet with coupons and grand opening sale I'd get a good deal.
Les

 

[tolivac]

There are PLENTY of metal cutting circular saw blades out there.All carbide tipped.And carbide tipped recip blades for metals as well.

 

[lesinutah]

Yes

I know this but the blades are expensive. I also don't cut metal. My oscillating tool cuts metal. Dremel buts cute metal I just don't cut metal.
Thanks
Les

 

[dartman]

Harbor freight

IF you want to get a nice enough but cheap 12" dual bevel sliding compound miter saw Harbor Freight has a surprisingly good one as long as you take the time to line it up properly and get a better blade for it right away. I bought one because after I read REAL WORLD reviews from folks that actually used them and figured out what they needed to work better. Also I saved a coupon that let me walk out the door for 128 bucks for one. At that price it's worth a gamble and I can probably break even if I decide to sell it later. It has a laser and everything though as it sits it only turns on when you fire up the blade. there is a easy mod for that too out there. I hope to someday redo all the crap trim and add the trim they never installed on my newer manufactured home someday so figured I needed one to save time when I do it. I was watching Craig's List for deals on good used quality saws and some of them were still way too expensive just to use for a few jobs so I got the HF one instead for less new then a used good Dewalt saw would have been in a single bevel non slider.

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

I got me a WEN drill press. It's perfect for what I need.
I bought bench grinders and bench buffers good deal good working. I have table saw. I paid $50 off classifieds. It's basically brand new. I have a 10" Ryobi chop saw. It only has blade to cut baseboards. I also have Craftsman circular saw. I have a McGraw air compressor it was $210 got it for $130 with free 25 ' hose.
I have black and Decker drills. I have a black and Decker cordless drill/driver with upgraded battery. That drill in my opinion is better than DeWalt.
I have a Craftsman electric Brad nailer. It does up to 2.75" finish nails. I have an electric Brad nailer but it was gutless. The battery powered one drives finish deep and adjust setting where head is in wood 1/16" so you don't have to use nail set to tap in. If you are doing any finish work baseboards crown molding, door trim, etc.
Thanks for all the help.
Les