6 Best Chop Saws [Pipe Cutting Saw Buyers Guide 2022]

If we were to describe this powerful PORTER-CABLE PCE700 chop saw in a few words, we’d say that it’s reliable, perfect, and affordable. It features a 15-Amp motor that’s capable delivering up to 3,800 revolutions within a minute. By the way, it’s a great product to use in a beginner or an amateur’s workshop.

It has a heavy-duty steel base that provides more stability when cutting the wood, and the spindle lock is essential in providing an easy time anytime you feel like changing the blades. It comes with a 14-inch blade in diameter that’s perfect for numerous workshop applications.

Additionally, PORTER-CABLE has an 8-foot power cable that provides easy maneuverability when doing your projects. Meanwhile, many users fell in love with this handy saw as they claim that it’s an ideal saw for cutting metal,

Also, this dependable saw has a quick-release clamp perfect for hazard-free cutting and has a durable and quality cutting fence that has a miter adjustment. Furthermore, this machine has a spark deflector that functions as a safety feature.

In terms of cutting performance, this product has a bevel cut design of up to 45 degrees with a maximum capacity of 5 1/3 by 4 ¾ inches. It’s a great chop saw for a DIY beginner’s workshop.

If you’re a budget-savvy person and you are continually looking for a powerful chop saw that would cut metals powerfully in your Jobsite, then the search is over. The DEWALT D28715 14-Inch is on top of the game. It is a quick-change saw that can cut through plastics and thick metal.

In addition to that, the quick-change feature can change the blades easily without a wrench. It comes with a 45-degree adjustable fence for accurate and fast cutting angles out of the material.

The quick-lock vise helps in free and fast clamping as well as holding tight the materials cut. It has an easy and a soft start motor life and extends gear that makes the Chop saw an easy to use the machine.

In terms of construction, this fantastic working tool is designed with an ergonomically friendly handle to allow you to use the saw for an extended period without complaining of joints pains.

The saw has an ample cutting space to make your cutting work more comfortable, and many users have fallen in love with it as it’s built with sturdy materials to last long.

Hands down! Among the best chop saws that will boost your productivity and make your work easier is the Slugger by FEIN MCCS metal cutting saw. It’s designed with a high-torque and a low-speed motor to produce clean cuts.

Slugger has won the hearts of many as it’s designed for durability and boasts a sturdy construction with an aluminum base for withstanding severe working conditions.

Also, the saw boasts a perfectly-balanced handle meant for proper control and an integrated chip collection for collecting sparks and chips while cutting woods and metals. It has a clear view of appropriate and accurate cutting.

The saw can cut angles between 0-45 degrees and features a 2200 watt motor that can cut across 5-1/8 inch metals and plastics at 90 degrees. It can also cut 4-1/8 inch materials at 45%

Everyone wants to use an ideal work tool that delivers everything as per the standards, and if you’re going to do small home repairs like tubing and cutting pipe, then this is an excellent pick for you.

Nevertheless, it features a reliable 15-Amp motor working on 120 volts that produces a cutting depth of up to 4.5 inches when using a compatible and a carbide-tipped blade.

It works on a no-load speed of up to 1,300 RPMs with a bevel cutting capacity. By the way, it can cut metals and woods four times faster than the other saws in this class. It’s an excellent tool for light applications.

A great tool for newbies as it’s incredibly easy to use the chop saw that features a D-shape ergonomic handle. It has a properly-balanced center of gravity to ensure smooth and perfect cuts with no hassle.

You know, safety is part of the game at your workstation. And this eye-catching work tool has an advantageous lock-off button that’s designed to get rid of accidental cuts. With superior building and sturdy materials, you can spend extra bucks on uncompromised quality.

The MK Morse CSM9NXTB is an excellent tool for metal, plastic, and wood cutting applications. It has a high-torque and a low-speed 15 Amp motor that delivers quality and perfect cuts. It maximizes versatility, durability, and cut variety and delivers a no-load speed that runs up to 2700 revolutions per minute.

It features proper grip handles that are essential for steady and stable cutting. The top chamber traps and collects all chips while deadening and minimizing sound. In other words, it doesn’t operate in a loud noise.

The sight opening and the Guide arrows are vital in positioning the bevel cuts and to make sure your cuts are smooth and clean. MK Morse CSM9NXTB measures 11 inches by 8.9 inches by 7 inches and weighs only 33.8 pounds. That means you can carry it at the back of your pick up and go for other outdoor job contracts.

In terms of safety, this fantastic work tool has a friendly laser guide to help you make perfect cuts while safeguarding your security.

Style and technology will always go hand in hand, and so, this powerful chop saw comes with stylish features that will make you fall in love with it with just a single approach. But let’s kick off with the built quality, and the base has a thick modeled steel.

It features a technology that’s essential in making dry cuts without noise and heat buildup.

The motor features a 15 amps or 60 Hz, 120 volts high-torque power and a low speed 1,300 RPM making work easier while cutting metal studs, thick pipes, and tubing. Expect precise and clean cuts without burrs with MK Morse. Sparks will not occur even when cutting thicker pieces of metals.

Additionally, the metal chip won’t scatter around during the cutting process.

It features a 72-tooth carbide blade that’s essential in cutting metal clean without grinding it. Also, it has a spot that is used as a store where you can keep your blade safe. So you don’t have to worry about losing the blade.

Its dimensions include 14 inches by 22 inches by 18.5 inches. Therefore, this incredible power tool will adequately fit inside your workstation, whether small or large. It weighs 53 pounds and can easily be carried on a car for outdoor projects.

This metal saw cutting machine comes fully packed with a beveling vice, safety guard, safety earplugs, steel cutting blades, 6 & 8-millimeter wrenches, and safety goggles.

The D handle has an excellent quality material that’s essential in transporting this chop saw. Beneath it is the metal chip tray that traps metal chips during the cutting cycle.

There is a difference between a standard circular saw and a metal cutting saw. A conventional circular saw is essential in cutting wood, plastic, and other light materials. On the other hand, a metal cutting saw is designed to cut hard metals as it produces dry cuts that require no coolant to make the blade cool.

This happens due to the blades’ teeth that’s designed to keep away heat buildup making the blade’s temperature and the workpiece as low as possible.

However, there are two blade types involved in designing metal chop saws. They include tungsten carbide-tipped blades and high-speed steel blades. For information on the best metal band saws [Read our full guide]

Tungsten Carbide-Tipped Blades

They are majorly used in lower-speed precision cutting. They are sturdy, making them an ideal work tool for cutting hardened metals like steel. They are built with durable materials to increase their lifespan.

HSS blades

Are essential for coarse and high-speed applications and can sustain high speeds of more than 3,500 RPMs. They are designed with a variable number of teeth.

Another feature of metal chop saws is the availability of powerful motor torque that comes with a gear reduction unit meant to reduce the rotational blade speed at a higher torque.

Types of Metal Chop Saws

As compared to numerous power tools around, metal chop saws are classified in different types depending on their power source. Let’s speak of battery-powered, gas-powered, and corded machines.

Gas-Powered Chop Saw

Operates on gasoline, and they are the most potent types of metal chops. They can slice all types of hard metals such as steel and produces high speed and high motor torque. They require constant maintenance and are very noisy.

Additionally, they are hard to maneuver and are bulky than corded and cordless metal saws.

Corded Chop Saws

These are saws designed to operate on electricity coming from a wall outlet. They are quieter, easy to maneuver, and lightweight. They’re quite less potent than gas-powered tools but can still cut through tons of metals.

Cordless Chop Saw

They receive energy from rechargeable batteries, typically Li-Ion or NiCad. They are the weakest types of metal chop saws meant for light-duty projects like cutting aluminum. They rarely withstand heavy jobs.

Buyers Guide

Congratulations now that you’ve decided to purchase a metal chop saw. Although picking a type of metal saw is a bit insufficient any time you want to select the best tool at the dealer shop. There are factors that you must consider first before making the actual purchase.

Let’s get into these factors;

Speed

Everyone loves a fast working tool that will hasten the projects and finish everything on time. But when it comes to metal cutting, speed is not an essential factor to consider. Metals are sturdy materials that should be cut at low speeds for proper results and safety.

Lightweight materials can generally be cut at high speeds of more than 3,000 RPMs. Never buy a tool that exceeds 3,500 revolutions per minute, even when working on a project that deals with aluminum and other soft materials.

Harder materials like steel require a speed lower than 3,000 RPMs.

A perfect rule of thumb is to buy a metal cutting saw with lower speed to improve the cutting results and to maintain a safe cutting operation.

Portability

You can’t feel lazy working with a lightweight chop saw within your work station. And there’s no better feeling than going out for job contracts with a portable, and a lightweight saw that would make your work done in a short span.

Also, if you want the best chopping results, when working within your workshop, a corded or a gas unit can be your best pick. These two are portable and more powerful than a cordless tool that uses rechargeable batteries.

Angle Level Cuts

Despite the type of cuts you need, the chances are that you’ll make some angle cuts at some point at least once.

Most metal cutting saws features tilt capabilities and adjustable miter gauges that allow you to make cuts at angles of up to 45 degrees. Ensure you buy a unit that has a positive stop will work great for repeatable, thus delivering accurate cuts.

Power

Did you know that proper metal cutting results need a low cutting speed machine? But this operation requires high power for smooth cuts. Therefore, due to metal sturdiness, slicing through the material can be a stressor with a low torque motor.

That’s why you must consider buying a high-torque power tool. Choose a unit that has at least 1,100 watts and 15 amperes operating power. If you want to calculate the watts, simply multiply the machine voltage by its amperes.

Size and Dimensions

The dimensions and size of a metal cutting saw determines the cutting depth and the suitability for the work to be done. Metal chop saws vary in size, and they come in different sizes that can be used in industrial projects or home-based projects.

However, if you will be doing light-duty home projects, a small unit with a 12-inch blade size is perfect. It’s also pocket friendly.

On the other hand, industrial and heavy-duty applications require a 14 inches blade size. But since you’re the boss, the choice is yours! Just go for something that will fit inside your workstation.

Check On the Blades

Consider purchasing a metal cutting saw with a perfect blade. Blades are not the same! An excellent blade cuts thick metals in a twinkle of an eye. Ensure you buy a metal blade that cuts smoothly, clean, and with more accuracy.

There are two types of blades that you must check before buying a chop saw. The Abrasive Blade and the Cold Saw Blade.

Abrasive blades produce a lot of sparks and leave the metal hot after you are through with the cutting process. Consequently, a cold saw blade performs the task with little or no flashes. The blade will leave your material neat, and you can touch it immediately after the cut.

The Vise Assembly

This is a very significant feature in an excellent metal cutting saw as it locks the chop saw in place. Several vises feature a quick-release mechanism or quick-lock function.

If you want a nice chop saw that would work according to your expectations, choose one that has a great vise assembly. You won’t find it hard clamping on different sizes of metals. In the long run, your productivity will increase.

Can You Use A Wood Chop Saw to Cut Metal?

The answer is yes! But you can’t cut all metals using a wood chop saw.

Chop saws meant to cut through woods are designed to spin a bit faster than metal saws. However, the best wood cutting saws that can cut through metals are designed to cut plywood and hardwood. They have speeds that can be regulated or slower spinning blades.

Miter Saw Vs. Chop Saw – What’s The Difference?

Sometimes it may be hard to understand the difference between the two because they work almost the same. Chop saws currently come with miters like miter saws; thus, it may be hard to choose between a chop saw and a miter saw.

However, the main difference is size. Most chop saws are designed to generate deeper cuts, and that’s why they bare the best for coarser projects.

Miter saws are quite smaller and generally employed in precision to metal or woodcutting. They produce fine, straight, accurate, perfect, and angled repeatable cuts.

Safety measurements

Are you aware that metal cutting saws are life-threatening machines that can injure you if you aren’t careful? But the good news is, most of them have safety features such as trigger stops, overcharge, and overheat shutoffs.

By the way, others can detect skin contact and reduce any chances of injuries. But even if they have safety features, you must know how to operate the tool safely.

But regardless of the safety features, you must also learn how to operate your tool safely. Ensure you take the following measurements before you power on the chop saw.

1. Gather all the safety equipment such as welding gloves and safety goggles and put them on before you plug on the tool.
2. Never wear loose clothes or gloves to reduce the chances of getting trapped with the saws moving parts.

• Operate the tool only at a recommended speed depending on the type of blade used and the nature of the material

1. Never keep your hand close to the blade. Never touch the blade when the tool stops spinning.
2. Tighten the tool blade as required. Also, check on the power cord and ensure the tool is safe to use.
3. Never touch the spinning blade.

FAQs

Can one use a metal chop saw to make angle cuts?

Yes! But it depends. Some metal cutting saws have miter gauges that can make angled cuts. Others can’t make. So before you think of buying a chop saw, check and ensure that it can make angled cuts to match your requirements.

What’s a soft start?

It’s a safety function feature that increases the blade speed from o up to recommended RPMs. That allows a safe and perfect operation through improving and regulating the control during the surge power phase.

Can a miter saw blade be used on a metal chop saw?

​Automatically yes! But you shouldn’t use it a miter saw blade on a metal chop saw. You know, miter saws are designed to spin faster than metal cutting saws. And if you want to cut some pieces of wood using a metal chop saw, be sure to get a suitable dry saw blade for woods.

There are several places to buy chop saws. For worry-free return policies, transparency in product quality and customer service, and fast shipping, head over to Amazon.

When you browse on Amazon, you can see what previous buyers thought of the product they bought and everything about material quality, protective features, weight dimensions, and design before adding anything to your shopping cart. You don’t need to go out to compare prices or features.

If you have any sort of problems with your sheet metal brakes, you can also quickly and easily return them hassle-free.