Angle Cutting tools/Miter saw

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:04 pm

I have a question about cutting tools. Specifically the Chopper II and the Miter/Cut-off Machine. What's the opinion of these, does anybody have them, used them, abused them? Have any alternatives? I'm guessing for my nees the Miter machine is better suited for my uses, enables me to cut brass box tubing. What say you?

DasPhule · Post by **DasPhule** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:15 pm

I had a chopper 1 for years and now have a chopper 2. Both have their uses, but neither is dead nuts perfect. The problem is that the razor blade likes to go off to one side or the other when cutting thicker stock leaving a crooked (not flush) cut. For thin flat stock it's the poo, get a whiff. For thick round stock, get out the xacto miter box, it'll be straighter.

Brass stock wouldn't cut in it at all since it uses standard razor blades.

Erin
<*>

Post by **TER-OR** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 10:58 pm

What Erin said.

If it's big enough, and made from a tree, I'll take it to my sliding compound mitre saw. Oooh, baby. Though some angle blocks and my bandsaw do a great job for most big stuff, too. I like my bandsaw.

Johnnycrash · Post by **Johnnycrash** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:21 pm

I have thought about these types of tools before, but find I can do a great job without them.

What I was looking at is the mini tablesaw. I think it would help to make longer, constant depth cuts. The one thing I like about it is that you can tilt the blade to make an angled edge, a nice chamfer. Thoughts??

big-dog · Post by **big-dog** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:55 am

I got one of these from Toy R Us, uh, I mean Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=42307

Aside from the colour it looks pretty similar to the Micro Mark one. Has the mitre clamp, the little safety that holds the head up. Replacement blades are also available. They go on sale once in a while too, I got mine for 16.99. If there's no store nearby their shipping rates are pretty good too. I got an end mill holder and a set of lathe cutters and shipping was something like 5 bucks.

Dr. Yo · Post by **Dr. Yo** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 11:12 am

I've used what I think is a Chopper I and the X-acto mitre box. Both have
their uses, but for what you're talking about, the cut-off tool might be the
best way to go. The mitre box is only good for 45 degree angles, and its
not as precise as it could be...

Kekker · Post by **Kekker** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:27 pm

Boys, boys, boys - The Dobson Miter-Rite is what you need!

I used the X-Acto miter box, and while it is decent-ish for 90Â° and 45Â° angles, the Dobson can be set to all kinds of angles, is pretty accurate (doesn't wander off angle), and is pretty inexpensive. I've used it time and time again and just love it. Since it's a saw blade, you can cut stuff up to 1/4 inch or so. The only thing you need to look out for with it is to tighten the set screws that hold the blade so that it is tight against the holder. This minimizes wobble while cutting. I haven't used the X-Acto one since I got this!

Go get one! Now! Shoo!

Kev

USSARCADIA · Post by **USSARCADIA** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:15 pm

I might have to get one of those, thanks for the link.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:07 pm

As much as that miter box looks I need to cut about 24 pieces of box brass, more than I want to try by hand.

So with that in mind I ordered the miter cutter from Harbor (and the $10 micro torch).

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 6:42 pm

Well, bought the Harbor Freight version (hmm, save $120 or buy MicroMark?) and have been playing with it.

I love this thing. Cut my box brass to shape in no time.

But it does have its problems. So-so degree markings, blind cuts (no indication of where the blade is going to fall unless you pull it down), no measurements on the vise (for cutting a series of equal length parts), so-so vise.

But what do you expect for $30+frieght.

So much fun.

big-dog · Post by **big-dog** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 3:00 am

As far as those probs go, I don't see a lot diffeernt on the Micro Mark saw. In fact the vise hold down looks pretty well identical. Though on the other side. Like I aid, I got mine for 17 bones, A can buy one helluva protractor for the difference.

USSARCADIA · Post by **USSARCADIA** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 11:10 am

I did get my Miter Rite and so far I love it. Cutting with a razor saw gives a better result than X-acto knife. It has its limitations, but I think it was worth the money.

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 1:05 pm

big-dog wrote:As far as those probs go, I don't see a lot diffeernt on the Micro Mark saw. In fact the vise hold down looks pretty well identical. Though on the other side. Like I aid, I got mine for 17 bones, A can buy one helluva protractor for the difference.

Purty much.

scratchy · Post by **scratchy** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 11:22 pm

Has anyone used this item, maybe add some insight....

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-mig ... 93211.html

I've been wanting to get a lil' table saw for some time now.

Ziz · Post by **Ziz** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 12:30 am

big-dog wrote:I got one of these from Toy R Us, uh, I mean Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=42307

Aside from the colour it looks pretty similar to the Micro Mark one. Has the mitre clamp, the little safety that holds the head up. Replacement blades are also available. They go on sale once in a while too, I got mine for 16.99.

scratchy wrote:Has anyone used this item, maybe add some insight....

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-mig ... 93211.html

I've been wanting to get a lil' table saw for some time now.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ziz62266/4 ... 285857380/

I just got both of those saws a week or so ago. Comments under the pics in the Flickr set. I built some accessories for each of them.

You did better than me on the Miter Saw. I paid $25.

scratchy · Post by **scratchy** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 7:53 pm

Ziz, I understand that there's no fence with that little table saw, do you plan on adding one?

What about the shaft where the blade goes on, is there any wobble as was stated on the website reviews

http://www.harborfreight.com/review/pro ... er-reviews

The performance on cutting styrene,are you satisfied, any problems with various thicknesses going through the blade?

One more

, Can you adjust the table to cut angles, or is it a straight 90 degree cut?

Ziz · Post by **Ziz** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:23 pm

A rip fence is definitely in my plans...not sure how to attack it yet.

Haven't noticed any blade wobble yet but also haven't used it much. As mentioned, I've only had it a week or two now.

Cuts styrene fine but you need to feel your way thru the cut. Too fast jams the blade, too slow causes a lot of melted burrs instead of a clean cut. Again though, I just started using it so I haven't fully put it thru its paces.

Table is just 90*, no angled cutting possible.