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Are you interested in learning about the chop saw?
Is a chop saw and a miter saw the same?
If you’re wanting to gain more knowledge on this type of saw or if you’re in the market for one, you’ve landed on the right article.
A chop saw is a name often thrown around in the world of woodworking. Although it’s a common tool, not everyone may have heard of it. What is a chop saw and what are some of the best saws you can purchase for yourself?
Read on to learn more about this useful tool and some of the best choices on the market. You can determine if this item is worth adding to your set of tools.
Let’s get to it!
What is a Chop Saw?
First and foremost, a chop saw is a power-tool that comes in handy when you need to perform tasks such as cutting straight lines in the wood. It’s a motorized piece of equipment that sits on top of a work table so the wood can go underneath it. If the tool can only cut straight lines, it’s a chop saw. A version that can also do angles is a miter saw, a fancier version of the chop saw.
The circle and table saw share many similarities with the chop saw. However, it’s different from this piece of equipment because:
- The chop saw cannot cut large pieces of wood as well as a circle or table saw
- A chop saw is better for cutting bevels
- Chop saws are more portable
- A chop saw is more precise and less dangerous
Several other things set a chop saw apart from these other saws, but these are the most prominent.
A chop saw is an ideal beginner saw because it’s portable and provides more safety to the user. Also, it’s excellent for precision, especially if you decide to invest in a miter saw version to cut exact angles in wood.
What Would You Use a Chop Saw For?
Like every other tool, there are specific uses for a chop saw. If you need any of these tasks completed, a chop saw is the best item for the job. Let’s talk about some of the things you can use a chop saw for in your life.
Some of the best things you can do with a chop saw include:
- Cutting straight lines in wood
- Slicing precise angles in materials
- Forming bevels in material
It’s an excellent tool for precision cuts. You can cut several materials with a chop saw, including metal and other wood.
Additionally, It should be noted that the miter saw version should only be used for lumber. It’s not strong enough to deal with metal.
Top Chop Saw Picks
Now, let’s talk about some of the best chop saws on the market. If you’re interested in purchasing a chop saw for yourself, these are some of the best you can get. Each has varying pros and cons, and there is a price point here for everyone.
Four of the best chop saws you can invest in include the following:
- Dewalt 14” Metal Cutting Saw
- Makita 12” Metal Cutting Saw
- Porter-Cable 14” Chop Saw
- Toolman 14” Chop Saw
These will give you a lot of bang for your buck.
Let’s dive deeper into the pros and cons of each chop saw. You can determine if any of these chop saws will work for you.
Dewalt 14” Metal Cutting Saw
Dewalt is a well-known brand that has been making saws for many years. One of their top creations is the Dewalt 14” Metal Cutting Saw. This excellent tool, and as a result, has a 4.5/5 rating on Amazon according to 544 ratings.
The Dewalt 14” Metal Cutting Saw comes with many features, such as:
- The ability to cut ferrous and non-ferrous metals
- Carbide-tipped blade
- Fast and precise cut
- An ergonomically-designed handle
These will amplify any crafting experience.
You can expect to pay about $620 for the saw alone on Amazon and about $870 if you want the saw with the blades. It’s a quality tool.
Makita 12″ Metal Cutting Saw
Makita is another excellent tool creation company. They have a chop saw available for purchase, the Makita 12” Metal Cutting Saw. This quality piece has a rating of 4.7/5 on Amazon based on 392 reviews.
Several excellent features come with the Makita 12” Metal Cutting Saw, such as:
- Shaft lock for blade switches
- Lock-off button for security
- Carbide-tipped blade
- Clean cuts
Due to these features, it will allow the saw to cut through any material you might need to slice through.
You can expect to pay about $539 for this saw on Amazon. In this case, It’s not the cheapest saw, but it’s worth the investment for your toolshed.
Porter-Cable 14” Chop Saw
Porter-Cable is a reliable brand, and their chop saw is one of the best out there. Their most popular is the Porter-Cable 14” Chop Saw. This tool has a 4.6/5 based on 1,612 reviews on Amazon.
Many features come with the Porter-Cable 14” Chop Saw, such as:
- The ability to cut ferrous and non-ferrous metals
- Carbide-tipped blade
- Fast and precise cut
- An ergonomically-designed handle
These will make everything easier in your workspace.
You will pay about $123 for this saw on Amazon, which can ebb and flow with time. Therefore, making it one of the most affordable and quality chop saws on the market today.
Toolman 14” Chop Saw
Lastly, we have the iconic Toolman. They’re another provider that can supply you with an excellent chop saw for your space. One of their best chop saws is the Toolman 14” Chop Saw. This item has a ⅘ rating on Amazon based on 50 ratings. It’s not the best out of these four, but it’s a solid contender.
There are several features you can anticipate with the Toolman 14” Chop Saw, such as:
- Powerful 110V voltage for excellent RPM
- Solid steel base
- Spark deflector for safety purposes
- Metal chain to ensure the chain is locked down
These will make any slicing experience a quality one.
You can expect to pay about $110 for this chop saw on Amazon. Comparatively, It’s one of the most affordable choices if you’re on the market for this type of saw.
Finally, I hope this article has been of some help to you. You now know the difference between a chop saw and a miter saw, along with what they’re used for.
Also, I hope to have given you some great options to choose from in your price range if you happen to be shopping around.
If you’re looking for more articles on different types of saws, check out a few of my other articles here:
Happy sawing!
Your pal,
Chainsaw Larry
