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Makita Chop Saw - just got one and a huge thumbs up!

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raynerd:
Just bringing this thread back up from the dead - I`ve hardly used this since finding out I shouldn`t be cutting ally with it (I do listen and take your advice!!) but I`m wondering if I have my first use for it... Would this be OK for hacking a lump of a 3" steel bar? It is pretty hefty which I why I just want to check. This is for my QCTP that I am trying to make and I had a hell of a job trying to part it last night. It just kept screaming at me when I prodded it and it hardly made a dent. Then I took that hacksaw to it and it probably took me about 15mins to get through less than 0.5 inch. 

Chris

NickG:
Use some free cutting steel instead mate. Bogs has mentioned stuff like this before, it's a false econonmy as it will take you longer and blunt more expensive tools hacking through this rock hard stuff what ever it is. Get something that you know machines nicely it will make the job easier, more enjoyable and take a lot less out of your machines and tooling.

Nick

raynerd:
I understand what you are saying but it is a bit disappointing when I have the steel here infront of me to go out and buy some free machining steel!  :hammer:  But then like you say, I guess the cost of the machining steel needed will be less than the price of new tooling if I attempt to cut through this stuff.

To be fair, it did rough up relatively well on the scale of it and also drilled OK for the centre, especially once the top coat was off. It is just far too large a dia to part off. Would the chop saw even cut this dia steel or is it too large or dangerous?

Chris

Darren:
Chris,

Have you any idea what this bar was in a previous life? What did it come from, does it have any shape other than round?

3" is getting a bit much with a fiber chop saw. The problem is the heat generated which expands the bar and traps the blade.
Traps as in clamps it dead.....

My hobby bandsaw would complain too, the blade would probably keep coming off. A power hacksaw would just get on with it.
You really need to know how hard it is, you have hand sawn half an inch so it can't be that hard. But even with a hardened shaft the centre is usually still soft.

I have cut some very hard shafts, but I used a Rage saw which had no probs at all.

raynerd:
Hi Darren, I appreciate your reply. No, haven`t a clue what it was in a previous life, it was literally sitting in the mud at a local scrappy (I have just discovered), it is about 3" thick and about 9" length. Straight bar, looks like just a pure offcut, absolutely no markings or any shape. I`ve managed to get the best part of 1/2inch but actually probably more like 20minutes. It started going easier but I physically can`t attempt the entire three inch - not much fun after 2-3mins, never mind another two hour of it! I was going to post pictures last night of progress but didn`t make much  :bang:

I`ll give it a go, perhaps taking it easy, say an inch a time and then let it have a bit to cool + oil? I`ll be honest, I`m more determined to use it now than go and buy more steel.   :med:

Chris

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