Abrasive Blade Metal Chop Saw

From Artisans Asylum Wiki


Link to: Metal shop main page


Abrasive Blade Chop Saw
Dewalt D28710 Chop Saw
General Info
Make Dewalt
Model D28710
Serial Unknown
Specs
Manual Dewalt Chop Saw Manual
Asylum Info
Location Metal Shop
Rubric
Training Tool classes
Testing Tool testing, or [[:Category:Metal Shop#Tool Testing

Night|come to the shop on Tool Testing Night]]

Restrictions red


Description

This tool is a circular saw mounted to a mechanical arm that allows it to travel smoothly in the plane of the cut. It can tilt up and down to cut a metal workpiece. The workpiece is clamped firmly against a fence in the back of the machine and the saw cuts when it is tilted down.

Superficially it resembles a wood-cutting miter saw but operates much differently. This machine has many fewer adjustments and degrees of freedom than the miter saw.

Use for:

  • Hardened Steel
  • Mild Steel

Do Not Use for:

  • Aluminum
  • Copper, Brass, Bronze

Soft metals will gum up the abrasive cutting disk.

  • Zinc (or anything galvanized).
  • Titanium

Hazard Analysis

Headphones goggles.png
  • Tool is very loud. Hearing protection required.
  • Flying pieces from broken abrasive discs/ blades. Eye protection required.
  • Prevent drawn-in injuries. No loose clothing or gloves.
  • Cuts/ scrapes from sharp cut edges of work
  • Burns from hot workpieces
  • Breathing particulates thrown into the air. Respiratory protection recommended.
Warning Safety glasses Eye protection required!


chop saw clutter
Dangerous clutter behind the Chop Saw

Basic Operation Instructions and Best Practices

1. Before operation, perform a quick safety check:

  • Never use a damaged cutting wheel — Inspect for cracks or flaws. Damaged wheels may break or shatter during saw operation.
  • Remove anything from behind the saw before operating.

2. Secure work piece in the chop saw’s vise.

  • Work piece must fill vise to at least center of the vise’s back fence.
  • Prevent mishaps: Understand how the rotating blade will try to move your part in the vise and position / stabilize your workpiece accordingly. (See Clamping Tips below.)
  • Use the vise lever to fasten the workpiece, then tighten securely by turning the vise crank. (See features H and I.)

3. Perform the cut.

  • Watch where you stand - avoid line of cutting wheel. Sparks and small pieces will tend to kick back toward wall, but can fly in any direction.
chop saw rotation
Chop Saw clamping tips


  • Never start with cutting wheel inserted into or touching the workpiece. Press handle trigger to start the blade, then lower the blade.
  • Vary force and travel speed to match the shape of work – judge by ear and by the sparks produced. No quick chops.

Clamping Tips

Be aware of blade rotation.

Angles are best cut with both legs facing down. This allows a safe cut, but is not optimal for miter cuts.

Another option for Angles: L facing backward, into the rotation of the blade.

Use square tube as a stabilizer. A spacer block slightly more narrow than the work piece can increase blade utilization.

Long workpieces must be supported to remain level. The cut-off end should be free to fall in order to avoid wheel binding.

chop saw capacity
Stock size limits for the Chop Saw
chop saw labels
The parts of the Chop Saw