Abrasive Blade Metal Chop Saw
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Link to: Metal Shop tool list
| Abrasive Blade 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 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
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- 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.
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Eye protection required! |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Stock size limits for the Chop Saw |
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| The parts of the Chop Saw |
