Short piece cutting with an abrasive chop saw

[MichaelP]

Guys,

What do you do when you need to use your abrasive chop saw to cut a relatively short stock (shorter than the distance between the cutting plane and the vice screw)?

[Knowledgeworker]

I have tried this a couple of times and had less than desireable results. I tried holding with pliers, vicegrips, etc.. The pieces I was trying to cut were kinda hard to handle anyway. I usually end up cutting with a grinder with a cutting wheel.

Jim

[Bob the Welder]

Mark your cut, stick in a vise and have at it with a 4 1/2" grinder with a cut off wheel. Lot better chance of keeping all your digits!

[BBackSoon]

My only other 'trick' is to use 1 piece of flat stock up against the back vise jaw and a piece of angle against the front one. You will also need a spacer at the back end. Put all this in the vise and cut easy.

I also never use this on anything under 3 or 4 inches. It just gets too scary. And remember if your not scared you should be.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/attachment.php?attachmentid=25278&stc=1&d=1200512103

[Jim-Tx]

I've cut a lot of pieces shorter than what the vise will hold normally. All that I do is get a couple of pieces of square tubing and put them in the vise where they extend almost to the blade. Of course the other end must extend at least to the opposite side of the vise. Use a spacer the same thickness as the piece being cut and put it between the square tubing on the end opposite the blade. This keeps the tubing parallel and allows the short piece to be snugly held. I've done this for many years and never had a problem. It's a lot safer than trying to use a chop saw while holding something with vise grips. For really short stuff I still use the 4 1/2" grinder with cutoff blade.

[tackit]

Like others I've always used a spacer of the same size and I also use a good quality hacksaw if I'm not felling lucky, the new hacksaw blades they have today really do a good job and fast too. tackit

[84ZMike]

You can see my "other vise" in pic #3...I use a c-clamp with it for shorter stuff that won't fit in the vise.....work lots better than ruining a pair of vise grips....or eating them after the saw spits them out :eek:
http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showthread.php?t=24368&highlight=chop

[whateg0]

I will have to look, but there was a thread recently where I posted a link to a bandsaw page that had a photo of a short vice just for this purpose.

Dave

[84ZMike]

I will have to look, but there was a thread recently where I posted a link to a bandsaw page that had a photo of a short vice just for this purpose.

Dave

Here it is Dave....
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Bandsaw/Bandsaw.htm

[Knowledgeworker]

Now Gentlepeople, It doesn't take but a time or two to realize that the pliers and/or visegrips doesn't work. :rolleyes:

I'm mighty fond of my fingers, hands, and eyes.....:D

Jim

[TEK]

And there is always the old ' tack it to something you can clamp' trick---:cool:

[Jim-Tx]

And there is always the old ' tack it to something you can clamp' trick---:cool:

Good tip.

[MichaelP]

Very good suggestions! Thanks, guys!

[BBackSoon]

I like the little vise on the plate. Guess I will have to make one of those. I could see that being useful on anything with a vise such as the bandsaw, chopsaw and even the drill press if not already equipped.

They say that is how we differ from the monkeys, the ability to make our own tools. (That and not normally throwing our p00p.)

[Some Creep]

(That and not normally throwing our p00p.)

We don't? :confused:

(oops! Guess I need to cancel this weekend's festivities....) :mad:

[BBackSoon]

We don't? :confused:

(oops! Guess I need to cancel this weekend's festivities....) :mad:

You know Creep, You are a sick and twisted individual. I like that about you.

[Some Creep]

You know Creep, You are a sick and twisted individual...

I have no one to blame for my faults......other than my poor upbringing and society in general....

:D

[Monte55]

Guys,

What do you do when you need to use your abrasive chop saw to cut a relatively short stock (shorter than the distance between the cutting plane and the vice screw)?

A real small chop saw?