Chop saw wheels

[msmith]

Is there any way to dress these things when they glaze over? It seems like they don't last long at all.

Thanks,

Mike

[Sberry]

You are probably cutting a bit too slow, push on that puppy and make it work some, it will de-glaze.

[Steve Nuttall]

I Have Had A Problem With Harris-welco Wheels Glazing Over My Supplier Says My Saw Isnt Tirning Fast Enough... He Sold Me The Piece Too. I Have Switched To A Sait Brand Wheel (made By United Abrasives) Now And Have Had No Problems Since.. Cheap Is Not Always The Best Route ....

[2manyprojects]

Another thing to check is that you have your vise in the right position for the size of material you are cutting. The wheels cut best when the cut starts at or near the edge of the material. Trying to start a cut in the middle of flat stock generates alot of heat without much progress...
Sometimes you will have to move your vise as the wheels wear down...

[msmith]

Thanks for the info. I'll try moving the vise forward. I have pushed on it till the motor almost stopped, in a moment of frustration, with no results. I don't like to do that though.

I kind of wish I had put the money toward a bandsaw.

Mike

[Roospike]

That does make a world of difference when you have your stock to be cut off to one side.

[MAC702]

Don't feel bad about having a chop saw. Sometimes owner's manuals (which you've read) don't give you all the tips on how to best use them.

Always try to cut through the thinnest cross section. This creates much less heat, and a much faster cut. For example, square tubing cuts best when in the diamond shape, IF you can clamp it securely. Flat stock cuts MUCH better when placed with the long axis vertical in the clamp. Then, optimize your travel speed to keep the cut square.

Let is know more specifically how you've been using it, and we might be able to figure out how to use it better.

[msmith]

So far I have been cutting 1 inch and 3/4 inch box tubing. I have been putting it in the vise so the saw is cutting a diamond shape except when doing 45s. Either way, the tubing cuts pretty easy. I have also been cutting 2 inch and 5 inch channel. The 2 inch I put on edge except when doing 45s. This is when it is tough. I gave up and used the fire saw and dressed it up the best I could with the angle grinder. On the 5 inch, I had a new wheel, so it went pretty well.

Mike