Chop saw question

[weldlk]

I have a 14" DeWalt chop saw, sometimes it likes to flex to the right(from handle side) causing my cuts to be nowhere near square. I dont push with excessive force and also push on the blade gaurd to try and help. This usally happens when cutting 1"-1.5" box tubing on a 45 degree. It flexed so bad one time it cut my saw table. Anybody got any suggestions, diff. blade, thickness, ect? I'm currently using the DeWalt blade. Thanks,Lane.

[blueoval557]

Hey lane-
WOW! Sounds like its cutting off by a long shot! Did you go through it and do a thorough check of the all the bolts and fasteners to make sure they are all tight? And you said it only does it sometimes huh??
Kyle

[weldlk]

Yes, only sometimes. Nothing feels loose, the saw head does not have any play were it mounts. I think I'm going to go to my welding supplier and get a thicker quality blade. Hopefully will help. Thanks.

[Zrexxer]

Also check that the blade is square to the table in the vertical direction.

[SND]

does it cut square when set at 0 degrees ?

If it only does that when cutting at 45, it is most likely because the blade skids a little bit on the surface of the tube when the cut starts. Either take it really easy at the bigining of the cut, or try to find a more rigid blade. Also make sure the blade is at full speed before it touches the metal.

[Rocky D]

Lane, I had the same problem with a DeWalt 871... I could never get a straight cut with it. The point where the saw housing attaches to the platform is weak, and a bad design allowing the blade to be canted outward. The location of the grab handle is too far away from the CG of the saw adding to the outward stress. Also the chuck arrangement would give when put pressure on it so I beefed it up with gussets, and got rid of the tooless stuff, and used the bolts to keep it from moving. The blades were too thin and would bend, too. I went with the CHI-Com HF blades and they work better.

Get a Makita or Milwaukee.

[weldlk]

Rocky, I actually looked at those blades today, they are 1/8" vs. 7/64"(DeWalt). It seems to all be in the blade, but I will check what you are talking about. I'm going to try a thicker blade and hope for the best. Thanks for the help everybody, Lane.