Best Steel Chop Saws for Accurate & Effortless Cutting

Published on: March 29, 2022
Written by David Rowan / Fact-checked by David Rowan

Which type of saws will you recommend for metal projects? Of course, steel saws are a must. Either you are a weekend warrior or a pro-type. Is it or not?

Well, appliances have far tough applications currently as they have been designed by maintaining an advanced manner. Some are making tasks quick and free—some on the contrary.

best steel chop saws

For instance, one spends at least 5 hours on metal projects. Like chopping steel plates, steel pipe, angle iron, and so on. Suppose the classy empowered tool got technical issues. That can cause big harm at the site job.

Which Factors Do You Consider for an Exact Metal Chop Saw?

Metal chops saws are powerful like steel chop saws. Many options are available outside for daily necessary rips. For both DIYers and professionals. In the case of small tasks or heavy-duty constructions. Some facts to opt-out while buying a metal or steel cutoff saw. Like- 

  • Power source
  • Motor Power
  • Portability 
  • All About Blade
  • Fence and Vise Adjustments
  • Safety Features

Some may have half of the above features. Or some have only two. One should indeed buy from self-judgment.

View Our Top Steel Chop Saws Reviews, Below-

Chop saws schemed advanced in functioning—offering carbide blades, burr-free and high-torque engines. Even cutting the toughest material. With a dry cut blade or abrasive ones. Are you on your way to the best one? Then, count our ones.

DEWALT DW872 || 14” Metal Cutting Saw

  • Dimension: 24 × 15.2 × 18.5 inches;
  • Motor: 15 AC/DC AMP;
  • No load speed: 1300RPM;
  • Tooth: 66;
  • Blade in Diameter: 14”;  
  • Arbor: 1”
  • Type: Multi-cutter.

Searching for a saw that cuts through metal? As well as a steel plate, scrap metal and wood? Or, 8 times faster compared to portable band saws? Else, supports 4 times faster than chop saws? This one holds all in one. From DEWALT 872 series. Sounds powerful, right?

Well, the sturdy features make it more powerful from home site jobs to workshops by 4HP engine. A carbide-tipped blade supports its entire life. With 14” expected burr-free rip capacity. Except through thick materials to sparking.

An on-board storage system reduces the risk of a lost wrench. However, the spindle lock changes the board wheel.

What we liked

  • Constant deep and precise cuts by a single blade;
  • Vise grip feature;
  • Lock mechanism;
  • Portable;
  • Solid construction.

Disliked

  • Convenient only in 120V countries;
  • Not good at 45-degree bevel.

EVOLUTION EVOSAW380 || 15” Steel Cutting Chop Saw

  • Dimension: 21 × 13.5 × 26 inches;
  • Motor: 15AMP;
  • No load speed: 1450RPM;
  • TPI: 70;
  • Blade in Diameter: 15”;
  • Arbor: 1”;
  • Type: Miter saw.

Renowned as a cold chop saw for metal. Because neither needs coolant nor produces sparks. Not the blade, an alternative of abrasive. When one is cutting dry metal. As well as i-beam or metal sheets. 

Spinning at 1800Watt reduces the torque engine’s load. While measuring steel of 2*2 inches. But adjust the pieces between 0-45 as it allows square cuts with 2.4HP.

Comes with a metal chip tray like a dust collector. That collects all chips to throw in bins. 

What we liked

  • Cold for cutting metals;
  • 1000 cuts before blade replacement;
  • No plastic parts;
  • A polycarbonate handle.

Disliked

  • Challenging to cut straight at 90 degrees;
  • High price.

Makita LC1230 || 12” Metal Cutting Saw

  • Dimension: 13.8 x 22.6 x 17.3 inches;
  • Motor: 15AMP;
  • No load speed: 1700RPM;
  • TPI: 60;
  • Blade in Diameter: 12”;
  • Arbor: 1”;
  • Type: Chop saw.

Belonging from the expensive side in the market. But performs relatively better than that. Renowned as a heavy-duty cutter from the Makita 1230 series.

Supporting fence adjustments 0-45 degrees. By the rapid ‘tool-less’ guide. A lock-off button engineered with a D-shape handle. To prevent unexpected accidents with such dual-finger triggers.

The 12” blade, somewhat shorter than others, works 50% faster than abrasive wheels. Even if you adjust the piece for 3.5” deep cuts or having a rip capacity of 4.5” at a 90-degree angle.

What we liked

  • Crop best in pipe, tubing and angle iron;
  • Carbide tipped blade for 4x faster and repeated chops;
  • Store socket wrench on the base;
  • Chips collection tray;
  • Handle at least 1” cold rolled steel bar.

Disliked

  • Costly.

DEWALT D28730 || 14 In. Chop Saw

  • Dimension: 22.1 x 13.9 x 17.3 inches;
  • Motor: 15 AMP;
  • No load speed: 3800 RPM;
  • TPI: 66;
  • Blade in Diameter: 14”;
  • Arbor: 1”;
  • Type: Chop saw.

Consider this one for long-term high services. And of course, it is budget-friendly. The aluminium made can also cut an aluminium bar of 15”. Though the blade is 14” from the manufacturer with a wrench. 

One even tries to differentiate between DEWALT 872 AND 28730 series as both come around with the same price. But the 872 offers relatively better than this one—for instance, carbide-tipped blade tooth.

A spindle lock allows quick changes of the blade. With the D-shape handle like the previous one. A compression spring gives smoother mobility in this case.

What we liked

  • Adjustable spark guard;
  • Swift lock-vise for material clamping;
  • Scheme for durability;
  • Aluminum oxide grain wheel;
  • Inexpensive than cold cut saws.

Disliked

  • Produce sparks, then smokes surround;
  • Slower cutting speed.

Evolution RAGE4 || 7-¼” TCT Multipurpose Cutting Chop Saw

  • Dimension: 19 × 7.8 × 14.8 inches;
  • Motor: 10 AMP;
  • No load speed: Unknown;
  • TPI: Unknown;
  • Blade in Diameter: 7-¼”;
  • Arbor: 1”;
  • Type: Multipurpose chop saw.

A rage-4 electric powered multipurpose chop saw. Far more portable. Available for one when remaining on a tight budget.

We found it similar to a sliding miter saw. That offers aluminum parts with a 7.25” blade. Seems compact more than its 14inch counterparts. The sharp naked one not only prevents heat. But also allows burr-free multi-material cuts. Such as mild-steel, copper pipe and plastics. As well as aluminum, threaded rod and hardwood. Leads home from the workshop.

What we liked

  • Versatile and continuous blade cuts;
  • Lightweight and portable;
  • Maximum 1.75” square cuts at both 90 and 45 degrees.

Disliked

  • Spins quite slow.

Metabo HPT Portable (CC12Y) || 12″ Metal Cut-Off Saw

  • Dimension: 28.6 × 13.10 × 11.2 inches;
  • Motor: 15 AMP;
  • No load speed: Unknown; 
  • TPI: Unknown;
  • Blade in Diameter: 12”;
  • Arbor: Unknown;
  • Type: Metal Cutter.

Inspired by the metal devil line of rip saws manufacturers. Hitachi generated such portable and steel chop saws. By renaming the same tool as CC12Y. Comes up with a 12” rip capacity patented blade. About to reach 4” depth from the material surface.

The amazing electric power feels no requirement for batteries. Moves and cuts are quite smooth at a time. Through a high torque gearbox of 15AMP. Sounds improved and a strong handheld one. 

Want more from the toolbox? Replaceable cutting wheels and a 6mm wrench are waiting. As well as to cut the hips and valleys of steel roofs.

What we liked

  • Work without chain-link fence;
  • No slow startup.

Disliked

  • Few troubles flipping a breaker;
  • No vacuum part.

Evolution S355CPSL || 14” Metal Cutting Chop Saw

  • Dimension: 20.8 × 12.2 × 16.2 inches;
  • Motor: 15 AMP;
  • No load speed: 1450RPM; 
  • TPI: unknown;
  • Blade in Diameter: 14”;
  • Arbor: unknown;
  • Type: Chop Saw.

Need a tough and portable steel chop saw? Then, this is the right choice with a pressed steel base. Renowned too as a miter saw. Capable of steady cutting 0-45 degrees. 

Offers spark-free cuts. With a 14” premium tungsten carbide tipped blade, for versatile dry-cut with little effort. Also, it contains a firm grip and fence. With a fast-release mechanism. As the grip for fast clamping of your workpiece. Also, the fence for its own safety and accurate change of wheel. 

You can chop thin and mild steel and aluminum. In expected square or rectangular shapes. Some consider it the upgraded one of S380CPS. But it is not.

What we liked

  • Instant 100 and accurate cuts;
  • Robust and durable;
  • Compatible with 2” oil fill tubing.

Disliked

  • Strict capacity of 14” blade in diameter.

Buying Guide for Steel Chop Saws

Looking at steel chop saws can be challenging. They’re not actually modest, so you need to get something that you like to spend your cash on. Here are some things to keep in mind when buying a chop saw.

Type of Blade

Various materials call for various edges. Most steel chop saws will either have a precious stone rough cutting edge or a carbide-tipped edge. Carbide-tipped cutting edges are utilized generally for more diligent materials like hardened steel and different metals. Precious stone rough edges are more appropriate for gentler materials like delicate compound metal.

Engine Power

In fact, it would be futile to assume that your chop saw engine was powerless. The power of your chop saw usually depends on the integrity of its engine, so it is very important to keep an eye on it when choosing your cleavage saw.

Cutting Boundary

Assuming you expect to utilize your steel chop saw for DIY projects around your home, a lightweight one with a cutting boundary of something like 40mm would be an optimal decision. For heavier tasks, you can pick one with a cutting boundary that goes somewhere in the range of 50 – 65mm cutting boundary all things being equal.

Foundation Height

Your steel chop saw ought to be agreeable and simple to utilize, and something that can influence that is the height of your saw’s base. A decent chop saw ought to have a base that is tall enough so the sharp edge doesn’t contact the ground when it’s pushed down while cutting materials.

FAQs

Can You Cut Metal or Steel at Home?

Many tools are available for cutting metals at home. Modern innovation makes it much faster and easier. But their power sources may cause unexpected things. 

Traditional or manual saws still hold demands for the acts. Ceramic and thin wood. Consisting of a rigid blade and rectangular frame. However, you need more pressure for start-up and further.

Which Saw Cuts Accurately Through the Surface of Metal?

The right answer is by a motorized circular saw. Even you can find the same service in miter or steel chop saws because all of them cut better than each one. It matters only with the thickness of your masterpiece. Else, with the material type as a circular saw, it is abrasive. Attached with a metal cut-off disc. 

Some steel chop saws offer to rip through the plastic—even more than a block of bare wood.

Does a Rotary Cut the Same as a Dremel?

Dremel of 15/16 inches has chopping power of several materials. Including plastic, ceramic, and thin wood. In particular, for heavy-duty cut-offs.

But an exciting matter that will amaze you. All types of rotary tools have been categorized as Dremel now. As we have mentioned, Dremel is a solid wheel. For grooving and trimming.

Even a diamond blade can cut such metals. As well as a Dremel can.

What Is the Difference Between Chop Saw and Miter Saw?

Chops Saws vs. Miter Saws

Chop saw cuts 90-degree angles and is larger (the blade is usually a minimum of 14 inches), where a miter saw cuts angled, beveled, and compound cuts and is more versatile because it can rotate and pivot left and right.

Safety Spark Patterns Lesson

Assuming you’re wearing safety glasses, the sparks that fly off an abrasive chop saw won’t hurt you, but they will become a nuisance. Have a lover take an image while you create a cut. You ought to see sparks shooting straight out the rear or side of the saw. If they’re flying everywhere, try tipping the highest of the deflector toward you to direct more of the sparks downward.

Wrap Up

Still there exists more options of steel chop saws. A rule of thumb one should always recollect. Not all carry out the same purpose. From the schemed time.

A steel chop saw is significant. In case of only cutting or greater metal projects. Even, to a great extent, similar to applying on woods.

You Might Also Like:

Rate this post

About This Writer

david rowan author

Hello, I am David Rowan. I am a professional contractor with 10 years of experience in home building, different tools used, construction, home remodeling, and other home improvement work. I have already built many custom homes and continued to do several woodworking projects along with how to deal with all categories of tools.

Hello, I am David Rowan. I am a professional contractor with 10 years of experience in home building, different tools used, construction, home remodeling, and other home improvement work. I have already built many custom homes and continued to do several woodworking projects along with how to deal with all categories of tools.

Leave a Comment