Looking for Chop Saw suggestions.

[JimPghPA]

I am looking for suggestions about what make of Chop Saw to get.

I am working on projects the require cutting solid bars of aluminum, and 16 gauge steel exhaust tubing. My old cheap harbor freight band saw does not cut at a true ninety degree angle, and it takes too long to clean up the parts to a right angle with my milling machine. So it looks like I need a good chop saw.

The largest I have to cut would be 4.5 inch round OD 1/2 wall aluminum, 3.75 round solid aluminum, and 3.5 inch 16 gauge (1/16 inch wall) steel exhaust pipe.

The are many makers of 14 inch chop saws: Pittsburgh Pa Craigs list has a Milwaukee for $85 not to far away from here, a Chicago (probably junk from harbor freight) for $80, a new Ridgid still in the box (but about 300 miles from me below Harrisburg) for $125, and Northern tool has free shipping on new Dewalt for $180, new Milwaukee for $190, and a Dewalt Multi for more than I want to spend at $490.

Right now I am leaning towards the used Milwaukee about 15 miles away for $85, even though the pictures of it show it covered with plenty of dust from use, it looks like a rugged monster that probably can handle all I can throw at it.

Any suggestions?

 

[tom slick]

Are the chop saws you mention abrasive cut-off saws? Those won't cut aluminum and won't cut straight.
You need a dry-cut saw with a carbide tipped saw blade to cut aluminum. They cut steel also,

 

[JimPghPA]

Tom Slick, thank you. I did not know that, but when you think about it, it totally makes sense. I can understand the aluminum clogging the abrasive wheel, and not the carbide tipped saw balde.

You probably saved me both money and time, and just as important spared me from the aggravation of going through all the problems the wrong saw would of caused, and having to straightened out the wrong saw with a proper blade or getting another saw.

Thank you.