Quote:
Originally Posted by RoboChair
The whole point of the chop saw is that you don't need to mill the block to length first to make a part with it. I can hit +- 0.005" length tolerance on a run of parts with my chop saw and be ready to do everything else to it. 10 seconds, cut, 10 seconds, cut, repeat until done.
Just set it up right so you force everyone to use it right.
Also I really dislike JET. It starts out fine and becomes a huge hassle to maintain.
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We use Starret 24" and 36" rulers graduated in increments of 0.01" and a jeweler's loupe to cut long stock to size. The woodshop teacher/retired machinist can get it to within your +/-0.005", but I haven't found a student (myself included) that gets it that close repeatably. Usually I find myself doing a post-mill operation to get it the right size.
Do you have a picture of how you set up your work stop and such? That seems like it would be really useful to get that last bit of precision out.
On the topic at hand: I despise using the chop saw. We have one of the Dewalt ones somebody linked to early on in the thread, and "loud" doesn't begin to describe the hell-scream it emits when somebody turns it on. The ultra high rpms and plastic clamping system doesn't help its case either, although to be fair I've never had stock flip out on me. The only time I use it over the bandsaw is when I have to cut super long stock (because, as I mentioned above, I can't get it to within 0.005" on the saw alone). Having a massive floor bolted bandsaw helps.