One tool/machine to level up a moderate shop

[James3245]

Count me as a mentor who has been pleased with a cold saw.

We've been cutting (yes it is slow) aluminum for a couple of seasons without injury. We did break a blade once when the stock was not long enough to clamp properly. Because of the low rpm the incident was alarming and instructive but not particularly dangerous.

I will accept slow cuts, and higher upfront cost, to avoid the hazard (see other CD posts for scary stories of flying metal) of having anyone, especially students, cut metal with a high-speed chop saw. Not to mention the screeching.

A pneumatic rivet gun set up is relatively cheap and as posted earlier a great next tool. And quite safe.