The chop saw is a perfect example of a standard power tool that is mainly used in cutting up larger wooden planks or ceramic tiles. However, finding the right quality one is a challenge. Most people who find it quite tricky to find the best chop saws in the market are first time buyers who do not have any prior experience with the power tool.
With this, we made the initiative of rummaging the biggest stores to give you an in-depth review. In this guide, we will be looking at some of the best performing chop saws currently available in the market. We will also look at factors any buyer needs to consider when purchasing the right chop saw. Also, remember to click on the button below each product to get a peek at their best deals on Amazon.
Best Chop Saws Comparison & Rating
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1. DEWALT D28715 14-inch Chop Saw
Dimensions | 24 x 15 x 16.5 inches |
Weight | 44.9 pounds |
Material | Stainless Steel |
RPM | 4000 RPM |
This DEWALT D28715 14-Inch chop saw comes with a 5.5 horsepower and a 15 amp motor. It also has overload protection together with a no-load speed of 4000 RPM, making this saw strong enough for tough applications. It features a 14-inch wheel that is capable of handling rounds measuring 5-inches. When in need of making 90-degree cuts, its 45-degree pivoting fence allows for accurate and fast angle cuts. The saw base is made of steel that will enable one to weld jigs or stops directly to the base, ensuring a custom user experience matching typical applications.
2. PORTER-CABLE PCE700 Chop Saw
Dimensions | 22.69 x 14 x 17.06 inches |
Weight | 32 pounds |
Material | Stainless Steel |
RPM | 3800 RPM |
PORTER-CABLE PCE700 chop saw features 3,800 RPM and a 15 amp motor with replaceable brushes that offer durability and power. It has a quick-release material clamp that ensures easy material cutting and removal. There is also a cutting fence that comes with miter adjustment, allowing 45 degrees angles to be cut. This cop saw offers a spark deflector that provides safety and clears the line for cutting. Its base is made of heavy-duty steel, offering stability when cutting. There is a spindle lock that ensures the process of changing the blade is easy. The blade has a diameter of 14 inches and an arbor size of 1-inch.
3. Slugger by FEIN MCCS Chop Saw
Dimensions | 24-1/2 x 25 x 13 inches |
Weight | 22.9 pounds |
Material | Stainless Steel |
RPM | 3500 RPM |
Slugger by FEIN MCCS chop saw is a durable and high-performance solution when it comes to metal cutting. This 7.25 inches saw leaves a workable edge whenever you are cutting a square tube, pipe, steel tube, and angle. It features a 1400 watt cutting speed of 3,800 RPM. This saw can collect virtually all chips and sparks, allowing it to make clean and accurate cuts. It is also a versatile chop saw that cuts metals faster and safer than the abrasive cut-off saws. It comes with an integrated laser guide.
4. MK Morse CSM9NXTB Chop Saw
Dimensions | 8.94 x 11 x 7 inches |
Weight | 33.8 pounds |
Material | Plastic, Metal |
RPM | 2700 RPM |
This MK Morse CSM9NXTB chop saw offers a cleaner and safer way to cut metal. It comes with a special motor that maintains torque at optimum RPM for cutting through metals efficiently and smoothly. It is of high torque and a 15 amp motor. It is a perfect cop saw for all metal cutting. This saw maximizes the versatility, durability, and quality of cut, offering a no-load speed up of 2,700 RPM. It comes with enhanced blade alignment guides that reduce waste from cuts and come with sure-grip handles that ensure steady cutting.
5. Makita LC1230 Chop Saw
Dimensions | 13.78 x 22.56 x 17.32 inches |
Weight | 42.5 pounds |
Material | Carbide |
RPM | 1,300 RPM |
This Makita LC1230 chop saw is great for cutting light pipes, tubing, channels, conduit, and angle iron. It comes with a powerful 15 amp motor and a D-shaped handle that ensures easy gripping. It uses a durable carbide-tipped blade that is clean, cost-efficient and makes accurate cuts. It has a maximum depth of 4-1/2 inches and a tool-less guide plate that can adjust 0 - 45° for easy and quick miter cutting. There is a lock-off button that prevents accidental sharing and a shaft lock that ensures easy blade changes. The base is made of a large aluminum cast that ensures stability.
Best Chop Saws - Buyer's Guide
We all love fast working tools that will help us finish our projects on time. However, when it comes to cutting metals, which are known to be sturdy materials that need to be cut accurately to ensure clean and accurate cuts, you need to know what speed is right when shopping for the right chop saw in the market.
Lighter materials can be cut at high speeds of more than 3000 RPMs. However, it is recommended never to go for a chop saw that exceeds 3,500 RPMs when working with projects that deal with soft materials.
Before you settle on a particular chop saw, it is important you know how often you will be carrying the machine and for how long. In case you will be carrying the cop saw around, and for longer hours, then there is no need to go for a heavyweight chop saw as it will be quite heavy to move around with it.
However, when the chop saw will be stationed at your workshop, then portability cannot be of great priority.
Regardless of the type of cuts you need, there are chances that you will always make some angle cuts at some point. The majority of the chop saws come with tilting capabilities and have adjustable miter gauges that make it possible for you to make cuts of up to 45 degrees. Ensure you purchase a unit that comes with a positive stop that will work well for repeatable cuts ensuring you get accurate cuts.
The size of the chop saw will determine the cutting depth together with the suitability of the work to be carried out. The chop saws are available in different sizes, with some being suitable for home-based projects while others are suiting industrial projects.
In case you are handling light-duty home projects, then going for a smaller unit having a 12-inch blade will be perfect.
Best Chop Saws - FAQs
Although they are usually used interchangeably, the miter saws and chop saws do have a couple of differences. The miter saws come with advanced features, while the chop saws just make straight cuts through the materials.
The right chop saw to use in cutting the wood depends on the plan size. For great results, go for something that comes with a slider. Opt for a chop saw that is capable of moving through variable angles and can cut through the thick wooden pieces.
Yes, it is possible to cut through PVC materials using a chop saw. However, the main consideration should be the pipe width that you intend to slice. Ensure that the chop saw you are using is able to cut through the plastic thickness.
Chop saws come with a locking feature that is important for safety. It also has a lock to open the angle feature. All you have to do is get the knob and loosen it. Using the blade safety, get the release trigger and open it. Ensure that you have reset all the knobs when you are done.
