EXPERT KNOWLEDGE CHOP SAWS

A chop saw is a saw with a rotating circular saw blade that is driven by a motor. It is suitable for cutting various materials and profiles and is often used to cut bars, pipes, tubes, mouldings and various profiles. There are different types of Chop saws, including models from various brands such as Festool, Bosch, Makita and Metabo, with the Festool brand being the market leader in the wood sector due to Festool's numerous innovations such as the symmetrical fence system on the Cross cut mitre saws or standard functions within the Scope of delivery such as the double line laser.

The Chop saws from Festool are professional tools that fulfil the highest demands and are available in variants with Cutting depths of up to 120 mm. It offers impressive cutting capacities, low weight and special functions such as a ball-bearing guide for maximum precision or a double line laser for precise marking of the cut as well as a fine adjustment that is easy to operate. The millimetre-precise adjustment of the saw blade Angle enables outstanding precision.

Easy-to-read scales for the angles make it easier to make precise bevel and mitre cuts. Some models have an integrated laser, which makes cutting even easier and much more precise. A larger cutting width is particularly useful when cutting parquet or laminate. A cross-cut and pull saw is the ideal choice for processing wider workpieces.

What are Chop saws used for?

Chop saws are used in professional joineries as well as in hobby workshops. Chop saws are indispensable for every carpenter, floor layer or woodworker. Whether for right-angled cuts, mitre cuts or cross-cuts - precise cross-cuts and angular cuts are almost effortless and accurate to the millimetre with a Chop saws. It is suitable for processing and accurately cutting wide materials such as wood, plastic, boards, panels, mouldings, profiles, squared timber or skirting boards.

The Chop saws work by guiding the rotating saw blade through the workpiece. The motor turns the blade at high speed so that it can make precise and clean cuts. The combination of swivelling and pulling functions makes Chop saws particularly flexible for a wide variety of cut types, from simple cross cuts on the pull stroke to complex Angle and mitre cuts.

How do the different models differ?

Different manufacturers have brought a huge number of different models onto the market for a wide variety of uses. From filigree moulding saws to heavy chop saws for rough cutting of solid wood planks, there is a huge range on the market. We will try to give you a brief overview of the various ranges of application and uses.

AChop saws or mitre saws are ideal for cutting different materials to length. A Chop saws is an excellent choice, especially for work that requires cutting wood, laminate or other materials. It can process materials in different ways, for example when mitre sawing or for corner cuts. It is important to keep an eye on the desired Cutting depth and cutting width, as this depends on the size of the saw blade and therefore the model selected.

A Chop saws or Mitre saws either have a rotating table that allows precise adjustment of the Angle, or the saw blade can be swivelled with the entire drive unit. A carbide saw blade ensures precise and clean cuts. Depending on the model, the saw head can even be tilted up to 47° to the left and right to cut the most common angles. Mitre angles can also be swivelled beyond the usual 45° up to 50°.

Amitresaw is often better suited to sawing wider workpieces, as the saw head can be moved in all directions. In addition to downward and upward movement, the pull saw also enables cuts from back to front thanks to its telescopic rail. This makes it perfect for larger projects such as halving or cutting larger panel strips.

A large pull-through force with a high wattage ensures that the motor revolutions remain stable and the cutting quality is consistently high. Even with hardness or larger materials, the powerful sawing performance enables clean cuts without losing precision.

Which saw blades are available?

When working with Chop saws and Mitre saws, woodworking shops mainly use carbide-tipped circular saw blades for cross-cuts across the grain in longitudinal timber. Saw blades are also used for cutting plastic and non-ferrous metals (especially aluminium and plastic profiles). Major manufacturers such as Festool offer various saw blades for Chop saws with a wide range of properties for this purpose. Universal wood saw blades with replaceable teeth are ideal for processing all types of wood, wood-based materials, building material boards, gypsum fibre boards and soft plastics.

The circular saw blade of a chop saw should always have a negative rake angle, regardless of the material being processed, in order to minimise the risk of dangerous kickbacks.

The right choice of saw blade is important to achieve a truly perfect cut. Only the interaction of machine, saw blade and material ensures an ideal, clean cut. The right size is particularly important, e.g. 216 mm, 254 mm or 305 mm.

When purchasing replacement saw blades, observe the manufacturer's important specifications:

• Saw blade diameter (e.g. 216 mm or 305 mm)
• Tooth shape (e.g. alternate tooth or flat tooth)
• Number of teeth
• Blade thickness
• Maximum speed
• Diameter of the bit holder

Do I need a laser?

Chop saws or mitre saws that are already equipped with a laser (e.g. Festool KS 120) have a huge advantage over machines that have to make do without this technology. You always know immediately where the cross-cut or kerf will be. Once you have come into contact with this technology, you will never want to do without the double line laser again.

Battery vs. corded machine

Cordless chop saws have a clear advantage over corded machines. Cordless chop saws make it possible to carry out cross-cuts, mitre cuts or cross-cutting work without power from the socket, for example during assembly work on construction sites where electricity is not yet available. Of course, it is always possible to work with one or more cable reels, but the freedom of being cordless is unrivalled. The cordless chop saws can be used flexibly and without restrictions anywhere, whether in the workshop, garage or basement.

At DICTUM you will find Chop saws from Festool and the matching accessories. If you have any questions about the selection or need additional advice, please contact our service hotline directly or visit our specialist advisors in one of our local shops.