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Make Neat Angled Cuts With the Top Chop Saws

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By Woodsmith Review Team
Last updated: 17 Jan 2023
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Expert Contributions By
Goodell David :

If you’re used to taking care of installations and construction chores on your own, you probably already have a home workshop or at least a set of essential tools for quick fixes and DIY projects. As you take on more involved and detailed projects where you need more precision when cutting wood, plastic, and even steel, one tool that you need in your workshop is a miter saw or more commonly known as, a chop saw. If you didn’t know it already, a chop saw has fast-rotating blades that can help you make quick, precise cuts. However, the inarguable utility of a chop saw demands careful hunting when you’re finalizing on your purchase – and we can help you with it. We have put together a list of top-of-the-line, best chop saws in 2023, reviewed them, and listed the pros and cons of each. So, sit tight, read along, and finalize on a chop saw best suits your needs!

Best Overall
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DEWALT Chop Saw
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Runner Up
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Hitachi Chop Saw
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Honorable Mention
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PORTER-CABLE Chop Saw
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Show contents
Premier Chop Saw in 2023
  • 1 DEWALT Chop Saw
  • 2 Hitachi Chop Saw
  • 3 PORTER-CABLE Chop Saw

Best Chop Saws Buying Guide

Whether it’s wood, metal, PVC, or other materials you’re cutting, a chop saw is an absolute necessity. Not to be confused with a miter saw that can rotate and cut at an angle, a chop saw is often used by professionals to quickly make straight cuts in most raw materials.

Are Chop Saws and Miter Saws the Same?

These two saws are often confused with one another, and while they do have a ton of similarities, there are important things that distinguish them from each other as well. Here are some of them.

Size

In general, chop saws are bigger than miter saws. Standard chop saws often use blades that are no smaller than fourteen inches, while miter saw blades range from eight to twelve inches. Because of this, chop saws are often more powerful than miter saws.

Usage

Both chop saws and miter saws are used to cut raw materials like glass, tile, PVC, and more. However, chop saws are used to cut straight, while miter saws are mostly used to create angled cuts. A chop saw is considered more of a power tool, while the miter saw is more often used as a finessing tool.

Application

It’s not uncommon for builders, professional or not, to use different tools and equipment for the different materials they’re using for their projects. Chop saws, for example, are often used to cut larger pieces of materials like metal sheets, PVC pipes, concrete slabs, wood slabs, and more. On the other hand, Miter saws are often reserved for creating detailed cuts on smaller areas like trim and molding.

What Should You Look for When Choosing the Best Chop Saw?

Choosing the best chop saw can be challenging. They’re not exactly cheap, so you’ll want to get something that you won’t regret spending your money on. Here are some things that you need to consider when buying a chop saw:

Blade type

Different materials call for different blades. Most chop saws will either have a diamond abrasive blade or a carbide-tipped blade.  Carbide-tipped blades are used mostly for harder materials like stainless steel and other metals. Diamond abrasive blades are more suitable for softer materials like soft alloy metal.

Cutting parameters

If you intend to use your chop saw for minor DIY projects around your home, a lightweight one with a cutting parameter of at least 40mm would be an ideal choice. For heavier projects, you can opt to get one with a cutting parameter that ranges anywhere from 50mm to 65mm cutting parameter instead.

Base elevation

Your chop saw should be comfortable and easy to use, and one of the things that can affect that is the elevation of your saw’s base. A good chop saw should have a base that’s tall enough so that the blade doesn’t touch the ground when it’s pressed down while cutting materials.

Motor strength

Even the sharpest blade would be useless if your chop saw’s motor is weak. Your chop saw’s power depends largely on its motor’s strength, so this is vital to watch out for that when choosing your chop saw.

Brand

Branded products are usually pricier compared to their nameless or generic counterparts. However, buying from a good and reputable brand assures you that you’ll get the most value when it comes to quality, durability, and after-sale support. Branded products usually have warranties on them, so you don’t have to worry about your money goes to waste when the product doesn’t live up to its claim or malfunctions due to a manufacturing error.

Chop Saw Safety Guide

It’s important to stay safe when using machines such as the chop saw to keep yourself from any injury.

  • Always wear protective clothing and gear like a face shield and/or safety goggles and gloves when using a chop saw.
  • To prevent accidents, avoid wearing clothes and accessories that may get caught in the chop saw. Make sure to turn off the chop saw and unplug it after using it.
  • Inspect the chop saw before use, making sure that all parts are in good working condition. If you see anything that needs repair or replacement, do not use the chop saw until it has been repaired or replaced.
  • Secure all guards in their proper position before starting your chop saw. Ensure that everything is tight and secure so it doesn’t move while you’re cutting materials with your chop saw. Founder of WoodWorking Clarity, Goodell David, says, “There is no amount of precaution that can protect you from freak accidents, so it’s great when your saw looks out for you.”
  • Never operate a chop saw free-handedly. All materials to be cut with your chop saw must be secured against the fence so that you don’t lose control of it or have your hands dangerously close to the blade.
  • Always wait for the blade to come to a complete stop before raising it or removing the material from the workplace.

For more safety information and to learn how to use a chop saw, this video from Sandon’s Woodshop may be helpful to you:

Premier Chop Saw in 2023

1

DEWALT Chop Saw

– Best Overall
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This chop saw by Dewalt features an unbeatable stainless steel design with a tough build to handle your endless workload, yet light enough to be transported to and from the worksite with ease. Its 15 Amp motor delivers unmatched power and durability. The adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate can be set up easily and has 11 positive stops for accuracy and precision.

Key Features

Dewalt’s 12-inch compound miter saw is known for its lightweight construction, making it easy to pick up and move around. What’s more impressive is that the DWS715 is durable and well-supported with nicely tall sliding fences for built-in stability. And don’t even get us started on how accurate the cuts are, even when switching angles. There was only one thing that concerned us about this seemingly perfect tool. When trying to replace the blade, it seems the instructions are a bit off as the whole guard assembly needs to be removed for replacement.

Pros
  • Lightweight, great for portability
  • Comes with a carbide blade and dustbag
  • Adjustable cam-lock miter for accuracy
Cons
  • It can be slightly challenging to replace the blade
2

Hitachi Chop Saw

– Runner Up
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Hitachi’s compound miter saw employs a laser marker system that gives superior accuracy with each cut. Its 15 Amp motor is durable and powerful to rip through the toughest cuts of wood. It offers wider miter and bevel angles for more accuracy and flexibility. The chop saw has an elastomer grip handle that reduces vibration and gives a more controlled cut.

Key Features

This Hitachi makes up for simplicity with pure quality and design. The laser marker can be a lifesaver for precise cuts. Buyers were also pleased with how compact the Hitachi chop saw is. it takes up little space and is light enough to be moved around the workshop. It also has a dust collector attachment that can be connected to a vacuum for a clean, mess-free environment. A slight disappointment was the instruction booklet, which wasn’t very clear on how to put everything together. However, that is only inconvenient at worst and doesn’t interfere with operation.

Pros
  • Laser marker for more accurate cuts
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Elastomer grip handle for comfort and control
Cons
  • The instruction booklet isn’t very easy to read
3

PORTER-CABLE Chop Saw

– Honorable Mention
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This heavy-duty chop saw is made with a durable steel base, but don’t let its construction fool you because it is lightweight and compact, making it great for portability and storage. It features a quick-release material clamp that holds the workpiece in place as you slice through it as well as a spindle lock for changing the blade more efficiently.

Key Features

The slicing never has to stop with this portable blade, built from sturdy materials with built-in safety features for worry-free cutting and removal. What we liked most about the Porter-Cable was the straightforward setup. It is perfect if you are looking for a chop saw for a good price that can still stand up to a tough workload. It definitely has some power and had no problems cutting through iron, steel, and some other metals surprisingly well. Some slight issues we found were that the spark deflector could have worked a little better, and the blade shield can become loose, though it can be easily tightened.

Pros
  • Quick-release material clamp to hold workpieces in place
  • Spindle lock for changing the blade more efficiently
  • Lightweight and compact
Cons
  • The blade shield might require occasional tightening

People Also Asked

Q: What can I cut with a chop saw?

A: Chop saw is a versatile tool that can cut through non-ferrous metals such as lumber, moulding, and aluminum as long as the workpiece doesn't exceed the saw's size restrictions. If you're working with materials that might be too wide for your chop saw, consider investing in a circular saw instead.

Q: What is the difference between a chop saw and a miter saw?

A: Chop saws and miter saws have many similarities. They are both tabletop saws equipped with a pivoting arm and a rotating blade. However, a miter saw offers more versatile cuts due to its ability to rotate and pivot in both directions. A chop saw, on the other hand, only cuts at a 90-degree angle.

Q: Can a chop saw cut metal?

A: Chop saws are heavy, powerful tools meant for cutting metal with extreme precision and ease. However, this feature makes them more expensive than regular power tools.

Q: Can I use a chop saw to cut wood?

A: Chop saws can be used to cut lumber, moulding, decking, aluminum, and other non-ferrous metals.

Q: Are chop saws accurate?

A: Yes, chops saws offer accurate crosscuttings of trim and lumber.

Saws & Blades
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By Woodsmith Review Team

The Woodsmith Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you choose the best tools and gear to build great-looking projects confidently. The content is created by The Woodsmith Review Team. Woodsmith’s editorial staff is not involved. Woodsmith is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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Expert Contributions By Goodell David
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