Chop saws are powerful tools that can be used to cut metal and wood. For classification purposes: chop saws are saws with a fixed base, which have a blade that lowers with a chopping motion to cut material. Chop saws come with handles, triggers and safety devices that make this potentially dangerous tool safer to use. Chop saws come in various sizes: commercial chop saws found on job sites and industrial chop saws used in industries such as the lumber industry.

In some cases, the chop saw manufacturer, chops saw supplier and chop saw distributor are the same. For others, the chop saw supplier and chop saw distributor are most often building supply stores, though it is possible to buy a chop saw online from an online distributor or supplier. Used metal chop saws and other chop saws are also available. What is interesting is that most chop saw makers sell their own chop saw blades, though there are some saw blade manufacturers that just specialize in saw blades, including chop saw blades. Keep these tips in mind when searching for a chop saw.

1. Pick the commercial chop saw for any job site.

2. Choose the industrial chop saw for industrial use.

3. Find chop saw blades for your chop saw.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Reply on commercial chop saws to get the project done

These chop saws are work horses that will just keep cutting. Chop saw manufacturers make chop saws that have 15 amp motors, ergonomic handles and spindle locks that endear these chop saws to their users. Because each chop saw can cut a variety of materials, each one could be a metal chop saw as well.

I recommend: Big names in chop saw makers are Milwaukee Electric Tool and DeWalt. Both companies make a chop saw blade that compliments their chop saws.

Go with industrial chop saws for industrial use

Even with names like 'baby chop saw,' these massive chop saws are capable of cutting great quantities of material.

I recommend: Behringer Eisele and Morgan Chop Saw make massive chop saws designed for heavy-duty industrial use. Behringer Eisele specializes in chop saws for the metalworking and steel industry. Morgan Chop Saw, on the other hand, manufactures enormous chop saws for the lumber, pallet and sawmill industry. The so-called "Baby Chop Saw,” by the chop saw maker Morgan Chop Saw, is a modest 5 feet in length. As might be expected, both chop saw makers manufacture their own chop saw blades. Each company also serves as chop saw suppliers and chop saw distributors.

Find chop saw blades for your chop saws

These are hard blades that will serve your chop saw well.

I recommend: Filegard Cutting Technologies and Precision Parts manufacture saw blades for the chop saw that are hardy and will last. These blades come in a variety of sizes: 14, 18 and 20 inches in diameter, and often have carbide teeth.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Contact the manufacturers directly for more detailed information about their saws. They will also be able to provide information about which chop saw blade would work best for your needs.