What Is a Chop Saw?

Series Summary

Humans are creative beings, and have been known to build a few things in their time. Since the first spark of inspiration hit men and women, they have searched for easier, faster, better ways to realize their ideas and solve their problems.

It is reckoned that in the Stone Age the first tools were born, and by extension, machines and technology. Though the basic principles behind altering physical matter haven't changed much, some amazing advances have been made in tool technology. For instance, with the advent of consumer power tools, mankind has the ability to increase productivity and complete more projects in less time.

A chop (or miter) saw is a power tool used to make accurate cross cuts in wood, plastic, and light metals. It has a fixed blade, attached to a moving arm, that spins over a small worktable. The operator lines up the piece to be cut and drops the saw blade, allowing for quick, easy work. Watch this free instructional video series, and decide if the chop saw is a tool you'd like to introduce into your workshop. Lessons include general safety tips, uses for the chop saw, replacing the cutting saw blade, care and maintenance, and electrical requirements.

Video Transcript

" Hi! This is John on behalf of expertvillage.com. In this video clip, I will be discussing what a metal cutting chop saw is. A chop saw is essentially a lightweight circular saw, mounted on a spring loaded pivot arm and supported by a metal base. Chop saws are considered the best saw to get exact square cuts on metal pieces. They are basically chop saws that can make bevel cuts as well as miter cuts."