What Are The Parts Of A Chop Saw?

Want To Share This?

​A chop saw is a relatively simple piece of machinery that does not have many parts to it. The few parts it does have are important to it's overall functionality though and play an important role.

Chop saws really don't have much in the way of standing out as far as features go either and most are pretty much the same as far as features are concerned. There will be slight differences in the design from one manufacturer to another but that is about it.

What Are The Parts Of A Chop Saw

Trigger Button: ​The trigger is pretty self explanatory as it controls the machine and is essentially the on/off switch. The trigger shown in the above image is a larger one, that will help reduce fatigue because you can use three or four fingers to squeeze​, which also tends to make it much more comfortable to use too.

Some chop saws have a single or double finger trigger which only provides enough room for one or two fingers, pretty obvious! These are a little more uncomfortable to use, especially if you are making a lot of cuts, it can cause some discomfort for some people.

There are usually safety switches that have to be held in at the same time you pull the trigger, which is not clearly shown on our example model. These prevent accidental starting of the chop saw when you aren't prepared for it, making it much safer to use.

​The Blade: ​The blades are one of the most important parts of a chop saw and it is also where some models may vary, mainly in size.

Blade Sizes: Most "standard" chop saws that you find online and at tool/hardware stores will use a 14" model, for the most part. This means that a 14" blade is the MAXIMUM sized blade (diameter) that can fit on the saw. You can use smaller diameter blades if you choose to do so but the specifics will list the maximum diameter you can use.

There are different sized chop saws out there and if you look around, you will find not only 14" models but 12" ones, 7 1/4" models, 6" models and so on but 14 inches seems to be the most commonly made, as far as I noticed.

Types Of Blades: There are also different blade types that you can choose from and most chop saws will come with an abrasive cutting blade, which is usually the ​cheapest ​types of blades out there for cutting metals. 

You can find diamond blades and carbide blades that will also work for metals but are much more expensive and usually only necessary for harder and thicker metals or specialty types of metal stock.

​Blade Guard: ​The blade guard is pretty self explanatory and protects the user from the spinning blade. Some models may require you to swing the blade guard out of the way before you change out the blade.

Some chop saw models also utilize a spark deflector in their blade guard design that routes the majority of sparks produced when cutting metal to a specific area, away from the user, usually behind the saw and downwards.

​The Base: ​The base of the chop saw is what is used to support the entire saw itself and these are usally made from ​some sort of metal like steel or aluminum. The base of a chop saw is usually pretty small in size and is usually shaped like a rectangle, much smaller than the base you would find on a miter saw.

​Fence/Miter Gauge: ​The fence is what the material you are cutting rests against while you are making your cuts. A fence on a chop saw is usually pretty short in comparison to a miter saw's fence but different manufacturers may have taller ones, if you fancy those.

Some fences also act as a miter gauge that will allow you to cut angles (usually up to 45 degrees). A lot of models nowadays will use a tool-less type of mechanism that you can twist/turn to unlock the miter functionality, change the angle and then lock it again, making it very seamless.

​Blade Lock Button: ​The blade lock button just locks the blade in place and prevents it from spinning when changing out the blade. After you have locked the blade in place, you would then use a wrench to loosen the nut on the blade, remove the blade, install a new one and tighten up the bolt again.

Some models ​use a tool-less blade changing system that eliminates a lot of the process but most models use a blade lock mechanism and a tool to change out the blade.

​Clamp/Vice: ​The clamp is used to hold the stock material secure against the fence while you make your cut. It moves closer to the fence when you spin the handle clockwise and farther away when turned counterclockwise.

If your chop saw has a fence that swivels to accommodate miter cuts, then the end of the clamp will have the ability to pivot, to accommodate those miter angles.

​Clamp Handle: ​The handle is used to turn the threaded rod, which secures or ​releases the piece to the fence. There are many different styles of handles out there to choose from including more simple pieces of metal to handles that look like old steering wheels on large commercial trucks.

​Chain: ​The chain is usually just to hold down the top of the saw's components (blade and blade guard assembly) in order to make it easier to transport. Some models will use a knob of some sort instead of a chain that you push in to lock the top assembly down.

​Motor: ​Most chop saws out there nowadays are electric models and they seem to have a similar sized motor as well. Most of the 14" chop saws that I looked at came with a 15 amp motor. This was really the standard sized motor, besides some of the smaller chop saws (6", 7 1/4") which had smaller motors.

Most models had around 5hp on average but some less than that and that seemed to be one of the main differences for a lot of these chop saws, as far as motors are concerned. RPM's were also a little different for each model.

There are also larger chop saws available that came with larger motors, using 230 volts instead of 110.

​Cord: ​The cords on chop saws are a pretty standard length, around 6-8 feet on average. These are meant to be stationed somewhere and will usually have an extension cord hooked up to them if you are a ways away from a power source, unless a specific spot has been made for the saw, which is ideal.

Want To Share This?

About the author

Ryan

I have been in construction nearly my entire life and have a fascination with tools and love when they make my life easier. Match that with my "research addiction" and you create something like this website!

Leave a comment: