Saw blade dilemna....

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JAB1

JAB1

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[?] Hello fellow turners....I bought a Northern Tool $39.00 chop saw which came with a 7 inch cutting blade for metal, tile, etc...it has a 7/8" arbor size and I am having a devil of a time finding a woodcutting blade for it. ( to cut my blanks, etc..) Blades come in 71/4 inches and less with 5/8 arbors....this saw will work with a 7 inch blade diameter or less, but where does one find a blade this size with a 7/8 arbor? Can I enlarge a 5/8 inch arbor hole to 7/8 inch safely?....HELP..................
 
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There might be a reason why they are different sizes. I'm speculating that it might be a safety issue why they would/should not be interchangable. Better check some more with those more knowledgable.
 
If its Northern Tool Item# 110860, I don't believe that chopsaw was ever intended to accept a regular wood blade. It looks like a minature version of my 14 inch metalworkers chopsaw made for cutting metal tubing, angle iron, etc., but I've been known to be wrong a time or two or more in my life.
 
Allan, that saw uses a toothless blade and was designed for a specific purpose. You are attempting to try to get the saw to do something it was not designed to do and looking at the base and construction of the saw itself, I'm not sure that is a very good idea. I know I wouldn't try it. You can't put a price on safety and having all of one's appendages, so buy the best saw you can afford that was designed for what you want to cut. You've been a member here long enough to have read about the numerous accidents and these were using tools designed for the purpose they were being used for at the time of the accident. Yes, some got complacent, but our power tools are designed to be as safe as possible when used properly. Taking one outside the boundaries it was designed for is begging trouble. I don't mean to preach, but reading things like this sends chills up my spine. FWIW [;)]
 
Typically a "Chop" saw is for cutting materials other than wood. Primarily Metal. A "Miter" saw is typically used to cut wood.
As Billy said, using a tool for other than it's designed purpose is asking for trouble. Please do yourself a favor and get the proper saw for the job. The money you saved buying the wrong saw may likely get spent at the ER if you push the envelope too far.
Work Safe!!
 
For safety's sake, please accept advice given. Since you have a Northern Tool catalog, take a look at:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200199824_200199824
I have one of these and have to say, it would be hard to justify the higher priced ones on the market. I believe it is the same as some (much) higher priced ones with different brand names and paint jobs. A great saw with lots of features. And you can't beat the price.
 
If this helps i'll chime in. I work with metal all day everyday. The saw you described is only for metal, and such material. I cannot stress enough, DO NOT USE A WOOD BLADE!!! Without going and searching, off the top of my head I thinks is has to do with the blade speed mainly.
 
OK guys...you win...I will use this saw as it was intended....will purchase a mitre saw instead...thanks for setting me strait...just thought it would work for small wood items....thanks for saving my fingers...AB[V]
 
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