Ryobi miter saw as chop saw?

Can I use my miter saw to cut metal tubing or rectangular stock with 1/8 inch wall size by just adding a metal cutting blade? 

Yeah, I do it all the time with my Ryobi miter saw.  I use the abrasive blades.  I've cut enough 304 stainless to make 2 car frames with it and it's still going strong.  Take the fabric sock dust catcher off first.

Dr. Hess said:

Yeah, I do it all the time with my Ryobi miter saw.  I use the abrasive blades.  I've cut enough 304 stainless to make 2 car frames with it and it's still going strong.  Take the fabric sock dust catcher off first.

What brand of blades? 

I use dewalt blades in a cheap craigslist miter saw. I dont wanna ruin my good saw for woodworking. 

I use the Dewalt blades.  I get them at Lowes.

Dr. Hess said:

I use the Dewalt blades.  I get them at Lowes.

Thanks

Yeah if you already have the miter saw, that's the way to git er done.

I was shopping for something compact and portable in the band saw department specifically for cutting steel tube.  Custom exhausts, roll cages, DIY trailer dollys, etc.  This WEN has been a winner for me. 

WEN 5" Bench-top horizontal band saw

JBasham said:

Yeah if you already have the miter saw, that's the way to git er done.

I was shopping for something compact and portable in the band saw department specifically for cutting steel tube.  Custom exhausts, roll cages, DIY trailer dollys, etc.  This WEN has been a winner for me. 

WEN 5" Bench-top horizontal band saw

I've been considering one of those... I picked up a DeWalt Abraisive chop saw, but it's not as precise as I'd like. (Not the saw's fault I don't think.) I may return it and get one of those...

AWSX1686 said:

JBasham said:

Yeah if you already have the miter saw, that's the way to git er done.

I was shopping for something compact and portable in the band saw department specifically for cutting steel tube.  Custom exhausts, roll cages, DIY trailer dollys, etc.  This WEN has been a winner for me. 

WEN 5" Bench-top horizontal band saw

I've been considering one of those... I picked up a DeWalt Abraisive chop saw, but it's not as precise as I'd like. (Not the saw's fault I don't think.) I may return it and get one of those...

I bought a DeWalt chop saw also and didn't like it. I returned mine.

I have the HF version of that band saw.  I bought it 30 years ago.  It is good and useful and all, but it is not a substitute for the miter saw with a metal "blade" in it.  Cuts are more accurate with the miter saw.  I can cut down to about 10 thousands with that.  The band saw will walk and doesn't do angles very well and is much slower.  Also, I think the miter saw is better than a chop saw.  I think it has better control and angles.

No doubt, if it's a good miter saw, with the good blades, it HAS to be better on range of angles and speed of work.

Cuts on the Wen are surprisingly good though.  For example, cuts in 3" exhaust tube fit up just fine for butt welding, no fuss, no gaps.  (Lennox blades with correct TPI and speed for the material, but no lube, and no do-overs.)

I do not miss the dust from cheap abrasive discs.  That stuff gets everywhere, almost as bad as MDF cuts.

I was of the impression that miter saws ran a RPM that was higher than ideal for cutting metal. The metal-cutting chop saw at my shop uses a lubricant/coolant bath and a low RPM motor. Aluminum wouldn't concern me with a miter saw, but with mild steel, or especially stainless steel, I'd be afraid of heat buildup and blade failure. 

You don't use one of those metal blades.  You use an abrasive disk "blade."  More like a giant wiz-wheel.

I have two 14" abrasive saws I picked up at auction.  I think they were used for cutting metal studs.  They cut thru roll cage tubing quickly, but don't try and cut metal plate with them.  The abrasive disc needs an edge to continually clean the abrasive surface.  On the plate it starts to cut and then just gets hot.  I have all the fancy tools, but it seems the hand held grinder does most of the work.  Even after using the plasma cutter, you still need to go back and hit it with a grinder.  Sometimes its faster to just cut it with the grinder and a thin disc.

I needed something to cut tubing for my Challenge build. Went to Craigslist and got a Rigid brand chop saw with 4 brand new discs for $85. I'm pretty pleased with it.