I'm in the market for a hand-operated miter saw, ideally something compact and straightforward, like the Stanley Aluminum Adjustable Angle Clamping Miter Box & 22 In. Saw. This tool won't be used frequently, but it needs to provide great accuracy and control, especially since I'm aiming to make clean 90-degree cuts on metal tubing. I'm hoping to find a solid option in the $100 range for this purpose. Any suggestions?
5 Answers
If your focus is just on those 90-degree cuts, have you considered using a roller-style cutter? They offer precise and consistent angles every time! Just a simple tool that might save you some hassle!
You might want to consider the challenge of finding a suitable hacksaw blade that fits the saw frame since even though it's a 22-inch saw, the blade length can vary. A hacksaw might be the simplest route—cut a bit longer than your desired length and then use a jig to refine the 90-degree angle with a file. Just a thought!
That's definitely an option, thank you for that!
For cutting metal, Nobex miter saws come with 32tpi blades, but they're specified for non-ferrous metal. This means they'll handle softer steel types but might struggle with anything harder. I found them accurate for woodwork, but haven’t tried them on metal myself.
You could go for a classic wooden or plastic miter box with a hacksaw. They're easy to use and can be quite effective. Harbor Freight has a decent one that could fit your needs without costing too much!
I've thought about those, but I worry they may not provide the precision I'm aiming for. I'm open to investing around $100 for a good tool that fits my needs better.
If you're mainly cutting steel bars, I'd recommend looking into the mini metal chop saw from Harbor Freight. It's around $60 and it cuts perfect 90s effortlessly, even with 1 inch stock. Perfect for your needs without breaking the bank!
I'll take a look at that too, thank you!
The tubing is doubled up and welded together, so that option wouldn’t work perfectly here.