The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Metal body saw recommendations

Picked up one of these at HF and they are garbage:

http://www.harborfreight.com/high-speed-metal-saw-91753.html

Any better brands that will actually cut sheet metal - without breaking the bank cost wise?

I've got one of those that works just fine, I know that's sort
of unusual for a Harbor Freight air tool. I've tried using the
one that a friend has and it just hissed at me, never could
get it started. Maybe you should take it back for exchange and
hope you get a good one, I've had to do that with most stuff
I get from HF.
I've got several of their brad nailers that work about 20% of
the time, the other 80% of the time you're taking them apart
to try to figure out why they're not not working or to un-jam
them. Had the same problem with there air ratchets and
pneumatic grease guns, neither of which would start or run
when you pulled the trigger.

dg

Thanks Denny. Well...I'm 0 for 2 so far on these things..too bad they look useful...I have loads of air and 100 psi but no go on either.

I'm heading back to the US in the next little while, I'll return one then, the other is past the 90 day return policy. Too bad you can't try these at the store before you buy...at least I don't think you can..

Bring your own air supply, good for a couple of tries. I've
actually used a Portable Air Tank to drive an air tool,
for a short, short while.

dg

Chicago Pneumatic Air Saw P/N 7900 works very well. They are twice the quality of HF I would say. I have cut many mediums and never had a problem. The key is a quality blade for the material you are working with.
Yes, a small air tank is great for jobs too far from your supply. Use this approach with my air brad nailer many times.
The C-P is also made "off shore" but seems to be a better build.

Yep, no doubt CP makes a better tool, for professional use. But
for us poor soles on limited income we have to suffer thru the
headaches created by the cheap offshore crap.
$110 plus shipping from SC facility vs $17.99 plus tax., local pickup.
dg

also, try some different blades, Lenox makes some good ones

If either of these would start, I would.

I hear ya Denny..110 US is about a gazillion canuck rubles right now.

I've heard from two Canadians that they have to wait to purchase stuff until the currency exchange is more equitable. Wonder what caused that?

I use my HF Body Saw, but only when I have to. There are other methods that usually work. For example using a thin cutting disc on the grinder then using the body saw to finish it up. I wouldnt even think about using the body saw to make long cuts. An actual Saws-All is something that could work.

Wonder what caused that?

oil $$

I've had good luck with my body saw... other than getting replacement blades for it.. I lube it before each use tho.