Track cutting

There was another thread on this recently (can't remember the name) and this saw was one of the recommendations.

I purchased it on sale, bought a couple blades, took everyone's suggestion about not forcing the blade, just let it do it's work, and it was great.

Straight cut, quick, and easy!  Terry

Thanks Terry, after I posted I saw the current thread.

Nice looking tool. Was in Harbor Freight earlier this week and did not notice this . Personally my choice for track cutting is a DREMEL.

How big is the cutting wheel?

Wow, thats heavy duty... you could cut G scale track and larger with that...

Hi L.I. Train

They have many sizes of cut off saws.

This is the link to the one shown at the start of this thread

http://www.harborfreight.com/6...t-off-saw-61204.html

$39.99   They have some better model for about $79.00 Search Cut off saws on their

site. - This is the same type of blade material, that is used in a Dremel Cut Off Wheel

but with this tool, the wheel will not slip and cut your finger as it happens with a Dremel Cut Off Wheel.  I have belong to several Model Train Clubs and this is what they use, a Cut Off Saw.  If you have to cut a lot of track a Cut off saw will get the job done. If you are not cutting a lot of track. Use a Dremel Tool, with their cut off wheel.

Part Number Dremel 409 or higher - Hope this helps......

Isn't this basically a small chop saw?  If so, I would be weary of cutting track with it. Or maybe just Atlas track?  I tried using a very fine blade on my chop saw and it basically created three nickel-silver projectile missiles that flew off in three different directions.  I created my own mitre box and use the small Excel razor saw and smooth the edges with 2000 grit sand paper Or my Dremel. Quite a workout, but then I could use a little more exercise. If anyone has actual experience with this Harbor Freight product I would be curious to know how well it works. Although I've now completed my main lines after what felt like 1,000 custom cuts, I have three more loops to go.  

I've used mine several times now, and yes, it's a chop saw. The blade is 4 inches in diameter. The main track (atlas in my case) is held in place with a clamp. I've never had the piece I'm cutting fly off, it simply drops off to the floor. No issues here.

Prior to this I used a dremel without a problem. However, I couldn't get all 3 rails cut straight across or at a 90 degree angle. Both of these problems are now resolved using this type of cutting too.  Terry

Thanks Terry - this is good info.  Gonna check out HF on way home from work today. Peter

I bought one and use it for my wife's business (cutting metal window rods) and it is excellent. It's much faster rpm than a chop saw (5,000 rpm) and cuts straight every time. It does leave some metal chads that have to be filed down a little, but it is superior to anything else I have used. Be sure to get a 6" blade (not 4") and I prefer the grinder-type blade over the diamond blade because it does not thrown off large shards of metal as it cuts, it grinds its way through a little cleaner. I had to get the blade from Home Depot and have to return the 4" blades we got from Harbor Freight. It will throw some serious sparks so be ready for that, but it is superior to my chop saw. Using the chop saw on metal like this damages the blade. 

Great Info. Wish I had this about 9 months ago as we just completed track work at the club installing new and used gargraves track about the equivalent of 30 boxes of Gargraves track