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Cutoff / chop saw for precious metals

Jewelry Discussion
#1

Can anyone steer me towards a good machine for clean, square cutoffs
for gold/silver rod and tubing up to about 10 mm diameter? I’ve
tried several things with little success. I don’t want to use a
large chop saw as is used for large steel pieces. The Dremel drill
press with right-angle attachment is much too flimsy. Can’t use a
lathe with stationary cutoff tool, because the rod/tube isn’t always
straight and can’t be rotated. Probably has to be a rotating
abrasive disc, but on a smaller scale than the large chop saws. I’m
reluctant to put an abrasive wheel in the rotating chuck of the
lathe, because I’d rather feed the blade onto the tube/rod, rather
than the other way around (and the manufacturer warns against such
usage).

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
John Palmer
Mackinac Designs

#2

John,

Please do not laugh, the silver instructor at UCSD uses a Harbor
Freight device, cost on sale $20.00 or so, not on sale $40. Her
admonition to every student, do not force this machine, go easy and
it works beautifully. Force and break it, it now belongs to you and
you owe me a new one. I have yet to see it replaced and most of us
now own our own. Yes I do.

She teaches a lot of rivet connections and tube settings. This cut
off saw is in frequent use.

Terrie

#3

It would be nice to know the exact saw as harbor frieght has a few
tools lol Which cut off saw

thanks!!

Teri
America’s Only cameo Artist
www.cameoartist.com

#4 
 Can anyone steer me towards a good machine for clean, square
cutoffs for gold/silver rod and tubing up to about 10 mm diameter?
<snip>

<:3 )~ I bought a small plastic chop saw from Harbor Freight for
about $30 a few years ago. It is cheap and poorly constructed but
works well despite this. Uses a 2" blade and has a vise that can be
set at an angle if you prefer. Breezes right through 10 ga. ss and
gold wire. The url is: www.harborfreight.com If you buy more than $50
of stuff from them the shipping is free (but slow).

Edward

#5

It would be nice to know the exact saw as harbor frieght has a few
tools lol Which cut off saw

I use their Mini Cut-off Saw ITEM 42307-3VGA.

Cheers.
John Fetvedt