Any recommendations for a mini table saw

Danno Gee Ray · Joined: Sep 25, 2005 Posts: 1351 Location: Telford, PA USA

I would recommend a metalsmith's shear. Using a table saw to cut metal panels is fraught with danger. Harbor Freight in the US sells a few at reasonable prices. Just make sure that it can handle the thickness of material you want to work with.

Dan Lavin · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 6:35 pm Post subject:

Danno:

This looks pretty good and is quite cheap. Is this what you had in mind?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=90757

Danno Gee Ray · Joined: Sep 25, 2005 Posts: 1351 Location: Telford, PA USA

Yep, that is one of them. Just make sure that the one you get can handle the material you want to cut. These produce a very clean staight line with no or very minimal bending or warping of the material. The bonus part of that one is you can do angle bends as well.

synthmonger · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject:

so doepfer panels are 2mm meaning 14 gauge. This should do the trick!
Actually I think I'd rather stick with a name brand shear. Everything I've bought from harbor freight broke on me within at most a months time.

Time to google...

synthmonger · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:11 pm Post subject:

Bah! Every other shear in comparison jumps to 100+usd or more. Ah well I guess I'll give this one a shot.

Thanks again! Smile

Dan Lavin · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 6:16 am Post subject:

Synthmonger,

bubblechamber · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:25 pm Post subject:

this is such a sticking point. do you buy good metal working gear for 1 specific application, or is it cheaper and easier in the long run to find a local sheet metal guy to cut panels for you. I've found someone in my neighborhood to do the sheering for me for a couple of dollars each. The cheapest sheer I found that I trusted was around $600US + the enevidible fingers getting sheered off and sewn back on as I learn how to use it.....

synthmonger · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:22 pm Post subject:

Photon · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:50 am Post subject:

You'd need a really beefy shear to do a decent job on 2mm thk. aluminum. Another option is a bandsaw with a metal cutting blade. I routinely cut my .094" brass panels with that and it eats it up.
Having a local shop cut the panels for you might actually be the most cost effective option in the long run though.

peter

synthmonger · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject:

Yeah I use a metal blade on my chop saw which works but it's easy to get a sloppy edge, I always have to sand the side down a bit.

I'm definately going to search around for a metal shop and see if they can hook a brotha up.