is a chop saw useful in boat building?

[ChuckG]

I have occaision to buy a DeWalt 706 double-bevel compound-miter saw, to support a couple of home projects (a deck and all new moulding).

Given that I already have a vintage band saw and a vintage table saw, (neither of them much to write home about - but very adequate), I'm wondering if I should be looking at something slightly different (like one with slides, or a laser, or what?), that would still support the two projects in hand, but that would also be useful in my boat shop.

So, what do you guys use a chop saw for? Are there any features that are particularly useful around a boat shop?

Thanks,

-cg

[ 08-16-2004, 11:09 PM: Message edited by: ChuckG ]

[imported_Dutch]

another tool thats useful, but not indispensable.

[High C]

Oh yes, especially a slider for wide boards. I use mine for nearly all crosscuts, not to mention those pesky compound miters.

[imported_Dutch]

for the compound miters a dovetail saw for the small ones or if youre good like me a bosch jig saw will easily replace it-cheaper and takes up less space too. If you cant use a speed sqare and skill saw to do straight 90 degree cuts you need to practice.

[ 08-16-2004, 11:23 PM: Message edited by: Dutch ]

[JeffH]

As long as you're buying one anyway, get the slider... I use one daily. While I can't say that I'm particularly good, I do know people who are very good, and they have one, too.

Ask a question, and you get all kinds of opinions... ;)

Jeff

[High C]

A jig saw will never cut as true as a saw with a rigid blade, except in very thin stock. There's nothing keping that skinny blade square to the saw table, especially when cutting angles. Everytime you turn the saw one way or the other, that skinny blade flexes and cuts a bit of unintended bevel.

[High C]

A hatchet will do if you're not too picky 'bout precision. ;) :D

[RGM]

Since you're located in Seattle then you are familiar with the VIRGINIA V. A dual compound sliding 10" Makita was responsible for the majority of cuts made during her most recent restoration phase (Main Deck and up). You'll have no problem finding uses for it.

[Dave Fleming]

RGM, got some examples for me of how the sliding chop saw was used,please?

[John Hastie]

Dave -

Go for the miter saw. Forget the Swanson Speed Square. I have used both for years and most good finish carpenters use the miter saw.

[Scott Rosen]

You can't beat a compound mitre saw for crosscuts on relatively narrow stock. (Just stating the obvious.) If you're going to be doing any kind of interior joinery on your boat, you would get good use from it.

Maybe if you're building a simple plywood dory, you wouldn't use one much. But as soon as you have to do mitre cuts on long stock, you'll appreciate it.

[ChuckG]

OK, I'm going to do it. I'm going for a 12" double bevel compound miter saw. Although I part company with Dutch on the need for a speed square (I just put the 2-by over my knee and one-hand the cut with the worm-drive skill saw - Who needs a stinkin' speed square?), I expect the chop saw will be useful in the shop in the break-down area (I WISH I had a breakdown area!), as well as in making cross-cuts on boards that are too long to use with the cross-cut sled on the table saw.
:D

Planks wider than the 8" or wo that this saw will accomodate will just have to be cut the good old-fashioned way: a large-tooth Japanese saw seems to be what I reach for most often.

Thank you, gentlemen, for your comments.

-cg

[rich morpurgo]

I used that saw alot. In the interior work I had it in the boat.

Milled parts on the tools in the shop and had the chop saw in the cabin.

Rich

[John Blazy]

I can't imagine fitting rub/cap rail without one. Especially if you have to have joints in multiple segments. AND if you're anal like me about gaps over .010".

Lets not forget how much you use a chopsaw NOT on the boat but rather on the equipment and jigs for the building process, like the strongback, ladder segments in bending jigs etc.

I'm building a swim platform in cedar right now in the classic cross-lap grid pattern. Do I really want to crosscut all those parts on my freakin miter guage on the T-Saw, or do it by hand as if I were in my first year of furniture design school again? Not.

[Ken Hutchins]

I pondered the miter saw thing about a year ago, decided on a Jet metal cutting bandsaw instead. I had numerous other ways of cutting wood and there is a heck of a lot of metal to cut for the boat. Like other metal machines it can also cut wood when necessary, but the miter saw would have a problem cutting metal.

[Spissgatter W-9]

I wouldn't be without my Makita 10" Slide Dual Compound Miter Saw. Whatever brand, get a slider don't just settle for a chop saw. It makes really makes for a handy tool.