Harbor Freight mini Chopsaw ($29.99)

[e-man]

Hey guys. I’m sure I’m doing something wrong, but I can’t figure out how everyone is using this mini chopsaw to cut shafts. It’s 3/8 inch, and if my calculations are correct, a .60, butt end shaft is greater than 3/8 inch.  Any suggestions?

[TheDominator273]

3/8" is the arbor size (size of the center hole where the saw blade attaches to the shaft), the stock blade is 2" diameter.

[dbdors]

Either way this is a much better option. for only $10 more.  Mine works great.  

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/power-saws/cut-off-saws/55-amp-6-in-cut-off-saw-61204.html

 

[e-man]

1 hour ago, TheDominator273 said:

3/8" is the arbor size (size of the center hole where the saw blade attaches to the shaft), the stock blade is 2" diameter.

That may be true, but the stock blade doesn’t cut all the way through a .60” butt diameter shaft, unless I’m doing something completely wrong. 

[e-man]

45 minutes ago, dbdors said:

Either way this is a much better option. for only $10 more.  Mine works great.  

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/power-saws/cut-off-saws/55-amp-6-in-cut-off-saw-61204.html

 

I actually went back and bought that one but it’s too big and sounds like a freight train running through the house.  The smaller one is ideal, if I could just figure out how everyone is using it to cut through butt ends of golf shafts. 

[BREWMASTER95060]

44 minutes ago, dbdors said:

Either way this is a much better option. for only $10 more.  Mine works great.  

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/power-saws/cut-off-saws/55-amp-6-in-cut-off-saw-61204.html

 

That is the one I use.
tip:
Cut .125 then stop let composite blade cool off then repeat
If not you will get a curved cut.
 

[tacklingdummy]

1 hour ago, e-man said:

That may be true, but the stock blade doesn’t cut all the way through a .60” butt diameter shaft, unless I’m doing something completely wrong. 

 

People are using it to cut shafts? The description says it only cuts to a depth of 1/2" (.50"). So, there has to be some modification to it in order to cut shafts or they are just turning the shaft to cut through the entire shaft. Right now, I just use a reciprocating saw with a metal blade, but that is kinda caveman-ish. I am kinda interested in the mini chop saw now. 

Edited December 2, 2023 by tacklingdummy

[Awainer1]

just rotate the shaft i guess?

[Paintman]

See if there is a safety mechanism that prevents lowering the blade to a full 'chop.' Disengage it. My big miter saw has that feature. 

[e-man]

29 minutes ago, Awainer1 said:

just rotate the shaft i guess?

Yep, this is the only thing I could think of.  But if the shaft moves laterally at all, you’ll get an uneven cut.

[e-man]

29 minutes ago, Paintman said:

See if there is a safety mechanism that prevents lowering the blade to a full 'chop.' Disengage it. My big miter saw has that feature. 

Unfortunately no.  There are bumps/protrusions on the underside of the handle that prevent it from going all the way down. 

[Godfather]

21 hours ago, dbdors said:

Either way this is a much better option. for only $10 more.  Mine works great.  

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/power-saws/cut-off-saws/55-amp-6-in-cut-off-saw-61204.html

 

This is what I use. Just buy ear protection if you don’t have some already.

[e-man]

1 hour ago, Godfather said:

This is what I use. Just buy ear protection if you don’t have some already.

The noise was a deal breaker for me.  You could hear it throughout the house from the basement. 

[596]

A good hacksaw with a blade made for cutting carbon will go through a shaft in about 30 secs. Makes no noise at all and very limited carbon dust. 

[Cwebb]

18 minutes ago, e-man said:

The noise was a deal breaker for me.  You could hear it throughout the house from the basement. 

 

Cutting a shaft goes very fast.  Shouldn't be an issue, unless you plan on doing a lot of constant cutting?

[tdeutmeyer]

Can you Tape a spacer on the table to raise the shaft up?  A 1/8- 1/4" spacer.  

[e-man]

16 minutes ago, tdeutmeyer said:

Can you Tape a spacer on the table to raise the shaft up?  A 1/8- 1/4" spacer.  

It’s a great suggestion. The problem though is with how high up the blade is set in the part that pulls down.  What limits it is the underside of the pull down handle part. 

[animalgolfs]

On 12/1/2023 at 5:51 PM, e-man said:

Hey guys. I’m sure I’m doing something wrong, but I can’t figure out how everyone is using this mini chopsaw to cut shafts. It’s 3/8 inch, and if my calculations are correct, a .60, butt end shaft is greater than 3/8 inch.  Any suggestions?

I've used one for a few years now. You can fit a slightly larger diameter wheel...can't remember which one I purchased.

 

My wife has now learned how to hold a shaft steady, in a straight horizontal line.....all the while rotating the clubhead

 

I kid you NOT 

[dubbelbogey]

I use a handheld angle grinder with a cutoff wheel. I use a strip of masking tape to mark the cut line, and a bit of a steady hand makes the cut in seconds. 

 

Personally, I think the angle grinder is an overall more versatile tool to have in the garage than a chop saw. Can put all sorts of disc attachments on it and do a lot more than just cut shafts. (I've got a lot of other hobbies besides golf clubs including metal working, so this drives my tool choices.) Frankly, an angle grinder is one of the most versatile tools one can have in any shop.

 

If you're tentative about doing a "freehand" cut with an angle grinder, practice on an old shaft or even a wood dowel. It's really quite easy once you practice a few times.

 

Edited December 3, 2023 by dubbelbogey

[e-man]

19 minutes ago, animalgolfs said:

I've used one for a few years now. You can fit a slightly larger diameter wheel...can't remember which one I purchased.

 

My wife has now learned how to hold a shaft steady, in a straight horizontal line.....all the while rotating the clubhead

 

I kid you NOT 

This is a great idea.  I asked the guys at Harbor Freight and they told me the max blade size is 2 inches.  With the slightly larger blade, are you saying that your wife doesn’t need to rotate the shaft?

[Twohey]

6 hours ago, Godfather said:

This is what I use. Just buy ear protection if you don’t have some already.

 

Same!  Ear and eye protection.  If I'm doing just one shaft, my Dremel with a cutoff wheel does the trick.  I break out the chop saw for multiple shafts or steel shafts.

[e-man]

22 hours ago, animalgolfs said:

I've used one for a few years now. You can fit a slightly larger diameter wheel...can't remember which one I purchased.

 

My wife has now learned how to hold a shaft steady, in a straight horizontal line.....all the while rotating the clubhead

 

I kid you NOT 

Any chance you can check the disk size?  I think it should be identified on the face of the disk.  Thanks. 

[HeadCovered]

On 12/2/2023 at 3:18 PM, e-man said:

The noise was a deal breaker for me.  You could hear it throughout the house from the basement. 

 

Yeah that thing is notorious for being loud. 
 

[HeadCovered]

https://www.ryobitools.com/products/details/33287197545#
 

if it’s a once in a while thing I’d get one of these. 
 

 

[e-man]

57 minutes ago, HeadCovered said:

https://www.ryobitools.com/products/details/33287197545#
 

if it’s a once in a while thing I’d get one of these. 
 

 

Oh I have a Dremel I could use, but I’m never able to make a straight cut.  I’m a little OCD. 

[tacklingdummy]

I saw this 2-5/16 inch blade. Not sure if it will work, but it is bigger than the 2-inch blade and the description says it creates a larger cutting radius. The video shows both the high speed steel blade and the fiberglass resin blade cutting things. I think the fiberglass resin is the blade to get for cutting graphite and steel shafts.  I am curious if it works because I am interested in the mini chop saw. Lol. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Blades-Jounjip-Anaconda-Master-Benchtop/dp/B08QCH68HQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2IIBG75ICTG4M&keywords=2-5%2F16"%2Bsaw%2Bblade&qid=1701660238&sprefix=2-5%2F16%2Bsaw%2Bblade%2Caps%2C132&sr=8-1&th=1

 

 

[HeadCovered]

4 hours ago, e-man said:

Oh I have a Dremel I could use, but I’m never able to make a straight cut.  I’m a little OCD. 

 

Well, I don't do it in one fell swoop. I draw a line, and I cut a quarter. Then I turn the shaft in the rubber holder in the vice. And then I cut another quarter, and then turn. And so on. It's easy 🤷‍♂️😉

[adam2883]

On 12/1/2023 at 7:26 PM, dbdors said:

Either way this is a much better option. for only $10 more.  Mine works great.  

https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/power-saws/cut-off-saws/55-amp-6-in-cut-off-saw-61204.html

 

I use to use a handheld grinder like mentioned above and then bought this exact cut off saw cause it was easier to keep the cuts straight and even. Yes, it is noisy but I have it set up in my garage on my work bench and I the only issue I have ever had with cutting all the way through is only when the blade gets dull, otherwise I have never had a problem cutting straight thru a steel or graphite shaft after clamping it in, don't have to turn it or anything. 

[TallGuy90]

I just use a dremmel