You might think that the only way to get a chop saw is to buy it, but what if I say that you don’t have to swipe your credit card to get a new one?
You can prevent your pocket from being severely burdened with the cost of a new machine by following the hack I have revealed in this guide.
If you already have a spare chainsaw, there is no need to buy a new chop saw; instead, I will show you how to convert it into a chop saw for a quarter of its price.
So, read thoroughly till the end to save money and understand every step of this process correctly.
What Is A Chop Saw?
A chop saw, also called a cut-off saw, is a machine used to cut through materials like wood, metal, steel, and plastic. It is powered by a small engine, mostly having 2-3 horsepower.
It has a very sharp spherical blade for cutting anything that comes in its way.
Chop saws are known for their extreme accuracy and precision down to the nearest millimeter, so much so that some pundits even claim to use them to produce cuts of a hair’s thickness.
As a result, they are preferred for DIY projects and construction work.
Why Should I Convert My Chainsaw Into A Chop Saw?
If you have an upcoming DIY project or any task that requires accurate cutting with an almost negligible margin of error, but you don’t want to spend your money, in that case, you should consider converting your chainsaw into a chop saw.
Using a chainsaw as a chop saw will work for you temporarily and deliver the promised results. However, you should not rely on it for the long term and should buy a new chop saw if you want to work on such projects full-time.
Chainsaw to Chopsaw Conversion: Turning A Chainsaw Into A Chop Saw
If you want to use your chainsaw as a chop saw, there are two ways to go about it. You can either manually convert your chainsaw into a chop saw or buy a conversion kit.
Both methods are described below:
Manually Converting A Chainsaw Into A Chop Saw.
To manually convert your chainsaw into a chop saw, follow these steps:
- Remove the clutch bell on your chainsaw and place a roller chain sprocket instead.
- Build or buy a custom-made arm for your chainsaw and mount it with screws on the far end of your saw.
- Add another sprocket on the far end.
- Install a shaft with the cutting wheel.
- Install a guard over the cutting wheel to keep yourself safe in any incident of technical failure.
Converting a chainsaw manually is both labor-intensive and time-consuming and will require an elite level of expertise to get right the first time.
So, if you are a newbie with saws, better be safe than sorry and don’t tinker with your chainsaw like this; instead, buying a chainsaw conversion kit is recommended to make your life easy.
Converting A Chainsaw Into A Chop Saw Using A Conversion Kit
A chainsaw conversion kit lets a chainsaw be converted into a chop saw, allowing it to be used for cutting metal, concrete, or other materials like wood.
A typical conversion kit will include the following items:
To install and use a chainsaw conversion kit properly, follow the instructions below:
- Install the saw table so that you have a leveled surface for cutting.
- Next, attach the hold-down clamp to the chainsaw; to prevent the wood/material from sliding out during the cutting process.
- Finally, attach the saw blade guard to protect yourself against debris and sparks.
Although a conversion kit is a great way to save some extra bucks, you should also understand that this modification comes with severe safety threats and voids your appliance’s warranty.
So, you should always keep these factors in mind and be willing to give up your warranty before conversion.
In addition, when a chainsaw goes through a conversion and becomes a chop saw, you shouldn’t expect the newly made chop saw to be as accurate as an industrially manufactured chop saw.
However, it should be fine enough to get you through 3-4 projects seamlessly.
To ensure that you remain safe, following the safety guidelines provided with the kit is highly recommended. Read it thoroughly, and contact the company helpline to guide you if you need help understanding some of the instructions.
Generally, such guidelines include instructions like wearing proper protective gear like safety goggles and ear mufflers and ensuring the correct attachment of all components and screws.
Which Chainsaw Can Be Easily Converted Into A Chop Saw?
There is no definite answer for which chainsaws can be easily converted into chop saws. This depends on several key factors, like the design, specs, and power configuration of the chainsaw and the conversion kit.
Some saws may have features like a powerful motor and a rigid base to make them more compatible with certain conversion kits. On the contrary, other saws may have features holding them back in their compatibility game, like a greater recoil or less power output.
To find the perfect conversion kit for your chainsaw or determine the ease of its manual conversion, you can consult your local hardware store owners, online research forums, or contact people who have recently converted their saws.
The information you gain from these sources will prove valuable and give you a better understanding of how you should convert your chainsaw easily.
Learn the reasons why were chainsaws invented!
Can I Convert My Newly Made Chop Saw Back Into a Chainsaw?
Almost everyone who wants to convert their chainsaw into a chop saw will have this query in their mind; is there any going back from this conversion?
The good news is that you can easily revert the changes made and use your beloved gas chainsaw again whenever you decide to do so.
You can convert your newly made chop saw back into a chainsaw by adding the clutch bell and removing the extra parts you added.
There is a very low to minimal risk of messing up this reverse conversion. Just remember to store the extra nuts and bolts in a safe place because you never know when you might need to convert your chainsaw into a chop saw again.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you rely on a chainsaw to chop saw conversion?
Whether or not you can rely on a chainsaw to chop saw conversion depends on various factors, such as the design and specifications of the chainsaw and the conversion kit, as well as your technical expertise and access to specialized equipment.
Converting a chainsaw into a chop saw is a task well suited to people with the necessary knowledge required to perform this task. If someone fails to convert a chainsaw properly, they may damage it or cause severe injury to themselves.
So, it is recommended to properly research and learn the ins and outs of this task before getting your hands dirty for real.
2. What can a chop saw do that a chain saw can’t?
Although chop saws and chainsaws are tools used to cut wood, they are still very different from each other and work in specific form factors. Chop saws are the king of accurate and consistent cutting.
Chainsaws are the pioneers of dealing with intensive tasks like cutting huge logs, felling trees, and almost everything that requires an extra power boost.
Chop saws are designed to be safer and more lightweight than chainsaws. Moreover, they are comparatively more portable due to their small size. This makes them the perfect choice for clamped and congested workplaces.
3. Is a chop saw worth it?
The worth of a chop saw solely depends on your preferences. Whether you want something that can quickly complete heavy-duty tasks or something used in precision crafting determines its worth.
If you want something to use for the latter stated purposes, a chop saw will prove its value and justify its price completely.
4. What is the function of a chainsaw?
A chainsaw is a tool for cutting through wood like butter. It functions based on a special chain that rotates around the guide bar. A gas combustion engine mostly powers rotatory motion.
When it comes to tree felling or pruning, chainsaws are the first choice for all woodworkers. They are also used for cutting firewood and clearing bushes.
Over the years, chainsaws have evolved and have become part of the greener future motive by going electric, but still, their quality of work has remained relatively high. Rather they have improved in every aspect ranging from strength to user safety.
What Is the price of a chop saw?
The price of a chop saw can range between $50-$500 depending on the size, brand, powerful figure, and other features. The huge disparity in the price’s upper and lower end comes from high-end models that cost a lot.
As the price increases, so do the features, performance, and form factor.
Which Chop saw should I buy?
Consider the intended use of the chop saw when making a purchasing decision; you would not want to spend a lot on a feature that you won’t use or too less for missing out on something you needed desperately to help in your work.
To find the perfect balance you need to understand your use case first.
For example, a normal chop saw costing between $50-$150 is well suited for small-scale woodworkers.
In contrast, a high-end chop saw with added features like a laser-fitted guide, and a digital display is suitable for large-scale companies that deal in 1000s of tons of wood daily.
Final Thoughts: How to Convert Chainsaw into a Chop Saw?
Converting a chainsaw into a chop saw can be a time-consuming task that requires patience. Don’t try to rush it, or else you might end up breaking your saw once and for all.
It is also worth noting that you should not overuse your converted chop saws, you should only use them when the intensity of the task suits your saw’s cutting capacity, or else you may encounter issues such as overheating and bent blades by implementing the tips and strategies presented in the article.
In conclusion, whether you convert a chain saw into a chop saw manually or through a kit, always remember to wear safety gear and follow all the guidelines.
The information presented in this article provides a clear understanding of when and how to convert your chainsaw into a chop saw.
I hope that this article has been informative and helpful. If you have any trouble, please feel free to reach out. Until you read next time, have a good time cutting!
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