Makita Cut Off Saw Troubles

[under thumb]

Was wondering if anyone has had this problem.

Doing a love job for work and got sick of using a hack saw, so I brought a GMC cut off saw ($189) but the saw blade did not cut squarely in relation to the saw base, being approx 3mm off square over an inch. Swapped for a second saw which did the same. Traded up to a Makita ($360) and still having the same problem, being about 1.5 to 2 mm off square, tried many times on different pieces of steel. The base of the Makita is more even and stiffer than the GMC, and I checked the blade angle to the base with my square and the blade is definately on a angle. As the saw hinge is welded to the base, and I cant see any other adjustments, I figure the only way around is to file out the bolt hole for the hinge which at the cost of the saw I dont want to do. I am also getting sick of going back to bunnings.

Has anyone else encountered this and if so, what did you do to fix.

Thanks

[martrix]

I had a GMC myself.....sold it pretty quick too.

I think its a problem with the big cut off disc flexing when you apply too much pressure. You can get a straight cut, but you had go very slow in my experience. Faster to just mark a square line and chop through with an angle grinder.

I think the only way to do fast square repeatable cuts is with a proper chop saw with carbide teeth.....I'll get a Brobo one day when I have a lazy $3000....:C

Do some searches here, as I think a few people put steel cutting carbide tooth blades in normal cheapo GMC timber drop saws.

[Dean]

I think its normal flex in the large cutting disc too. I have the same problem now and then. There is the Triton Steel Cutter which may be useful. Never owned or used one myself, but supposedly works alright :)

[Barry_White]

I have a Makita cutoff machine and don't have any problem with it cutting square. Like Dean says there is a bit of flex in the blade but should be ok if you don't force it.

[under thumb]

Thanks for above responses, but this saw like the others repeatedly cuts off square, the worse the faster I go. This morning I shimmed beside the saw blade with a piece of flattened stainless hose clamp and the blade is now square to the base and the saw now cuts square. If they hadn't welded it all together like the old ones I could have undone the bolts to the base and shimmed it there. I think I might ring Makita on Monday and have a whinge after I finish this rush job as I dont think its good enough for the base and blade to not be square.

[Groggy]

I am the same as Barry, some flex but otherwise pretty good.

[MrFixIt]

Hi

I bought a secondhand Makita 2400B 255mm mitre saw, an older model with a cast iron base for $90. I fitted this with an Irwin (I think) carbide tipped blade DESIGNED for cutting RHS tube or other relatively thin steel section @ $112 and this thing roars through the tube nice and square. Cool cuts, limited mess, NO blade grit, only the metal chips. :2tsup:

This blade though CANNOT do solid stock, it just over heats. If cutting angle iron it really needs to be cut through each side, the blade cannot cut through the angle iron on the flat.

I have found it to be great for angle cuts too, 45º for square frames etc.

[dazzler]

Thanks for above responses, but this saw like the others repeatedly cuts off square, the worse the faster I go.


If it changes with speed or force then it points to the blade flexing.

Try a top quality blade perhaps :?

[Mick C.]

Also an obvious thing is to make sure that where ever you have the saw sitting is FLAT, dont try to use it on the ground etc, and plenty of concrete floors in sheds arent flat. I have a makita cut off saw and it always cuts square every time. Some saws have a lot thicker/ heavier base and will tolerate an uneven surface a lot better, but i'm thinking thats prolly your problem.

[DJ’s Timber]

I have a Makita metal cut-off saw that I have been using for the last 15 yrs and have never had that problem.

As you said the blade is not square to the base, once you have rectified this prob and you use good quality blades you should be right.

Another thing to watch out for is that metal cut-off blades comes in different types as well. You can get high & low speed blades, Stainless steel cutting blades. Make sure you buy the one that is suited for your machine and the material you're cutting. And to keep a medium pressure on the blade, let the machine do the work don't force it. If you force the machine to cut quicker, all you're doing is wearing the blade out quicker.

I have tried a lot of different blades over the years and have always gone back to the Flexivit range. Anything else just doesnt cut it IMHO.

[billbeee]

Three saws all doing the same thing, you must be doing something wrong. Let the saw rev. big mobs of sparks coming off the back. Don't force it. (even if it is a rush job :-) If you see dust coming off you are forcing it and wasting the disk.

I have had this one over twenty years.
You keep saying blade, we are talking about a friction disk aren't we?
Check the disk thickness etc. Should be 3mm for these slow speed machines. I used 3.2mm once and burnt the motor out.

What should be square is the relationship between the disk face and the material. It goes without saying that when new the thing should also be true 90 deg to the base, but the base can get distorted with hard use.

If you start off out of square a touch, the flex of the blade seems to take over and it goes worse. In the attached photo you can see that the base slot has been enlarged by disk running off square. More so when cutting say 45 mitres

You are taking a hell of a risk shimming the blade. Leave it alone. Pack up the material so that it is square to the blade.

Regards
Bill

[Grahame Collins]

Hi Guys
I did,nt take much notice of this post before as I am in the process of setting up this lathe I have waited so long for ,but!

I had to cut up some 50 x12 mm FMS bar and the GMC was the quickest way.The cut is square as the picture shows.
Yes it has been dressed on my linisher as this bar will project out at floor level from beneath the lathe.It has been dressed off smooth like in case an errant toe should find it.

I agree with the majority of replies that the cut may be done with too much pressure.

I am not the right shape to work off the floor these days, so I have a stand and an adjustable support.

It also occurs to me that some may not be aware that flats are better cut with the wide face in the vertical plane.

Piccies enclosed

have a great one
Grahame

[under thumb]

As an update I got my saw back from the Makita service centre last week. The base that was on the saw was warped, apparently they get a few like that every so often. They couldn't staighten it due to the reinforcing in the centre, so they put a new base on. It's now dead square on a cut and it is slightly off on a trim cut, which they told me over the phone before I picked it up, and we did some test cuts in the workshop before I took it. Big thumbs up to the Makita service rep who fixed it and everyone here for there help and suggestions. Now using Flexovit discs and have an old base as a spare to play with when bored.

[Yonnee]

Glad to see you got some success from Makita. IMHO that's what you pay the extra dollars for... a better quality product and the back-up service. Try getting that from a Chinese product.

I've got the same saw and I love it! I run only Flexovit and I still find if I push it too hard, the blade will still flex a little. Just let the blade do the work and she'll be sweet. I've even cut 40mm solid trailer axle with a little patience.