DEWALT D28730 14-Inch Chop Saw
Last updated date: October 20, 2020
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We looked at the top Chop Saws and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Chop Saw you should buy.
Overall Take
The ergonomically designed handle on this chop saw increases comfort and helps reduce fatigue on long jobs. The quick-lock vise means you can rapidly clamp different sizes of material for cutting, and the 45-degree pivot on the fence lets you cut those materials at any angle with ease. In our analysis of 24 expert reviews, the DEWALT DEWALT D28730 14-Inch Chop Saw placed 4th when we looked at the top 5 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.
Editor's Note October 20, 2020:
Checkout The Best Chop Saw for a detailed review of all the top chop saws.
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From The Manufacturer
The D28710 14 in. Chop saw is powered by a 15 amp motor for high performance without overheating. Ergonomically designed "D" Handle helps reduce fatigue and increase productivity. Features Quick-Lock vise for fast clamping. 2300W motor provides overload protection. Ergonomically designed handle provides a comfortable hand position. Quick-lock vise allows for fast clamping on different size materials. 45 degrees pivoting fence allows for fast and accurate angle cuts.
Overall Product Rankings
An Overview On Chop Saws
Chop saws are designed to cut through any material in a straight up and down motion. With their durable construction and blades, they can slice metal, wood, ceramics and plastics without hesitation. Ideal for serial tasks, many chop saws feature quick-lock and quick-release vises and clamps to keep the job moving along speedily.
In addition to blade size, which can vary by several inches and impacts cutting power, two other key considerations with chop saws are width and chopping depth. The chop saw’s mechanism can also impact its performance. When the saw blade enters the material, it slows down, the load on the saw increases and the rotations decrease. Unless this is controlled and monitored, the cutting quality can then decrease.
To ensure stable cutting quality, many chop saws have electronic systems for monitoring the constant number of rotations per second. For heavily used chop saws, being able to replace carbon brushes yourself can cut down on trips to the service center and let you continue working with the saw longer.
While a chop saw, unlike a miter saw, only moves straight up and down, chop saws do give the option of cuts angled horizontally across the material. Most allow for cuts at angles up to 45 degrees.
DWYM Fun Fact
Portable chop saws have greatly impacted the construction industry. Chop saws have replaced acetylene torches in many applications, including the popular chop saw purpose of cutting rebar.
Instead of having to situate and install heavy machinery in a construction site, construction workers can use chop saws to cut through asphalt, concrete and pipe with ease. Chop saws for domestic use are generally smaller and lighter, but they are still versatile and powerful like their construction-oriented cousins.
The Chop Saw Buying Guide
- Consider blade quality when shopping for chop saws. Most chop saws are sold with a blade, but this might not be the one you should use for all of your projects, as it’s just meant to get you started.
- It’s best to look for durable blades that can be used on a wide variety of materials when shopping chop saw accessories. Specialty blades are also available if you have a particular project in mind.
- Keep in mind the likelihood of burrs and other cutting flaws when purchasing a chop saw. Pendulum metal chop saws can provide a cleaner, burr-free cut if you will be doing most of your cutting on certain types of materials.
- If you’re looking for heavy-duty, and also heavy, chop saw power, look for a belt-drive chop saw. This protects the mechanism from overloading.
- When cutting metal, a spark guard or spark deflector can be an essential feature on a chop saw. If this is part of the purpose you’re buying a chop saw for, look for this option.
- You should also wear a dust mask, safety goggles and a sturdy pair of work gloves while working with power tools. Ideally, you should also done long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and steel-toed shoes for your protection.