On Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:01:46 +0100 (BST), "Dave Liquorice"
wrote:

On Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:43:36 +0100, T i m wrote:

Useful looking stuff from Lidl w/c 28/9/09

On mine I also have:

Sliding Mitre Saw with Laser Guide.

Looks like the variable Lidl offers strikes again, you have two mitre
saws available a SMS one and SCMS one?

Erm, in case you can see this ..
http://preview.tinyurl.com/mnwntu

And it looks like one that I can see.

Pretty sure the mitre saw up here (Carlisle) is not a compound one.
It's not described as such, just a SMS, and the picture doesn't look
to have the required dual axis of movement for a SCMS.

Ok.

Is there a difference between that and a 'Cut off / chop saw' and if
so what please?

Yes, on a sliding saw the blade/motor unit slides front/back. This
enables longer cuts to be made. Without the slide action you have a
cutoff/chop saw and limited by the blade size in both depth and
lenght of cut.

Understood. So that doesn't determine what materials can be cut as
such? ie, both types of saws *could* be used to cut anything?

other than the mention of the 'universal saw blade. So does that mean it
can cut anything (within reason) or does any fool know that it's just
for wood?

Soft stuff but not really metals.

Ok.

ie, Say I had several lengths of 50 x 50 x 5mm steel box I wanted to
cut ...

Angle grinder, hack saw (powered).

Ironically I have a steel cutting horizontal band saw but it's
somewhat buried in the garage and I thought this trailer rebuild might
be a good opportunity to get some new toys. ;-)

Joking aside, a mate has the same saw as me but has said he's pretty
well replaced it with a chop saw as it's quicker and more flexible.
His one needs cutting fluid and the last time I used it round his
(seat sub frames on the kit car) we rigged up an old SU electric fuel
pump for the purpose. ;-)

I might go for one of the cheapo 14" abrasive disk types as as you
rightly say I could do the job with a cutting disk in the angle
grinder but I think the fixed bench type might just be a bit more
accurate (than doing it by hand with said). Also, as long as the
angles are reasonably symmetrical the finish doesn't matter as the
cuts are going to be welded anyway.

Another use for a crop saw would be cutting stock for use in the lathe
(currently hacksaw in the vise).

Cheers, T i m