CHronos slitting saws and arbor set, is it any good?

[tmuir]

I know this is a cheap set and I know what usually follows the word cheap but has anyone tried the Sobs slitting saw set?

Just wondering if it is ok for occasional non critical work or if it is a waste of money?

This is a link to it.
http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/cgi-local/sh000001.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww.chronos.ltd.uk%2facatalog%2fChronos_Catalogue_HSS_Slitting_Saws_Slotting_Saws___Holders_180.html&WD=arbor%20hss%203%20saws%20slitting&PN=Chronos_Catalogue_HSS_Slitting_Saws_Slotting_Saws___Holders_180.html%23aSSASET#aSSASET

 

[scoop]

I bought a set last year and as far as i can tell they are not too bad.The thinest blade runs out by a couple of thou,a bit like an old LP record but the other two blades run flat.As I was only cutting slots thicker than the minimum blade thickness I just ploughed through on the centre line then cut either side of centre to get the final size.Cut ok on brass steel and aluminium.The turning on the mandrel looks a bit agricultural but it is good enough for my needs.For just over a tenner and free postage you cant go far wrong I reckon.
can't guarantee you will get a good set but i'm happy with mine.

best regards Steve C.

 

[Bluechip]

I got a similar arbor from Warco. A bit more expensive, but it's good. Clocks about .0004" runout.
Cannot say for the blades, I've got a lot from way back, UK made, so they're OK.
Assume you want 2MT ??
Trouble with Asian stuff is they seem to be erratic, as Steve says. Some good, some abyssmal, mostly adequate.
Would have thought these things would be available in Oz ??

Dave.
Link

http://www.warco.co.uk/productimages/documents/P98.pdf

 

[GrahamC]

I know this is a cheap set and I know what usually follows the word cheap but has anyone tried the Sobs slitting saw set?

Just wondering if it is ok for occasional non critical work or if it is a waste of money?

I have purchased a number of slitting and slotting saws from Chronos and all have been good quality. The Soba brand is available locally here in Canada from an outfit called Busy Bee tools. I have been told that Soba is brand that is made in India rather than China.

The quality of Soba brand stuff I have seen varies from poor to good. To answer your question, yes it would be OK but it would probably leaving you wanting something better.

I didn't post earlier as I didn't want to hijack this thread but my suggestion would be to get the set you noted and then make one or more good arbors that would better suit your needs. For example you could make one with a very simple straight shank and another from a blank end 2mt or what ever taper your spindle has. I have done just that and have made them in straight shank, 2mt and 3mt; usually a half hour to 45 minute project, the straight shank arbor are made of whatever I have laying around - 1018, 1144, 12L14 (it's not that critical) or blank end arbor's I buy when on sale.

Rather than post a couple of pictures I offer the following links found after a quick search that show a variety of ways to make these arbors:

http://tinkerer.info/machining/#arbor

http://www.metalwebnews.org/mr-tools/slitting-saw-arbor.pdf

http://iwr.ru.ac.za/~iwdf/lathe/slitting.html for a different variation

http://www.rulezman.com/rulezman_workshop_2/slitting_saw_arbor.html

And one last link for Guy Lautards "the Machinist's Beside Reader" which has some details on making saw arbors and whole lot other good tips and interesting reading:

http://www.lautard.com/t1.htm

So, get the set. Use the saws and arbor, make a couple of your own personalized arbors and if and replace the saws as needed when the saws dull, break or you feel the need for something better.

cheers, Graham in Ottawa Canada

 

[tmuir]

Thanks for the links.
I like the bedside reader book and will keep an eye out for one.
It actually has a very similar project in it to what I want the slitting saw for.
I will buy the Chronos tool for now and may look into making a better arbor in the future.
Will probably make just a straight shank one so I can hold it in my er32 collets

 

[GrahamC]

You can buy the books direct from Guy and they can also be found on eBay.

In fact, there is one on eBay right now being sold by a store in Australia called booktrove100

check out item # 110383111508

cheers, Graham

 

[tmuir]

I am actually watching that one now but wasn't going to mention it in case I just gave myself extra competition but heres hoping everyone else here already has a copy. ;D

 

[RobWilson]

Is great book worth getting, so are the other two.
Rob

 

[zeeprogrammer]

First post in this thread, tmuir showed a link to a slitting saw set with arbor from Chronos.

Does anyone know of a similar set I can procure in the U.S.?

Thanks.

 

[ozzie46]

Zee,

Try harbor freight, I picked up a 3 blade HSS steel saw blade set and arbor pretty cheap. I threw the arbor out and made my own. It was that bad but the saw blades have done well on steel and aluminum.

Ron

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Thanks Ron. I had checked their on-line store but didn't find anything. There's a retail store 40 minutes from me in Delaware. No sales tax!

 

[ozzie46]

Zee,

They are replacement blades for Item# 42307, small bench top cutoff saw. The blade # is Item # 42805. M2 HSS, Max rpm 13,000, 2 in dia. 3/8 arbor. I picked them up at the store, not online.

Ron

 

[shred]

I have a set of those HF blades too. They work surprisingly well, though I've not tried them in steel yet.