So, I thought I should do a quick review of this saw. I figured I'd start a new thread for the review. Feel free to ask questions.
Here's what I wrote last time:
So the new saw showed up yesterday. I unpacked last night. Overall quality was considerably better all around. I wouldn't go so far as to say the first was a knockoff, but almost certainly a different production run. For example the first one had a significant elevation difference between the the turn table and the side tables. The new one is very close to level. The machined holes for the clamps are much better as well.
I'll put some pics and video up this weekend. Obviously I can't speak for durability as I've just used it for a few cuts tonight. So far it works excellent. The first thing I did before even making the first cut was to take out the original "magic-cut-everything" blade and put in a new Oshlun steel cutting blade. This one:Amazon.com: Oshlun SBF-100052 10-Inch 52 Tooth TCG Saw Blade with 1-Inch Arbor (5/8-Inch Bushing) for Mild Steel and Ferrous Metals: Home Improvement . I'll probably try out the other blade on wood at a later date.
I made a couple cuts through some 1x1x1/8" square tube. I fixed the slider so it was just cutting by hinge. Cut through just like you'd expect any similar dry cut/cold saw to do. Cutting was smooth and power was more than adequate to keep up with the correct pressure. If you've used one of these saws you know you don't just hammer down on the blade, but more go by feel. Anyway it cut through like butter. I then cut the same square tube remnant at a complex 45* by 45* angle. That's where it goes beyond what any competitor's I know of does. Nice smooth cut at a complex angle. Put a smile on my face.
The final cut I tried one of the bigger pieces of steel in my remnant bin (I just recently bought a welder so I don't have a lot of heavy stuff). I had a piece of 3/8 by 3" flat bar. This time I used the sliding function. Again I'm impressed. This is a great way to cut heavier flat bar. If you lay flat bar flat in a regular 12 or 14" saw you're trying to chew through against the wider side. I think this is harder on the blade, not sure why, but it sure seems to cut a lot slower this way. With the sliding ability I can lay the bar flat, but still cut through the easy way. The saw cut through without hesitation.
If it cuts this well and holds up for a while I'll be very pleased. The functionality is great. And the blades for under $40 are a big bonus. I can't realistically keep track of how many cuts, but I'd expect it to cut proportionally less than a 12 or 14" blade based on the circumference difference. If that's the case it will be very cheap to operate compared to the larger blades. The one big downside is that it has a 1" arbor so only a few blades are available.
Ultimately I'm pleased with the saw based on a very short tryout.
Since then I've used it on a few projects. I'm still impressed. Works great. Not a lot to add but a couple videos.
One thing I did notice is that the full backstop makes cutting some pieces easier than with a small clamp that most 12 and 14" TCT saws come with. However it is possible to f' up. I had a piece of little 1/2" angle and it caught up on a tooth and jammed it into the saw. Bent the blade guard retracting arm, was fixable, but caught me off guard. Make sure to clamp every piece...
It also does an OK job of cutting wood with the steel blade. Not perfect, but more than good enough for framing type use.
I have yet to use the blade it came with. I took it off before I ever even plugged the saw in. At some point I'll probably throw it on there, but since I'm primarily using the saw for metal I figured the metal blade would serve me better.
Here's some videos:
1/2" flatbar
Evolution Rage 3 cutting 1/2" steel flat bar - YouTube
2" square tube
Evolution Rage 3 2x2 Square Tube - YouTube
Plywood scrap:
Evolution Rage 3 Plywood - YouTube
Here's what I wrote last time:
So the new saw showed up yesterday. I unpacked last night. Overall quality was considerably better all around. I wouldn't go so far as to say the first was a knockoff, but almost certainly a different production run. For example the first one had a significant elevation difference between the the turn table and the side tables. The new one is very close to level. The machined holes for the clamps are much better as well.
I'll put some pics and video up this weekend. Obviously I can't speak for durability as I've just used it for a few cuts tonight. So far it works excellent. The first thing I did before even making the first cut was to take out the original "magic-cut-everything" blade and put in a new Oshlun steel cutting blade. This one:Amazon.com: Oshlun SBF-100052 10-Inch 52 Tooth TCG Saw Blade with 1-Inch Arbor (5/8-Inch Bushing) for Mild Steel and Ferrous Metals: Home Improvement . I'll probably try out the other blade on wood at a later date.
I made a couple cuts through some 1x1x1/8" square tube. I fixed the slider so it was just cutting by hinge. Cut through just like you'd expect any similar dry cut/cold saw to do. Cutting was smooth and power was more than adequate to keep up with the correct pressure. If you've used one of these saws you know you don't just hammer down on the blade, but more go by feel. Anyway it cut through like butter. I then cut the same square tube remnant at a complex 45* by 45* angle. That's where it goes beyond what any competitor's I know of does. Nice smooth cut at a complex angle. Put a smile on my face.
The final cut I tried one of the bigger pieces of steel in my remnant bin (I just recently bought a welder so I don't have a lot of heavy stuff). I had a piece of 3/8 by 3" flat bar. This time I used the sliding function. Again I'm impressed. This is a great way to cut heavier flat bar. If you lay flat bar flat in a regular 12 or 14" saw you're trying to chew through against the wider side. I think this is harder on the blade, not sure why, but it sure seems to cut a lot slower this way. With the sliding ability I can lay the bar flat, but still cut through the easy way. The saw cut through without hesitation.
If it cuts this well and holds up for a while I'll be very pleased. The functionality is great. And the blades for under $40 are a big bonus. I can't realistically keep track of how many cuts, but I'd expect it to cut proportionally less than a 12 or 14" blade based on the circumference difference. If that's the case it will be very cheap to operate compared to the larger blades. The one big downside is that it has a 1" arbor so only a few blades are available.
Ultimately I'm pleased with the saw based on a very short tryout.
Since then I've used it on a few projects. I'm still impressed. Works great. Not a lot to add but a couple videos.
One thing I did notice is that the full backstop makes cutting some pieces easier than with a small clamp that most 12 and 14" TCT saws come with. However it is possible to f' up. I had a piece of little 1/2" angle and it caught up on a tooth and jammed it into the saw. Bent the blade guard retracting arm, was fixable, but caught me off guard. Make sure to clamp every piece...
It also does an OK job of cutting wood with the steel blade. Not perfect, but more than good enough for framing type use.
I have yet to use the blade it came with. I took it off before I ever even plugged the saw in. At some point I'll probably throw it on there, but since I'm primarily using the saw for metal I figured the metal blade would serve me better.
Here's some videos:
1/2" flatbar
Evolution Rage 3 cutting 1/2" steel flat bar - YouTube
2" square tube
Evolution Rage 3 2x2 Square Tube - YouTube
Plywood scrap:
Evolution Rage 3 Plywood - YouTube
