steel circular saw

[deereman75]

Well I have seen a few videos of saws like the Evolution rage circular saws, and I think something like that could be really useful. Well I dont have the spare cash for one of those, and I am not sure how long they would last. Now heres my question. We have an old 8 1/4 inch skill worm drive saw, and I was thinking of putting one of those metal blades on it. Would it work? Or would the saw be too fast or something? I am not worried about a fire, since the saw is all metal, and has only ever been used for masonary. I know the saw could stand up to it, but it is the blades I am not sure about.

 

[EddieWalker]

I never saw the commercials or heard of it before, so I went to youtube and watched this video. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqirFDSOOaU]Rage Multi-purpose circular SAW @ www.tradecounterdirect.com - YouTube[/ame]

At first, I had my doubts, but seeing it cut through that C Channel impressed me!!!!

I wonder how long the blade lasts, but then looked on Amazon and saw that a new blade is only $40 and the whole saw sells for $142

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Power-Tools-Ragesaw-Circular/dp/B000WEKO0A]Amazon.com: Evolution Power Tools 7-1/4' Mp Hd Circ Saw Ragesaw Circular Saw: Home Improvement[/ame]

Sounds too good to be true. I wonder what I'm missing or how well it's built. I'm curious enough to join in here and ask if anybody has one or seen one in person?

Then I saw this blade and I'm wondering if this would be worth the money for my metal chop saw? [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Evolution-14BLADEST-Cutting-Steel-1500/dp/B001QF9VRG/ref=sr_1_10?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1325953882&sr=1-10]Amazon.com: Evolution 14BLADEST 14 X 66T X 1 For Cutting Steel, Max RPM 1500: Home Improvement[/ame]

Eddie

 

[Shield Arc]

I looked into buying one of the Evolation Rage saws, just about pulled the trigger, then I thought why? I think that saw is a high production saw, and I'm not in that big of a hurry. I think you'd get more bang for your buck with a port a band.
I've read where a carpenter's skil saw turns too many rpms for the steel blades. Maybe you should just use an abrasive skil saw blade in your saw.

 

[Shield Arc]

I'm sorry I thought you were talking about one of these.

Evolution RAGE 3 Sliding Miter Saw cuts through steel, aluminum, and wood

 

[deereman75]

I am actaully getting a milwaukee abrasive chop saw within week or so. After having to make straight cuts in pipe with an angle grinder for my welding table, I saw just how useful they would be. (cant believe I didnt think to use my porta-band for it...) I was thinking of using the worm drive saw, because I think they spin slower then a normal saw. It is just sitting around collecting dust, so I thought I might as well put it to use. This is the saw I am talking about.

And shield arc, wouldnt your ellis bandsaw be more of a production machine then an evo chopsaw?

 

[EddieWalker]

The reason I bought the metal chop saw is that the gearing is lower for cutting metal and pavers. I also cut fake stone, real stone and bricks with it.

Seeing the video, I don't know why it wouldn't work in your saw. The blade is cheap enough and I bet your saw is more powerful and better built. I didn't like all the plastic on the saw in the video.

For $40, why not?

Eddie

 

[deereman75]

The reason I bought the metal chop saw is that the gearing is lower for cutting metal and pavers. I also cut fake stone, real stone and bricks with it.

Seeing the video, I don't know why it wouldn't work in your saw. The blade is cheap enough and I bet your saw is more powerful and better built. I didn't like all the plastic on the saw in the video.

For $40, why not?

Eddie

The only problem is I dont think the evo blades have the diamond shaped knockout in the middle, which you need for worm drive saws. I know lenox makes those blades, and I bet some of those have the knockout, but they cost a lot more. I think I have an abrasive wheel laying around for it somewhere, I will put it in, and see how it works.

 

[Shield Arc]

The Ellis is a fantastic saw for what it does. But for smaller items the Evolution Rage 3 will out work the Ellis. And the Rage 3 is a compound miter saw. But the Ellis will cut bigger items. For me, having the Ellis and a port a band and a chop saw I don't really need the Rage 3, but it would still be nice to have for aluminum work.

 

[ak9]

deereman75
I 've used a carbide toothed chop saw .It was designed and built to cut steel ... don't think it was the evolution tho. The benifits of this type of saw for me was NO DUST.It was critical to keep the blade cool when cutting . The training facility I used it in disected welds to show new recruits imperfect welds and such.. like any blade it does not like jamming and lateral loads placed on it.
ak9

 

[billybobjimmyjoejack]

I have been using carbide tipped 7 1/4" ferrous metal cutting blades in my model 77 Skilsaw for about 15 years. The blades will run $30-$70 each and can be sharpened just the same as any other carbide blade.
The biggest advantage is the portability. You get a clean, straight and burr free cut in material easily up to 1/2" thick.
Other advantages are, very few sparks (the steel is cut into little chips and not ground) almost no heat is created, there is no damage to painted surfaces.
You already own a good heavy duty saw that has all the power you need for cutting steel, just get a blade from Sears or Home Depot or just about anyone else that sells skilsaw blades. I like the ones that Makita makes but Dewalt, Diablo, Bosch and others make good blades also.
When you choose a blade for your saw make sure that it is rated at or above the the RPM level of your saw.

 

[dstig1]

Well I have seen a few videos of saws like the Evolution rage circular saws, and I think something like that could be really useful. Well I dont have the spare cash for one of those, and I am not sure how long they would last. Now heres my question. We have an old 8 1/4 inch skill worm drive saw, and I was thinking of putting one of those metal blades on it. Would it work? Or would the saw be too fast or something? I am not worried about a fire, since the saw is all metal, and has only ever been used for masonary. I know the saw could stand up to it, but it is the blades I am not sure about.

I looked at them at a booth at the MN State Fair last fall that a LWS had setup. They had one setup and would run test cuts if you asked. It was VERY impressive. Not very loud, very fast cut, and no burrs - plus the cut was cool to the touch. He told me to touch the end of the part immediately after cutting it, and it was basically room temp. Pretty amazing. Try that with an abrasive cutoff saw...

Then I asked him about putting the blade on a regular miter saw. He said don't do it as these saws turn slower than a WW saw does, so it would trash the blade or be a hazard. You need both the saw and blade together.

I think the biggest downside is cost. The units are not cheap, and the blades have a somewhat limited life (and are costly).

 

[yomax4]

I have the larger Evoulution compund sliding mitre saw 10". It's nice only because it's simple to do angles and trim parts. I also have a band saw and several Plasma Cutters that do all my heavy cutting. Evoulution has much larger bearings than a circular saw and less RPM's. I did some horse trading to get mine and I doubt I would pay cash for one. Mine cuts more wood than metal.

 

[Craig Clayton]

I ran a 7 1/4" carbide tipped blade in my worm drive saw when I did all the sheet metal on my pole barn. It worked just fine and made a very smooth cut. The only problem was the noise and the metal chips that were flying around. I had to wear safety glasses with safety goggles over them to protect my eyes. Ear muffs for the ears.
Without checking I think it was a diamond knockout.
I believe worm drive saws turn slower than the direct drive saw.

Craig Clayton

 

[Code54]

I am going to be "that guy" - I bought the harbor freight metal cutting circular saw for about $60 with the metal cutting blade and it has worked great!!! Even cut some 1/2 plate (more than I think you are supposed to cut). used it for several projects and to be honest if it blew up tomorrow I can say I got my moneys worth out of it and would get another one. It was cheap especially with a blade although it is a bit ugly.......

 

[F250DSLPWR]

My dad bought one of the Rage saws for cutting steel and it works GREAT!
He is cutting I beam with it! I thought it would be really loud, but it was not. It makes really nice cuts.

 

[dex3361]

I noticed Code54 and I did the same thing. I had seen the cold saws and I balked at the price. So I bought the HF unit and I was amazed at what it will do. Here is the thread I started last year on the saw. HF Cold Saw

 

[HCJtractor]

I bought a SteelMax saw. They make two models, and mine is the larger (9" if I remember correctly) It works unbelievably well. I cut out some 1/2" plate recently on a project, and it cuts it like a skill saw cuts plywood. No sparks, no heat, chips collected in the saw, and a perfect smooth cut. It cuts 4" angle like cutting two by fours. I have a Jet band saw and the SteelMax will run circles around it. My old abrasive chop saw will never be used again.

 

[Code54]

"My old abrasive chop saw will never be used again."

Funny you said that. The other night I was over at the shop and seen my chop saw neatly placed under the work bench. cord all wrapped up and thought, why is it so neat, then remembered that I never use it anymore!

 

[deereman75]

Well after getting the 24x48 1/4 inch plate top for my welding table ($124 :shocked, a chop saw is now out of my price range. Well I just need to do a few more welds, then I will have a nice welding table. (yes I will post pictures)

 

[Haywire]

How about putting one of those blades in the chop saw? Would certainly have enough power and is probably built stouter than the average WW circular saw.

Ian