Steel Cutting Chop Saw

[Red Horse]

After running to my pals shop everytime I need to cut some steel I've decided to buy a chop saw. Looks like the Evolution S355CPS has good features for price ($379) Of course its made in China..probably no choice there
Any opinions?

 

[Buckeye Guy]

Can't tell you anything specific about the Evolution, but last year I bought a gently used DeWalt 14" saw off FB marketplace for $120 and it does everything I need it to, been very pleased with it

 

[bdhsfz6]

Looks like a good chop saw but for the same money, you could go with something like this:

1 HP 4 in. x 6 in. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw

Amazing deals on this 4In X 6In ***/Vert Metal Cutting Band Saw at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I bought the same saw from Jet tools 30 years ago and it's still going strong. It's great for simple cut offs and works both horizontally & vertically. It will also do angles and more precision work as well.

 

[setxjeff]

I have a Evolution sliding miter saw. It will cut 4x6 in one pass. It will also cut 2x2x1/4 angle iron perfectly. 1/4 thick is the thickest metal I have tried it on but 1/4 is 90 percent of what I use on my projects. Anything thicker goes on my metal cutting bandsaw.

 

[2manyrocks]

I bought one of the Evolution metal saws earlier this year. It cuts tubing and angle more accurately than I have been able to cut with my 4x6 bandsaw. The issue I've had with my bandsaw is that it is difficult for me to get it adjusted to make accurate cuts. If I move it in the shop, then the adjustments seem to get messed up.

There are a variety of website discussions about buying and adjusting 4x6 bandsaws to cut accurately. Let's just say it's easy to find those discussions, and they provide better information on them than I could try to say here.

The thing about the Evolution that I don't like is that it is heavy. I also find it harder to see where the cut line is going to be compared to my Dewalt miter saw I use for cutting wood. Something about the saw guard seems to shade the cut line on the Evolution so I've started marking the cuts with a silver marker that is easier to see.

Seems to make a lot of metal chips to clean up. Eye protection is a must have.

If you are cutting tubing and want a good tight fitup, I personally think the Evolution is very nice to have. But I would also say to at least consider a 4x6 bandsaw as you make your decision.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

After running to my pals shop everytime I need to cut some steel I've decided to buy a chop saw. Looks like the Evolution S355CPS has good features for price ($379) Of course its made in China..probably no choice there
Any opinions?

You mean a cold cut saw with a metal blade? Or an abrasive blade chop saw?

 

[Red Horse]

cold cut

 

[Red Horse]

I bought one of the Evolution metal saws earlier this year. It cuts tubing and angle more accurately than I have been able to cut with my 4x6 bandsaw. The issue I've had with my bandsaw is that it is difficult for me to get it adjusted to make accurate cuts. If I move it in the shop, then the adjustments seem to get messed up.

There are a variety of website discussions about buying and adjusting 4x6 bandsaws to cut accurately. Let's just say it's easy to find those discussions, and they provide better information on them than I could try to say here.

The thing about the Evolution that I don't like is that it is heavy. I also find it harder to see where the cut line is going to be compared to my Dewalt miter saw I use for cutting wood. Something about the saw guard seems to shade the cut line on the Evolution so I've started marking the cuts with a silver marker that is easier to see.

Seems to make a lot of metal chips to clean up. Eye protection is a must have.

If you are cutting tubing and want a good tight fitup, I personally think the Evolution is very nice to have. But I would also say to at least consider a 4x6 bandsaw as you make your decision.

2-rks
Which Evolution? I see some models have a cast base and others have a stamped base-as always you get what you pay for. As for the band saw the biggest thing I have against them is the size.

 

[Xfaxman]

I have a 14" Alfra made in Germany. Bought it from a local welding supply store:

Very happy with it.

 

[JohnnyMX]

I had the same question a year ago when looking at my options to work mild steel. I ended up going with the band saw, and it works pretty well. It takes some work to get the cut exact and has limitations when using larger stock at steeper cutting angles. I had issues right off the bat with 3x3 angle at a 45. The band saw makes little mess, reasonably quiet, and you can walk away and mark up your next cut while it runs. I would not immediately excuse the abrasive chop saws either. There is more mess/sparks, but the blades are a fraction of a cold-cut saw blade.

If you change angles a lot during a project, you may want to avoid the band saw and find something with a faster way to change. I looked at Evo and Dewalt when I was in the market. Both seemed pretty good at their price point.

 

[ptsg]

I built one from scratch using an Evolution 14" saw blade, including the vise. Cuts very nicely or used to until I pulled a dumb move and ruined the blade. On mine, I made it so the entire head rotates from 0 to 45 degree by simply loosening a lever, rotate the head and tight it back on. It has a 1.5 HP 3 phase electric motor.

It's a bit noisy and throws stuff everywhere but cuts indeed very well. If I were to build another one, I would have used a band saw blade instead of a circular saw blade.

 

[Doughknob]

I have one of these

10 inch dry mitering saw - Everett Industries, LLC

10” (250 mm) diameter, 3 HP (2.25kW), dry, mitering saw wired for 115V/1p/60Hz. Mitering work back stop and vise jaw adjust to cut any miter up to 45º. Includes a calibrated scale to locate proper position for vise rear fence. Vise jaw automatically adjusts. Cuts solids to 1 ½” (38 mm) and pipe...

everettindustries.com

Made in usa.

 

[2manyrocks]

2-rks
Which Evolution? I see some models have a cast base and others have a stamped base-as always you get what you pay for. As for the band saw the biggest thing I have against them is the size.

S344cpsl. Evolution S355CPSL: Metal Cutting Chop Saw With 14 in. Mild Steel Blade

I don't see the weight listed in the specs on their website, but the shipping box it came in says 59.5 lbs.

 

[Smokeydog]

Bought a Fein Slugger saw 2-3 years ago to cut a lot of tubing. Faster, more accurate, burr free cuts. Need to take off an extra 1/16? No problem. Try that with a bandsaw. Cut a lot of cold rolled plate and bar stock. Long blade life. First blade dulled after cutting some 6” SS round tubing. Can be sharpened but haven’t done that yet.

Long blade life contributed to by adding MK Morse vise jaws from the start and watching their video on how to use a cold cut saw. Vibration and too much pressure kills blades. They fit many saws with no modifications.

https://www.trick-tools.com/common/images/products/large/100724.jpg

Just checked prices…saws and jaws almost doubled!?! ZORO tools had the best price at the time.

 

[2manyrocks]

The Evolution S344CPSL includes a V block with the saw. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...-4da3-96c6-97fc769f81e6_900x.jpg?v=1578414501

They have a YT video explaining how to use the V block to cut material for the longest blade life.

 

[jmc]

If you anticipating TRIMMING short pieces, pay attention to the vise. The kind with a swiveling moving jaw won't safely clamp on a piece not long enough to extend to the left of its pivot. One work-around is to add a block to the left side of the pivot, the same thickness as your workpiece. But a vise like ptsg's in post #11 is handier.

 

[Smokeydog]

The Evolution S344CPSL includes a V block with the saw. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...-4da3-96c6-97fc769f81e6_900x.jpg?v=1578414501

They have a YT video explaining how to use the V block to cut material for the longest blade life.

That’s good information. Read many mixed reviews on blade life before purchase.

Making miter and cutting small parts often have to move or adjust the jaws. Easy enough to do with two cap screws.

Still use my bandsaws and best for many cuts. Cold cut saw is very easy to set up on the welding bench to quickly cut out a project then move out of the way.

 

[2manyrocks]

It is a good idea to plan the order of cuts to avoid cutting short pieces if possible.

 

[WranglerX]

Personally I have a Dewalt abrasive chop saw and it does fine for my needs...I got it becasue I was unsure of what my needs were going to be, but it has done everything I asked it to do.... Only negative, is it showers hot sparks and metal down on concrete and stains/scorches concrete unless I put something down to protect concrete because I usually have it setting on ground when in use.... IF uses over gravel or rocks it does not have that problem.... With my 20/20 hind sight I think I would have been happier with a cold cut saw, but the difference in price at the time was also a factor.... Actually I do more cutting with my 4x6 band saw than with chop saw, but chop saw wins if I have to move saw to material (as long has I have power) than to move material to saw.... Also shop environment where saw is going to live has some effect on what may be best for you...

 

[gsganzer]

You'll love the accuracy of the cold saw. I bought a Makita, which has a smaller blade then the Dewalt or Evolution, but it cuts are the pipe, tubing and angle sizes I deal with. It will truly cut a 45 degree angle, which is great for making gates etc.