multi material mitre saw recommendations?

[tommydog35]

I am looking for recommendations for a mitre saw that can cut wood and metal. I know that evolution do a few models, but I have seen complaints that they are not very accurate. Does anyone have any other recommendations?

 

[123hotchef]

I have the evo one it does a grand job how accurate do you need it?
I use the chop saw more than the evo now as blades are cheaper and it is a little quiter oh and the chips aint so bad.

 

[hotponyshoes]

As above, how accurate do you need it?

I have an evolution. If you set it to 0deg or 45deg etc. using the stops on the saw then no, its probably only within 2-3deg at best.
If you set it up using a good angle block between the blade and the fence it can be set bang on and locked in plac with the knob on the saw and it will stay there just fine.

It's a bit tedious if you are doing a job that involves changing the angle constantly but you can always use one of the previously cut pieces to line it up again.

It's fine for the money and even on my more expensive saw I would set it up with a block if I was aiming for precise cuts

 

[123hotchef]

As above, how accurate do you need it?

I have an evolution. If you set it to 0deg or 45deg etc. using the stops on the saw then no, its probably only within 2-3deg at best.
If you set it up using a good angle block between the blade and the fence it can be set bang on and locked in plac with the knob on the saw and it will stay there just fine.

It's a bit tedious if you are doing a job that involves changing the angle constantly but you can always use one of the previously cut pieces to line it up again.

It's fine for the money and even on my more expensive saw I would set it up with a block if I was aiming for precise cuts

Funny how 0 degress is still slightly off I make blocks and have to face them off after in the lathe to get them bang on square. but for cutting metal to weld its just dandy.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Funny how 0 degress is still slightly off I make blocks and have to face them off after in the lathe to get them bang on square. but for cutting metal to weld its just dandy.

Yea, I normally use mine for cutting up alloy box section for welding afterwards. It's great as there in hardy any cleaning of the metal needed before the welding.
If I want something accurate like a door frame I will jig it before welding. If it's just something like a ramp then the distortion from welding will be a good few degrees anyway
Either way, the cut angles being off by a bit is rarely a problem for what I am doing with the evo

 

[hotponyshoes]

You could probably spend a few hours messing about with some shims or surface sanding and get one set up perfectly and repeatable if you really wanted to

 

[mike os]

It's a chop saw, not a precision machine. It can be made reasonably accurate but that's it...if you want precision you end to pay for it

 

[gaz1]

It's a chop saw, not a precision machine. It can be made reasonably accurate but that's it...if you want precision you end to pay for it

i have to agree with above you want spot on put them on a belt sander after being cut

 

[Onoff]

Was using my Evolution Rage 3 the other day to cut 40mm Marmox Multi - cementitious board. Couldn't be bothered to swap the normal blade for the Evolution diamond one.

 

[tommydog35]

It's a chop saw, not a precision machine. It can be made reasonably accurate but that's it...if you want precision you end to pay for it

If I wanted something more accurate, what other options are there? I don't see many reviews out there for multi material saws other than Evolution.

 

[mike os]

If I wanted something more accurate, what other options are there? I don't see many reviews out there for multi material saws other than Evolution.

I doubt that they exist ... accurate in wood is quite easy I can set up to cut mitred frames in a few minutes, but metal hammers lightweight machinery. Only stuff I know for that are cold cut type saws, useless on wood and usually way too expensive for hobby use

 

[bricol]

Been using an Evolution Rage saw for a decade or so (ever since they were 90 quid in Aldi) - been amazed I can be ragging old pallet wood, bits of tree, random bits of timber through it to chop up for fire wood, then set it up to cut mitres in flash contiboard (is it still called that?) to trim kitchen cabinets, and get clean, true cuts.

Although the Aldi bandsaw now gets used for metal - quieter, less noise and no flying hot chips. It too has an interesting zero position - I just made a 6mm thick round washer, drilled it off-centre, put the saw to zero-ish, placed the washer to act as a stop, bolted it down tight once I'd adjusted it to stop the blade closer to zero degree.

 

[brightspark]

if your not fussy just get a general purpose saw and blade .if your well in to accurate woodwork buy a quality chopsaw for wood only and another cheapo for metal