Chop Saws

[BillFarworth]

Boys I was checking these Chop Saws:

http://www.dewalt.co.uk/powertools/productdetails/catno/DW872/info/specifications/

and

http://www.dewalt.co.uk/powertools/productdetails/catno/D28700/info/specifications/

When I was checking their rpm
No Load Speed 1300 rpm
and the other on
No Load Speed 3800 rpm

Could someone let me know why this difference?
Also which of the two,more ideal to Cut steel ?
I assume the one with the lowest rpm ?

 

[hotrodder]

The lower rpm one uses a TCT blade, the faster one an abrasive blade

TCT (aka 'dry cut') saws are faster, VERY noisy, throw little chips everywhere, blades are expensive* and (while they can be resharpened a few times) relatively delicate. They also produce more accurate, virtually burr free cuts. *The standard blades don't like cutting stainless much and stainless specific blades are even more expensive

Abrasive chop saws are noisy, throw dust and sparks everywhere, lose cutting capacity as the blade wears, are less accurate and leave huge burrs.

 

[BillFarworth]

Thanks hd !!!
Could you let me know from your experience what is better the TCT or the Abrasive ?
I do know TCT is far more expensive but in terms of quality and performance ?

 

[hotrodder]

Personally i prefer the TCT type, i've got a dw872 (first link), had it for years. Be warned dry cut chop saws are hellishly noisy and while it's possible to get more than 1000 cuts (in steel) from a single blade they can be destroyed by an animal in a single cut! Might want to price the blades too- cheap tat aside blades are generally upwards of £60 each and offers/lucky finds at ~ £60 are relatively rare. Stainless specific blades are hundreds. On both dry and abrasive cut you'll need an angle finder/protractor to set cutting angles as the inbuilt scale is useless (applies to pretty much all chop saws regardless of brand)

In terms of quality/perfomance neither are in the same league as a cold saw (very low rpm, coolant, VERY accurate burr free cuts and happy munching through stainless). Cold saws are considerably more money new although they turn up used too. The only reason i don't own a cold saw is that i do a fair bit of mobile work. If you want to know more about them google/search the site for 'Pedrazzoli' or look here for some vids... http://www.bifabuk.co.uk/cold-saws.php (top item on that page is an abrasive saw)

Bandsaw is another way... all depends on budget, what sort of section sizes you'll need to cut (mitre capacity is one to watch for as it's always less than 90* cuts), how much room you have, whether you need something portable etc

 

[BillFarworth]

Hd, .I check your link and I get jealous and cannot afford a Cold Saw
Well I had the same idea about the TCT and the Abrasive.
The low speed is far better for steel so the DW872 take an A on that.
Always you can make a coolant system.The issue is for me that with a 3200 rpm saw there is no TCT blades to fit, only Abrasive. All the TCT blades rate maximum to the 1400 rpm.
I am more to the TCT one.Mobile is also important for me .
I am thinking also about the Evolution EVO355 that a lot of good reviews are there.

Many many Thanks Mate!

 

[chunkolini]

I have got the Dewalt TCT saw, have used it for about 5 years.
I wrecked the first blade in the first week being stupid, I tried cutting three sizes of tube at once, 1 inside the other. Loud bangs and clatters and 1 knackered blade. the second blade has lasted the whole 5 years.
You do need a digital protractor to set the angles for cutting mitres though.
And as said above hellishly noisy.

 

[justmental]

i have the evolution mitre saw and find it very good on steel and aluminium. so much better than the abrasive models and quicker as no cleaning off with a file after.

 

[Country Joe]

Hi there, Bill.
I've got an Evolution and an abrasive one (don't know the make of it, though) but never really use the abrasive one - always the evolution.
The abrasive one is the one I'd lend out, if someone needed it.
I don't really mind the noise either of them make, but the cuts are very much cleaner with the Evolution.
All the Best,
CJ

 

[BillFarworth]

Seems that everyone is happy with the TCT Saw .
I like the Evo one CJ and happy that you recommend !
Chunko, I think the breaking of a blade it has to do a lot with us, and how far we push a tool not build for so heavy stuff.Don't worry I have breaken a lot of stuff myself.It is also a way to learn sometimes.
Many many thanks to all that contribute in this Thread an evo is on the way for me .

 

[ChrisJohnsSculpture]

The cold cut saws are pretty good. Their big downside is that they produce hot sharp chips which have an inevitable tendency to seek out exposed flesh and stick to it. The chips will also get stuck in the soles of your boots and get absolutely everywhere.

The chop saws are best for cutting heavy section to length but the mitre type ones tend to be more accurate for angles. Both can be improved by modifications to the clamping systems which tend to be a bit flimsy. Don't expect them to be set up absolutely right straight out of the box.

Cost wise the TCT blades are more expensive but they do work on mild steel, wood and aluminium so you may save the cost of a second saw if you use any of those materials. And they do last quite a long time. The abrasive disks are cheap but wear out fairly quickly and the maximum depth of cut decreases as they wear.

 

[KemppiFrog]

Used the Evolution 355 TCT blade on my DIY chop saw. Turning at around 1,350rpm. It is so good, I have started using the old 230 abrasive one as a hand held for odd grinding jobs.
The Evo blade was around £74.

 

[jordan1]

I recently bought a DW872, nice piece of kit, well please with the results. Haven't used it much as yet so don't know how long the blade will last, how you treat them I suppose.

 

[Country Joe]

I think crashing the blade into the work is what usually causes the blade damage - well, that and trying to push the blade to make it cut faster, rather than letting it cut "at it's own speed" with reasonably light pressure.
I tend to try and "creep up" on the material when starting off. I even lean round a bit so I can see it from the side, and then very slowly get the blade into contact with the work-piece.

Some people that I know insist on swinging it into the material so fast & firmly it makes me cringe! And then have the gall to get a tad stroppy when you won't let them use it from that point on!

I used to wonder if they'd do that to their own tools, but having seen the state of all their tools, I didn't really have to!

As Mrs Joe would say, "he's using yours, 'cos he's f****d up his own tools"
Everyone knows folk like that, I guess - the types that would use a plane over the top of nail heads poking from the surface of a piece of wood!

Almost sounding like a rant, now!
All the Best,
CJ

 

[Robotstar5]

As Mrs Joe would say, "he's using yours, 'cos he's f****d up his own tools"
Everyone knows folk like that, I guess - the types that would use a plane over the top of nail heads poking from the surface of a piece of wood!

Years ago I watched a neighbour attempting to stick weld his car, welder was running off an extension lead not fully unreeled. After a few mins smoke started escaping from the reel, 5 mins later he was at my door asking if I had a lead he could borrow funnily enough I couldn't find one

 

[Country Joe]

Years ago I watched a neighbour attempting to stick weld his car, welder was running off an extension lead not fully unreeled. After a few mins smoke started escaping from the reel, 5 mins later he was at my door asking if I had a lead he could borrow funnily enough I couldn't find one

I know what you mean! Both our neighbours are a bit like that.
I tend to run & hide if I see either of them coming to our door!
CJ

 

[jordan1]

Years ago I learnt never to lend my tools out, they either come back knackered or don't come back at all.

 

[rob1]

ive got the evo 355 raptor for site work.
exellent on tube and straight cut on box on its edge .
but you cant cut box on the flat so that rules out mitres .
i made that mistake with mine i had to cut 50x50 box at 45d and the blade lasted 14 cuts .evo say you cant have more than 3 teeth on the workpiece

 

[BillFarworth]

I do know what you mean CJ. Robstar you couldn't find it or you didn't even search for it .
I know boys, I have the same feel when someone ask me for a tool.
Sometimes I keep some spare for this kind of situation.For serious tools my welder for example noway to use someone else except me!
Evo looks really good kit .I saw many good reviews for the DW872 and *****o is really happy with it.
So both seems a good choice to go!

 

[sardine]

on my Makita abrasive saw i made an adapter ring to fit standard 9 " thin cutting disks to the 20mm arbor, cuts a lot faster now, and with cheaper discs.