Chopsaw decisions..

[steviec_lj]

Right..

Purchased almost a year ago, well the 27th to be exact, I got a C-grade Evolution Rage 3DB. It came with a 90 day warranty.

Having started to rely on it more and more recently to noisily chop softwood for burning, its developed a fault. Over the past couple of days its taken longer and longer to get up to speed so you can cut without stalling, then on the odd occasion it doesn't run at all, sometimes it'll run straight away and more often than not its "hunting" like a car on rough idle..

An over the phone diagnosis from Evolution in Sheffield points towards the speed control board under the motor housing, which is a fiddly swap as I've just had the saw apart to check for loose connections, and at £60 +vat, its not the cheapest fix.

I can get a new saw with 3 year warranty for £250 delivered to my door, which would leave me a saw full of spares to go at, or a future project.

Decisions decisions? What would you do??

 

[AndyStobbs]

Buy a chainsaw

 

[Parm]

Chop saw to cut fire wood is a bit rich, buy a chainsaw, if not comfortable with that get a cheapie chop saw once it's knackered throw it away. My vote is always with a chain saw

 

[rikrobson]

Plus one for the chain saw.you've probably ruined the rage with damp wood. It's not really designed for cutting firewood but accurate cuts in wood and steel. Or just get another b or c grade rage. And a chainsaw. 70 quid each is what I paid for mine earlier in the year.

 

[steviec_lj]

3 chainsaws already, which make light work of the logs.

Now looking at a bandsaw, as its quieter, and I can rig it up to push a pallet through.

Chopsaw is very probably damp related. But cutting softwood of random thickness, sometimes sheets, with a chainsaw is impractical..hence a chopsaw.

 

[the snooper]

before you do anything check the carbon brushes are ok take them out make sure they are still serviceable and that they slide properly in the holders, they can become stuck due to carbon dust building up

 

[rikrobson]

why not make a jig for one of the chain saws. that.s the best tool for the job.

yuo woild have been better using a large toothed chop saw as opposed to the rage blade, i know it looks like a chainsaw setup bit thats to limit the cut into steel.

 

[steviec_lj]

A few factors dictate a chopsaw or bandsaw to be honest.

Finishing work at 6pm, the Mrs being able to use it - she won't be able to start a chainsaw, she struggles with the mower.

Brushes looked ok, but have ordered some fresh ones for £3, next is the speed board to look at..

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Like you my Missus is not happy using a chainsaw but she is perfectly happy to cut up timber with a Radial Arm Saw.
The good thing with a RAS is you can also break down 8x4 sheets on one if you rotate the head.

 

[steviec_lj]

Confused!!

Had the saw inside overnight, and had it apart too as I've no warranty to worry about.

Nothing obviously broken, damaged or missing, so put it back together.

Had a log store to start building, so dragged the saw outside as it still kind of worked, and its easier than cutting the right angles by hand.

Works perfectly. So, I dunno. Didn't miss a beat in the hour I used it. Even managed to cut some more firewood too!!

Still, SWMBO says I can get a bandsaw, so I shall be, haha winner!

 

[MCKDAVID]

good that it's working again, if it craps out again, and madame isn't happy with a chainsaw, what about a firewood bench circular saw. maybe slightly more than a chopsaw, but probably a fair bit cheaper than a decent chainsaw,