Evo 180 circular saw, any good?

[Tiggy_dorset]

I am looking for a circular saw for cutting mainly 3mm mild steel sheet. It would be nice to have a saw that is capable of more if needed. Has anyone used this specific model of the Evolution range?

http://www.weldingandwelder.com/evo...uct_search&utm_source=googleproductsearchusen

Cheers

 

[wyn]

I've used an older type evolution on 6mm sheet and it seemed to work well.

Once all the blade was in the sheet it cut a pretty good straight line.

 

[scotty41]

I have the 230mm one, gives off hot bits like the little rage saws. wouldn't dare to try it without goggles
http://www.parkinsgroup.co.uk/prod/2762/circular-saws/evolution-evo230-hdx-circular-saw
I cut a 40ft shipping container in half with it to make one 30ft and one 10ft container, the 30mm ply on the container floor was sticking to the blade but it went through and cut the main chassis of it about 50mm through. It cut the roof and the 2 sides too, i then cut a 2500x1250x4mm sheet into 120mm strips and the blade was done. it may have gone longer but i touched the concrete floor with the blade and it instantly dulled it, but it dulling slightly before that.

 

[skotl]

Maybe off topic, but I have one of these; http://www.screwfix.com/p/evolution-rage-1b-185mm-multipurpose-circular-saw-230v/84664

Would you trust it to cut box section steel?

 

[Bristolbulldog]

That's the same blade as on my 215mm mitre. Great through metal I'm using mine to build a metal framed shed (of box section).

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

What is so special about it's 'metal cutting technology'? What would be the difference between using the Evo180 saw and a £50 saw with same wattage motor blade?

 

[Jan]

Motor power isn't the whole story. You have to take into account the final drive gearing along with the stall wattage. Any electrically powered machine will drag far more current when stalled than when running and can burn out or even burst into flames under such conditions!

 

[scotty41]

When i stall mine it pops a little breaker out near the handle. personally i dont like any of them but they are handy for certain tasks. Choice of saw for me would be another machinemart band saw, i have a 20 year old one with and ally frame that can still cut true, its been smashed and repaired a few time too, beats the new cast iron frame ones.

 

[Bristolbulldog]

The evos tend to run at about half the speed with a different design of disc. You have to use a conventional cutting disc in a higher rpm unit otherwise.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

The evos tend to run at about half the speed with a different design of disc. You have to use a conventional cutting disc in a higher rpm unit otherwise.

Does that mean the evo machines require evo dedicated discs?

 

[hotrodder]

No, just metal cutting blades of the correct spec (dia/rpm/centre bore etc), various different manufacturers all make similar machines and blades. Saws designed to cut wood run much higher rpm as said, put a metal cutting blade on one and (assuming it doesn't explode!) it'll end up toothless in short order if used on steel.

This is one of the reasons why a 14" table/mitre saw for wood (3000 + rpm) has a 30mm blade arbor while a 14" TCT metal cutting chop saw (around 1400rpm) has a 1" arbor. IIRC a 180mm metal cutting blade has a 20mm bore while a trim saw for wood keeps the same 30mm.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Thats great. Thanks for all the input guys. I think I will shell out for the Evo 180. I know the evolutions tend to get good reviews on here, it will likely be worth the cash spent on it.