Question about an evolution rage saw

[Flapdisk]

I just bought one of these for cutting metal, it came today and the instructions are rubbish as it's a standard booklet generally applicable to a general range of tools, the bit specifically on the saw is very brief.
Anyway have any of you got one of these? my question is, is the on/off switch supposed to latch on?
Mine won't I have to hold it on

 

[garethp]

Wouldn't have thought so, a latching switch on a chop saw sounds like a recipe for chopping fingers or hands off!

 

[Flapdisk]

No this one isn't the chop saw, it's the 125mm hand held one, so I would have liked to have both hands free to hold it

 

[garethp]

Ah, gotcha

It's probably a health and safety thing, I see to remember having an angle grinder and a jigsaw years ago with a latching switch but I think everything I've used since hasn't. I could be wrong though

 

[Robotstar5]

They usually have the switch mounted so your finger can naturally operate it while holding the handle, a latching switch would be a safety hazard on a saw.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I have a hand held circular saw with a latching switch, but its quite old. Think its a green Bosch, had it years. Don't like the switch would much prefer it to be non latching

 

[sardine]

I use one regularly, you definitely do not want it to latch on, nor is there any need.

By the way, don't force the cut, just let it chew at its own pace, guiding it, or you will start loosing carbide tips.

 

[Flapdisk]

Ah Thanks Sardine, I agree with everything the guys above said but I wanted to hear it from someone who had one or who uses one. Much obliged.

By the way if any of you read my thread about my angle grinder with the faulty switch, I managed to dismantle it and repair it in the end, well I slid the rear cover off this hand held saw yesterday to see if there was something obvious preventing the switch from latching, there wasn't, but I did find that the rear internals and the switch is identical to that grinder, so probably made by the same Chinese factory, but at least I now know I can order a spare switch unit for the saw and it will fit the grinder

 

[Jan]

I recently bought the twin bladed Rage saw ('B' grade that looks brand new & unused) from a Sheffield tool supplier via eBay. Although it goes through thin metal - allegedly up to 6mm - and thick wood like a hot knife through butter the lack of a foot plate or cutting guide makes it difficult to maintain a straight line throughout the cut. As pointed out; the switch doesn't latch and the recessed safety button is almost impossible to press in fully if wearing thick work gloves. For more accurate cuts on very thin metal or trimming wood to a precise width I've since added an Aldi wood/metal circular saw (still no latch on the switch) which was marked down from £30 to £20 to clear them from the shelves. Having a foot plate and variable side guide I can cut half way through a length of wood, turn it over, and cut the rest of the way with no 'step' in the cut to contend with.

 

[Flapdisk]

Thanks Jan, I saw an add for one of them "B" grade ones at a very reduced price, but they only had the 110 volt. You're right with what you say about these switches, some of the switches on various power tools are just ridiculous, how the hell do they expect you to operate them with gloves on?
I cut through a 4mm bar yesterday as a test and was amazed, as you say, like a knife through butter. It will take some practice to keep a nice straight cut with the hand held one, Meanwhile cut a bit clear of the line and get out the flapdisk

 

[sardine]

I got mine for £15 from a car boot, its branded "Carlton" and built like a brick out house compared to an evolution saw, I did 2 metres of 6mm with it, but that's its limit. Its my favorite tool, I might marry it ?

 

[Jan]

I've just checked and they've sold out on the 'B' grade stock of £25 125mm twin blade 230volt saws, but they've still got some 185mm single blade ones for £50 in both 110volt and 230volt variations.

 

[Flapdisk]

Thanks Jan, I have just paid £58 for this one so I am ok for the moment