Dry cut saws, what are you using?

[crazyal]

The wife is looking to get me one for Christmas since it's been on my, will get one some day. It was going to be a new gas BBQ but since that's more of an us thing (since she eats the steak off of it too) so she asked me for an idea and this was one of the few things I came up with quickly. I'm not sure yet how much she wants to spend but I'm guessing around $400 on this present. I started looking again as my first choice (from the last time I looked) was the Milwaukee. Since they no longer make it I have to find something new. Once I get it, if it's a gift, I really can't replace it down the road with something different.

I would like something with a strong base/ clamp. I plan on changing angles often while working on projects so it would need to be able to adjust without too much work. I understand that it's not going to be like a compound miter saw where it takes a second or two but it would be nice if it was too fussy. Is a 14" vs 12" blade a big deal? Makita has a nice looking 12" saw but I don't want to find it just isn't quite big enough and wish I went with a 14" saw. I've heard a few people say the clamp on the DeWalt isn't as rugged as they would like. Even read about people making their own clamping system for it. Then there's the Evolution, is it a good brand or a Chinese special? What other brands fit into the price range? I'm not against going higher but the same thing happened with the grill, I quickly found myself looking at $2000 grills before settling on a Genesis for around $800.

Since they've been out for some time and are popular what do people have and what are the pro's and cons now that you've had some time using them?

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a 14 inch Milwaukee that has held up well over the last decade. It's all steel, no plastic anywhere. Nothing fancy, it's just a workhorse. I can't comment on any other brands since it's the first one I ever bought, and it's still working like brand new.

 

[Jeepnford]

I have a Fein Slugger 14". Great saw. Good solid base and clamp. Can't comment on the others, only one I've used.

 

[rustyshakelford]

EVOSAW38 15" Steel Cutting Chop Saw & Blade

Brett

 

[crazyal]

The 380 would be the saw I would get if I got an Evolution. The question is how good of a brand is it? I did watch a few videos and it looks like a nice design with a flat base and strong stop/ clamp.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I got a Makita 12". At the time, about 3 years ago, I looked at all the others pretty closely. The Makita and the Milwaukee had the best clamps. Have not had any problems with the Makita.

 

[yomax4]

The 380 would be the saw I would get if I got an Evolution. The question is how good of a brand is it? I did watch a few videos and it looks like a nice design with a flat base and strong stop/ clamp.

Evolution is ok, I have the compound mitre with the slide feature. ( horse traded a used plasma for it..It's a go to for quick angle cuts and 1 off part cuts. Just go slow and let the blade do the work. No leaning on it. My bandsaw does mitre cuts as well but takes time to line it up perfectly.. if money was no object I would get a Dake brand.

 

[gsganzer]

I own the 12" Makita too. I don't believe Milwaukee makes there's anymore, not sure why as all the folks that have them say they've been great.
I haven't found any short comings with the 12" blade.

 

[rgr33]

I have the Evolution 14 Inch chop saw. I am nowhere close to some of the posters here when it comes to metal working, but the evo has been a very good addition to my shop. Does the job well, and no issues so far. I have mostly used it doing equipment repairs a some hobby metal working art projects.

 

[Xfaxman]

I bought a 14" Alfra from a local welding supply store.

Was amazed by the way it cuts metal. :thumbsup:

 

[vidio1]

I have the Dewalt, this one: 14" (355mm) Multi-Cutter Saw - DW872 | DEWALT

I'll have to agree the "vise" sucks. The problem is the stationary side.

It's held by a generic cam lock type arrangement and moves if the saw kicks.

I've drilled holes in the base at 90 and 45 degrees so I can pin it there, but it still can move at others.

 

[tomplum]

This is one tool that I cheaped out on when I bought it in 2014. I got the Northern one for 239$ The first one I got they sent me a new one as it wasn't cutting anywhere near true. The replacement wasn't too bad but has become out of square (perpendicularly) and there is no adjustment. Now, it cuts perfect when I'm just relying on a 2" square tube on the bench and the edge of the saw. Short pieces that rely on bed, not so much. It is aluminum based. It has cut a lot of 1/2", 1" and even 1 1/2" steel bar over the years and is still cutting strong though. 12" is just too small in my world and if there was a compound cutter that was a 500$ bill I'd buy it in a heart beat. I picked up an Evolution blade at Airgas and they had the better one at $375. The wheels in my head were going, new 100$ blade or give an extra 275 and get one with a better base. I didn't see where that one was able to be trued any better than what I had, so I bought a blade. Thought making a new base that could be fine tuned , make something up to cut angles for gussets would be doable.

 

[medic0648]

I had an evolution for about 1.5 weeks, and now have the northern tool 14" saw. The evolution started off never stopping when plugged in. They sent me 2 replacement switches and it never ran after that. They finally took it back and refused to replace it. I got the northern tool saw and just use a square or angle gauge to set my angle and ensure it is right. Always works great when I get time to use it.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I really like my Steelmax 14". All cast iron base. Very sold clamp.
I would not want a smaller blade as the capacity would be way too small for me.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I bought my dry cut saw at Princess Auto. I had no clue as to what I was buying. I needed a saw as my 12" Makita abrasive saw was eating up brushes quite regular. I bought a 14" saw for $149 CAD. I didn't realize it at the time but that was an awesome price.

I took the clamp off of my Makita and only use it for hand held cuts. Sometimes you just need to cut something that you can't do in a clamp.

 

[tomplum]

"I took the clamp off of my Makita and only use it for hand held cuts. Sometimes you just need to cut something that you can't do in a clamp." True, but a word to the wise is to make a jig to hold it as that is what breaks the carbide teeth off these blades.

 

[pmsmechanic]

"True, but a word to the wise is to make a jig to hold it as that is what breaks the carbide teeth off these blades."

You must have missed that my Makita is an abrasive saw. Most times when I have cut hand held with my dry cut saw it has been a disaster.

 

[tomplum]

That I did my friend. Carry on.