Evolution Steel Saw..

[Steveguy]

I have used a Morse Metal Devil saw blade in a regular skilsaw with pretty good results. I cut up alot of 1/8" plate for a trailer I built. I also made quite a few cuts through 4" channel iron for the trailer frame. The channel cut well, just try to avoid pinching the blade. The plate steel cut like plywood until the blade got worn, then you had to push harder, but it would still cut.

I also have used a metal cutting blade from Harbor Freight with similar results. It didn't last as long, but only cost $20 instead of $40 or $50. I think the purpose built saws like the Evolution are better bexause they turn slower RPMs to better avoid overheating the blades.
+1 on the hot chips, and noise....PROTECT YOURSELF!!

 

[swines]

Evolution makes a very good product and they have a factory in Davenport, Iowa. I use the Milwaukee 6370 metal cutting circular saw and the Milwaukee 6190 dry cut saw (chop saw) as I get good prices on the Milwaukee tools from a local dealer.

The metal cutting circular saw will work up to 1/4-inch thick steel on long cuts, after that you'll have to slow down the cut speed and stop intermittently to let the saw cool down. The max cut lengths for each thickness before the saw needs to cool should be in the manual. On 1/4-inch steel the cut speed is about the same as you'd get with a circular wood saw in something like 3/4-inch oak.

I've used the chop saw for three years with the same blade. The trick to either saw is to make sure the saw is "ON" and up to speed before you engage the metal. Also, on any piece where you're going to engage an edge first, you want to do that slowly until the blade is fully into the metal - if you don't that's how you chip or break teeth on the blade.

Blades can be resharpened by most sharpening shops. I've had the one on my chop saw sharpened 2x and it's probably good for another 2x before it needs to be replaced.

Neither saw is a replacement for a bandsaw - they are for different purposes. If you want to whack off a piece of steel from a larger steel plate, the circular saw is the best way to do it. For example, I just cut a 6-inch wide piece 24-inches long from a 24x36-inch piece of 1/4-inch steel plate - that would be difficult on a bandsaw unless you have room for something like a large Metal Mizer.

 

[swines]

My neighbor and I was talking about this saw a while back when first seeing it advertised on TV, He was supposed to had got one, I need to check back with him and see if he ever did? He is a welder by trade and uses a power hand held Band saw and was a bit skeptical of this new style circular saw and could not figure out how 2 blades running opposite of each other cut take a bite into something, I Have used a circular saw for over 30 years and when a blade gets dull from just cutting wood ya might as well throw it away and go for another, let along cutting through steel I find it hard to believe to be able to cut like the ad shows, to cut through metal the blade needs to have as fine of teeth can get, although Lately I was surprised while installing some Ipe decking wood, that I was told to use a 16 tooth carbide blade for best cutting, and sure enough it cut very smoothly with minimal splintering Old dogs can learn new tricks

The Evolution saw does not use two rotating blades - it is NOT like the one you've seen advertised on television. The Evolution circular saw uses a single ceramic / tungsten / carbide toothed metal cutting blade. They have been around for years.

The saw you've seen on television has 4-inch diameter blades and is made for cutting metal 3/16-inch and less in thickness. The Evolution circular saw will cut up to 1-inch metal, and depending upon the model, will have either a 7-inch diameter blade or 9-inch diameter blade. Milwaukee tools makes the same type of saw (model 6370) with an 8-inch blade.

You don't "throw the blades away" on these saws anymore than you throw away a carbide blade on a wood saw. Unless the blade is bent, you have them resharpened, and if a tooth is chipped or broken you have a new tooth put on as part of the blade sharpening.

 

[TRUKFXR]

I have the Evolution saw. It works really well. I have cut 1/2 '' steel plate with it without any trouble. Doesn't make any sparks. Nice clean cuts. NO excessive heat.
It cuts clean and steady. It didn't make much more noise than a wood cutting table saw. The blades cost about $40.00 each. I am not sure how long they last, but mine
is still ok after cutting about 10' of 3/8'' and 5' of 1/2'' steel. Clean up is easy. The Evolution has a chip catcher built into the saw.

 

[jd2305cd]

Gald to see some good feed back on the evolution.. I think its a nice / quick alternative to a small bandsaw. Granted it wont be able to do large peices like a 12.5x8 band saw, but will be able to do everything a 8x4 bandsaw can..

I am not out in the shop cutting steel all day, probably 30-60 cuts a year.. So its priced right to get my attention..

How are the cuts, got any pictures of cut or the saw..

Thanks
--Craig

 

[TRUKFXR]

The cuts are very clean. Real nice. You will not need a grinder afterwards to clean up the cuts.

 

[alltoys]

What is the price of the Evolution Skilsaw type?

 

[jd2305cd]

EVOLUTION FURY 7 1/4 " MULTIPURPOSE SAW W / BLADE - eBay (item 390147159922 end time Feb-22-10 08:55:52 PST)

Looks like you can pick up an older model for 100 bucks. The new 14" chop saw with two blades is 400..

 

[TRUKFXR]

Honestly, can not remember what I paid. I have the Evolution model 180 7'' saw. Whatever the price was it was worth it. It cuts well and saves a lot of time not having to clean up all the slag from a torch cut. Cuts 1/4'' steel almost as fast as a skilsaw on
3/4'' plywood.

 

[swines]

How are the cuts, got any pictures of cut or the saw..

Thanks
--Craig

The cut edge is totally smooth - you've essentially "milled" the edge with a carbide cutting tool as part of the cutting process. There is no swarf like you get with a plasma cutter.