which cutoff saw?

[nissan_crawler]

I killed my chopsaw. I'm trying to decide which one to get.

So far, I'm thinking of:

Bosch 3814 $227

http://mdm.boschwebservices.com/MDMCache/t06/0000001/r01098v6.jpg

http://store.all-cordless.com/bo14chsawmo3.html


Metabo CS23-355 $199

http://www.cpometabo.com/images/product/metabo/large/602335420.jpg

http://www.cpometabo.com/products/602335420.html?ref=froogle602335420

Evolution steel 2 $279

http://s.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00961252000?hei=248&wid=248&op_sharpen=1&qlt=90,0&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00961252000P?vName=Tools&cName=BenchPowerTools&sName=Tile%20&%20Cut%20Off%20Saws&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a#desc

Milwaukee/B&D/Dewalt/HF need not apply.

Thoughts, comments, suggestions, other options? The evolution is nice, but it's another $80, and I have 13 chopsaw blades sitting here to use still... the evolution blades are also $110. I'm disliking the bosch handle by looking at it.

I'm leaning towards metabo...

[alex71]

Get the dry-cut saw, you won't regret it. Better yet, get a horizontal bandsaw.

[nissan_crawler]

no room for a bandsaw, wish I did.

[Monte]

I had a Dewalt unit similar to these chop saws and the cutting wheel wandered always so 90 degree or 45 degree cuts were impossible (not angular). I would be on the lookout for a cold saw , maybe vinko here want to sell his one :)

[bchee]

I don't really have any idea, but the Metabo handle seems to make much more ergonomic sense. Also the Evolution has an 18amp/1450 rpm motor, vs. 15 amp/4000rpm for the other 2.

edit: nvm weights are the same

[Crawlin]

I have a Milwaukee and its been great. But between those three, I would go with the Metabo.

[IDASHO]

Any of them will serve you fine. Besides the handles, they all look very similar, and there really isnt any secret to metal chop saws. Big motors, large discs, and a table with a built in clamp. I do agree on disliking the handle on the Bosch though. The handle on my Makita is similar to the Metabo, but is rotated 90 degrees, and is pushed more to the top of the motor, and doubles as a carry-handle.

Im really not too particular about the abrasive chop saws, but they do serve a purpose... and as much as I like to hate my old Makita metal chop saw....

It has performed, without complaining for a VERY long time. You just have to feed it abrasive cut-off wheels..... and it is hungry, as are all abrasive metal chop saws. :spit:

And until I feel the need to drop real money on a band saw, Ill continue to buy abrasive wheels..

[35mastr]

I have a Makita with a carbide blade.No sparks,or heat transfer to the metal.Dewalt also makes a nice carbide one also.After you have used one of these you will never go back to abrasive ones.

Makita LC1230
Dewalt DW872
Metal is cool to the touch.

[alex71]

x2 on that... the dewalts can be had cheap on craigslist. I've seen them go for $100 before. Having said that, I wasn't crazy about the one I had for a few years. The base is stamped steel and flexes. The base on the Evo you selected looks much better--similar to the milwaukee. why don't you like that one?

And do you really not have room for a bandsaw? a small one like the one at HF? They're pretty small, and you can wheel it out of the way when not in use. I picked up an Enco on CL for $100, basically the same machine. Never used the DW872 again after that.

[nissan_crawler]

Dewalt isn't an option
Makita would be, but 12" blade kills that.

I do like the evo, don't like the blade cost, plus it's another $80 for the saw. I would also have to do something about the 13 or so chopsaw blades I have now.

[nissan_crawler]

And do you really not have room for a bandsaw? a small one like the one at HF? They're pretty small, and you can wheel it out of the way when not in use. I picked up an Enco on CL for $100, basically the same machine. Never used the DW872 again after that.

No way there is room. I have a 19x23 garage with a 16' 2.5' deep workbench, air compressor, welder, plasma cutter, torch, large floor cabinet, drill press, sink, table saw, 3x6' laundry closet, wall heater, 56" and 36" toolboxes, 6' pallet racking, garden tractor, long frame floor jack....

As it is now, I can barely get my pickup in.

I really like the evo, but blade cost scares me.

[speed bump]

I got to use a dry-cutoff saw today and man if I was going to be doing very much cutting or more than just steel I would be all over one in a heartbeat. Theres very little heat into what you are cutting, its a whole lot faster, you don't have sparks everywhere and you can cut non-ferrous metals.

I got to use one in a high school welding lab and talking to the instructor she said they almost never use there chop saws other than to show the kids what one is after they got a dry saw.

[35mastr]

The carbide one also dont throw all that abrasive dust through out the shop and into your lungs.

It all falls right there in chips like saw dust does.

[kartracer55]

How do the carbide saws handle really thin walled tubing?

[sk farmer]

as long as you stay away from some really cheap import i don,t think it really matters. close your eyes, pick the most comfortable handle for you. who cares what colr or brand it is. it won't be long and it will be covered in metal dust anyway. pesonally i like a horizontal d handle.

[tatra]

never used a dry cut saw............are they quieter or louder than abrasive?............

[speed bump]

never used a dry cut saw............are they quieter or louder than abrasive?............

The one I used was quieter than a Chop saw.

[Jared]

never used a dry cut saw............are they quieter or louder than abrasive?............

i havent used one, but im told there allot quiter.

[ProGun3400]

I agree. Sell your abrasive blades to recoup some cost?

I have a Makita with a carbide blade.No sparks,or heat transfer to the metal.Dewalt also makes a nice carbide one also.After you have used one of these you will never go back to abrasive ones.

Makita LC1230
Dewalt DW872
Metal is cool to the touch.

[Mr_fixit]

I have both dry cut and abrasive chop saws. And I still need both. A dry cut saw is great for mild steel. Since I got that , I use that saw 10 times more than the abrasive chop saw.

An abrasive chop saw is OK for anything hardened, or harder than mild steel. It makes a terrible noise & mess with sparks flying everywhere. The blades wear down and give you less and less capacity for cutting through stuff with every cut. But the blades are cheap.

The dry cut is quieter, more expensive and produces much less sparks, ( the mess is bigger "chips" of steel.) The blades can be bought for Aluminum or mild steel or stainless, and are about 6 to ten times the cost of abrasive blades, if you find a good deal. The smoothness of the cut is phenomenal compared to the abrasive. That means one or two strokes of a hand file can remove the burr when you use a dry cut. With the abrasive saw, you need a grinding wheel or a couple minutes with a hand file to remove the burr.

I do use mine for some hardened materials, like bed frames, knowing that I'm shortening the blades life. When you use the dry cut, you push far easier to cut, of you'll kill the blade early, too.

The BIG drawback of dry cut is that the blades don't like think materials , like 1/2" of thicker and they don't live long with hardened materials. I use mine to cut everything from 3/4" emt to 3" schedule 40, angle Irom ,box, etc.

So If I could only have one, that's easy, it would be the dry cut. I have the MIlwaukee. And these saws are coming down in price, too.

[riley.m]

i use a dewalt,metabo,and a cheap red no name.They all perform about the same.Neither of them make a square cut anymore.

[Jared]

A saw shop should be able to sharpen dry cut blades for allot less than the 80 dollars for a new blade.

[Senorpablo]

never used a dry cut saw............are they quieter or louder than abrasive?............

Too freeking loud. You'd better have some good hearing protection and cool/far away neighbors.

The pedestal mounted professional versions are geared down in a serious way and are very quiet. These saws are $1k+.

The ~$300 carbide dry cut chop saws are easily 2-3x louder than an abrasive chop saw. They make an awful shrill sound reminiscent of self-destructing/dieing machinery too.

[Rory Bellows]

I have a Ridgid chop saw. It is very nice with a very sturdy base and quick lock miter feature. I hardly ever use since I got my HF 4x6 bandsaw. You should buy a cheapo chop saw and a bandsaw. Make the room you will not regret it.

[sprint7]

I work for a place that sells the EVO saw and we have two in our shop. They are good saws. No matter what brand you get the dry cut is hands down better than the abrasive saw. If you only had one saw that would be the best $80 you ever spent.

[Jared]

Too freeking loud. You'd better have some good hearing protection and cool/far away neighbors.

The pedestal mounted professional versions are geared down in a serious way and are very quiet. These saws are $1k+.

The ~$300 carbide dry cut chop saws are easily 2-3x louder than an abrasive chop saw. They make an awful shrill sound reminiscent of self-destructing/dieing machinery too.

I guess i was wrong about the noise, not the first time i was wrong and wont be the last.

[nissan_crawler]

I think I'll get the evo saw from sears when I get the $$$.