Evo Saw Noisey or not?

[SpiderDave]

I'm cold saw shopping. I like the Evolution EVOSAW380 from what I've read so far. But I can't really find anything definite on the noise level. Over all it seems like it may be loud. But how loud and compared to what? Louder than a 7" angle grinder etc? What threw me off is some actually say it's fairly quiet considering, but they don't elaborate and no one disagreed - to his own. There's probably already a thread on here,.. but if there is I missed it when looking around first.

Is yours as loud as an abrasive chop saw? Is the motor noisy like some saws, or is it mostly when the blade hits the material? What's the noise ratio there? I have neighbors, so I'm a little concerned. A bandsaw's better for noise, but not in the budget right now. I was hoping to hear from anyone who's used them or has one?

Thanks for reading and have a good one!

 

[Jlarson]

Yeah they're fairly loud, you're running a carbide tipped blade on metal. Wear your earpro.

 

[GeoBruin]

It's loud. And it's not just the decibles but the particular pitch as well. I definitely use cans with my evo.

I can't really compare to an abrasive saw and from memory, it's hard to remember how much of the noise is from the saw itself and how much I'd from the cutting.

 

[dutchgray]

Its loud, like a big angel grinder but the cutting is also loud, metal on metal, quite a lot of ringing noise from the carbide blade.
Comparable to an abrasive chop saw.

 

[Terra Nova]

I have one but have never tried it without earpro so can't speak to pain level but it's as loud as an angle grinder if not a bit louder. As mentioned it's a ringing / high pitched noise.

As for neighbors, I have them too. I try to cut out in the driveway to keep the chips out of the garage so it's louder for them. Just be courteous on the hours of use and how often you make cuts. I'll take a break after a couple of cuts, or get everything lined up and do as much cutting as quickly as possible.

 

[tarbellb]

LOUD

and like others mentioned in has a certain frequency that will make your ears wiggle.

If noise is a real concern, a band saw is not only a more versatile machine, but much quieter.

Have you looked at the tabletop bandsaws like Femi HEM or the knock-offs like Grizzly GO885 and similar?

Grizzly G0885 - 5" Portable Horizontal Metal-Cutting Bandsaw - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

<h1>G0885 5" Portable Metal-Cutting Bandsaw</h1> <h2>A metal cutting bandsaw perfect for use on your benchtop or at the job site.</h2> <p>The G0885 5" Portable Metal Cutting Bandsaw has 4-3/4" round and 5" x 4-3/4" rectangular cutting capacities.</p> <p>The powerful 1/2 HP motor makes short work...

www.grizzly.com

not much more $

 

[BukitCase]

Def agree the 380 is noisy, when I get a chance I'll take one of my sound level meters down to the shop and measure it;

Besides ear plugs AND muffs, one of the best "accessories" you could get for your 380 is

30 In. Magnetic Sweeper with Wheels

Amazing deals on this 30In Magnetic Sweeper With Wheels at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

and

Long Reach Magnetic Pickup Tool with Quick Release

Amazing deals on this Long Reach Magnetic Pickup Tool W/ Release at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Both are also really useful if you have a mag drill.

I also have two of the HF 4x6 bandsaws and the 8x12 Jet, STILL looking lustily at the Grizz G9742 -

Grizzly G9742 - 5" x 6" 1/2 HP Metal-Cutting Bandsaw w/ Swivel Head - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

<h1>G9742 5" x 6" 1/2 HP Metal-Cutting Bandsaw with Swivel Head</h1> <h2>One of the best metal cutting saws on the market for the small or large shop.</h2> <p>The Grizzly G9742 5" x 6" 1/2 HP Metal Cutting Bandsaw features a 5" round and 5" x 6" rectangular stock capacity.</p> <p>What really...

www.grizzly.com

The price keeps putting me off, but it'd sure be nice to have the angle flexibility in a saw that shares blade sizes with 2 others of mine... Steve

 

[WilsonLR]

I am put off by the sound level. Mathias Wendel mentioned it in his review of the saw.

I kinda thought the cheap induction direct drive motors are noisy in and of themselves and when you add metal on metal, it's even louder. Aren't the low end band saw noisy as well?

 

[BukitCase]

"Aren't the low end band saw noisy as well?"

Nope, but the newer ones (at least from HF) are a POS - blade guides are "pot metal", aka cast aluminum - I have one, could NOT get it to stay true. (tighten adjustments enough to stay put and it'll likely strip the threads) - I ended up buying a couple "scrap" older saws off CL just for parts. Still haven't got back to THAT project yet...

In contrast, the one I bought 40 years ago (at the time, HF had exactly ONE store. Mail order from Camarillo Ca.) - That one has cast iron blade guides (where the bearings ride) - still cuts DEAD ON, still haven't changed the guide bearings. Also still the original motor. Came from Taiwan, NOT that evil "other" place.

Noise is a low hum when NOT cutting, maybe a couple dB louder under load. Nowhere NEAR loud enough to need any ear protection.

Maybe during this wet weather I might get time to check actual noise levels on both saws - might even be able to find one of my REAL sound level meters .. Steve

BTW, cutting methods are like any other tool; there's no such thing as an "ALL TRICKS PONY", each has its pro's and con's...

 

[WilsonLR]

This guy did an 8 part series on mods he did for the current HF. I noted that it's a belt drive so I expect it's quieter than the small direct drive ones. Ironically, this HF saw is less expensive, cuts automatically and shuts off when done.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1-GJ2ZCl5C5Vn0rYTA27O8q6h8mFuTVj

This is a through review of the HF. Wish I had the space.

 

[BukitCase]

That's the POS I was complaining about, I'm gonna hafta see how his experiences compare to mine - like a dumb-*** I built an entire "off-road" chassis for mine BEFORE finding out it sucked... Steve

 

[Sumboodie]

LOUD

and like others mentioned in has a certain frequency that will make your ears wiggle.

If noise is a real concern, a band saw is not only a more versatile machine, but much quieter.

Have you looked at the tabletop bandsaws like Femi HEM or the knock-offs like Grizzly GO885 and similar?

Grizzly G0885 - 5" Portable Horizontal Metal-Cutting Bandsaw - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

<h1>G0885 5" Portable Metal-Cutting Bandsaw</h1> <h2>A metal cutting bandsaw perfect for use on your benchtop or at the job site.</h2> <p>The G0885 5" Portable Metal Cutting Bandsaw has 4-3/4" round and 5" x 4-3/4" rectangular cutting capacities.</p> <p>The powerful 1/2 HP motor makes short work...

www.grizzly.com

not much more $

Almost 2x the cost.

 

[Sumboodie]

That's a dry cut saw, and they are all loud. I have 4 of them. 2 Evolutions, a Milwaukee and I forgot the other brand.

 

[tarbellb]

Almost 2x the cost.

The price on those mini bandsaws have jumped over the last few years.

The Evo380 is a good saw at a decent price <$400 last I checked. Think I got my first Evo380 for $275 tenish years ago.

Here is the Klutch tabletop bandsaw, about the cheapest on the market. I have one, got it for <$200 iirc. Now its closer to Evo money.
Its fine for simple task, and like I mentioned, cuts more materials and quieter.

Klutch Benchtop Metal Cutting Band Saw 5in. x 4 7/8in., 400 Watts, 110120V | Northern Tool

This Klutch® Benchtop Metal Cutting Band Saw is a compact yet powerful band saw that's easy to move right where you need it. Featu...

www.northerntool.com

 

[dnschmidt]

The drycut saw is the bomb. If your going Evolution you MUST go for the 15 incher. The reason is the vise. The cheaper one has a stamped steel vise that ***** whereas the better one has a cast vise which is much superior. With these types of saws the vise is everything. I have the very first one that was ever available the Porter-Cable 1410. Love it. BUT, IT'S LOUD AND THEY ARE ALL LOUD. I wear Peltar (Now 3M) earmuffs and that works out well. I don't really think that the decibel level is that high but the frequency is annoying so earmuffs are a must.

 

[WilsonLR]

If your going Evolution you MUST go for the 15 incher. The reason is the vise. The cheaper one has a stamped steel vise that ***** whereas the better one has a cast vise which is much superior.

Isn't the 7 1/4" Evolution a cast vise?

 

[dnschmidt]

Could be. When I think of a drycut saw it's normally 14" or the 15" Evolution which is the only 15" saw I've ever seen. Fein, M. K. Morse, Dewalt (which for this particular type of tool is ****) and all of the others are 14". Didn't know Evolution made small ones. I do have a sawblade.com Q700 small drycut saw which works surprisingly well but I thought that was exclusive to sawblade.com. One of the mysteries of life is that Milwaukee made a drycut saw which they discontinued for reasons I've been unable to pry an answer out of from my Milwaukee contacts. It's a nice tool no one seems to know why they stopped making them.

 

[WilsonLR]

Could be .... Didn't know Evolution made small ones. I do have a sawblade.com Q700 small drycut saw which works surprisingly well but I thought that was exclusive to sawblade.com. ...

Well that looks interesting. In my searching, the Q700 never showed up. I like the company although some of their videos are hokey and I'm not finding anyone else with review videos other than Stumpynubs. The 7" blade seems like an odd size. Not seeing any at the big box stores. Maybe you are right, the 7" is a sawblade.com exclusive.

 

[tarbellb]

Cut capacity is already limited on a 15" blade, why in the world would anyone want a 7.25"?

 

[WilsonLR]

To match what I use now of course (circular saw with a grinder blade). I have to admit, the blue and orange Evolution colors are a turn off and don't match my shop decor. LOL

 

[haveissues]

I had an abrasive chop saw, gave it to my brother. Made waaaaay to much noise and mess. Had the small harbor freight bandsaw for a couple of years. Worked ok but liked to throw the blade and was slow. Sold it and bought the larger bandsaw and now I'm happy. It has long blade life (I don't use the hf blades), especially with coolant turned on, it is quick, quiet, and I can have it cut while I am doing something else-usually prepping what I just cut. It shuts itself off when the cut is done. I think a decent horizontal bandsaw is one of the most useful tools in my shop.

I'm guessing if you use the evo saw with any frequency the savings vs a bandsaw will be chewed up buying expensive blades.