Evolution rage. Who's got them??

[BPJOOP93]

Looking at getting one for cutting metal and pretty much everything. Do they work as good as the vidioes show? Lookin at the rage 3. Was going to buy a harbor freight bandsaw but after watching videos for a few more books this looks really good. I would love to have some feedback if you guys have them

 

[BPJOOP93]

Bump for anyone

 

[GTA Matt]

I have the rage 3, zero complaints. I've done a handful of wood and metal projects with it and it has performed perfectly.

 

[Al Borland]

Saw the title, figured it had something to do with an upset creationist...

 

[Bobf]

I bought one back when Menards had them on sale, think its a 2 model. Haven't really used it a lot, I have other choices. I did cut a small amount of 2X6 .250 wall with it and it did fine. Lots a noise if I recall but no dust everywhere as with the Makita abrasive chop saw.

 

[ovrrdrive]

I have a rage 2 and love it. It works great for light steel but moans when I try to cut something heavy with it. Just when I start to think the blade is already dull it will start cutting like a raped ape. I cut some C4 channel with it though and had to fight it to get through. Gauge steel cuts like butter. I'm going to order one of the better evo blades for it and see if it helps. Mine is basically for cutting metal exclusively anyway. My favorite part is the almost perfect square cuts I get every time...

 

[BD1]

Mine was the Rage 2. Got it New on clearance for $100.00. I had to shim it to cut square. Didn't like it at all. If money isn't a issue I would go for the Milwaukee .

 

[txvwnut]

Got a Rage2 and a steelsaw, love both of them. Though it's not actually a burr free cut but it is pretty damn clean and the fact that what you cut you can grab bare handed is worth it in my book.

 

[dogdog]

Looking at getting one for cutting metal and pretty much everything. Do they work as good as the vidioes show? Lookin at the rage 3. Was going to buy a harbor freight bandsaw but after watching videos for a few more books this looks really good. I would love to have some feedback if you guys have them

got the rage 2 14" chop saw (the orange ones).... Cuts clean when blade is new. almost a machined edge. It's ok but expensive per cut very expensive especially if you are a little careless and rush the plunge too fast too hard... the carbide on their blade are very brittle chips easily. The angle adjustment is horrible for an expensive saw. the clamp is a little acient design... don't even have a speed clamp.... you have to turn the handle lots of time to close or open different size items. motor is a bit loud ....


if you decide to get a metal one... think their blue line used to be called raptor now is evosaw380 or something... when I spoke to them whats the differences.... it's the motor is more heavy duty...

their blades are interchangeable.... I got the stainless blade $120 --> disappointing and their general purpose.... not bad for steel...

 

[dogdog]

you still have to adjust and re-adjust after some use to get square 90deg cuts..... otherwise it will drift off especially on thicker cuts like more than 1/2 thick stuff.

 

[May Pop]

Compaired to the alternatives like portaband, chop saw or torch mine makes clean true cuts that are ready to weld.

 

[BPJOOP93]

Thanks guys. Gonna stop tonight and really look one over.

 

[tarbellb]

Repost from a similar thread:
I have owned or used pretty extensively in order: Dewalt, Milwaukee, Evolution, and Hitachi.

The Dewalt fit n finish is good, but has a fragile fence/overall build.

The Milwaukee seemed HD but the fence vise broke immediately.

The Evolution is almost part for part the same as the Jepson/CSUnitec (and probably the Jancy) but much less $.
It is also my favorite saw for the money, cuts great, has good features, chip collection was ok.

My current Hitachi is very nice, robust fence, accurate, cleaner castings etc... but has bad chip collection.

I use mine for high accuracy (1/32") miter and 90* cuts. I have gone through 8+ blades, which = 2500-4000 cuts.

IMO the Evo offers the best bang for the buck. The Hitachi (and likely Makita) offer the best final finish product. The Dewalt is OK but the stamped fence is seriously under built, the Milwaukee seemed nice except the gimmicky "quick" fence lock that broke, its also no longer made. The Northern unit seemed very basic and a good deal.

I would NOT look at the smaller "multi" cut Evolution saws, they arent built as robust.

Keep in mind blades are by far the biggest cost. But can be resharpened a few times ~$20/ea.

 

[zkling]

Give an example of what you plan on cutting on a routine basis. The rage 3 is quite a bit different than the Rage 2 that most are familiar with. The rage 3 is essentially just a slower speed SCMS. I used one at a small tool demo show. For the occasional user cutting thinner metal I think you will be happy. A steady diet of steel tubing, especially thicker stock and I have a feeling it will show it's limitations.

 

[turtl631]

This is a topic where people seem to have very mixed opinions. Some of the internet reviews I found through the Rage 2 saw mention a big drop off in quality in the last year or so, it sounds like the construction has changed. Milwaukee saw has been discontinued, but there is definitely a vocal percentage of people who really hate that thing. Northern tools has at least a different named model now, under the Ironton brand, I'm a little hesitant to drop $300 on a totally generic unit. I personally just ordered a Milwaukee bandsaw and a Swag table for it, and we'll see how that works out for light home garage fabrication and use, mostly race car stuff.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I had a Rage 3 - thoroughly enjoyed the capability. Weak point of it was the clamping system. That had to be worked around/modified and jigs are necessary to cut various types of metal stock. I used the Evolution blades and bought several when they were on sale super cheap so I'm set.

Unfortunately my saw got stolen from my storage unit but I'll be replacing it, with another Rage 3.

 

[bcradio]

Compaired to the alternatives like portaband, chop saw or torch mine makes clean true cuts that are ready to weld.

Your portaband doesn't leave a clean edge? May be time for a new blade or new saw altogether.

My portaband leaves an amazingly clean edge without all the huge chips.

This is a topic where people seem to have very mixed opinions. Some of the internet reviews I found through the Rage 2 saw mention a big drop off in quality in the last year or so, it sounds like the construction has changed. Milwaukee saw has been discontinued, but there is definitely a vocal percentage of people who really hate that thing. Northern tools has at least a different named model now, under the Ironton brand, I'm a little hesitant to drop $300 on a totally generic unit. I personally just ordered a Milwaukee bandsaw and a Swag table for it, and we'll see how that works out for light home garage fabrication and use, mostly race car stuff.

I personally think this is a great route to go. You will love the portaband.

 

[May Pop]

The Rage makes a nice square cut,quickly, on box, angle and flat stock that the port a band can not match. I believe both are needed for the jobs my shop takes on. I would not want to be without either. Doing repeated cuts with a chop style saw is much faster. If I had to have only one it would be a port a band as it is more versitile overall.