Evolution saw...couldn't decide so I bought them both

[chevroletfreak]

Well, I went to Lowes on my lunch break to check out the Evolution Rage saws. They had a sale on the Rage2 and Rage3. I really couldn't decide which would be better for me so being the proper tool guy, I bought both and multiple universal blades!

Unfortunately, 1 has to go back....just not sure which one. Help me!!!

What are the pros and cons? Which one is more versatile? The Rage2 can cut larger tubing, but the Rage3 has the sliding mechanism for wider cuts.

 

[metaleltr]

If these were wood saws i would saw go for the slider, but being that generally in fabrication you would be more likely to encounter large tubing than a 2x12 I would saw larger tube capacity.

Edit: Something else to consider is if you may encounter sharp angles, an area where sliding capacity is important.

 

[91bronc300]

I have a rage 3. I've never tried a rage 2. I like the rage 3 and get good use out of it. But my final opinion of it is that it's an OK saw. I pretty much exclusively cut steel with it. Maybe very rarely some aluminum or nail embedded wood. I think it's worth the money that it costs for a hobbyist like myself and the wannabe radial arm saw thing has come in handy a few times. Since I have a delta miter saw for wood and I use the rage 3 for pretty much just steel only in hindsight I should have probably bought a dedicated steel cold cut saw like the Milwaukee. The rage 3 is a good jack of all trades miter saw.

 

[srmofo]

what were the sale prices in your area?

 

[BD1]

I have the 2. Use mine only for metal. For me I thought it has more accuracy
and prefer the way the blades contacts the steel. More like a chop saw , but clean burr free cut.

 

[chevroletfreak]

I got to play with the Rage2 14" last night since it was a display model. It worked great cutting excellent 45 angles in 3/4" sq tube. I just made a square of the box tube.

I had four problems/dislikes with it.

first - the saw would leave an uncut area at the bottom of the "drop" piece (the part cut off). In order to use the drop piece in the frame I made I would have to go back and trim that piece to get rid of the fleck left on the part.

Second - I am not sure if the blade has a brake, but it was pretty noisy when the trigger was released. Just sounded cheap.

Third - The adjustment for the angle was pretty awkward. You have to loosen a handle to move the vice. It doesn't lock in at the major points (45 deg, 90 deg)

Fourth - It was hard for me to accurately line up my marks on the part to the blade. There is a large groove where the blade passes the deck. It is about 3/4" wide so this will also make it hard to cut a 45 deg angle on anything shorter than 5 1/4"

I will have to give the Rage3 a try tonigh. I suspect the biggest loss will be to the available cut depth. I do expect that it will be better for locking in the angle and placing my cut marks better since it has a laser guide

I am very happy with the price. Both were on clearance. The Rage2 was an open box/display unit. Each one was right at $200. I even got extra multi purpose blades. The 14" was $35 and the 10" were $16!

 

[tarbellb]

I had four problems/dislikes with it.

first - the saw would leave an uncut area at the bottom of the "drop" piece (the part cut off). In order to use the drop piece in the frame I made I would have to go back and trim that piece to get rid of the fleck left on the part.


Second - I am not sure if the blade has a brake, but it was pretty noisy when the trigger was released. Just sounded cheap.

Third - The adjustment for the angle was pretty awkward. You have to loosen a handle to move the vice. It doesn't lock in at the major points (45 deg, 90 deg)

Fourth - It was hard for me to accurately line up my marks on the part to the blade. There is a large groove where the blade passes the deck. It is about 3/4" wide so this will also make it hard to cut a 45 deg angle on anything shorter than 5 1/4"

I have had all the same issues as you described above. Overall I think it is a great saw for the price, I did a LOT of comparison shopping. I think my biggest gripe with the Rage 2 is the lack of accuracy with the cut line, ie where it lines up not spinning vs where it actually cuts. Im toying with the idea of putting on a after mark laser?

The key to the vise is to get a accurate 45 degree square, mark your blade to the base and scratch a line in the base/paint exactly where if falls.

Im interested in your review of the Rage 3, it wasnt what I needed at all and seemed a little gimicky? But hey, who knows.

 

[5mall5nail5]

Does this saw cut stainless thick wall pipe easily? Say 1.25 schedule 40?

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I have the Rage 3 and it is acting as both a wood and metal saw. I'm getting it trued up now. I have a few gripes but they might be more QC gripes than anything else. Still waiting to see once I get it the bench all set up.

Anyway, the Rage 3 has a pretty good capacity for metal. 1/4" thick isn't anything to sneeze at. Largest I've cut so far is 3x3x1/4" angle.


Chevroletfreak, what is your saw's primary purpose? Also, there are tricks to positioning metal materials based on the type in order to make a good cut so you're not wearing out your blade. Finally no mater what saw you get you'll haev to use it enough to know it's quirks and particulars and work from there.

 

[tarbellb]

Does this saw cut stainless thick wall pipe easily? Say 1.25 schedule 40?

I have cut a solid 2"x2"x3" block of machine steel with the Rage 2! probably wore my blade out a bit quicker, but it was a good test.

From my experience I think it would cut SS 40 schedule. Ive cut 2" x 1/8" SS tube no problems.

Ive also used the Milwaukee and Dewalt versions of this saw, felt little difference between them.

Pros:
Dewalt felt smoother.
Milwaukee has a cast iron table
Rage has cast iron table
Rage is cheapest by $100+

Cons:
Dewalt table and fence are stamped (broken on all 3 models i used?)
Milwaukees vise broke on my within first 2hrs of use (wont lock tight)
Rage seems to be a bit cheaper, accuracy of cuts

I cant confirm if the Dewalt and Mil have better blade accuracy, as both had independent issues to not give accurate results.
I think blade wonder with a 14" metal blade is inevitable except on pricer models

Conclusion: I think Rage is the best bang for the buck saw in this category, if you want better your looking at $1500+ machines.

 

[ncfh]

What are some bigger, more $$ options that are still sort of portable?


I'd like to be able to cut 4" box tubing or even larger. Ideally up to 8x8"

 

[tarbellb]

What are some bigger, more $$ options that are still sort of portable?


I'd like to be able to cut 4" box tubing or even larger. Ideally up to 8x8"

Im not aware of anything that would be considered "portable" for cutting that large of tube/pipe? Your likely looking at bandsaws in that size, which then perhaps go with the Milwaukee portaband?

Not even a 16" blade chop saw will cut 8"x8". But the Rage2 says " 4"x 7" rectangle max @ 1/4""

 

[GirlnAgarage]

8"x8" I'd be using a plasma cutter or torch.