Jblount3
Well-known member
Anyone have any experience with the cold saws I’m trying to talk myself into one of thease saws
Evolution saw s355mcs
- Thread starter Jblount3
- Start date
I've had one for about 2 years. Small time fabricator. Works as advertised. Accurate miter cuts.
Not smart enough to define a cold saw, so there's that.
Makes noise but I wear ear plugs when cutting.
Makes chips but I built a stand with side and back shields and a collection chute so it's not too bad.
I've cut mostly A36 mild steel, but also some 304 stainless and some galvanized. I've cut up to 3/8" thick 4" square tube and angle, 5" sched 40 pipe, 6" channel, 3/4" flat bar, 1.5" round bar.
Not sure I've mastered the proper feed rates for miters on thicker stock when the miter is across the flat, as I've bogged it down a bit on 1/4" stainless 4" flat bar and same size galvanized.
I think key has been proper clamping and positioning of the saw blade for a cut (you can lock the saw in one of three positions front to back to get the optimal cutting position for the blade).
I've only used evolution blades thus far, but I'm going to try another brand.
I did bust a couple tooth tips when I did not clamp something adequately. Blade still works.
The one holddown clamp can only be used reasonably on the right side of the saw as it interferes with the motor on the left.
It's a smaller footprint than a horizontal bandsaw, which was a driver for me and it's an upgrade from a portaband saw and table. Aluminum vase vice stamped steel.
It's not cheap.
Not smart enough to define a cold saw, so there's that.
Makes noise but I wear ear plugs when cutting.
Makes chips but I built a stand with side and back shields and a collection chute so it's not too bad.
I've cut mostly A36 mild steel, but also some 304 stainless and some galvanized. I've cut up to 3/8" thick 4" square tube and angle, 5" sched 40 pipe, 6" channel, 3/4" flat bar, 1.5" round bar.
Not sure I've mastered the proper feed rates for miters on thicker stock when the miter is across the flat, as I've bogged it down a bit on 1/4" stainless 4" flat bar and same size galvanized.
I think key has been proper clamping and positioning of the saw blade for a cut (you can lock the saw in one of three positions front to back to get the optimal cutting position for the blade).
I've only used evolution blades thus far, but I'm going to try another brand.
I did bust a couple tooth tips when I did not clamp something adequately. Blade still works.
The one holddown clamp can only be used reasonably on the right side of the saw as it interferes with the motor on the left.
It's a smaller footprint than a horizontal bandsaw, which was a driver for me and it's an upgrade from a portaband saw and table. Aluminum vase vice stamped steel.
It's not cheap.
cvairwerks
Well-known member
Generally a cold saw is defined as a very low rpm saw that can be dry or wet use. For example, my Haberle is a 90 or 125 rpm saw. That Evolution would be more classified as a dry cut saw, as it's a 1450 rpm unit.
GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
I'm hoping to add that saw eventually. I've used their Rage3 for at least 10yrs. My only complaint abt it is capacity, Around 4" stock is where it can be hit or miss depending in setup and the type of cut. Hence wanting the bigger saw.
The saw cuts metal just fine, great in fact. It is noisy and messy. You need ear pro and face shield as it throws hot swarf.
I set it up outside and cut there, clean it off then bring it back in. Current project is a perimeter pipe fence.
The clamping system is the weak link on the Rage3. I use the supplied clamps but I generally add a small section of angle iron on top between the clamp and material to better distribute the hold and keep stock tight against the fence.
Anyway as I said that 355 is on my list.
The saw cuts metal just fine, great in fact. It is noisy and messy. You need ear pro and face shield as it throws hot swarf.
I set it up outside and cut there, clean it off then bring it back in. Current project is a perimeter pipe fence.
The clamping system is the weak link on the Rage3. I use the supplied clamps but I generally add a small section of angle iron on top between the clamp and material to better distribute the hold and keep stock tight against the fence.
Anyway as I said that 355 is on my list.
Do yourself a favor and search "dry cut saw" on this forum
What you'll find is a comprehensive discussion going over the pros and cons of this type of saw vs band saws
IF you go dry cut the Evo saws are a great value, but the overall consensus is band saws offer more for your situation
What you'll find is a comprehensive discussion going over the pros and cons of this type of saw vs band saws
IF you go dry cut the Evo saws are a great value, but the overall consensus is band saws offer more for your situation
kbeefy
Well-known member
I have the S15CPS and love it.
I couldn't justify extra for the double bevel one, but I'm sure I would have liked it even more.
I used to have a horizontal bandsaw, I like the smaller footprint of the chop saw.
It does make alot of chips.
I couldn't justify extra for the double bevel one, but I'm sure I would have liked it even more.
I used to have a horizontal bandsaw, I like the smaller footprint of the chop saw.
It does make alot of chips.
This ignores having/dedicating the space for a horizontal band saw that may only be used a few times a year; most of us are in a 2 car garage and don"t have the room. Dry cut offers a small storage space, ideal for a DIYer, and also a much faster cut speed.
I have the saw and am happy with it. My only issue with it is the aluminum fence doesn't hold up well to threaded rod. Granted the rod I have cut is harder than the typical grade 2 and I have cut several hundred studs with it. I did ruin one blade as I didn't have some angle clamped tight enough and it shifted and wrecked the blade.
I was going back and forth with this and a swivel head horizontal bandsaw. Would have preferred the bandsaw but could not figure out a practical way to store it. The bandsaw would have to have been on a moveable base. I mounted the Evolution on a tool chest. Only use it outside due to the mess it makes. IMO PPE is a must when using it. I use long sleeves, safety glasses, face shield and hearing protection. The chips fly everywhere.
I was going back and forth with this and a swivel head horizontal bandsaw. Would have preferred the bandsaw but could not figure out a practical way to store it. The bandsaw would have to have been on a moveable base. I mounted the Evolution on a tool chest. Only use it outside due to the mess it makes. IMO PPE is a must when using it. I use long sleeves, safety glasses, face shield and hearing protection. The chips fly everywhere.
Terra Nova
Well-known member
I too have the S15CPS, they didn't make the S355MCS when I bought mine. That said, I am extremely happy with the saw. Accurate cuts and blades last a surprisingly long time if you treat them right. Only draw back is they are very very loud (ear pro not optional, it's required). Lots of chips and chip collection is kinda meh so be ready for them to be everywhere and unlike the work piece the chips are hot. I try to use it outside when possible due to the noise level and chips.
Horizontal bandsaws are great but take up a lot of space and good ones are expensive.
Thanks for the input, I’d lives to have a band saw but it’s hard to justify the money and the space when if I needed that many cuts I can haul it to town (3mi) and use one of the 3 at my father in laws machine shop. I was looking for something between my portable band saw and taking stuff to town.
WWheeler
Well-known member
FWIW, I picked up a R255SMS-DB back in Jan. It's a 10" slider that was $206 shipped and it's been perfect for my occasional uses. At 2600 rpm no load it may not be considered a cold cut saw as cvairwerks points out BUT it doesn't leave the pieces hot enough to burn me like an abrasive chop saw does. I can cut 2" angle and pick them up with my bare hands immediately after cutting. I also like that it cuts super clean without leaving a huge burr like an abrasive chop saw does.
Looking on their website I don't even see the R255SMS-DB listed there any more. Instead it has the R255SMS-DB+ for $400 which AFAICT is pretty much the same saw except with a taller neck and fence, and it comes with a quick release clamp that I bought separately for $40.
Looking on their website I don't even see the R255SMS-DB listed there any more. Instead it has the R255SMS-DB+ for $400 which AFAICT is pretty much the same saw except with a taller neck and fence, and it comes with a quick release clamp that I bought separately for $40.
I think when many picture a horizontal bandsaw they picture a big floor model that takes up a ton of space.
A small benchtop horizontal bandsaw doesn't take up any more space than an Evo saw but has similar to larger cutting capacities.
I have a Femi benchtop model which is great, but I've posted before about my favorable impressions of this Trajan model based on some research and finally getting to play with one in person a couple years ago. It's at the upper end of the price range for an evo saw but by the time you've replaced the blade a couple times, you've broken even.
trajan125.com
A small benchtop horizontal bandsaw doesn't take up any more space than an Evo saw but has similar to larger cutting capacities.
I have a Femi benchtop model which is great, but I've posted before about my favorable impressions of this Trajan model based on some research and finally getting to play with one in person a couple years ago. It's at the upper end of the price range for an evo saw but by the time you've replaced the blade a couple times, you've broken even.
Trajan 125 Portable Band Saw
Cut all types of steel up 5” | Make all the cuts you need | Powerful 1.35 hp 1010W motor | 98-262 ft/min speed | M42 bi-metal blade included | 100% satisfaction guarantee
trajan125.com
I think when many picture a horizontal bandsaw they picture a big floor model that takes up a ton of space.
A small benchtop horizontal bandsaw doesn't take up any more space than an Evo saw but has similar to larger cutting capacities.
I have a Femi benchtop model which is great, but I've posted before about my favorable impressions of this Trajan model based on some research and finally getting to play with one in person a couple years ago. It's at the upper end of the price range for an evo saw but by the time you've replaced the blade a couple times, you've broken even.
Trajan 125 Portable Band Saw
Cut all types of steel up 5” | Make all the cuts you need | Powerful 1.35 hp 1010W motor | 98-262 ft/min speed | M42 bi-metal blade included | 100% satisfaction guarantee
@GeoBruin nailed it, there are more options then just the classic 4x6 horizontal band saw
I've been running a Northern house brand Klutch bench top band saw for years, it's been great for lighter duty cutting and is more compact and portable then my DRY cut saw
And they run the spectrum of quality and capacity, making it easy to find what fits your needs