harfbor freight double cut saw

[reznunt]

anyone here have any experience with one of these? the video makes it look good, but i need some real world feedback.

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/circular-saws-1/5-doublecut-saw-68316.html?utm_source=double_cut051811&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2011

 

[TheGrooveking]

Amazing timing, right along with Ridgid's(Home Depot's) release of the new dual saw....

TheGrooveking

 

[Jack Olsen]

I don't get these things. Expensive blades. Super wide kerf. And for what? It's more stable in your hand than a $12 angle grinder? For $90, I'd buy a HF portable band saw for clean, thin cuts in metal all day long. And since it's on sale for $75, you can ALSO buy a 4-1/2" angle grinder for other cuts.

 

[JASTECH]

I don't like them Chineese copies, better off locating the Austrailian original. The Dual Saw is at Menards too, I didn't like the poor quality of it.

Thanks, JASTECH

 

[metal1313]

hasnt craftsman offered one of these for years now? i also dont see the real purpose to them

 

[Virgil Cain]

I get it, with counter rotating blades it's really doing something like a scissor action at the cutting interface. It should give you a cleaner cut with no tear out on wood or plastic and the bottom edge should be as clean as the top as opposed to a normal circular saw which normally gives you a clean top edge and a ragged bottom. I think it's a worthwhile concept for some cutting tasks, the devil will be in the details of whether the Harbor Freight construction and quality control is up to the increased complexity a design like this entails. Someone said this was originated by an Australian company? I'd be interested to see a link to the original if someone has it.

 

[Danglerb]

When blades are the most important part, HF often a poor choice.

 

[Greatbear]

I've had the Craftsman version for years, and it's come in handy every now and then. Its main claim to fame is the smoothness of the cut, and I can vouch for that. Almost zero flashing or burrs on any axis of the cut, no further dressing needed in most situations. The only thing keeping this from being a far more usable piece is its lack of a base. The squareness of the cut is dependent on how good you are at holding the tool steady and in position. With an adjustable base similar to a circular saw, with the possibility of other attachments to boot, the thing could be a great asset.

While there is little or no sparks generated when cutting, the thing throws off copious amounts of sizable chips, far bigger than the gritty dust you get from abrasive discs. The stuff is also rather sharp, and brushing away chips with your hand is not advisable. I don't have to remind anyone about eye protection either.

 

[bchee]

chainsaw-like blade

 

[reznunt]

I don't get these things. Expensive blades. Super wide kerf. And for what? It's more stable in your hand than a $12 angle grinder? For $90, I'd buy a HF portable band saw for clean, thin cuts in metal all day long. And since it's on sale for $75, you can ALSO buy a 4-1/2" angle grinder for other cuts.

it isn't about stability. i have three hf angle grinders that do most of the work i need. if i'm working on the chassis and not on my workbench, sometimes an angle grinder can't fit into spaces where this tool would. i was just wondering if this tool would be a good alternative to a reciprocating saw.

 

[TheGrooveking]

it isn't about stability. i have three hf angle grinders that do most of the work i need. if i'm working on the chassis and not on my workbench, sometimes an angle grinder can't fit into spaces where this tool would. i was just wondering if this tool would be a good alternative to a reciprocating saw.

This thing is larger than a 4-1/2" grinder, so I'd advise you check one out in person before buying it.

TheGrooveking

 

[deeds21]

The other draw to this is the ability to cut multiple materials with the same blade.

 

[route246]

Try cutting Formica counter-tops or those coated fiberboard shelves sometimes. I think this will make a clean cut on both sides. Just speculating but I could never get those shelves to cut cleanly.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I'm guessing that the patent expired on the Craftsman Twin Cutter. Sears used to sell these in two sizes. I could never justify purchasing one, although if I had to frequently cut items that are difficult to cut otherwise or needed a clean cut top and bottom I would try it out.

The replacemnt blades for the Sears saws were not cheap, and this is a tool where the blades make or break the usefulness of it. HF is NOT known for quality blades.

 

[EricF]

There was a guy who invented this twin blade design, it was on an infomercial a few years ago.. that guy Billy Mays pitched it with his partner. they showed it sawing a car in half, and cutting thru a steel box, and cutting a raw egg in half without splatter.
The pitchmen wanted to send it to china for duplication and mass production and the inventor said he wanted it made in the USA and that would've doubled the price and the pitchmen were pissed.. but they agreed and sales for opening day were huge!
the guy who invented it was Australian.
I've been wanting to buy one but really don't have a need for it... now that HF sells it.. I doubt it has the quality of the original.
But the home depot model might be a sneeze better!?

 

[american lockpicker]

Interesting. Any links to some new USA made ones?

 

[Zeke]

These are cool. Kick back is a big issue. This tool will cut out in the middle of a large panel. It will plunge cut. Try that with a jig saw. I do cuts like that all the time and I've had some scary looking setups on an angle grinder. It's a wonder I've never been hurt.

I resisted buying one of those ******** cutter thingys until a month ago. I've used it as much as any other single tool in my truck. I carry a lot of tools as a carpenter.