The DualSaw seems to be an "As Seen On TV" gimmick. Hell, even Billy Mayes promoted the product before he passed. Even so, there have been a lot of whispers going around the...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
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The DualSaw seems to be an "As Seen On TV" gimmick. Hell, even Billy Mayes promoted the product before he passed. Even so, there have been a lot of whispers going around the...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
Frank The Plumber
Well-known member
Are we supposed to give an opinion of this?
If not just delete this.
Looking at this tool I myself have a few reservations.
This tool has a very aggressive blade profile, like a chain saw.
Looking at where the operator is placing his hand and his inability to grip the tool with a closed and controlling hand I would have a few fears as to the control ability of this tool.
Add to this the ability of the tool to reverse, which I find frightening as the unit can now bite and kick back towards the operator.
I would feel safer if it had a longer tail section like a grinder or a hand handle like a skil saw.
As it is I'm afraid I would get a finger or leg or my head into that aggressive little blade profile.
If it had better ergonomics I would be interested, but as is I'm scared of it just looking at it.
If not just delete this.
Looking at this tool I myself have a few reservations.
This tool has a very aggressive blade profile, like a chain saw.
Looking at where the operator is placing his hand and his inability to grip the tool with a closed and controlling hand I would have a few fears as to the control ability of this tool.
Add to this the ability of the tool to reverse, which I find frightening as the unit can now bite and kick back towards the operator.
I would feel safer if it had a longer tail section like a grinder or a hand handle like a skil saw.
As it is I'm afraid I would get a finger or leg or my head into that aggressive little blade profile.
If it had better ergonomics I would be interested, but as is I'm scared of it just looking at it.
OP
Frank, I agree... It does seem like a finger whacker, no?
I got an internal email from a large power tool company forwarded to me a few days ago. One of their execs tried it and loved it with reservations. Everyone that hit "reply all" basically made fun of him for his opinion.
I guess I reserve judgement until I use one. But I can't imagine ever using one... Make sense?
I got an internal email from a large power tool company forwarded to me a few days ago. One of their execs tried it and loved it with reservations. Everyone that hit "reply all" basically made fun of him for his opinion.
I guess I reserve judgement until I use one. But I can't imagine ever using one... Make sense?
Frank The Plumber
Well-known member
When things are going right and the tool is humming along all seems great and gravy.
Then you hit a knot or move your shoulder a bit due to fatigue and the tools blade catches and gives a hard tug at your hands.
Next thing you know you have a beast chewing on your leg like a rabid Tazmanian Devil.
I've had a few grinders get loose and chase me around the shop, but with those teeth on that. I don't know if logging chaps would slow those down.
I think I would use the specialty tools for the purpose before I would buy this all in one'r.
If you try one, wear some gear to protect yourself.
Just cause someone made it, doesn't mean it can't get you.
I also do not like that it has a metal cutting ability yet has a discharge that points at the operator. Possibly at the face.
Even if you had a chip bag on it, the chip bag would be prone to failure from sparks or heat from metal cutting.
Then you hit a knot or move your shoulder a bit due to fatigue and the tools blade catches and gives a hard tug at your hands.
Next thing you know you have a beast chewing on your leg like a rabid Tazmanian Devil.
I've had a few grinders get loose and chase me around the shop, but with those teeth on that. I don't know if logging chaps would slow those down.
I think I would use the specialty tools for the purpose before I would buy this all in one'r.
If you try one, wear some gear to protect yourself.
Just cause someone made it, doesn't mean it can't get you.
I also do not like that it has a metal cutting ability yet has a discharge that points at the operator. Possibly at the face.
Even if you had a chip bag on it, the chip bag would be prone to failure from sparks or heat from metal cutting.
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gabeancounter
Well-known member
The HF version looks like about the same thing. Good reviews but I started laughing when the guy said he was cutting 1" steel. Seems like the same concept as turning the blade in your circular saw around to cut plastic, hardi plank etc.
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/circular-saws-1/5-doublecut-saw-68316.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/circular-saws-1/5-doublecut-saw-68316.html
Does anyone actually have a use for something like this? If I could think of one I'd get this one instead. better handles:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
It's also 10A vs the others which are 8A or less. And cheaper than all but the HF version. HF hand tools are ok, but I still fear the quality of their power tools (maybe irrational, but that's where I am right now).
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
It's also 10A vs the others which are 8A or less. And cheaper than all but the HF version. HF hand tools are ok, but I still fear the quality of their power tools (maybe irrational, but that's where I am right now).
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Strouty
Well-known member
I actually have the craftsman version of this, it is a lot better than the people who don't own one think. It has almost no kickback, unless you do something obscene. I have used it to cut through 2" solid square stock. It was a lot easier to use when I had to cut a couple of old oil barrels in half. The blades rotating in opposite directions really make a difference. I would only consider this a demolition style saw. I don't feel like you could ever use it for fine cuts or really accurate ones. It is a neat saw and it does cut through almost anything.
That is the only use I've ever heard of for this. Cutting stuff that you plan to trash later.
Frank The Plumber
Well-known member
Does anyone actually have a use for something like this? If I could think of one I'd get this one instead. better handles:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Yes Sir;
Much better, this unit places your trigger hand in a less prone area of the saw, handle placement gives you much better control over leverage of the unit.
You close your hand over it which makes your grasp stronger and you will tend to hold this with a better arm angle which will lessen fatigue.
I like this unit and it's design.
Ramblur
Well-known member
I really like the concept,its just that it is SO much cooler in an application
as seen below @ the 0:30 mark...
Now consider that in exchange for some corporate backing they could
change its name to "DualSaw"
as seen below @ the 0:30 mark...
Now consider that in exchange for some corporate backing they could
change its name to "DualSaw"
dirttracker18
Well-known member
I believe the blades turning in opposite directions really cuts down on the kick back. Surely this is not a precision tool but for rough fast cuts I hear it is great. NASCAR teams have been using a version of this for some time now to remove crushed body parts.
Think of it like a much cleaner torch.
IMHO
Think of it like a much cleaner torch.
IMHO
I hope you means CAR body parts!
These things always struck me as a so-so solution to a problem that none of us was having.
Frank The Plumber
Well-known member
That is about the best way to put it.
There definately are things these saws can do that others can not. I have a Rotzip saw, and it is a very similar design:
http://www.rotozip.com/en-us/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=RFS1000_1
But what I particularly like is the Rotozip's ability to cut flush in a confined space. I bought this tool for a particular job, and it excelled...I'm not sure there's another tool I could have used. My kitchen floor was ruined due to a dishwasher leak that went un-noticed for a while. I had no desire to rip out the cabinets, but I needed to remove the sub-floor from the entire room...except from under the cabinets. This tool was able to cut the subfloor flush with the kick panel of the cabinets. I had only about 5" of height to work in below the cabinets, and this thing cut through the 3/4" ply subfloor very easily. It is also great for cutting trim at floor level to make clearance for tile to go under. Since I was replacing a single layer of vinyl with concrete board plus porcelain tile, there were a couple of spots where the board and tile needed to go under trim that I did not want to remove. There are flush cutting hand saws that can do this...but power tools are always easier. And the 20' of cuts under the cabinets would have been back breaking with a flush cut hand saw.
The blades on the Rotozip are not quite as agreassive, but they make a few options, including tile blades.
green.bubbly
Well-known member
I pray that there is no trigger lock on that thing.
Greatbear
Well-known member
I've had the Craftsman version for several years now. It's not a bad concept, but all of these variations could be put to better use if they would have a baseplate similar to a circular saw. Cutting with the thing is pretty much effortless, it feels like the blades are "melting" into the workpiece and there is no pull or push. The cuts, even in steel, are very smooth unlike those made by a bandsaw or cutoff machine. There are very little burrs to clean up if at all.
So the tool gives rather fantastic cuts, but they are limited in precision by how good I am at freehand cutting. Mostly I can make good cuts, but having either a baseplate to set for squareness or angle or some sort of chopsaw-like mechanism would make the tool a lot more useful and accurate for fabrication and not general rough cutting.
Rather than sending sparks around like a cutoff/abrasive wheeled cutter, these things toss rather healthy swarf that is also quite hot. You won't have a fire potential like you would with sparks, but don't let these land on exposed flesh, it does not feel good. Since the swarf is also rather sharp, you must use eye protection, and be careful during cleanup. The thing is also quite loud, especially if cutting sheet metal.
The Ridgid version has made the handling a little more sophisticated and sure by adding the top handle, but if you are used to using a cutoff wheel in a grinder, you've already mastered the technique. Like I said early on, adding some sort of base would make these things a great deal more useful and accurate.
So the tool gives rather fantastic cuts, but they are limited in precision by how good I am at freehand cutting. Mostly I can make good cuts, but having either a baseplate to set for squareness or angle or some sort of chopsaw-like mechanism would make the tool a lot more useful and accurate for fabrication and not general rough cutting.
Rather than sending sparks around like a cutoff/abrasive wheeled cutter, these things toss rather healthy swarf that is also quite hot. You won't have a fire potential like you would with sparks, but don't let these land on exposed flesh, it does not feel good. Since the swarf is also rather sharp, you must use eye protection, and be careful during cleanup. The thing is also quite loud, especially if cutting sheet metal.
The Ridgid version has made the handling a little more sophisticated and sure by adding the top handle, but if you are used to using a cutoff wheel in a grinder, you've already mastered the technique. Like I said early on, adding some sort of base would make these things a great deal more useful and accurate.
finn
Well-known member
I've got the Craftsman version also. I agree with the previous comments.
It scares me, as I can imagine the blade severing my fingers or tearing into my leg.
The cut is wide with hot swarf strewn all over the workplace, and without a baseplate the cut is impossible to control accurately...a demo tool at best.
An air cutoff tool band saw, or even a plasma cutter always comes out before the saw.
I keep looking at it in the case and thinking maybe I'll try it again next time I need to cut something, but in the heat of battle, I always opt for "ok, maybe next time"...
It scares me, as I can imagine the blade severing my fingers or tearing into my leg.
The cut is wide with hot swarf strewn all over the workplace, and without a baseplate the cut is impossible to control accurately...a demo tool at best.
An air cutoff tool band saw, or even a plasma cutter always comes out before the saw.
I keep looking at it in the case and thinking maybe I'll try it again next time I need to cut something, but in the heat of battle, I always opt for "ok, maybe next time"...
carhunter
Well-known member
musgofasta
Well-known member
Up there with a Sawz-All - Great for quick demo. I have no idea what kinds of things I would use it for though.
Need one? Nope
Want one? I wouldn't kick it out of my garage if it showed up!
Need one? Nope
Want one? I wouldn't kick it out of my garage if it showed up!
btbsandman
Well-known member
It seems like the ideal tool to loan out to a mother-in-law.
The Dual Saw that I had come through my shop had Chinese/Harbor Freight quality written all over it. Like the comments above, worked fair for demo or home owner. Without a collection tube it shoots the metal chips back at your hand. Make sure and wear gloves. Also, the smaller wheel dia and the small amount movement in the blade guard makes deeper and longer cuts more difficult as you have to re-orient the saw at uncomfortable angles.
GarageEnvy
Well-known member
Like others have commented I owned the Craftsman version. It was by far the most frightened I've ever been using a new tool because I had no idea what to expect. There's no push-pull. The cuts are clean. It does throw hot shavings and the craftsman version had sticks of lubricant you were supposed to use when cutting copper or aluminum. I found that it was great for a short cut off but the motor got seriously hot on a long cut. I tried to use it in wood but it was terrible (and probably not designed for that). My primary objection to the saw was noise. This thing could drown out Roseanne Barr and the sound was equally obnoxious. I never tried cutting aluminum or copper with it and rarely used it so I sold it for $50.
Lowes had them branded by Task Force for about ten seconds a few years ago. The one I picked up had a flaw and the two blades collided and destroyed themselves. Giant pieces of blade flew everywhere. I took it back. By the time I got it back, they didn't even stock them anymore and the return was a bit of a hassle.
Truly frightening tool.
Truly frightening tool.
bradleykd
Well-known member
I have the craftsman one and I think it's awesome. It does **** for wood but for thicker steel, it is a much faster and easier cut than any other method. Like said before, if you can use a cut-off wheel, its really easy to handle. I may get flamed for this, but I found removing the guard made it less cumbersome to use and a lot easier to see a cut line, making it more accurate. I use mine quite often actually... Just gotta remember to button that top shirt button!
Big-Foot
Well-known member
I picked up one of these saws to use as a panel cutter. I took it back after cutting through a single 1x4... There is no platform / base on it and with the saw blades on the right hand side, you can't see the line you want to cut on ( if you're right handed like me ) ... There is no perceptible kick back and it cut that 1x4 like butter, but I needed something that I felt I coud use with a little more precision...
Rust
Banned
Never needed one before.
Dataguy
Well-known member
I had the Craftsman version briefly. Like others have said, no kickback and it's like a knife through hot butter.
However, the lack of a baseplate makes it a freehand tool, and it does take a big kerf. I was using it for thin sheetmetal and it worked fine (until it didn't). The counter-rotating blades kept the metal from buckling or bending at the cut, even on the really thing stuff.
I took it back because I started it too close to the metal one time, and the blades bound when they met at the sheet because they had no momentum. Took about 1/2 second and the brushes went up in a cloud of smoke. That struck me as a little overly delicate for a tool of this type, and the brushes weren't some standard size I could pick up at the local Ace store. I would have had to order them, wait for them, and as I recall Sears wanted some ridiculous price for them.
However, the lack of a baseplate makes it a freehand tool, and it does take a big kerf. I was using it for thin sheetmetal and it worked fine (until it didn't). The counter-rotating blades kept the metal from buckling or bending at the cut, even on the really thing stuff.
I took it back because I started it too close to the metal one time, and the blades bound when they met at the sheet because they had no momentum. Took about 1/2 second and the brushes went up in a cloud of smoke. That struck me as a little overly delicate for a tool of this type, and the brushes weren't some standard size I could pick up at the local Ace store. I would have had to order them, wait for them, and as I recall Sears wanted some ridiculous price for them.
TwoInch
Well-known member
i have always thought about picking one up when they go on sale for 65 bucks, but never pulled the trigger.
i have always thought of these as similar to a 4.5" grinder with a cut off wheel on it, but more controllable with the counter rotating blades. and from what i have heard and read, they excel in this application. other than that, i dont see much use, other than demo/tearing things up.
maybe making details in those chainsaw type carvings they sell at the fair?
i have always thought of these as similar to a 4.5" grinder with a cut off wheel on it, but more controllable with the counter rotating blades. and from what i have heard and read, they excel in this application. other than that, i dont see much use, other than demo/tearing things up.
maybe making details in those chainsaw type carvings they sell at the fair?