Trick Tools saws

[3 Gun Shooter]

I'm looking at 2 saws Trick tools sells

one is the HEM NG120ABS saw

the other is Femi ABS105

Main difference I see is the HEM has variable speeds the Femi has 2 speeds, I'll be 98% of the time cutting mild steel.

Anyone have theses saws? Love to get some input before dropping the coin.

I also like the smaller size, doesn't take up a huge footprint when not in use.

There was a used Johnson saw on the local Craigslist, was $300, needed some work. By the pics it is not their biggest saw, but still way to big for the space I have to work with. I've had years ago a couple cheap Chinese band saws, talk about junk. My outlook on buying tools/equipment is 'buy once, cry once, not every time you use it'

 

[DBendr]

No way in hell I'd pay that for those. I'll run circles around that with one of my dry saws and if your building for Nasa that money will almost put you in a wet saw(which are also too slow).

 

[McBrownie]

3 Gun,

It will help if you post on what you plan on using the saw for. Mild steel, but what size, etc.... I picked up a used Milwaukee Portaband and a Swag table (from Trick Tools) because that will suit my needs. By the way, I really like Trick Tools. Good products and good service.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

I build a lot of target frames, mild steel pistol targets. Maybe build a trailer.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

No way in hell I'd pay that for those. I'll run circles around that with one of my dry saws and if your building for Nasa that money will almost put you in a wet saw(which are also too slow).

What saws do you have?

 

[McBrownie]

I build a lot of target frames, mild steel pistol targets. Maybe build a trailer.

Take a look. If you only plan on building one trailer then this might do the job for a few less $$:

http://www.swagoffroad.com/SWAG-Portaband-Tables-Accessories_c_35.html

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

Take a look. If you only plan on building one trailer then this might do the job for a few less $$:

http://www.swagoffroad.com/SWAG-Portaband-Tables-Accessories_c_35.html

Thanks, but I'm looking for something I can cut say 2-3 dozen pieces of while I'm deburring them.

 

[racingtadpole]

No way in hell I'd pay that for those. I'll run circles around that with one of my dry saws and if your building for Nasa that money will almost put you in a wet saw(which are also too slow).

Cheaper for sure, but consumables are more costly and they are ridiculously noisy by comparison to a band saw

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

No way in hell I'd pay that for those. I'll run circles around that with one of my dry saws and if your building for Nasa that money will almost put you in a wet saw(which are also too slow).

Abrasive saws are noisy, messy, and and blades load up. I have one, only reason is I got it free. Had had a Scotsman cold saw in my shop in Cali, great saw, but was no way portable and needed 3 phase which I had in my shop. Was over $4000 when I bought it 20 years ago. It was a great saw, fast, clean, dead on accurate.

 

[McBrownie]

Thanks, but I'm looking for something I can cut say 2-3 dozen pieces of while I'm deburring them.

No problem. I put faith in the Trick Tools "no junk" policy. If you go with something they carry, you should be fine.

 

[kkroger]

I have a Harbor Freight 4x6 stationary Band Saw with a 10/14 Bi-Metal Blade that works quite well, I have a Dry Cut Saw that is a lot faster and a lot more noisy... I can pretty much cut anything I need to cut with these two saws... if I have to cut something odd that I can't get on either of these saws I have a Milwaukee Porta Band... and a Sawzall...
and if it gets REALLY weird I have an Abrasive chop... and a Grinder with Cutoff Disks...
I think all together I don't have enough in these tools to purchase one of those saws...

 

[bullnerd]

"Anyone have theses saws?"

Did anyone see this part of the op's original post?

 

[MFortie]

Just bought the HEM. I've only cut a couple pieces of Superstrut, but so far, so good.

 

[racingtadpole]

"Anyone have theses saws?"

Did anyone see this part of the op's original post?

Yes but the fractured skull I have from using a holesaw to cut 1/4 circles out has impacted my ability to read and comprehend...

 

[McLean]

I have been thinking about picking one of these up as well, but no personal experience yet. Everything I have read on seen on the internets (all true of course) sounds like they are pretty slick little machines.

Also, another big difference between the 2 models mentioned is the ability to cut 60 deg (ng120) vs 45 deg (105).

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

I have been thinking about picking one of these up as well, but no personal experience yet. Everything I have read on seen on the internets (all true of course) sounds like they are pretty slick little machines.

Also, another big difference between the 2 models mentioned is the ability to cut 60 deg (ng120) vs 45 deg (105).

For the price difference I can easily live with only cutting 45 degs not 60 degs. I'm more interested in how well the saw cuts, how accurately and the not having to baby sit it as it is cutting. Is the variable speed of the HEM saw worth just about twice of the Femi 105?

 

[ilovevocs]

I don't own either but have been looking as well. If you are able to dig up some quantifiable information on why one is superior to the other please post it! Beyond what you previously stated about variable speed and price tag, that was all I was a able to discern. I too was unable to find anyone who had hands on experience with one let alone both saws.

Did find some comparison videos on YouTube and the Hem was cutting stock faster. Speed is a concern but consistency, reliability and availability of parts and support are more important to me. These are the attributes I have yet to dedicate the time to sorting out.

 

[shoot summ]

I have the NG120XL.

I saw them demo this type of saw at a show several years ago. I wanted one from day one but the price pushed me away. I bought a Rage Evolution dry cut instead. The Rage works OK, but the chips are horrendous. Cutting becomes an event as I have to set up outside, and carefully clean the sharp chips up afterwards. I spotted the NG120XL on CL one day for $450. It was used, but not abused, and had several extra blades. I snatched it up quickly. It's an awesome saw, precise cuts, no mess, no chips everywhere, and I can make paper thin adjustment cuts if I need to.

So after sneaking into one for a great price, I can say I would buy a new one if I could afford it. Wish I hadn't wasted the $$'s on the Rage, and all of the replacement blades.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

I don't own either but have been looking as well. If you are able to dig up some quantifiable information on why one is superior to the other please post it! Beyond what you previously stated about variable speed and price tag, that was all I was a able to discern. I too was unable to find anyone who had hands on experience with one let alone both saws.

Did find some comparison videos on YouTube and the Hem was cutting stock faster. Speed is a concern but consistency, reliability and availability of parts and support are more important to me. These are the attributes I have yet to dedicate the time to sorting out.

I'm good with a slightly slower cut, if I can set it and doing some deburring while it cuts. if the HEM makes a cut in 2 minutes and the Femi 105 takes 4 minutes, no big deal as long as the quality is very close to equal.

 

[bullnerd]

Yes but the fractured skull I have from using a holesaw to cut 1/4 circles out has impacted my ability to read and comprehend...

Muhahaha...yeah right!

I have the NG120XL.

I saw them demo this type of saw at a show several years ago. I wanted one from day one but the price pushed me away. I bought a Rage Evolution dry cut instead. The Rage works OK, but the chips are horrendous. Cutting becomes an event as I have to set up outside, and carefully clean the sharp chips up afterwards. I spotted the NG120XL on CL one day for $450. It was used, but not abused, and had several extra blades. I snatched it up quickly. It's an awesome saw, precise cuts, no mess, no chips everywhere, and I can make paper thin adjustment cuts if I need to.

So after sneaking into one for a great price, I can say I would buy a new one if I could afford it. Wish I hadn't wasted the $$'s on the Rage, and all of the replacement blades.

That's a pretty good review. There was a woman here a while back that used one for her business, always had good thing to say about it. I'm fan if you cant tell and will definitely buy one in the future. good luck with your decision.

 

[ilovevocs]

I'm good with a slightly slower cut, if I can set it and doing some deburring while it cuts. if the HEM makes a cut in 2 minutes and the Femi 105 takes 4 minutes, no big deal as long as the quality is very close to equal.

I agree 100%.

 

[McLean]

Looks like they advertise the NG models as "up to 60% faster", but agreed that a slightly longer cut time is NBD if the saw is semi-autonomous and especially if not being used for production.

As for the speed control, It looks like Femi has some models that are very similar to the ABS105 minus the ABS feature, but that offer variable speeds (see http://www.femi.it/en/sawingmachine...ines-benchgrinders-sharpeners.aspx?&l=51&f=28). Not sure why they wouldn't offer one of those with the ABS feature, but maybe it's in the works??

Curious to hear what you decide and how you like it!

 

[Richard D]

I don't have the saws you mention but for $450 this is a really nice saw, I got myself one last year.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IHXOKI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Richard D]

Or as others mentioned, a $100 Milwaukee from the pawn shop and a $50 Swag table, I have that too and really works well.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

I don't have the saws you mention but for $450 this is a really nice saw, I got myself one last year.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IHXOKI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

How well does it work to cut a bunch of angle iron and bar stock? Also does it have a material stop?

Being a dry saw, I've heard bad things about the chips.

 

[shoot summ]

How well does it work to cut a bunch of angle iron and bar stock? Also does it have a material stop?

Being a dry saw, I've heard bad things about the chips.

The chips are AWFUL, first hand experience, and that does not cut on it's own as you are wanting.

Forgot to mention in my previous post as well, the dry cut saws need to have the piece securely clamped, SECURELY clamped...

It will send something across the shop at an alarming speed, and ruin the expensive blade.

Where are you located 3 gun? I've got a dry cut collecting dust you can try...

 

[kazlx]

Mike13u has one. Can't remember which one exactly. I've demoed a few of them at my local shop and they are nice saws for sure. The best feature IMO is the ability for the head to move to do miters, which you see on cold saws and nice band saws (meant for mitering). I think for an all around small shop saw, they would be hard to beat.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

The chips are AWFUL, first hand experience, and that does not cut on it's own as you are wanting.

Forgot to mention in my previous post as well, the dry cut saws need to have the piece securely clamped, SECURELY clamped...

It will send something across the shop at an alarming speed, and ruin the expensive blade.

Where are you located 3 gun? I've got a dry cut collecting dust you can try...

I'm in Texas. When I had my shop in Cali I had a Scotsman cold saw, it was wet did a great job. We set it up to be able handle long pieces. I also had a Marvel saw, first time I used one was when I was building high vac. systems at LLL. Love it to miter stainless tubing.

Here in Texas I work out of a 2 car garage, my place in Cali had 1500 sg ft shop behind it.

 

[kazlx]

Dry cuts are horrible IMO. Had one, hated it. Quick and dirty work. They can be relatively accurate, but make a mess and fling razor sharp, red-hot chips everywhere. Hard to beat a quality band saw. Cold saws are awesome, but shine in tubing.

 

[bullnerd]

I cant imagine thin stainless tube with one of those cheap dry cut saws.

 

[Richard D]

Probably not what you want for quick cutting lots of material(dry saw). But mine cuts very near square, nearly burr-free, and cool to the touch immediately after cutting. I have vert/horiz. band saw, port-a-bands, abrasive chop saw(hate them!), Metabo, etc., all have their place in my shop, except the abrasive chop saw. I replaced a cheap Horrible Fright with an expensive Milwaukee, still sucked. I barely used it and gave it away. The only benefit to them is the wheels are relatively cheap.

 

[bon3s]

At the shop where I work, we run 2 dorringers (wet saws) they cut fast and amazingly well (both are two speed machines formblack iron and stainless) , but we still keep a fiber chop saw for all thread and and other misc. things that are less suited for the wet saw.


When it comes down to it, each type has its pros and cons... Dorringers are expensive and require coolant and pricey blades, fiber blades make a mess and leave burrs, portabans on stands are not built for large fab jobs for a commercial/industrial use, band saw can be slow and take more floor space. Just pic the one that has the pros that work for you and the work load, buy quality and I should be fine.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

I don't have the saws you mention but for $450 this is a really nice saw, I got myself one last year.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IHXOKI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The smaller Femi 105 is only $749 and has auto feed. So for another $300 the Femi is a better deal. I'm trying to decide between the Femi 105 and the HEM saw that Femi makes and is just under $1500.

 

[cspcrx]

I was looking at these as well. If you get one please post your thoughts on which one you got and why and how it works.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

I'm still thinking but leaning towards the Femi 105 for $749, should do everything I need it to do.

I'll let you know what I get and how it works.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

Just ordered the Femi ABS 105, should be here next week.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Just ordered the Femi ABS 105, should be here next week.

Awesome. I'm looking at a little 782XL myself.

One of the things you keep mentioning is the auto feed and walking way to do other tasks. I really don't interpret that to be totally practical as there is no mass to the saw. I'm not arguing that it isn't a feature, I just can't imagine it working that well on a light saw.

The biggest thing I would be curious about if that works out like you planned it. If it works out I'll be pleasantly surprised and might opt up like you did.

 

[bullnerd]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=QUIIfOaxyEc

 

[jeepinerdeep]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=QUIIfOaxyEc

It looks cool, sure but it's a commercial. Want to hear if it meets expectations when he gets it home. That's 2 different things. I hope it does, I might pony up the additional 250 if it does.

 

[kkroger]

It looks cool, sure but it's a commercial. Want to hear if it meets expectations when he gets it home. That's 2 different things. I hope it does, I might pony up the additional 250 if it does.

Trying to figure out what THAT saw does that my current MUCH cheaper bandsaw does not do except take up bench space that is already at a premium???
It does Miters? OK... so does mine, it cuts without a babysitter, so does mine,
It costs $1400+ Mine was less than 200 with a coupon...