Chop saw

[Zachalanche]

my experience has been that you can find some good tools at harbor freight but if you are not careful you can end up with a total peice of crap. has anyone had any experience with their chop saw?

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-hp-14...saw-91938.html

[72nova]

I have a Milwaukee from Home Depot and i hate it. It is basically the same as you are looking at. With the abrasive cutting wheel you cant get a straight cut, no matter how slow you go. Maybe its me or maybe I need a thicker wheel.

[T_Raven]

Yeah abrasive wheels suck. I want the Evolution Rage3. It's a dry, cold, compound miter saw. It looks like it could handle most round or square tubing I'd ever cut as well as a wood and other stuff I might occationally need to cut

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CBwQ8wIwAA#
Here's a video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC2tR...eature=related

[70 Chevelle]

Yeah abrasive wheels suck. I want the Evolution Rage3. It's a dry, cold, compound miter saw. It looks like it could handle most round or square tubing I'd ever cut as well as a wood and other stuff I might occationally need to cut

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CBwQ8wIwAA#
Here's a video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC2tR...eature=related

Do you know anyone that has this saw? Iwould love to know how reliable it is. Is it new?

[T_Raven]

I saw it at a local welding supply store and looked it up online. I don't know anyone that has one but the videos look good.

[Rhino]

A friend of mine has the Evolution Raptor. It's unbelievable. If I didn't have my bandsaw, I would buy one in a heartbeat.
It's so much faster and a straight cut every time.

The down side is that blades are pretty expensive and they're much louder than any saw your used to.

[Zachalanche]

Interesting comments on the abrasive wheel. I mainly need this for quickly cutting roll cage tubing to length. is there a better tool for the job at a reasonable price?

[parsonsj]

I've given up on all chop saws, including the ones with the carbide blades. The blades are expensive and they don't last, especially if you cut thin wall SS tube. I've used the Makita, DeWalt, and Evolution. (they all use the same basic blade). I'll bet I've bought a thousand dollars worth of blades.

Instead, I bought this saw last fall: a Femi NG 120. It cost $1100, but I'm still using the same blade that came on the saw, and it cuts everything I've thrown at it, including stainless steel.

Highly recommended!

jp

ps. I've still got my DeWalt Multi-Cutter. Here's a link. It sits high out of the way of good tools, but if someone wants it, make me an offer. It's in good shape, and I'll throw in a couple blades I have lying around.

[Jim Nilsen]

If you are just cutting tubing to piece it up you can't go wrong with a port a band which is like the saw John is showing in the pic but portable. I like them when doing demolition of old cat walks and guard rails because they go right thru with no problems really fast if you get the right blade for the job.

You can also try using some of the new cordless skill saws with a metal cutting blade in it to see how you like it? I have been amazed at how well some of the saws cut steel, not all are equal.

[RS_Customs]

I consider most of harbor freight's tools disposable. I'm not sure it was the same model, but I did have one a long time ago and it died. A buddy had one and it died. I do like their abrasive wheels and cutoff wheels. They are cheap and if you don't use much pressure they cut great and last a long time, but if you force them, they just disappear.

I have a hitachi now and it is awesome.......when i use it. Usually use the band saw.

Robert

[1969CamaroRS]

Anyone ever try Jet's horizontal/vertical saw?


http://www.amazon.com/Jet-414458-HVB...d=4E4C4XEY7III

[parsonsj]

Mike Norris and I made the headers and exhaust for Empty Nest with a saw just like that. It worked fine, but I need a portable saw I can take to the job site.

jp

[Bryce]

Anyone ever try Jet's horizontal/vertical saw?


http://www.amazon.com/Jet-414458-HVB...d=4E4C4XEY7III

I have harbor freights version of the saw and once I bought a good blade it worked great for me.

[1969CamaroRS]

Thanks John and Bryce

[ckessel]

The Rage saw can be had at Sears. I had a DeWalt abrasive unit and that thing couldn't cut straight to save its life. I imagine thats just the nature of that type. The Rage unit kicks butt. It will cut steel, s/s, aluminum, plastic, wood etc. The cuts come out straight and square. It is noisy so wear muffs. Also it sends little sharp shards over a good size area so be prepared for sweeping or magnet duty.

[Jim B]

Based on John Parson's post above I bought a Femi NG120 and it is really nice. It cuts fast and clean, no drama and little noise. I am very happy with it. - Jim

[parsonsj]

I bought a Femi NG120 and it is really nice.

Excellent! Welcome to the Femi Family, so to speak.

jp

[70 Chevelle]

Just got this. Works extremely well. I belive someone on this forum was making stands for portabands that clamped down in a vise.This one can be bench mounted. Best part is that you are a thumb screw away from it being completely portable.

http://swagoffroad.com/Porta_band_Mo...t_Product.html

[The WidowMaker]

the femi looks pretty sweet. the 120 has a little less capacity then the saw i have now. have you encountered anything you couldnt cut yet? i looked at the larger saw, but it only goes to 45* vs the 60* of this smaller saw. plus it appears to be about $500 more.

[parsonsj]

I've found that I have lay 3.5 oval tube out the long way when cutting it. Otherwise it's done everything I've asked it to do.

jp