Chop Saw

[Pringles]

Has anyone used a chop saw with a "metal" disc for cutting steel instead of the usual carborandum disc?

How do they perform, will a disc last as long as the usual?

The makers are claiming that there is no burr or sparks using a metal disc which will surely be an advantage.

 

[roscoe erf]

Has anyone used a chop saw with a "metal" disc for cutting steel instead of the usual carborandum disc?

How do they perform, will a disc last as long as the usual?

The makers are claiming that there is no burr or sparks using a metal disc which will surely be an advantage.

yes and its pretty dam good lasts as long as you want it do by looking after it no forcing it through lubrication when cutting etc

 

[Pistonbroke]

Got an evolution rage 2 about 12 years ago and only just changed the blade. I'm not doing anything like the amount of stuff that a lot of people do but the old abrasive one would have used 50 discs by now and the cuts are cleaner

 

[moorender]

Had a Makita LC1230 for about 10 years, use it mainly on stainless but it will cut through thick angle & RSJ's definitely recommend it.

 

[roscoe erf]

now my memory could be suspect on this but pretty sure I had to change my chop saw to a metal blade spec one as the abrasive one was too fast

 

[Alchad]

I’ve got one of these,

Evolution R255SMS-DB 255mm Electric Double-Bevel Sliding Multi-Material Mitre Saw 220-240V - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Uses a single blade to cut mild steel, non-ferrous metals, plastic and wood, even if nails are embedded in the material. Provides clean and precise cuts no matter the material. Bevels to 45° in both directions and offers a maximum cross cut of 300 x 80mm both ways...

www.screwfix.com

used it mainly for timber but tried it out doing some mitre cuts on 3mm thick 50mm diameter tube the other week and was very impressed with the result.

Alchad

 

[neilo]

My old 'Rage' saw has been missing the guard for a while, and the blade was fooked, so I replaced it with a new/bigger one a few months ago. At the time, Evolution had an offer on for a free 'metal' blade. I've only used it with that blade and it makes a lot cleaner cut than the 'multi-purpose' Rage blades.

Evolution R355CPS 355mm Chop Saw with TCT Multi-material Cutting Blade | Evolution Power Tools UK

Evolution's R355CPS is the ideal Chop Saw for everyone who works with metals, wood and plastics and needs a big bladed, powerful, stand-mounted chop saw to take care of heavy duty cutting needs. Light enough to move between the works van and t...

shop.evolutionpowertools.com

 

[Hardweld]

I just recently made the change to cold cut shop saw from an abrasive one, I really wish I had done it a long time ago, there is so many benefits. The accuracy of cutting for one is much better , especially when doing 45 degree cuts. Your blade is always the same size, so no flipping bits around to cut the other side because abrasive wheel has worn down. There is much less mess with less sparks. The cut pieces are cool after cutting for handling. The blades last for a long time , I'm still on my first blade and it has done alot of cutting,probably more than the equivalent price in abrasive wheels. Only things to watch for , piece must be well secured down or could break of carbide teeth on blade. Make sure and where eye protectin or even face shield from steel that flies off are very sharpe and hard to see

 

[milkloss]

I was looking at the little makita cordless chop saw, anyone got one?

dcs553 I think

 

[tinsheet]

Great for stuff on site, but noisey bloody things in the workshop.
get bandsaw if your intending it being in one place much nicer machine to use.
(they are good though)

 

[Pistonbroke]

Local steel fabricator has an old chop saw with a slow geared blade and cutting fluid. Has not changed a blade in years

 

[betternextyear]

Another vote, for the evolution. Still on original blade, good for box section, but it is noisy.
I have an ancient power hacksaw for heavy stuff too.

 

[clbarclay]

One issue with tct blades is they don't seem to like thick cuts. Turning box on one edge to be diamond works well with square cuts, but when cutting angled ends, long cuts can be unavoidable.

I took the edge off an 14" evolution metal blade by cutting rsj which was on its size limit and was effectively cutting through a 3" thick piece of steel as it started going through the web. I would prefer a sliding miter style to a simple chop saw to help avoid thick cuts.

 

[nick...]

Got an evolution here too.brilliant machine and let it cut at its own speed and it’s fine.biggest issue I find is the nearly red hot shards of metal coming of the cutting disc which are very very hot
nick…

 

[Hilly]

Local steel fabricator has an old chop saw with a slow geared blade and cutting fluid. Has not changed a blade in years

I have one of them they are great, mine is 3phase .

 

[bravheart]

One issue with tct blades is they don't seem to like thick cuts. Turning box on one edge to be diamond works well with square cuts, but when cutting angled ends, long cuts can be unavoidable.

I took the edge off an 14" evolution metal blade by cutting rsj which was on its size limit and was effectively cutting through a 3" thick piece of steel as it started going through the web. I would prefer a sliding miter style to a simple chop saw to help avoid thick cuts.

Got both and the sliding mitre saw not in the same league when metal cutting (with a tct blade anyway). Don't know whether it's the disc speed or Numbers of teeth but the chop saw blade will cut better and last longer.

 

[bravheart]

Back to the OPs question I'm not sure the blades are interchangeable. A friction disc saw spins at twice the speed and the spindles are different sizes.

 

[tomlad]

Ive a feeling that the foul mouthed Canadian, ave ,on utube experimented with blade swap, not a good outcome.

 

[TripleSix]

I've a band saw I bought second hand, bales last a long time when run with coolant.

Yes it's a bit slow but you can leave it unattended and do something else

 

[JockCroft]

Evoltion 2 here.
Not 100% happy with it.

Fine on light section.
2" angle cuts edge side down no problem but flat takes for ever. Cut flat bar through edge.

Clean cut not hot but beware cuttings fly about and are a little hot. (You will find that out when a chip goes down the back of your neck)

Have an approx. 40 year old 6" Bandsaw. Usually use it for 2" upwards. Odd sqirt of oil and it works away itself while measuring out the next cut.