Chop saw question

[HardCharger81]

My regular abrasive chop saw finally died, and I've been looking at the new metal blade style saw.
Dewalt and Makita both make one, but at $450+ I was thinking maybe I'd just replace my old one with another abrasive style saw when I found this.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00961252000P

I've never heard of the company, and since its a catalog only item, I can't look at it down at the local Sears. So, any one see/use/own one?

Thanks

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[Ziggy]

Looks like an English tool making company(Evolution) got a contract from Sears this tear to make some tools for them.

[Papá de Azúcar]

Cheque these out:

Milwaukee 6190-20 15 Amp 14-Inch Metal Cutoff Machine

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...activeda417-20

or how about 14" carbide blades for your old abrasive saw?

http://www.bulletindustries.com/carb...etal%20blades/

...the blades seem to get mixed reviews, but you cant be the price on the Milwaukee and free shipping if you don't mind the wait?

[HardCharger81]

Ah....I bought the Dewalt, Talked them down to $400, and they threw in a free grinder.... Couldn't pass it up.
I made a few test cuts and all I can say is WOW. I've demo'd these saws a couple times, but when its in your own garage, and you really get to fool with it. Its pretty impressive. Thumbs Up so far.

[fabnahorse]

Evolution was actually one of the first companies to come out with a production cold saw. I bought the Raptor, which is the all day long all day strong version of the Rage, a couple of years ago and have been very pleased. In fact, the blade has seen hundreds and hundreds of cuts and is still in great shape. The only feature I don't care for is the lack of a quick release clamp, which is important if you've got to switch materials and/or angles often. Power is good.

[NicksTrix]

can you just buy one of the blades and run them in a regular chop saw or do they need to run at a different rpm?

[fabnahorse]

The cold saws run at 1300ish rpm vs. I believe 3k or so on an abrasive chop saw. The SFM is already quite high for the cold saw, at 3k it would wear the carbide down in the first cut.

[HardCharger81]

I've made a few cut with this machine, and I've been very impressed. But I noticed that it started throwing alot of sparks, so I stopped. I inspected the blade and found a tooth missing. I've made maybe 10 cuts on the saw, I'm the only one using it and I've been very careful with it. I know these blades can be re-sharpened, but can the tips be replaced? Kinda sucks for a tool I spent $400 on and had alot of work planned for it

[Samco Fab]

I got one of the Bullet Industries blades to try it out, it worked awesome.....for about 3 cuts, then it was dull and worthless. I have an employee that had the same exact experience, a few cuts, then dull, even with mild steel and not pushing too hard.

I did have very good luck with the Bullet Industries skill saw blades, and I dont know exactly why the skill saw blades are good, and the chop saw/ carbide blades. I am guessing the RPM of my Milwakee chop saw kills the blade.

[fabnahorse]

I've made a few cut with this machine, and I've been very impressed. But I noticed that it started throwing alot of sparks, so I stopped. I inspected the blade and found a tooth missing. I've made maybe 10 cuts on the saw, I'm the only one using it and I've been very careful with it. I know these blades can be re-sharpened, but can the tips be replaced? Kinda sucks for a tool I spent $400 on and had alot of work planned for it

By careful I assume you mean not putting pressure to it like an abrasive wheel?

I got one of the Bullet Industries blades to try it out, it worked awesome.....for about 3 cuts, then it was dull and worthless. I have an employee that had the same exact experience, a few cuts, then dull, even with mild steel and not pushing too hard.

I did have very good luck with the Bullet Industries skill saw blades, and I dont know exactly why the skill saw blades are good, and the chop saw/ carbide blades. I am guessing the RPM of my Milwakee chop saw kills the blade.

Yeah, if it's an abrasive chop saw a carbide blade won't last....3 cuts. Ha! The surface feet per minute (speed) of the blade is way too high for carbide. If Bullet is claiming you can use them they're smoking something.