Dee Posted November 2 Share Posted November 2 Looking to replace my trusty saw but no idea which brand to buy. I'm only a DIYer so it doesn't want to be too expensive. Appreciate advice and opinions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuerteStu Posted November 2 Share Posted November 2 I bought an evolution for my loft conversion, far better than I thought it would be for the price. Just make sure you set it up and test it for the 45s and 90s. Don't assume it will be perfect out of the box, regardless of the brand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted November 2 Share Posted November 2 Evolution for general stuff is fine. The orange not green range. No use for cabinet making, through housings mind mind. Tbh I've never managed to use it successfully for skirting either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 2 Share Posted November 2 I'm probably unusual in that until recently I'd always cut mitres by hand. That's changed for my current project, but rather than a choosing a dedicated mitre saw I've chosen a track saw for additional flexibility (I'll be building various items of fitted furniture, starting with the kitchen). It could be worth looking at as an alternative but, it depends what you need to cut and in what quantity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparrowhawk Posted November 2 Share Posted November 2 3 minutes ago, Mike said: I'm probably unusual in that until recently I'd always cut mitres by hand. That's changed for my current project, but rather than a choosing a dedicated mitre saw I've chosen a track saw for additional flexibility (I'll be building various items of fitted furniture, starting with the kitchen). It could be worth looking at as an alternative but, it depends what you need to cut and in what quantity. Would you do skirting boards with the track saw? I want a track saw for fitted furniture, and I've also got 400 bevel cuts to make in our skirting boards. If I can buy one tool rather than both, that's a nice saving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 2 Share Posted November 2 2 minutes ago, Sparrowhawk said: Would you do skirting boards with the track saw? Yes, it's possible :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conor Posted November 2 Share Posted November 2 Evolution is great,.I've the 255mm one. For second fit stuff, get a 80tooth TCT blade instead. The multi purpose one does not cut smooth at all. But it does cuts like this.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMo Posted November 2 Share Posted November 2 1 hour ago, Conor said: Evolution is great,.I've the 255mm one. For second fit stuff, get a 80tooth TCT blade instead. The multi purpose one does not cut smooth at all. But it does cuts like this.... Have exactly the same one. Built all our internal stud walls, exterior cladding, fences, clad pallet sheds and more besides, before I got round to changing the first blade. Have a smaller one also used that for cutting stone slips - with the correct cutting disc and coolant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted November 3 Share Posted November 3 I have an early, 255mm, Rage 3, sliding mitre saw. The nephews each have later model, 255mm ones that seem more accurate but I don't think it's a wear issue on mine. I think Evolution have improved the design. I don't have mine set up on a bench just grab it, manhandle to where I'm working, the car etc. I then need to set it up every time if I want an exactly square cut. I use one of these: OSALADI Carpentry Angle Ruler Industry Protractor Angle Miter Gauge Miter Angle Finder Metal Stencils Finder Measuring Ruler Goniometer Angle Finder Aluminum Alloy Work Carpenter Magnetic https://amzn.eu/d/fsI2C8O Useful as a periodic checker even if the saw is set up on a bench. It allows a fairly acceptable degree of repeatability for say mitre cuts. My mate has a big DeWalt sliding mitre saw, several hundred Pounds worth. The Evolution and DeWalt are streets apart. He'll do 6" skirting on his and it's perfect. By the same token his can't cut conduit, Unistrut or with a change to the Evo diamond blade, brick slips. Imo the Evo saw is nearer to a rough and ready shed/fence building saw than something a proper chippy would use for say cabinet making. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickfromwales Posted November 3 Share Posted November 3 13 hours ago, Onoff said: Evolution for general stuff is fine. The orange not green range. No use for cabinet making, through housings mind mind. Tbh I've never managed to use it successfully for skirting either. Complete garbage for anything you want any precision with in honesty. When you’ve used a quality saw (DeWalt 780XPS for me) you’ll instantly see what I’m talking about. You’re far better off buying a good used DeWalt / Bosch / other quality brand and staying away from DIY shed stuff, plus far better longevity and support for spares down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted November 3 Share Posted November 3 7 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said: Complete garbage for anything you want any precision with in honesty. When you’ve used a quality saw (DeWalt 780XPS for me) you’ll instantly see what I’m talking about. You’re far better off buying a good used DeWalt / Bosch / other quality brand and staying away from DIY shed stuff, plus far better longevity and support for spares down the road. It's horses for courses though to some degree. We don't know what the OP wants it for. Knocking up sheds or planters, cutting up pallet wood where you'll likely hit as staple or nail. I wouldn't want to be without my Evo saw. Cutting steel, bricks etc. It does it all to an acceptable degree for what I want. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickfromwales Posted November 3 Share Posted November 3 22 minutes ago, Onoff said: It's horses for courses though to some degree. We don't know what the OP wants it for. Knocking up sheds or planters, cutting up pallet wood where you'll likely hit as staple or nail. I wouldn't want to be without my Evo saw. Cutting steel, bricks etc. It does it all to an acceptable degree for what I want. 33 minutes ago, Nickfromwales said: Complete garbage for anything you want any precision with in honesty. 👆👌👊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted November 3 Author Share Posted November 3 Thanks everyone for your input. My old one was Metabo, brilliant workhorse me. Usage wise I need it mostly for stud work, skirting, framing ect....I'm not a pro! Even so, I do like an accurate cut. I don't have much to spend so dewalt, Bosch ect out of my league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorfun Posted November 3 Share Posted November 3 4 hours ago, Nickfromwales said: Complete garbage for anything you want any precision with in honesty. When you’ve used a quality saw (DeWalt 780XPS for me) you’ll instantly see what I’m talking about. You’re far better off buying a good used DeWalt / Bosch / other quality brand and staying away from DIY shed stuff, plus far better longevity and support for spares down the road. +1. I splashed out on a Dewalt and the accompanying leg stand for it. Well worth the money. It’s done everything from skirting, flooring, stud work and lots more. just don’t tell @Pocster I bought yellow and black as he’ll never let me live it down. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickfromwales Posted November 3 Share Posted November 3 4 hours ago, Dee said: Thanks everyone for your input. My old one was Metabo, brilliant workhorse me. Usage wise I need it mostly for stud work, skirting, framing ect....I'm not a pro! Even so, I do like an accurate cut. I don't have much to spend so dewalt, Bosch ect out of my league. One example https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256696857214?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=FtY60_Z0RRm&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=rjjTfFKkTOO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dee Posted November 3 Author Share Posted November 3 How crucial is dual/ single bevel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickfromwales Posted November 3 Share Posted November 3 27 minutes ago, Dee said: How crucial is dual/ single bevel? If you’re doing skirting and architraves all day every day then crucial, but most have it at entry level anyways. Dual bevel is nice if you can spare the few extra £10’s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickfromwales Posted November 3 Share Posted November 3 1 hour ago, Nickfromwales said: One example https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256696857214?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=FtY60_Z0RRm&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=rjjTfFKkTOO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Oddly the blade appears to be installed in that saw backwards….may be worth asking why if considering buying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted November 3 Share Posted November 3 2 hours ago, Nickfromwales said: Oddly the blade appears to be installed in that saw backwards….may be worth asking why if considering buying. Well spotted. Could be dangerous if used like that (could throw the workpiece at the user). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceverge Posted November 4 Share Posted November 4 Could be worth staying stum. Maybe the seller thinks the saw is no good and want rid at a bargain price. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted November 4 Share Posted November 4 I have the small orange evolution. I think it was @Onoff who recommended it years ago. Works very well when I make my picture frames (tend to knock out 100 at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pocster Posted November 4 Share Posted November 4 On 03/11/2024 at 13:29, Thorfun said: +1. I splashed out on a Dewalt and the accompanying leg stand for it. Well worth the money. It’s done everything from skirting, flooring, stud work and lots more. just don’t tell @Pocster I bought yellow and black as he’ll never let me live it down. I don't own this particular saw but as it's the yellow and black dream machine it's bound to be top notch! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gone West Posted November 4 Share Posted November 4 23 minutes ago, Pocster said: as it's the yellow and black dream machine it's bound to be top notch I hope so, as I'm gradually going over to Dewalt 18V XR tools. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pocster Posted November 4 Share Posted November 4 6 minutes ago, Gone West said: I hope so, as I'm gradually going over to Dewalt 18V XR tools. Trust me . Top quality . Xr batteries can shag in time . But that’s after 100’s of charges . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted November 4 Share Posted November 4 4 hours ago, Pocster said: yellow and black dream machine JCB? 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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