Evolution Rage 3 Multi Purpose Compound Saw?

[savman]

Wondering if anyone has had any experience with this saw, looking for a good value handy man unit and this saw gets good reviews

Thanks
Savman

[Midnight Man]

Can't help you with that saw - I've never actually heard of that manufacturer before.

This one: http://www.woodworkforums.com/f171/swarts-tools-305mm-12-sliding-compound-mitre-drop-161492 seems to be popular, and get good reviews around here. Here's the page it's available on: Swarts Tools 305mm 12" Sliding Compound Mitre Saw Belt Driven Double Bevel Drop Saw (SW1045) - Swarts Tools | An exciting new brand of semi-professional power tools launched in early 2011. (http://www.swartstools.com.au/p/20-swarts-tools-305mm-12--sliding-compound-mitre-saw-belt-driven-double-bevel-drop-saw--sw1045-) and considering it's a bit less than the one you've linked to, and it has 8 pages of mostly happy people at our review section, I think I know which one I'd choose.

I'm also going to suggest straight up that I'm no expert on saw blades, but the claim on the site selling the Evolution of cutting pretty much anything with a 28 tooth blade leaves me wondering at what the results of the cut might be (tear out etc).

Then you have your "usual suspects" like Makita, DeWalt, Metabo, Milwukee.

[savman]

Thanks for that link mate it seems a good saw, re the rage 3 yes the number of teeth were a concern as I only want a wood saw.

I had one of the big bosch 12" saws which I just sold, got it from a friend it was a bloody big heavy saw for what I wanted so I sold it the other day. I really only need a DUI type saw for small shed and chook house projects etc, just worried if I go 12" i'll be getting into to big a saw

Savman

[aldav]

To enable it to cut all those materials the Evolution blade has features from different types of specialist blades:
- negative rake teeth to help prevent jamming in metals
- not too many teeth so the blade doesn't heat up too much and distort. A side benefit is that plastics are less inclined to melt
- large buttresses behind the teeth to support them and soak up heat to reduce distortion

Of course being able to deal with all these materials means the blade is also likely to have some disadvantages:
- the carbide teeth are most likely a fairly soft grade to minimise the carbide chipping, so the blade life will be shorter
- 28 teeth is unlikely to produce a fine finish cut in timber
- 28 teeth will mean you'll have to take your time to let the blade do its job, it's no chop saw

There's no reason you couldn't use this blade in any other mitre or sliding saw and the blade can be bought separately. So I guess the question is whether the Rage 3 has any other features that are valuable to either the work you want to do or because of the ease and accuracy of operation. Only the buyer can answer that.

I know what you mean about the 12" Bosch. My son-in-law has one and while he can move it alone (just) it's a real back breaker for me.

[savman]

Interesting that there has been 430 odd views, then looking at the link to the Swarts saw where clearly a few here bought but there are no other comments on this particular saw makes me wonder if it stood the test of time, just thinking ya know

Savman

[Berniebac]

I own an Evolution Rage 3 mitre saw and I am very impressed with its performance. I have cut aluminum and plastic with it as well as pressure treated wood for my deck construction. The saw seems to be very solidly built and it performs very well. I really don't have a lot of hours on it but I am impressed so far. Very easy to assemble. I had a problem with the first one that I picked up and could not get it assembled. Evolution told me to take it back to the store and get a replacement, so I thought that service was pretty good to. Blades are expensive, but if just used for wood work you can put any blade in it, so you don't have to stick to their brand.

[BobL]

To me the Evolution saw looks like budget level saw with a standard combo blade on it.

Another thing about blades with negative raked etc blades is that they cut wood very slowly and the fact that no reviews I read mentioned this very important point suggests the reviews are not worth much.

If anyone was to buy that saw to primarily cut wood then they should really consider purchasing blades more suited to wood.

[savman]

I have ordered a Swarts i'm sure it will be fine

Savman