TCT or abrasive chop saw

[F.J.]

Hi all,

Im on the look out for a new chop saw and im wondering if anyone has a preference on either TCT saws or abrasive saws and why? Ive seen the Evolution ones (dont actually know the difference between the Fury or the Rage) but am aware the Evolution Predetor is purely for steel. I dont want a multi purpose one. Ive been using an old Makita saw for a while and is now showing its age hence the reason for looking.

Thanks

 

[madkayaker]

TCT is a nicer cut with less dust but more hot chips

 

[armalites]

TCT machines tend to be more expensive but they retain cutting capacity though the life of the blade.

If you do quite a bit of cutting then you will save in the long run with a TCT

 

[Fazerruss]

I have both a clarke abrasive and an evolution.

The evo is good for clean cuts on tube ect but thick stuff causes the blade to get too hot and blunts the teeth. Blades arn't cheap either.
You can cut virtually owt with the clarke , even 5inch solid round bar

 

[cumbriasteve]

I have a cheap Aldi abrasive chop saw.. don't tend to use it much, prefer my bandsaw but always impressed how good it is when I do use it.

 

[F.J.]

Thanks, id be using it mainly on 1.5-2mm round/square tube but occasionally 3mm stuff. I think ill be looking for a TCT saw now.

Cheers

 

[armalites]

One tip to get the best out of a TCT is try and start the cut at the smallest point ie

If cutting square then position it to start on a corner.

This may not always be possible.

 

[johnward]

i had an abrasive saw and a evolution saw.
got rid of the abrasive saw as the dust from it got everywhere, still got the evo rage saw but only use it for wood now as i found the blades were not that good, some blades would last i guess 2-300 cuts in 1 and 2mm box section and some blades about fifty cuts!!.
evolution as a company seem very good as the last blade i sent back to them as it went blunt very quickly and they sent a replacement free of charge.

i now have a stayer 230v cold saw and its great...just like this one.

hope this helps.

 

[F.J.]

i had an abrasive saw and a evolution saw.
got rid of the abrasive saw as the dust from it got everywhere, still got the evo rage saw but only use it for wood now as i found the blades were not that good, some blades would last i guess 2-300 cuts in 1 and 2mm box section and some blades about fifty cuts!!.
evolution as a company seem very good as the last blade i sent back to them as it went blunt very quickly and they sent a replacement free of charge.

i now have a stayer 230v cold saw and its great...just like this one.

hope this helps.

Thanks for the heads up, I would much prefer a cold saw but can't find one within my budget! Ill get one eventually but need a new saw ASAP.

 

[wombar]

I've got an Evolution Rage saw and I have somewhat mixed feelings about it. The cuts are generally good (as long as the blade is sharp), but as others have said, it blunts very quickly on thicker material. Once that starts happening the finish of the cuts goes downhill VERY fast.

The last blade didn't last very long for what it cost (probably under 100 cuts on 3mm box section). They're ~£30 each (though they can be found cheaper online/sharpened). I'm hoping this next one will last a bit longer. I keep a spare in the garage and send it off to the sharpeners (costs ~£10) as soon as I make the swap.

Build quality is about what I'd expect for what I paid (£165 at the time from ScrewFix). The clamps are utter rubbish though and I've pretty much thrown them away.

For the money it does the job, but it's not a tool I look at with any great affection. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a cold saw, but this is just a hobby for me, so I can bide my time.

 

[pedrobedro]

TCT is a nicer cut with less dust but more hot chips

[HOMER]Mmmmmmm hot chips[/HOMER]

I bought a cheap abrasive saw about 12 years ago and it still gets the job done. Buy decent discs not Machine Mart crap and don't push too hard and they last well and don't make too much dust. It works out cheap enough to run and if it's fine I use it outside anyway so mess is not a problem.

 

[chevy2]

i had an abrasive saw and a evolution saw.
got rid of the abrasive saw as the dust from it got everywhere, still got the evo rage saw but only use it for wood now as i found the blades were not that good, some blades would last i guess 2-300 cuts in 1 and 2mm box section and some blades about fifty cuts!!.
evolution as a company seem very good as the last blade i sent back to them as it went blunt very quickly and they sent a replacement free of charge.

i now have a stayer 230v cold saw and its great...just like this one.

hope this helps.

Got the exact same one but badged as a Clarke,
Bought it from Clarke in about 1990?,
Had to get some rebuild parts for the motor about 10 years back which was only about £20, the little pumps that are on the side dont seem to last 5minutes before packing up so now brush the coolant on the blade,
Keep a spare blade sharp always and they're only about £8 to resharpen,
Great saw they cut nice and accurate

 

[johnward]

I would much prefer a cold saw but can't find one within my budget!.

keep looking on ebay as the stayer/clarke ones go from £50 to £200.

 

[rob1]

the problem with tct is you cant cut box on the flat at a 45degree .
iv got the evo raptor and its exelent on tube but evo say you cant have 3 teeth on the cutting surface so useless realy

 

[jonjoe]

with a abrasive blade do you not have to keep piling the metal up with wood as the blade gets smaller

 

[F.J.]

I do a lot of work on 1" 1/4 round and square tube. If I was to put the square on edge would the Raptor be good enough if I just used it for that? Also how long do you think the blade will last only cutting tube between 1.5 and 2mm thick?

Cheers

 

[rob1]

hi i got around 800 cuts out of my last blade and still cutting fine .thats 48mm 3mm wall tube but i dont cut box with it unless its on its edge .i sent mine back origonaly cus of the lack of blade life .it cost me 3 blades .they should say on the website realy that it cant cut box on the flat

 

[KemppiFrog]

i had an abrasive saw and a evolution saw.
got rid of the abrasive saw as the dust from it got everywhere, still got the evo rage saw but only use it for wood now as i found the blades were not that good, some blades would last i guess 2-300 cuts in 1 and 2mm box section and some blades about fifty cuts!!.
evolution as a company seem very good as the last blade i sent back to them as it went blunt very quickly and they sent a replacement free of charge.

i now have a stayer 230v cold saw and its great...just like this one.

hope this helps.

A quick look around seems to say they don't make that any more. Or am I wrong? Looks just what I need to compliment the abrasive and TCT ones.

 

[chevy2]

A quick look around seems to say they don't make that any more. Or am I wrong? Looks just what I need to compliment the abrasive and TCT ones.

I have the Clarke version but i think that model of the Clarke/Stayer saw has been discontinued,
The Macc version of what is almost the same here,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Macc-K225...224&pid=100015&prg=1006&rk=1&sd=321057552488&

 

[johnward]

A quick look around seems to say they don't make that any more. Or am I wrong? .

your right no longer made. but normaly there's about 3 or 4 a month pop up on ebay. thats where i got mine.

john.