its a curcular saw that cuts steel fast, VERY clean, and doesnt even heat up the metal at the cut at all. also fairly affordable at about $450

thinking about getting one.
use one at work frequently. cut a 30" length of 3/4" plate steel in about a minute. perfect straight cut! only a high $$ plasma could have done that.
http://fostertool.com/evo230saw.jpg
video of its SMALLER counterpart in action. the bigger one is MUCH more impresive
http://fostertool.com/Evolution.MPG

link
http://fostertool.com/evo230.htm

I have never heard of a circular saw cutting steel, aluminum maybe but definately not steel. That's pretty cool. How much do the blades cost? If you don't need the mobility you could always get a chop saw. Actually a chop saw would be better if you plan on cutting angles.

edit: by angles I mean bevels

It sure looks cool, but I think a chop saw would be a better choice.

OK. cool but couldnt a normal circ. saw with a steel blade do the same, just a little slower?

A typical circular saw, with the steel cutting blade, is alot slower, and makes way more dust, than that saw will. Plus, it has a hard time cutting anything thicker than 1/4". To cut the same 3/4" thick plate, that Zach has, it could take nearly 10 minutes. "But, it's only 10 minutes, big deal", right? It is, until you're the one doing the cutting

I think I'll give my welding store a call, and check their price for that

We use one in our welding class. I think they call it an evolution saw. The whole machine is different than a circ, or worm drive saw. They are great and way out do a chop saw. A chop saw is great for cutting small pieces but when you have a 20 inch or longer piece of steal to cut these things are the only way to go....My two pennies, Baked

I have seen a couple of these at work. They use them to cut 1" rebar. It cuts right through them with no problem. Not sure how long the blades last though.

How are these any different from the Milwaukee that's been out for many years?

The Milwaukee's an 8", so you get a slightly greater depth of cut, albeit an oddball size blade to purchase when you need replacement

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000WUQI4/103-0534638-2293466?v=glance

EDIT: are the Evolutions quality? I've never used one, but they look like something from a Bob the Builder kit at Wally World.

looks like a skil saw with a metal cutting blade to me, which makes me wonder why i can't put a steel cutting blade on my Skil worm drive and just use that.

The Milwaukee's an 8", so you get a slightly greater depth of cut, albeit an oddball size blade to purchase when you need replacementthe evolution posted uses a 9" blade, the one in the video probably uses a smaller one

Hmm, now it does look like maybe the Milwaukee can't bevel, but the Evolution can. That's an issue.

I've got the Milwaukee dry cut "chop saw" and it's sweet. But you trade abrasive dust for metal chips everywhere.

Hmm, now it does look like maybe the Milwaukee can't bevel, but the Evolution can. That's an issue.

I've got the Milwaukee dry cut "chop saw" and it's sweet. But you trade abrasive dust for metal chips everywhere.

ill take metal chips over abrasive dust anyday.

Hmm, now it does look like maybe the Milwaukee can't bevel, but the Evolution can. That's an issue.

I've got the Milwaukee dry cut "chop saw" and it's sweet. But you trade abrasive dust for metal chips everywhere.
I've got the same, I love sweeping up the chips, rather then blowing out all the dust that gets everywhere.

But for 450, add about 800 more and thats a nice plasma that will have 100's more uses.

But for 450,

Make that $505.........$450 plus a $55 blade not included. Altho it may be worth it, depends upon application I guess.

I believe the evolution saws are totaly different than the common skil saw. The motor looks stouter as it is a bit, 4" maybe, longer than the skil. My welding instructor also told ud that it spins slower or faster, not sure than a normal. The plasma and evolution both have there place. If I was to have to choose it would be a plasma first! They Rock! Baked

Make that $505.........$450 plus a $55 blade not included. Altho it may be worth it, depends upon application I guess.

:doh0715: Now I know why I dont have one of those

14" Craftsman Chopper for me, hate the dust but I can think of other ways for me to spend an extra 300 bucks.

I'll keep my old skool ocy/acd torch.. It has MANY MANY uses..I have a grinder if I need to clean any edges. Dont work on much small enough to worry about warping thin metals.

My welding instructor also told ud that it spins slower or faster, not sure than a normal.

Slower. 3500 to 3700 rpm (ballpark) for the metal cutting vs 5300 to 5800 for a normal 7.25" "skil" saw.

The difference in chop saws is even greater. The dry cut saws spin around 1500 while a normal abrasive chop saw spins near 4000 rpm.

Of course what I really want is a true cold saw.........those'll spin down to 44rpm

I've got the same, I love sweeping up the chips, rather then blowing out all the dust that gets everywhere.

just point your chop saw towards your neighbors driveway :toothless

just point your chop saw towards your neighbors driveway :toothless
Iron is good for the lawn :)

Iron is good for the lawn :)

I usually do that

Iron is good for the lawn :)
my one guy iwork with tells me to stop trying to give hm iron, as his coffee always winds up next to me when i am welding,cutting,heating, torching or grinding.....