[johnohara]

Hoss2006 recently posted a nice video showing an Evolution Rage 3 cutting steel pipe, stock, etc. .

The saw looked awfully familiar.

Yesterday, I bought the HF. Tried to use the additional 20% off coupon but no go. Gave it to the guy standing behind me.

1. Evolution Rage 3

2. Harbor Freight 98199.

~John

[hoss2006]

what makes the rage special is the blade that cuts aluminum and steel, pick up one
of those and you're good to go.
Hoss

[BobWarfield]

DeWalt and Makita both make saws like this too. I've been using one for years--they're great. As a matter of fact, I didn't use my little bandsaw at all after that until I made a table to use it vertically for small pieces.

The saws do run the blade a little more slowly than a standard mitre saw though to give the blade more life, and the blades are expensive.

Cheers,

BW

[johnohara]

Thanks Hoss. A good blade is my next investment.

Bob~
One of the reasons I gave this serious consideration was that it had a 15 amp motor spec'd to spin at 5300 rpm.

89 frog skins well spent.

HF seems intent on moving inventory and getting lean.

~John

[BobWarfield]

Just so you know, John, here is my DeWalt:

http://www.dewalt.com/tools/metalwor...aws-dw872.aspx

Spins at 1300 rpm--quite a bit slower.

Best,

BW

[mrcodewiz]

Why did they refuse the coupon?

[johnohara]

The base looks like a good candidate for an epoxy fill.

Cheers,
~John

[johnohara]

mrcodewiz~

The $89.99 price was already couponed. Original price was $139.99. The 20% coupon that's floating around the internet has restrictions -- can only be used in their stores and cannot be combined with any other promotion.

~John

[ninefinger]

I know these saws can look the same but often they have quality differences that account for some (or all) of the price difference at the end of the day...

I have a similar saw, knock off no name (Airco). I was able to find an exploded parts diagram for the same saw as a Makita. The trigger switch literally burned up on my knock off - I had to unplug it to get it to stop smoking and spray it with the hose (thats why I work in the gararge.... I bought a replacement switch for a Makita and it fit exactly, however the feel of the new switch was night and day (better).

So they cheaped out on the switch and it cost me $30 to replace. How long do I have before the bearings go, or the linear slides. So far $30 doesn't make the difference between the Makita and the no-name but be warned - looks can be deceiving.

Its great to get a bargain - just don't expect it to be a super high quality machine.

[mattbesquare]

looks like my dewalt... i love my saw. i have to sell it but keep putting it off.