Evolution Stealth 210mm sliding mitre saw review

[big-all]

I purchased the Evolution Stealth 210mm sliding mitre saw last year in order to cut some timber, I know the evolution saws will cut metal but they cut metal badly, shower you in hot pieces of swarf and also make enough noise to annoy Quasimodo.


After spending 10 minutes setting up the saw (something I did not have to do with my Dewalt saw) I soon realised that the Evolution sliding saw was not much good. Don’t get me wrong for the money it was a useful bit of kit and had a laser guide (which I never used) and soft start, which was a nice feature. I needed the saw to cut some decking as my smaller Evolution chop saw could only cut timber up to about 4 inches wide.

I used the machine for a couple of cuts and noticed that the cuts were not square, so I checked using my engineers square and the blade was not parallel to the fence on the machine. I tried to adjust the blade (something you can do on other machines) but the blade was pinned in position using a split spring pin. As I was doing a video review for youtube I decided to contact Evolution and tell them about the problem, they told me to adjust the blade and even emailed me the manual for the machine, but I had already tried this and could not adjust the machine. After another email they agreed that the machine would need sending back to be adjusted.

I emailed them the proof or purchase and told them that collecting the machine might be difficult as I am at work till after 4pm each day. I never received a reply from them so took it back to Tradepoint who issued me a refund immediately.

Anyway if you get one that is set up correctly they are great on wood, here is a video of me doing a bit of pack cutting with mine (before I sent it back)

[big-all]

good honest and true review

[steviejoiner74]

I bought one for cutting up firewood and it didn't even last long doing that,keep the receipt!! You'll need it!!

[fin]

last year we did a lot of work on a house locally. after we had finished the home owner got in touch and wanted me to go back, cut the skirting boards for his en suite bathroom but not fit them so he could fit them and claim it as his work. keep his wife sweet i think haha. it was a complicated pain in the ass job. he said ive bought a mitre saw especially for this job. so i got there and it was one of those evolution things. i opened the box and there was no instructions to speak of and a mass of parts. i unpacked it. looked at it and thought bugger this... drove home got my own dewalt mitre saw and went back. finished the job and told him to return his saw.

whyyyyyyy sell stuff like a mitre saw that has to be built up

[ultimatehandyman]

I guess it's time to add to this post, I have to say that I am an Evolution convert now and use the Rage 3 and Rage 2 on a regular basis for cutting metal and wood.

Only yesterday I cut some 10mm thick aluminium plate using the rage 3b sliding mitre saw and it was like a hot knife through butter.

[London mike 61]

Out of interest, how well do the blades last/perform once you have cut metal on them? Are they knackered or can you still get some half decent cuts on wood ?

The other thing I am desperate to know is ( sorry about asking loads of questions ) , do you use evolution blades or do you use other blades with a bore reducer?

Thanks
Mike

[ultimatehandyman]

I have not really paid much attention to the quality of the cut on wood as I normally only cut decking etc. but I'll have a look the next time I cut some.

I only use the Evolution blades as I mainly cut metal.

[ultimatehandyman]

I cut some planed 3*2 today with the Rage 3 sliding mitre saw.

This is the same blade that I have cut 6mm thick mild steel sheet with and a fair bit of aluminium and unistrut.

There was minimal splintering when exiting the cut, these fine splinters were wiped away using a gloved hand.

Here are the pictures-

[London mike 61]

I cut some planed 3*2 today with the Rage 3 sliding mitre saw.

This is the same blade that I have cut 6mm thick mild steel sheet with and a fair bit of aluminium and unistrut.

There was minimal splintering when exiting the cut, these fine splinters were wiped away using a gloved hand.

Here are the pictures-

Thanks for posting the pics, they are quite sharp cuts, not what I expected at all.......cool!