Metal chop saw issue

[Canoe1]

Why will my dewalt metal abrasion saw not cut straight? The blade will flex and wander partway through cutting, even on 1-1/2” square tubing.
Am I pushing to hard? I’ve tried going slower and also more pressure.
or is this just the nature of these saws? I can make better cuts with a grinder and cutoff disc.

[Brazos Hunter]

The more pressure you place on them, in my limited experience, the more flex or walking happens. Mine is very finicky and cuts the cleanest when I cut SUPER slow




Michael

[TexasBob]

Make sure everything is set up perfectly square. My rigid has never done that so I’m not much help.

[PYBUCK]

Don't buy the knock off saw blades, buy the Makita or Dewalt blades and don't push so hard. Let the weight of the saw apply the force needed to cut.

[dclifton]

bearings going out in arbor maybe? Thinner blade than normal or same? They make different thickness chop saw blades.

If you do much fab work by yourself and evolution with miter. Best money you will spend.

[Dale Moser]

One of many reasons I HATE chop saws...

[smokin6.7]

These are high but money well spent if you do much cutting. I've had mine for 6-7 years and I'm still on the original blade. The blades are $100.

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Makita-15-Amp-12-in-Corded-Metal-Cutting-Cut-off-Chop-Saw-with-Carbide-Blade-LC1230/203162039?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&utm_source=google&utm_medium=vantage&utm_campaign=46996&utm_content=49253&mtc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-Multi-Multi-NA-MAKITA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-MK894289001-46996-NBR-35-NA-VNT-FY25_Makita_D25P_OAM_CPT_Drive_Sales_BAU_Opportunity&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-Multi-Multi-NA-MAKITA-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-MK894289001-46996-NBR-35-NA-VNT-FY25_Makita_D25P_OAM_CPT_Drive_Sales_BAU_Opportunity---&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI87yj-8nLjAMVIVN_AB1KCAwnEAQYASABEgIiufD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Canoe1]

bearings going out in arbor maybe? Thinner blade than normal or same? They make different thickness chop saw blades.

If you do much fab work by yourself and evolution with miter. Best money you will spend.

Yes, my buddy has one. Once my boy makes a few projects to sell and recoup some of the expenses I paid to get him going, we’re getting one of the evolutions or something like it

[dclifton]

Yes, my buddy has one. Once my boy makes a few projects to sell and recoup some of the expenses I paid to get him going, we’re getting one of the evolutions or something like it

Evolution is the only way to go really. I have had the dewalt and milwaukee. But there miter and vise options suck... They all cut the same.

But the base on the evolution which is just like a wood saw plus the clamping feature make it superb.

Now there hand held metal saw is a ****. The milwaukee is way better.

[Dale Moser]

I believe our cut off saw here at the shop is an Evolution, and it's been great. I still prefer a band saw for personal use, but I'm probably in the minority on that.

[Texas Grown]

14" chop saws were only meant for ruff cuts.

[bboswell]

Get away from the abrasive blades and get a carbide tipped blade. Diablo has served us better than Evolution on the blades.

[Graysonhogs]

One of many reasons I HATE chop saws...

I hate em because they are so f'n loud

[Outback]

I've had fiber chop saw for years. Took forever and wasn't always straight. I finally had enough and spent $165 on an Evolution metal hand. I thought about the Evolution chop saw but ultimately got the hand saw. I made some wood jigs with fences and holy moley it cuts like butter! I use it alot. My favorite part is that I can set it up in the jig and cut perfectly straight. Plus if the piece is a smidge too long, I can precisely take off thin strips from the length or width as needed. Even my wife, who gave me the business for buying it, is super impressed.

I got this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08287HSJL...d_asin_title_3

Here's the demo that caused me to buy it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKqPrf3qlxA

I made the fence like in this video adding a second piece the same length width so I can sandwich small pieces for safe cutting: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TvRf7g8U20A

Good luck!

[Draco]

I had a Makita for over 30 years and it cut great, not a complaint. A hired hand burned the motor up putting too much pressure on it and I bought a Dewalt. It has never made a straight cut in it's life. I usually just cut it close and cut it exact with a grinder with a cut off disc in it.