Evolution Power ToolsEVOSAW180HD Industrial Steel Circular Saw, 180 mm (230 V)

I've just started to use this saw and have mixed feelings so far.First the negatives. The allen key (for blade changes) was missing. I'm sure Evolution will send me one if I call them (edit: they did). Out of the factory the blade is slightly off perpendicular to the plate. Having played with the tilt mechanism I can't even get back to the factory 'vertical'. I haven't measured it yet, but we're probably talking 1-2º. The depth locking lever is adequate, but not hugely ergonomical; you really have to push hard at end of range to finish the lock off. The 'start of cut' mark on the plate seems seems to be several centimetres forward of the actual start of cut! The parallel guide is useless for sheet metal if you're cutting edge is out beyond the baseplate - its design means that the sheet does not butt up against the guide rail but slips past it, meaning it's not fit for purpose on thin sheet. It seems to be a standard circular saw guide; fine for wood but if you're cutting sheet metal then it needs to be redesigned, or a separate guide supplied for cuts outside of the baseplate.The positives. The build quality generally seems okay. I like the weight, balance and feel of it. Using an aluminium blade the cuts are easy, vibration-free, smooth and with only a tiny burr. With the base plate against a clamped cutting guide the cuts are beautifully straight. The chip collector (though it doesn't seem to catch a high percentage of chips!) is easy to release and empty and has captive thumb nuts. The blade is straightforward to change (another note here; even if you don't need to change the blade it's worth taking it off fairly often to clean out all if the chips that didn't get away).I think the price is good for the performance, which is principally why I've still given it three stars despite its shortcomings. Would I buy it again? At this kind of price, certainly; it's definitely worth the niggles.Since I first wrote the review and I've used the saw a bit more I've upped from 3 to 4 stars ... a case of the positives (the sheer ability to do quick, straight cuts in sheet metal) outweighing the negatives.

This is a Christmas present of the wife but I insisted I test it to make sure it works saving the messing at Christmas itself of replacimh it you get a hard plastic storage case with this aswel as ear plugs and work safety glasses the saw it seem very well built I have the evolution 355 metal saw witch is a great bit of kit must of done hundreds of cuts with the same blade and still like new so expect a lot from this will leave a more detailed review in February this will cut 80 metres or 87 yards of 8 mm plate before needing a new blade recommend cleaning rusty metal before cutting as have heard this can shorten life of the blade

The build quality overall seems adequate, a bit of chatter here and there but overall solid. Only the guide behind the sawblade is a bit weak - a good thing, if you have to bend it back in shape behind the blade, but that's where is should stay in the first place.The metal cutting capacity stated is way too low: i've already successfully cut 20mm and 15mm thick mild-steel plates without trouble, when I pushed too hard I had to wait a few minutes for the overload protection to reset (which is a great feature by the way), still it only took me 10-15 minutes for a cut 1 meter in length trough 15mm mild steel (with quite some rust, which had me worried the blade might become dull, though it held up nicely). The cuts were narrow and quite clean, almost without any bur (see picture).I would've given 5 stars but there's one thing about this saw that makes me a bit uneasy: it is not earthed. The earth pin is not connected to any of the metal surfaces, there isn't even a third wire in the cable.

Its a good saw and I cut some 1mm thick stainless steel with the special stainless steel blade with no problems and the guide kept it nice a straight.One area that could do with improvement is the visibility of the blade. It is hard to see where the blade is cutting when cutting to a line on smaller pieces of metal or starting a cut. It would also benefit from a laser line like its big brother has.

Cuts metal like a buter

Great product as expected. It cuts 5 mm steel easily as promised.Higly recommended

fast delivery great saw

super OK