Evolution Circular Saw

[Dallypro]

Hi All

Does anyone have any experience with Evolution Circular saws? I am particularly interested in their combined circular/track saw (R185CCSX for example).

Got a few jobs coming up where I will probably need a saw (worktops, decking etc) and currently don't have one.

Any input appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Bear in mind that it isn't a plunge saw and so it can't do worktop cut-outs such as those for hobs and sinks. Not keen on tracks made-up from very short pieces like this saw has on account of there often being potential problems with straightness at the joints (I'm a long time Hilti and Festool track saw user and even those brands are far from perfect - you always need to check the track joints for straightness) - although I note that they do sell 1400 and 2800mm rails as well. I'd also advise checking for replacement blade availability as 185mm is a bit of an odd size

 

[Dallypro]

Thanks for the reply. All good things to consider.

Any alternative recommendations given I have a budget of about 100 quid?

 

[Deleted member 174758]

It's in the same sort of price range as the Titan from Screwdix as well as the Workzone from Aldi (which appears periodically and I'm told is a rebadged Scheppach but a lot cheaper) and the Parkside from LiDL (again. available periodically). £100 is a fairly low price point for a plunge/track saw with a lot more products (e.g. GMC, Triton, Scheppach, etc) coming in at more like the £150 to £170 mark. Can't comment about any of these products from personal experience, however. Hopefully there will be someone on here who has first hand experience and can chime in. Whatever else it's worthwhile ensuring that any track saw you choose uses a track which is compatible with Festool/Makita because then you aren't tied to a single source should you need more tracks and/or accessories in the future

Edit: The Workzone is currently available at £80. This is pretty much identical to the Scheppach 55

 

[SammyInnit]

I had the £150 erbauer for a while.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-...kGRAfKa-VSlnVjYUtVdL5bz45Hm9ljowaAhAWEALw_wcB

It was alright, did what you wanted it to but in no means was it a refined machine. Dust collection was terrible and it just felt rough and ready. Bit of slop here and there but for the money wasn't the worst. Did work with the Makita track.

Eventually sold it and got the cordless Makita. Far greater unit.

 

[big-all]

do you have a mitre saw ??

 

[Deleted member 174758]

do you have a mitre saw ??

I take your point about a chop saw being a far handier tool than a circular saw for cutting decking planking, however whilst it is possible to knock-up a quick and dirty cross cutting jig for decking planks for use with a track saw:

using a couple of decking offcuts and a couple of bits of 2 x 1 softwood (the bits at the top) mounted atop a piece of sheet material (anything from an old flush door to a piece of plywood) which will allow you to cross cut planks accurately with a track saw, I have yet to figure out any way to get a chop saw to cross cut a 600mm wide worktop or do sink cut-outs in the top. Whilst it's nice to have both, it does put more strain on the budget

BTW in use the back edge of the rail rests against those "ears"

 

[Burnerman]

Not relevant to the original post, but Evolution have a particularly good customer help line and parts department (at least for the petrol stuff)- Sheffield based.
John

 

[Dallypro]

Hi All.

Many thanks for the replies.

I took the plunge with the evolution. Seems like a reasonable quality circular saw, however the track is a bit limited. Fortunately it is compatible with most other brands.

And yes I have a chop saw, but I have been asked to build a fairly odd shaped deck when the weather picks up. The plan is to build it big, then set up a track and cut the shape as requested. Well......that's what I have been told to do anyway!