Which cold saw?

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I need to pick up a cold saw for a project next week. Needs to be portable so no monster units. I've pretty much settled on the Makita LC1230 but at the same price point the Dewalt looks pretty good as well and is a 14" instead of 12" like the Makita.Booth look good, have great reviews, and fit my price/size requirements.Any thoughts on these two saws? Is there a better tool in the $400-500 price range I should consider?Thanks as always for letting me tap in to your collective experience.MonteSent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:I had a 12" Makita that was very nice, but I thought they discontinued it. I bought a 14" milwaukee next, the blades were about the same price. It vibrated a little more and didn't cut as smooth, however I could cut larger pieces ( I use a lot of 4"x6" tube). I think there is even a 15" saw out there now from Evolution or a similar name. So I guess it depends on how big you need to cut. If I didn't need the size, I liked the 12" Makita best.
Reply:I'm leaning toward the Makita unless someone changes my mind. Own lots of their stuff and all is top notch. Thanks for the input!
Reply:Get the Makita you will be extremely happy.
Reply:Nuff said. Ordering the Makita now. Thanks
Reply:You made a good choice.  I have that saw and love it.  When it comes time to get a replacement blade, look at the Tenyru blades.
Reply:Originally Posted by cbones62You made a good choice.  I have that saw and love it.  When it comes time to get a replacement blade, look at the Tenyru blades.
Reply:You guys mix up cold saw for dry sawYou won't find a good cold saw for less than 2 to 3 grandBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:You're probably right. What is the difference? I'm not super knowledgable about metalworking tools. My background is wood.
Reply:chop saw = abrasive blade, 3500~ rpmdry cut saw = metal blade, slower RPM 1700~ range, like you boughtcold saw = solid, tool steel blade, 22, 44, 88+ rpm rangeyou can sharpen the blade on your new makita saw. look in your local area for tool sharpening service. You can replace the carbide teeth of you knock one off as well. Back when I had my 72t, 14" dry cut saw blade, sharpening the blade was about $15 and tooth replacement was $5 each tooth. the only tip I can offer is to clamp a locking set of pliers to the end of your tubing if you are cutting a small 90 or 45 off the very end of a new piece of tubing to keep the small drop piece from falling back into the blade. That gets messy and can ruin or damage your blade or saw. for me, clamping the pliers to the tip of the small drop piece, allowed gravity to pull the pliers (and drop) down and away from the blade. I used Dewalt, Milwaukee blades only. I had 4-5+ blades on hand. some dull and some sharpened in rotation. At the end, i had also Tenyru blade and it was fine too. I tried an Evolution blade and it lasted one day. It was horrible. Just Chinese junk.  Stay with the big brand blades, even if they cost more.
Reply:Thanks Jimmy-pop. Great explanation. We are fortunate to have an old time sharpener in town. He does great work and only charges a few bucks a tooth.
Reply:Originally Posted by monte_santa_cruzThanks Jimmy-pop. Great explanation. We are fortunate to have an old time sharpener in town. He does great work and only charges a few bucks a tooth.
Reply:Can't speak for metal cuttin blades (yet) but my experience with wood blades is that when my local guy is done with them they cut better than when new. Not sure what voodoo he uses but they come back to me SHARP.
Reply:Also cold saw is water cooled ...Very messy at times Very expensive saw and the blades either steel or carbide are expensive One outfit i worked for bought a cheap one and the saw head would move during cutting and bind the blade and break it they are worm gear drives with a flood cooling system.There are some really good ones but very costlyThey were the thing before dry saws came outBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Originally Posted by killdozerd11You guys mix up cold saw for dry sawYou won't find a good cold saw for less than 2 to 3 grand
Reply:Baleigh ain't all that great a product line... people have stated some of it rebranded chicom ...The outfit i worked for bought a cheap piece of chicom crap that the head moved left and right didn't lock properly and the up / down pivot holes were misalignedit needed to be line bored and sleeved...LOL...But that would not fix the column from moving left/right Since i don't do that type of fab work i personally don't know ...But what i do know is shop around look at reviews from people..not on there website.check on forums like this onewhere you get not fanboy reviews...I just bought a mag drill after a lot of shopping around and reading reviews..Got a Jancy slugger.Great machine for the price with 3 year warrantyMade in the USAI looked on CL for a long time and most people want way too much for a used one ...just a little more money and get a new one with warranty and not have to wonder how long it will last and how badly it was treated(Sorry rant over)http://www.scotchman.com/cold-sawshttp://www.doringer.com/http://www.baileigh.com/metalworking/saws/cold-sawshttp://www.dakecorp.com/products-group-cold-saws.aspBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Yea, a GOOD cold saw will set you back a few grand easy new. Even used, the good brands are expensive. Mine is a cheaper job but before the electronics took a dump it worked fine Morse makes a good dry cut saw with a carbide tipped blade. I tried one at Fabtech last year.MJD bought a Makita last year and told me he has been real happy with it too.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:I bought a Makita a few months back on amazon for $423. Been very happy with it so far! Check out http://www.carbideprocessors.com/ for blades. I bought 3 spare Oshlun blades.-DoogieMiller 350PMiller Trailblazer 325 EFI w/ Excel PowerLincoln LN25 suitcase welderXMT 304/22a feederMiller Syncrowave 350LXMiller EconotigHobart Handler 140(2) Uni-Hydro 42-14Hypertherm 65 plasmaWEBB Gap bed lathe
Reply:Yep. Just orders one on Amazon. Free prime shipping. Be here wed. I don't have a LWS so interwebs it is. Can't wait to get it.
Reply:And thanks for all the good info!!
Reply:You should be happy with the makita. The 12" blade hasn't been a setback for me. Possibly mitering larger pipe or rectangle tube could be an issue, but if it didn't fully cut thru, a cutoff disc on a grinder would solve that. Overall it's a solid build on the saw.
Reply:Spent the day ripping through some 1.5x1.5x.120 box steel. Awesome. Super clean cuts and very fast compared to an abrasive saw. Every bit as fast as my portaband but cleaner and more precise.Before firing it up I calibrated the miter scale and gave the blade a nice wax. Cut some really nice 45s and square cuts. Also picked up a couple of Evolution blades. A pro welder friend recommended them. I got another steel blade as a backup and an Al one. Haven't tried them yet but hopefully they are quality. Paid about $100 each. Couldn't be happier. Thanks for all the input. You guys rock!!
Reply:Originally Posted by monte_santa_cruzSpent the day ripping through some 1.5x1.5x.120 box steel. Awesome. Super clean cuts and very fast compared to an abrasive saw. Every bit as fast as my portaband but cleaner and more precise.Before firing it up I calibrated the miter scale and gave the blade a nice wax. Cut some really nice 45s and square cuts. Also picked up a couple of Evolution blades. A pro welder friend recommended them. I got another steel blade as a backup and an Al one. Haven't tried them yet but hopefully they are quality. Paid about $100 each. Couldn't be happier. Thanks for all the input. You guys rock!!
Reply:My evolution blade literally lasted 5 cuts and it was dull and missing teeth. I used Milwaukee,  Dewalt and makita with no issued for years.
Reply:Well, I hope I have better luck with the evolutions!! Will return them if I don't. The Makita blade that came with it is great.I got the Dewalt years ago when it first came out, still running the original blade after thousands of cuts. I only use it on clean steel tube and I don't rush the cut. Also, I adjust where the blade meets the steel in the vise depending on the size of tubing. You can tell when the saw is happy, it won't throw any sparks. I am sure anyone complaining about dulled blades and broken teeth are powering through the metal like they were using an abrasive saw. The one thing I don't like is sometimes the blade will deflect and not cut straight. I'm wondering if a blade stabilizer will help. Let us know how you like the Makita, I am always pleased with their products.
Reply:Originally Posted by pedaldudeAlso, I adjust where the blade meets the steel in the vise depending on the size of tubing. You can tell when the saw is happy, it won't throw any sparks. I am sure anyone complaining about dulled blades and broken teeth are powering through the metal like they were using an abrasive saw.