🚨 Exciting news, everyone! You can now use the discount code "SUMERAY" to get a smashing 10% off any items you purchase from Evolution's website! This is a special thank you for all the support you've shown. Grab your favorite tools at a great price while you can! 🔧💥
Interesting. Had mine for a while now (2 years?) and I've generally been very pleased with it. But I wouldn't know any different as it's my first, and only, tablesaw! it came with a Stop paddle fitted, so surprised they no longer seem to include that. I binned the push stick - useless. Love the sliding carriage which works well with the mitre guage. And the pull out sides mean you can accommodate some sizeable flatstock. Biggest pain was the riving knife. It has to be completely unbolted for removal as the slot for the bolt is closed at the bottom, so if you want to fit a zero clearance plate - and you do - taking it off is a pain. Didn't take me long to use an angle grinder to open the bottom of the slot. I also found that it was wider than the curf of the blade which caused some blockages. The difficulty in getting it completely parallel to the blade doesn't help either. The wide throat on the blade plate is also tricky. A LOT of small bits and bobs fall down and get captured at the bottom of the plastic blade shrouding. This eventually leads to problems with lowering the blade. Cleaning out this slot is a nightmare. Best solution to date is blowing out the debris with compressed air, which not everybody has - and it makes an unholy mess. Dust collection is minimal. Like Doug I use a measure to set distances and an angle finder. I'm only a DIYer and no professional but I've done lots with mine. Together with an ancient chop saw it's built garages, greenhouses, wall panels and any number of other jobs around the place. It does take a while to get used to and to know how to work around it's little idiosyncrasies, but having done that I don't feel the need to go out and buy something more expensive and go through another learning curve. There are always limitations to what we can afford as amateurs. I love watching those old New Yankee Workshop videos - but Norm had a fantastic range of professional machinery at his disposal - and a double garage sized workshop. I wish! Just be grateful - not so long ago it was all done with hand tools!
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with the Rage5-S table saw! It's always fantastic to hear from someone who has really put the tools I'm reviewing through their paces. I can definitely understand your perspective, especially since this is your first and only tablesaw. It's great that yours came with the stop paddle; it’s surprising to hear they’ve stopped including this in the newer models. Your insight into the riving knife issue is particularly valuable. It's a common frustration, and I like your solution with the angle grinder to make the zero clearance plate fit more easily. That's a handy tip for other users who might be facing the same issue. I totally agree with you on the challenges presented by the wide throat on the blade plate. It's a bit of a design flaw that small pieces can fall through and create issues. Your solution with the compressed air is smart, even if it does create a bit of a mess! It sounds like, despite its quirks, the saw has served you well in a variety of projects. I really appreciate your pragmatic view on learning the ins and outs of your tools and working within the constraints of what we have as DIYers. And you’re absolutely right; we’ve come a long way from the days of hand tools, and sometimes it's good to take a step back and appreciate the capabilities we have with current tools, even if they’re not perfect.
I own the Rage 5S since 2021 and I'm very satisfied of it ! Sure, you HAVE to set it right before the first use, but I believe other brands have to be set too… At that price, I actually think you cannot get such a nice tool when you compare with others in the same range ! I bought some different blades to make it more efficient regarding the goal attended, and that's all folks ! I'm not a pro, just an advanced DIYer able to make some nice furniture in my man cave… Just my 2 cents…
I bought a second hand evolution ( that had only been used a few times) to make electric guitars. Cost me £40 PLUS the previous owner had a custom made a heavy duty thick plywood cabinet with a drawer underneath INCLUDED! The saw screws to the cabinet whcih has castors to move around the workshop. From the get go I worked out that the included 'measuring scales' werent much use so ALWAYS use a tape or solid rule to set the blade. Sadly vibration CAN make the blade move from 90 degrees (badly affecting a project i was building) however now I know this I check it regularly AND tighten the mitre knob 'F TIGHT'! I used it to alter a bedframe to add longer legs to allow for a lot of under bed storage. I was cutting THICK 80mm bed posts and its didnt miss a beat. I have been watching videos how to make up a jig to make finger joints as i want to make a large number of plywood units for my camper build. The final video I watched about a jig is superb and it can knock out perfect corners with ease! Its not perfect but as I dont have a permanent workshop and move around a lot it does the job.
Certainly a bargain but I would never have bought Evolution to make guitars. Their quality control is erratic. Get lucky, and you have a good general woodwork saw for life and you'll be happy. Unlucky, and you'll have to return it as disastrously dangerous or impossible to assemble as Evolution can assemble their side of things wrong. Their latest saw and replacement for this looks brilliant and several steps up from the item being reviewed. But I've been burned by Evolution and the Screwfix in-house brand, Erbauer, before... should I jump? Probably but I'll set it up, test it and hope to be delighted but will not be surprised it goes back
I have a Rage 5s and love it! If I wanted to do really fine work, where dead on is the only way, I would have spent more, but cutting joists for one project and making non critical cuts in smaller pieces of timber, it is perfect. Having said that, with a little careful setup, I found it was quite easy to get it true. I watched an American guy reviewing the same saw, he was hitting the side of the rails and complaining that they moved slightly! How daft... I have the Evolution track saw, the 255mm single mitre and the 255mm double saws. I also have the shop vac. I have had no problems and they are great for the price and for their intended use. Comparing this saw to one costing £200 more is like comparing a good sparkling wine with Champagne. But very enjoyed the vid.
I agree it’s a great saw considering its price point. Fair point and comparing to a saw worth £200, I did want to make to sure to mention it because the Dewalt is my daily driver. If you’re into Evolution as a brand then I recommend checking out the comparison video I made against their new mitre saw and Milwaukee’s. Don’t want to spoil but the Evo does very well. 👌
i bought a evo table saw in 2023. it was dog shit. sent it straight back and out my hand in my pocket n bought the dewalt 7485. such a great logical design.
That DeWalt has been top of all the reviews for nigh on ten years, maybe more. I hope they keep it that way as they seem to have dropped the standards on their corded tools. a few years back, I opted for a very cheap, noisy, crude Rutland table saw to do simple rips before finer work with circular saw and homemade track. Intention was to get the DeWalt when I could afford it. Now, I'd don't really need one and use circular saws with track instead
Thanks for this review. I'm 7 months into owning this saw as a backyard hobbyist. I did add an 80-tooth fine blade for finish cuts after milling the recycled lumber I typically use. The odd arbour size does mean a bit of shopping to get other than Evo blades. I don't bother with the measuring scales and go with the tape measure blade to fence routine. As per JP @smallbarnworkshop I flipped the handles the other way about and that works well to hold the fence and other bits and bobs when in use. A digital angle finder check to confirm blade set is an idea, as again, I don't trust the stickered markers. I'm not sure what else I need to do to get the panel sled to not stick in some parts of its travel, but I do like that function. Dust collection is rubbish as with most of saws at this price point, from what I can find online. I offset the short mains cord by getting the Evo mains PTO hoover to suck up what it can then clearing the deck after.
Thanks for sharing! It's great to hear from a fellow backyard woodworker, and I'm glad to know my review was helpful for you. I totally agree about the odd arbour size; it does make finding blades a bit of a task. The 80-tooth fine blade for finish cuts sounds like a smart addition, especially given the type of timber you're working with. Regarding the stickered markers and panel sled, I feel your pain. A digital angle finder is a solid idea for ensuring accuracy; it's always better to double-check. For the sled sticking issue, have you checked if any debris in the miter slots or on the sled itself that could be causing the problem? I couldn't agree more about the dust collection issue. Your solution with the Evo mains PTO hoover is clever. Thanks again!
It seems that a few folks have done the same thing with the 3rd party stop paddle. Do you mind sharing how much you paid for it? I'm wondering whether it would be worth making a 'How to make a DIY paddle' video.
Another good point: dont do what i did, i assemble it in the kitchen because of better light and horrender weather here in Scotland. After struggling with the rolling chassis, i stood it up, grab the handles,started pushing ,and…… It wouldnt go through any doorways . I had to drag it sideways to get it where im keeping it And sadly i have a few steps up and down to get it outside where i would use it My mistake,i should have checked before i bought it,may be i should have followed my heart and go Makita ❤
I found mine terrible, it wasnt possible to get the fence parallel to the blade and the adjustment screw was stripped from the factory Spend a bit more and get the DeWalt even if you dont get a stand
Sorry to hear that! I found I was able to get it parallel eventually. But I do agree the Dewalt is the far superior saw. It’s just for some folks it’s too expensive and I think this saw is good for its price range. Thanks for sharing though!
That's been my experience with Evolution and the Screwfix in-house brand, Erbauer. The quality control is all over the place. Get lucky, and you have a great tool for life and even suitable for professional tradespeople. Mine had to go back following inspection and grovelling apologies but I went DeWalt. Nowadays, DeWalt corded is dangerous junk while Makita has kept corded quality up. Once again, I'm tempted by Evolution's brand new April 2024 replacement for the item being reviewed - seems to address all the cons and even has some additional pros... but I've been burned before
Ha! Good quip but, taking it seriously, misleading. Fisher Price have to hit quality control standards for children's toys. Evolution produce great tools... if you get lucky in the quality control sweepstakes. They are best described as prosumer - not what established professionals need but, for occasional use by an electrician or plumber doing a bit of carpentry as part of a job, they work well. Also for neo-pros before they can afford pro level tools. They are very good for serious DIYers doing construction and simple cabinets (kitchens etc) but not for precision cabinet making. Lots of people love their Evolution kit. I have only got unlucky with their QC and had to return everything I've had from them
🚨 Exciting news, everyone! You can now use the discount code "SUMERAY" to get a smashing 10% off any items you purchase from Evolution's website! This is a special thank you for all the support you've shown. Grab your favorite tools at a great price while you can! 🔧💥
Interesting. Had mine for a while now (2 years?) and I've generally been very pleased with it. But I wouldn't know any different as it's my first, and only, tablesaw! it came with a Stop paddle fitted, so surprised they no longer seem to include that. I binned the push stick - useless. Love the sliding carriage which works well with the mitre guage. And the pull out sides mean you can accommodate some sizeable flatstock.
Biggest pain was the riving knife. It has to be completely unbolted for removal as the slot for the bolt is closed at the bottom, so if you want to fit a zero clearance plate - and you do - taking it off is a pain. Didn't take me long to use an angle grinder to open the bottom of the slot. I also found that it was wider than the curf of the blade which caused some blockages. The difficulty in getting it completely parallel to the blade doesn't help either.
The wide throat on the blade plate is also tricky. A LOT of small bits and bobs fall down and get captured at the bottom of the plastic blade shrouding. This eventually leads to problems with lowering the blade. Cleaning out this slot is a nightmare. Best solution to date is blowing out the debris with compressed air, which not everybody has - and it makes an unholy mess. Dust collection is minimal.
Like Doug I use a measure to set distances and an angle finder. I'm only a DIYer and no professional but I've done lots with mine. Together with an ancient chop saw it's built garages, greenhouses, wall panels and any number of other jobs around the place. It does take a while to get used to and to know how to work around it's little idiosyncrasies, but having done that I don't feel the need to go out and buy something more expensive and go through another learning curve. There are always limitations to what we can afford as amateurs. I love watching those old New Yankee Workshop videos - but Norm had a fantastic range of professional machinery at his disposal - and a double garage sized workshop. I wish!
Just be grateful - not so long ago it was all done with hand tools!
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with the Rage5-S table saw! It's always fantastic to hear from someone who has really put the tools I'm reviewing through their paces.
I can definitely understand your perspective, especially since this is your first and only tablesaw. It's great that yours came with the stop paddle; it’s surprising to hear they’ve stopped including this in the newer models.
Your insight into the riving knife issue is particularly valuable. It's a common frustration, and I like your solution with the angle grinder to make the zero clearance plate fit more easily. That's a handy tip for other users who might be facing the same issue.
I totally agree with you on the challenges presented by the wide throat on the blade plate. It's a bit of a design flaw that small pieces can fall through and create issues. Your solution with the compressed air is smart, even if it does create a bit of a mess!
It sounds like, despite its quirks, the saw has served you well in a variety of projects. I really appreciate your pragmatic view on learning the ins and outs of your tools and working within the constraints of what we have as DIYers.
And you’re absolutely right; we’ve come a long way from the days of hand tools, and sometimes it's good to take a step back and appreciate the capabilities we have with current tools, even if they’re not perfect.
I own the Rage 5S since 2021 and I'm very satisfied of it ! Sure, you HAVE to set it right before the first use, but I believe other brands have to be set too…
At that price, I actually think you cannot get such a nice tool when you compare with others in the same range !
I bought some different blades to make it more efficient regarding the goal attended, and that's all folks !
I'm not a pro, just an advanced DIYer able to make some nice furniture in my man cave… Just my 2 cents…
Totally agree, it’s very very good for the money
I bought a second hand evolution ( that had only been used a few times) to make electric guitars. Cost me £40 PLUS the previous owner had a custom made a heavy duty thick plywood cabinet with a drawer underneath INCLUDED! The saw screws to the cabinet whcih has castors to move around the workshop. From the get go I worked out that the included 'measuring scales' werent much use so ALWAYS use a tape or solid rule to set the blade. Sadly vibration CAN make the blade move from 90 degrees (badly affecting a project i was building) however now I know this I check it regularly AND tighten the mitre knob 'F TIGHT'! I used it to alter a bedframe to add longer legs to allow for a lot of under bed storage. I was cutting THICK 80mm bed posts and its didnt miss a beat. I have been watching videos how to make up a jig to make finger joints as i want to make a large number of plywood units for my camper build. The final video I watched about a jig is superb and it can knock out perfect corners with ease! Its not perfect but as I dont have a permanent workshop and move around a lot it does the job.
That’s a bargain! Great tip about the saw too! Thanks for sharing 😁
Certainly a bargain but I would never have bought Evolution to make guitars. Their quality control is erratic. Get lucky, and you have a good general woodwork saw for life and you'll be happy. Unlucky, and you'll have to return it as disastrously dangerous or impossible to assemble as Evolution can assemble their side of things wrong. Their latest saw and replacement for this looks brilliant and several steps up from the item being reviewed. But I've been burned by Evolution and the Screwfix in-house brand, Erbauer, before... should I jump? Probably but I'll set it up, test it and hope to be delighted but will not be surprised it goes back
I have a Rage 5s and love it! If I wanted to do really fine work, where dead on is the only way, I would have spent more, but cutting joists for one project and making non critical cuts in smaller pieces of timber, it is perfect. Having said that, with a little careful setup, I found it was quite easy to get it true. I watched an American guy reviewing the same saw, he was hitting the side of the rails and complaining that they moved slightly! How daft...
I have the Evolution track saw, the 255mm single mitre and the 255mm double saws. I also have the shop vac. I have had no problems and they are great for the price and for their intended use. Comparing this saw to one costing £200 more is like comparing a good sparkling wine with Champagne. But very enjoyed the vid.
I agree it’s a great saw considering its price point. Fair point and comparing to a saw worth £200, I did want to make to sure to mention it because the Dewalt is my daily driver.
If you’re into Evolution as a brand then I recommend checking out the comparison video I made against their new mitre saw and Milwaukee’s. Don’t want to spoil but the Evo does very well. 👌
i bought a evo table saw in 2023. it was dog shit. sent it straight back and out my hand in my pocket n bought the dewalt 7485. such a great logical design.
You certainly won't regret the Dewalt. Best power tool I own!
That DeWalt has been top of all the reviews for nigh on ten years, maybe more. I hope they keep it that way as they seem to have dropped the standards on their corded tools. a few years back, I opted for a very cheap, noisy, crude Rutland table saw to do simple rips before finer work with circular saw and homemade track. Intention was to get the DeWalt when I could afford it. Now, I'd don't really need one and use circular saws with track instead
Your review is probably what I was looking for, I will go for Makita100
So now they've copied the best by releasing the R255TBL. Yep they've gone the rack and pinion route, probably just a rebranded skil.
I’m getting my hands in this soon, looking forward to reviewing it
Thanks for this review. I'm 7 months into owning this saw as a backyard hobbyist. I did add an 80-tooth fine blade for finish cuts after milling the recycled lumber I typically use. The odd arbour size does mean a bit of shopping to get other than Evo blades. I don't bother with the measuring scales and go with the tape measure blade to fence routine. As per JP @smallbarnworkshop I flipped the handles the other way about and that works well to hold the fence and other bits and bobs when in use. A digital angle finder check to confirm blade set is an idea, as again, I don't trust the stickered markers. I'm not sure what else I need to do to get the panel sled to not stick in some parts of its travel, but I do like that function. Dust collection is rubbish as with most of saws at this price point, from what I can find online. I offset the short mains cord by getting the Evo mains PTO hoover to suck up what it can then clearing the deck after.
Thanks for sharing! It's great to hear from a fellow backyard woodworker, and I'm glad to know my review was helpful for you.
I totally agree about the odd arbour size; it does make finding blades a bit of a task. The 80-tooth fine blade for finish cuts sounds like a smart addition, especially given the type of timber you're working with.
Regarding the stickered markers and panel sled, I feel your pain. A digital angle finder is a solid idea for ensuring accuracy; it's always better to double-check. For the sled sticking issue, have you checked if any debris in the miter slots or on the sled itself that could be causing the problem?
I couldn't agree more about the dust collection issue. Your solution with the Evo mains PTO hoover is clever. Thanks again!
PS Also went on eBay and ordered a 3rd party Stop paddle to shut it off without having to hunt the wee red button.
It seems that a few folks have done the same thing with the 3rd party stop paddle. Do you mind sharing how much you paid for it? I'm wondering whether it would be worth making a 'How to make a DIY paddle' video.
@@sumeraybuilds £13. Came with double side tape to attach it to the housing. DIY vids are always a treat.
Another good point: dont do what i did, i assemble it in the kitchen because of better light and horrender weather here in Scotland. After struggling with the rolling chassis, i stood it up, grab the handles,started pushing ,and……
It wouldnt go through any doorways .
I had to drag it sideways to get it where im keeping it
And sadly i have a few steps up and down to get it outside where i would use it
My mistake,i should have checked before i bought it,may be i should have followed my heart and go Makita ❤
I found mine terrible, it wasnt possible to get the fence parallel to the blade and the adjustment screw was stripped from the factory
Spend a bit more and get the DeWalt even if you dont get a stand
Sorry to hear that! I found I was able to get it parallel eventually. But I do agree the Dewalt is the far superior saw. It’s just for some folks it’s too expensive and I think this saw is good for its price range. Thanks for sharing though!
That's been my experience with Evolution and the Screwfix in-house brand, Erbauer. The quality control is all over the place. Get lucky, and you have a great tool for life and even suitable for professional tradespeople. Mine had to go back following inspection and grovelling apologies but I went DeWalt. Nowadays, DeWalt corded is dangerous junk while Makita has kept corded quality up. Once again, I'm tempted by Evolution's brand new April 2024 replacement for the item being reviewed - seems to address all the cons and even has some additional pros... but I've been burned before
@@cuebj I replaced mine with the DeWalt and I can't fault it
It looks like the boys at fisher price took a go at making a table saw
😂😂
Ha! Good quip but, taking it seriously, misleading. Fisher Price have to hit quality control standards for children's toys. Evolution produce great tools... if you get lucky in the quality control sweepstakes. They are best described as prosumer - not what established professionals need but, for occasional use by an electrician or plumber doing a bit of carpentry as part of a job, they work well. Also for neo-pros before they can afford pro level tools. They are very good for serious DIYers doing construction and simple cabinets (kitchens etc) but not for precision cabinet making. Lots of people love their Evolution kit. I have only got unlucky with their QC and had to return everything I've had from them