The 5 Best Chop Saws for Wood and Metal of 2022

Using the right tools for any kind of task is essential for getting the right outcome and the perfect end goal. If you are a handyman and a DIY guy who is used to working with heavy materials and different pieces of wood, you know how important a chop saw is to your work.

Therefore, to help you make the right choice, here is a list of the five best chop saws on the market and how they will better your work.

The 5 Best Chop Saws for Wood and Metal:

Below we have listed and reviewed the 5 best chop saws currently on the market.

1. DEWALT DW872 Metal Cutting Chop Saw

If you are constantly working on something in your workshop day to day or are a contractor, looking for a tool that can do it all in half the time, this is it. Durable strong and precise, the Dewalt DW872 metal cutting saw will make short work of any material you throw at it and is sure to withstand the test of time.

It will serve you very long and deliver the desired result every time. The 14- inch saw comes equipped with can run through materials 4 times faster than any other standard saw and most competitor units. This allows you to save up on time and also lower your cost per cut as the blade’s wear and tear is not as fast.

Cutting iron and a variety of other metals as well as wood is an easy smooth sailing job for this saw, which provides excellent results even with the factory blade it comes with. With a lower speed than other abrasive chop saws, the Dewalt provides clean cool cuts without many sparks. This eases up work by a lot and lets you quickly move from one task to another.

Another useful feature to ease your daily life in the shop is the way the saw slides down as well as forward, making it effortless for you to make 90- and 45-degree cuts simply using the lock mechanism. Just as not all blades are created equal, the same can be said about the vices. The Dewalt has one of the quickest and easiest ways to set up and smooth in ready to work in a matter of seconds.

To sum it up, this might be the best saw on the market today and if you are looking to pay as high as the price tag, this tool will not disappoint.

2. Evolution Power Tools EVOSAW380 Steel Cutting Chop Saw

Look no further than the Evolution Power Tools EVOSAW380 for a daily saw to use on any material you find needs a cut. Ideal for cutting everything from steel plates to metal roofing and square tubes this chop saw is serious. Another tool with a price tag in the upper ranges but it is one of the best bangs for your buck on the market.

The powerful 1800-watt motor and a speed of 1450 rpm make for precise clean cuts without excessive sparks and no need for a coolant while working any material. There is not a cut from 0 to 45 degrees this saw cannot handle. With a heavy-duty and easy to clamp and secure any material, the vice is a piece of beauty. Chip protection is also taken seriously with a deflection shield making sure no stray metal pieces fly off.

While on the same subject, there is also a handy pull-out tray to collect any other metal chips so you can keep your work environment fresh and clean. The heavy-duty does not stop here as the evolution steel blades last as long as 14 abrasive discs, so you will get the most work out of every blade usage.

A great feature to add to the table is the onboard tool storage and a cast iron base to make this a solid piece of equipment. At the end of the day if you need a high capacity saw to use on a daily basis and the ability to cut bigger steel than any other saws of the same caliber be sure to go after the Evolution EVOSAW380.

On the other hand, if larger than 4-5 inches of steel is not in your repertoire you could go for something smaller as smaller blades are less expensive to replace compared to the 15-inch saw this unit can use. Best bang for your buck? Most likely, so if you are looking to use every day on a bigger scale than just your average home repair to-do list.

3. PORTER-CABLE PCE700 15 Amp Chop Saw

Cutoff saws are used to plow through the tasks at hand and if the task is to easily make smaller cuts one after another, powerful angle cuts with the greatest of ease packed in a power package then the Porter-Cable PCE700 is here for you.

At just 32 pounds, this saw can be easily moved from one workstation to another, whether to a different construction site or to a friend’s house to help with a project.

The powerful 3800 rpm motor packed with 15 amps of determination easily runs through a large number of cuts and maintains durability and precision. A spark deflector is in place for your safety and also keeps your line of sight clear and unobstructed by any flying sparks off of the material.

If you need smaller extra cuts or cutting up fence, the quick-release clamp is in place to speed the process up for you and all this is secured to any surface by a heavy steel base. Another benefit is that the saw comes with replaceable brushes in the package, so you can quickly get to work and replace brushes when the need occurs without having to purchase new ones from the get-go.

If you are looking for a powerful affordable chop saw in a small but spicy package, this is a great option for your home projects and even some more difficult tasks.

4. Makita LC1230 12 Inch Metal Cutting Chop Saw

Another heavy hitter from a well-known and highly respected brand, the Makita LC1230 12-inch metal cutting saw is not kidding around when it comes to getting the job done. A fast 15-amp motor and a speed of up to 1700 rpm, this chop saw can power through 4 times the material compared to abrasive cut-off saws.

When you are trying to get some angle cuts, putting the chop saw vs the miter saw usually the latter wins, however, in this case, the “tool-less” guide plate can quickly adjust angles from 0 to 45 degrees for easy miter cutting. The carbide tip blade and the slower rpm speed make for cold clean cuts and more lifespan compared to the abrasive bladed chop saws.

When the durable carbide-tipped blade finally runs out of steam, there is the convenience of socket wrench stores on the base to make the task easy and effortless. The large cast iron base ensures a stable base. When small multiple cut-offs are required, the quick release vice comes in to play to hasten your tempo.

You can be sure your work area will be clean and free of waste thanks to the shavings collection tray. The comfortable D-shaped handle includes a two-finger trigger and a lock-off button in order to prevent accidents. With a sturdy structure and an ergonomic design, the Makita LC1230 makes for a multipurpose use cut-off saw which can see a lot of use on a variety of products.

At a higher price tag, it would take some consideration whether you should opt into it but do not hesitate no matter if you are a pro or just starting out. It is one of the best chop saws available on the market today.

5. Milwaukee 6177-20 Chop Saw

The Milwaukee 6177-20 chop saw is in no way a heavy hitter among others but it sure shines through if you are opting for a tool, which gets the job done and is light enough to move around and put away when you do not need it. Even though it looks a bit more plastic than other chop saws on the list, it is just as stable as compared to a table saw and just as precise as a band saw.

There is a big variety of materials which you can put the Milwaukee to a test and it will satisfy you every time. The adjustable mitering fence makes angled cuts easy and effortless to adjust and perform just as good as a miter saw. The powerful motor and speed of 3900 rpm ensures clean precise cuts every time, even on a 5-inch pipe.

The larger wheel guards provide additional protection against sparks and debris that might fly off during cuts. No matter what size and material you change to at any place you want to keep, the quick-adjust vice clamp allows you to switch it up in no time. The ball bearing construction ensures maximum durability, while the lightweight design lets you easily move the tool around as need be without sacrificing the stability.

On another note, changing the blades is just as easy, courtesy of the large spindle lock button, which makes for quick blade switching while wearing gloves. Whether it is conduit, pipe, tubing or channels, the Milwaukee 6177-20 chop saw is a useful tool to have around and will serve you just as good as the big hitters on the list but for a fraction of the price.

Chop Saws FAQs

What is A Chop Saw?

Chop saws are accurate power tools used to make precise and clean cuts. Their main purpose is to ensure an accurate cut every time. Depending on the blade type the chop saw uses, there is a variety of materials you can tackle.

The primary cut a chop saw is used for is a straight cut. If you are looking to make more angled cuts you should take a look at miter saws, which are designed with this in mind.

What is A Chop Saw used for?

Chop saws can be used for a large number and variety of tasks but most of the time, these tools are used for making frames and molds. As chop saws are able to move only up and down, this makes them specialized tools for specific purposes.

Chop saws also use different types of blades to cut through different materials. In most cases, those are varieties of wood or metal. Wood is usually cut with abrasive blades, while heavier and carbide tip blades or even harder ones, which tend to be more durable and last longer than abrasive ones, cut sturdier materials like metal.

In some cases, chop saws come equipped with angle tools, which allow the saw to become a miter saw and let you make the same precise cuts without having to purchase a particular tool for the task.

How to Unlock a Chop Saw?

It is usually fairly easy to unlock your chop saw, though it does depend on the model and type of saw you have. In most cases, if the saw is left in the down position all you have to do is press down with your weight on the chop saw ever so gently which in itself would ease off the pressure keeping the chop saw locked in the down position.

From there, the safety lock pin is normally located at the back of the saw near the hinges. Once you have pulled the pin, your tool should lift up and be unlocked.

How to Use a Chop Saw?

There are a number of steps to follow in order to use your chop saw to the maximum of its potential while also considering safety first as with any power tool.

1. Prep Your Chop Saw

First and foremost, make sure your chop saw is ready for the task at hand. Check to see if the base is steadily attached to the surface you have put the tool on, check to see if the safety guards are in place to prevent any injuries and make sure you have the right blade for the right material.

2. Protect Yourself

Secondly, make sure to provide the right power for the power tool. Once you have the right blade attached it is time to take care of your own protection so in order to not get any dust sparks or debris on you, get yourself a pair of protective goggles and a face shield. If you are using a bigger and more powerful saw it is advisable to wear ear protection and, to make matters even safer, a pair of heavy-duty gloves is always a good idea.

Another thing to keep in mind is the right setup of the saw – always upright. In times where you are handling larger pieces of material and have to work on the ground put something flat and solid under the saw and put packers on either side of the material to support it. As debris and sparks fly off at higher speeds of cutting, protect your walls and windows nearby or use the saw shield some chop saws have to catch sparks and debris.

3. Mark Your Cuts

One thing to remember when cutting is to always mark your cuts first so you do not disappoint yourself if you miss cut. It is much easier to follow a dotted line.

4. Make Your Cut

When it comes to the blade and saw maintenance make sure to clean the inside of the steel guard as dust and metal residue builds up inside. At the same time, try not to waste your blades by pushing too hard on them when you go for a cut. A smooth down and up motion, even if the cut is slower, is always more precise and forgiving on the blade.

Conclusion

With all the information provided in the article, you should be on your way to better knowledge about chop saws, how to operate them and the purpose of their use. In addition, if you decide to get one for yourself to take up projects of your own, you would know what to look for in a chop saw, what makes or breaks one and how to pick the one that is best suited for your daily needs.