Evolution Power Tools’ R255SMSL is a sweet little choocher. A 10-inch slide compound miter saw, it took what I call a “pinball path” to my shop where its here to stay. It’s a Sah-weet Little Saw.
The multi-material allure
Part of the initial allure when I first saw its “multi-material”—steel, soft metals, wood, plastic—cutting claim was my born in my disdain for most plumbers I’ve seen work. Rather than standing at a table or otherwise making clean, efficient cuts most guys I’ve seen are locked in mortal combat with a crappy recip saw and hunk of PVC resulting in cuts so burred they look like Animal from the Muppets ate them into existence.
While I excuse myself to go gnaw off the heel of my hand in anxiety for wasted motion and ugly work, I’m reminded just how many times I’ve seen this.
So, yeah, Evolution cuts pipe. Let’s give ‘er a try.
But I’m a carpenter, so, wood was first on the list.
Out of the box, the first unconventional element of the EPT is that it comes in 4-pieces. I figured that’s both Strikes 1 and 2 and I haven’t even cut anything yet.
Wrong.
Assembly is easy. The result is a sublimely accurate setup. I don’t know how they managed that level of precision (CD — by the way, FATNASTIC book: The Perfectionists…all about Precision—tools that make tools!) but they got it.
The first project
The first project was a deck resurface toothing in 5/4×6 Western Red Cedar boards. Lots of ‘em. Cuts were clean. Plenty of power. Tool operated as it should.
However, my love affair for this delightfully light, mobile, easy-to-use saw started to ebb. The only place dust didn’t collect was in the bag. The piles of it got so big around the fence and table that it actually got onto the rail stops and the blade couldn’t travel all the way through a cut. The laser, which is there but barely visible, took a shot from an errant something and was just hanging by a wire, like a Terminator eye. That’s OK, I couldn’t see it anyway.
On a trim job, I couldn’t cut 5 ½-inch ogee base nested so there was beveling to be done and I rued the day I let my old 12-incher go. While the bevel adjustment works, I was too angry to think about it. Still, cuts were accurate and with less volume of dust to manage, it was easier to use. And, it has a soft start. Really soft. Like, is thing ever going to hit full RP…oh, there it is…soft. Every now and again, no problem. For dialing in miters, cheating the saw up to the cut line or any on-off activity, it got to me. Not in a good way.
Then a new saw came and I was, like, buh-bye and stowed the EPT in a corner, thinking somebody would like it.
Then something else happened.
I got a project installing powder coated aluminum track for a deck rail. I’ve cut similar materials before but cutting Wild Hog aluminum track was fantastic-er with the Evolution. Cuts were clean and the chips were much better contained in the Evolution’s continuous blade guard.
I subsequently used it on a variety of remodeling projects and was re-enamored with this versatile saw because it is extremely light and easy to move—including to the site and around in the truck. Like, it’s nice to not have to put my weight belt on to lift it up to move it six-inches.
Also, unlike other blades I’ve used cutting metals, the included Evolution blade is still running strong.
I think this unique, interesting Evolution miter saw is at the very least a great back-up to a main frame miter saw.
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