Abrasive Chop Saw Vs. Dry Cut Chop Saw - Which is Better? (Depends)

I have the Evolution Cold Cut 14 inch Chop Saw and I am comparing it to the Hercules 14 inch Abrasive Chop Saw or Cut off Saw. This isn't actually a comparison of these specific models of saws but more the entire 14 inch chop saw world (DeWalt, Makita, Rigid, Milwaukee) to the entire cold or dry cut saw world (Evolution, DeWalt, WEN, Makita, etc...). Ultimately the cold or dry cutting chop saw is the best saw for general fabrication, but the abrasive chop saw has its place in the world too.

[patmat.]

The main reason of an abrasive chop saw is that you can cut higher carbon steel, wherea the hybrid chop saw is limited to mild steel.

[amitpunjani]

Thank you for your time and information.

[jngel]

seen a few comparisons and no-one mention the sparks difference which is probably an improved safety factor.

[mattmatthiessen]

I bought the new M18 Milwaukee Abrasive Chop Saw, but ran into issues cutting thick 3/16" rectangular tubing...Milwaukee themselves sent me one of their Steelhead (Diamond) blades to try on the abrasive saw. At first I thought that was a no-no...but their engineers recommended it for that thickness. So I guess my question then is: Wouldn't just putting a "Cold Cut" blade (cobalt or diamond) on an abrasive saw...make it a "Cold Cut (Dry Cut) chop saw?

[jasonemilyatkins]

Dry cut and cold saws aren't the same thing. A cold saw is like 40rpm.