Clamp Plates for the metal cutting chop saw...

**motopreserve** · Mar 13, 2019, 12:08 PM

Hey folks.

Have a project coming up where I'll need to cut a ton of 3"x3" structural Steel square tube, with many 45 degree miters. Whipped up a quick set of side plates for clamping raw stock while working with the Evolution Rage 2 chop saw. I really only use this saw for metal cutting (the wood cuts seen in the video explain why).

I have had a few pucker moments with this saw due to the less-than-stellar stock vice. Just used some scrap wood, drilled a bunch of holes and used some cheap HF drill press clamps to help keep things secure.

If you have any tips or suggestions, please let me know. Hope you enjoy!

**bruce.desertrat** · Mar 13, 2019, 05:24 PM

Shoulda just clamped the plates together in the beginning to drill the holes...saved you some drill press time. A couple a screws in opposite corners would have sufficed. but all in all a very slick build.

**motopreserve** · Mar 13, 2019, 05:30 PM

Thanks for checking out the vid!

I thought about that - but opted to take my time with it due to the forstner bit getting a little heated up as it gets to the bottom of the holes. Might be a drill press speed thing??? I'm way out of my depths when it comes to working with wood

**DIYer** · Mar 14, 2019, 03:16 AM

Thanks motopreserve! We've added your Chop Saw Clamp Plates to our Workholding category,
as well as to your builder page: motopreserve's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Chop Saw Clamp Plates by motopreserve

tags: table, clamp

**11thhourfabrication** · Mar 14, 2019, 01:54 PM

Nice build on the saw hold down. How do you like your Fab Block? I bought 4 3' x 4' blocks and it has made metal fabrication so much easier for large projects.

**Tuomas** · Mar 15, 2019, 04:41 AM

Those could be handy with table sized drill press too!

That stock vise is sometimes crappy. I have used F-clamp to press clamp jaws tighter together. Otherwise its a good saw, with never models they have changed the clamp design, its much better.

I think that original design was just copied from the " good old models" without thinking at all, could it be improved.

Btw. Did you know that you can use those blue evosaw 380 blades with Rage 2 too? Its actually with same motor, only stand is better in evosaw. Those have more teeths and cutting is more faster.

I have those both saws, but now i use only Rage 2, because its more lighter to carry and handle.