Bandsaw?
 

Any suggestions on a decent and reasonably priced vertical bandsaw capable of cutting metal?

Right now I'm looking at the Craftsman wood/metal unit. I think the multi-speed setup might help me get more use out of it and thus help justify the expenditure :yes: . Dake, etc are nice but waaay too much for my home setup.

John

The Craftsman won't work for cutting metal, you just can't slow the blade speed down enough unless you're cutting very soft metals (brass, aluminum). Off the top of my head, I believe you want to be in the 100 ft/min range for cutting typical metal/steel. I had a Craftsman bandsaw and it just burned up the blade in seconds when trying to cut exhaust tubing. I bought a metal cutting bandsaw and what a difference, works awesome.

As another option, have you considered a handheld bandsaw? You can mount them to a portable table and work great. :thumbsup:

Scott,

Did you have the Craftsman Professional wood/metal unit? The one I'm talking about is big. Comes in a 15" and 18" model. Floor standing setup. Below is excerpt from the 15" model description. I was thinking this slow speed would be acceptable?

...4 speeds: 2800 fpm for wood, 80/150/200 fpm for metal/plastics. 1-1/2 hp max. dev. motor, 115/230 volts. 14-5/8 in. throat capacity w/8-1/2 in. max depth cut/90 deg.

John

I bought a Wilton from Enco. It works great. Enco has coupons all the time for free shipping or 20% off. Every now and then they will overlap. I paid about a grand for mine 4-5 years ago.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?P...&PARTPG=INLMK3

Keep an eye on craigslist as well.

Darren

That looks like it might fit the bill. See if you can find out if it uses rubber tires on the wheels. If so that might be a problem. The lower blade speeds are just fine for metal. And really, the blade choice makes ALL the diff. Get a good Starrett or Morse blade and it will be nice. JR

Thanks guys!

I'll see if I can get more info on the Craftsman unit. I don't think it is a big seller for them so getting info is tough. I've seen it go on sale for about $950 at times.

I had also completely forgotten that Enco sells equipment like this. They email me coupons all the time. With a coupon that Wilton would be reasonable. It has more slower speeds so that sounds good.

John

Enco just emailed me a code for 15% off, it would make the price $1183.16 w/o freight.

Darren

I have a Wilton - 14" METAL variable speed vertical band saw... it's really a wimpy band saw at best - but for "home" it will make cuts. I find myself using just about anything else unless there's just no other way to cut something.

The two handiest metal cutters I have -- a #2 Beverly shear.... and my Italian cold cut saw (about a grand). The cold cut saw came from Trick Tools.

If I was to do it over again - I'd buy a larger more powerful bandsaw -- maybe one from Grizzly Tools.... but I SO HATE to buy Chinese stuff of ANY KIND... and that's what keeps me from getting one of those. I agree with you on the Dake etc... that is just so overkill for a "home" shop... but trust me on wimping out and getting a low end version. You'll be sorry you did. Buy "up" if at all possible!

I think ENCO makes a horizontal version that can also be "switched" to a vertical position... now that would be pretty handy!

This is the one ENCO makes -- and even though it might be fairly wimpy -- it has versatility - which my Wilton does NOT have.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=573&PMCTLG=00


This is the WILTON version I own - and I can tell you it was a waste of money!

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?P...MITEM=505-1372

There is a guy over on PT that makes and sells the stands for the Porta-band Millwaukee. Here is the link to the thread. Looks like he has a nice product.

So I don't want to sound like some kind of a tool expert... but having a fairly substantial home shop gives me a little insight on some of these tools.

The main "hang up" with a small band saw - and the one thing that will LIMIT your use - is the THROAT dimension. Mine is 14" -- and that has limited my use of it on several occasions.

The small hand band saws are great for a "cut off" saw... on small diameter materials... but you can use a much less expensive cut off saw for that kind of work. They'll make straight and angle cuts to 45 degrees... I have two like this - one uses an abrasive wheel and one uses a blade that looks like a wood blade... For our limited use - the abrasive blades are "fine"... and cut well enough. BEWARE the MESS they make in the shop! Everything gets covered in the abrasive and the metal dust. That is what I hate about them. The saw (14" blade) that uses the metal blade that looks like a wood blade - is even WORSE as far as mess and clean up. That dang thing throws the sharpest little bits of curled steel!! They're everywhere after one cut - they're hot - and they're sharp as slivers! They get in your shoes - your clothes and anything else they can cling to! Hate that saw - but it's handy for those couple of times when I need to cut something long and big.

You'll use the band saw for cutting something of shape -- smaller parts -- brackets etc... and a home version that you'd buy is "okay" for this... just don't expect much for under $1500 -- and from there they seem to jump dramatically.