Bandsaw?

[BBC71Nova]

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 . Dake, etc are nice but waaay too much for my home setup.

John

[XcYZ]

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.

[BBC71Nova]

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

[Fluid Power]

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

[JRouche]

Originally Posted by BBC71Nova

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

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

[BBC71Nova]

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

[Fluid Power]

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

Darren

[GregWeld]

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

[Roger M]

Originally Posted by XcYZ

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

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.

[GregWeld]

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.