Small Band Saw or Chop Saw suggestions

[68RS350]

I just bought a home last year so I had to move all of my stuff out of my dad's shop so I lost the use of all his tools! So I am on the quest to get tools for the garage and I have decided on everything else but a saw to cut tubing and whatever else. I wont be cutting anything larger than 2" Tubing or 2x2" square. So I was wondering what you guys had in your shops. I dont want so spend anymore more than $750 but could be persuaded to go higher. Here are a couple of options I have been looking at.

http://www.vansantent.com/JET_horizontal_band_saws.htm

Model 3230-K
http://www.vansantent.com/Saws/Wilto...al_bandsaw.htm

http://www.vansantent.com/Saws/Hyd_Mech_PH101.htm

http://www.vansantent.com/Saws/jancy...r_chop_saw.htm

Thanks in Advance!

[CamaroAJ]

i have used the first two you posted. unless your going to cut stuff thats really think you don't need the 1k band saw. the first one you posted is an awesome saw for the money and its the one i plan on getting for my garage.

[J2SpeedandCustom]

Best saw for the buck. - http://www.evolutionpowertools.co.uk...ion_rage3.html

I have a steel blade in mine and use it almost everyday. I'm still on the first blade! I picked mine up at the local Linweld shop for $325.

[wedged]

Originally Posted by J2SpeedandCustom

Best saw for the buck. - http://www.evolutionpowertools.co.uk...ion_rage3.html

I have a steel blade in mine and use it almost everyday. I'm still on the first blade! I picked mine up at the local Linweld shop for $325.

That looks like nice tool ! Sorta like a budget cold saw.

[Sti_Guy]

I picked up the 4x6 version of the Jet saw you posted and for 200$ Its been an great tool. On my second blade, the OEM one is junk got one from Grainger thats done very well. Id buy one again for sure. Takes a few cuts to get id dialed in but after that its been great. If your going to do a lot of thin aluminum stuff you might find one with a hydro feed better since you can only slow these down so much with the spring setup.

[GregWeld]

I have a couple of saws -- a wilton vertical band saw -- a Hyd Mech cold cut saw - a Chop saw with high speed 14" blade - a #2 Beverly shear...

EACH has it's benefits and drawbacks.... but I LOVE my Hyd Mech cold cut saw - it's clean - quiet - accurate - quick. But it's not the kind of saw you're going to put on a shelf and get out when you need it - it's a WET saw - and is heavy as h e l l.

The Vertical Band saw can make quick work of stuff that can just be hand held and cut - but the drawback is the throat depth...

The chop saw - is fast - NOISY - and FILTHY - throws stuff all over the dang place - it's my LAST CHOICE and is used only when I have to!

The Beverly shear is a joy to use - but of course - that's for sheetmetal...

[mikespeed95]

I'm a broke college kid, but I have this bandsaw from Harbor Frieght. They normally have it in stock, and I swapped to a blad from grainger and it works awesome, when I'm actually at the shop I'll use it about 50% of the time I'm up there and have been extremely happy with it, and know several freinds with the same saw, no problems, works great.



What all will you be cutting?

Also, +1 on chopsaws making a huge mess. I love mine when I'm in a hurry, but sweeping up afterwards makes me question if its really an efficient overall time saver. Bandsaw cuts way cleaner too.