talk to me about band saws

SHOKR

SHOKR

Well-Known Member
hi-lo

i've been thinking for a while about getting a band saw, of course i would want to cut stock with it but that one would cost me A LOT, so will settle for one to cut handle material and maybe pins or something

today i found 2 (that seem to be of chinese origin) the larger one was 1hp 1400rpm(fixed speed) ( i don't remember the size of the saw blade but wasnt that big really.

thats 2400LE (400 usd, but over here thats not cheap) plus blade price of course

so is that one good for handle material and light metal cutting (pins, brass, copper, etc.) or need something else? if so whats the bare minimum for a GOOD band saw
also call me crazy, but what would be the deal on using an inverter with it? feasible to cut steel?

muchas gracias
 
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I have had great luck with a Dewalt porta band band saw. I mounted it upright (bolted to a 2x6 on the end of my bench) it gives the ability to cut steel, it is variable speed, and works equally well on wood. Only concern would be that the cut may not be a acurate as a band saw with fence. But for the price of the machine (ebay for $139) and the price of blades (less than $6 ea) I am very happy with it. Last Sunday I cut out 42 kitchen knife blanks with no problem. One of the better tools I have bought!

Good Luck and God Bless
Mike
 
actually that would be a very good deal! maybe i'll look for a portable one here too, they're not that common tho

i checked on ebay but they are at least double that price now lol anyway international shipping on this one wouldn't be such a wise idea

a picture of the set up would be really nice tho


thanks Mike
 
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orig.jpgShop5.jpg
I collected all these pics cause i got one coming in the mail and i am fixing to mod one myself.
 
Just a note here. I want to mention, band saws are not good for cutting small shafting. Continue to use a rotary tool for that job. Frank
 
Frank, I always cut 1/8" pinstock with my bandsaw and never had an issue with it so I wanted to ask what you consider "small shafting"

I also use 1/16" alot but just snip off what I want with diagonal cutters.

Maybe you're referring to using a coarse tooth wood blade ????? My bandsaw is a 4x6 Harbor Freight with an 18 TPI blade.

Thanks in advance for the clarification Frank :)

-Josh
 
Shokr,
A metal cutting bandsaw can also handle small handle size blocks so I started with one of those. The Harbor Freight 64 1/2" Metal cutting bandsaw is hard to beat for the money, Even with shipping. Its on four legs so I sit on it and do my cutting. Throw out the bandsaw blade that comes with most inexpensive bandsaw or use it for wood. Get a BIMETAL Lennox or Starrett USA made or Brit/German 14 tpi blade for it.

Some seem to have great success with those inexpensive portables by mounting them. Those weren't around when I bought my first. That Dewalt looks like a decent unit. I also Have a 105" blade Grizzly Polar bear Band saw for book matching and cutting up large stuff for Stabilization.

Also check around at some local butchers shops for a meat cutting band saw. You can get Bimetal blades for those and they work great for steel and some wood since they run slow.

Laurence

www.rhinoknives.com
 
Thanks guys

But whats the power of the harbor freight one? Or how do you measure it? I mean is it just a matter of speed(which would be?) and bimetal blade or something else to take into account?

I will check lpcally again, if i can get it here things would be a lot simpler, just need to know what to look for

As far as i know butchers dont use band saws here, all by hand. Maybe large production companies do, but i probably wont get near those :)
Thanks
 
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Metals saws run much slower that Wood. I don't have the Horse Power motor rating for my harbor freight machine but its more than adequate. I am sure it's on their site.

www.harborfreight.com/

As far as Bimetal blades go, They have Carbide tips I believe? Hence the bimetal name.

You want to have about three teeth in the stock cutting at one time, I have purchased Starrett or Lenox brand 14 TPI for years and have been very happy.

Laurence

www.rhinoknives.com
 
Thanks a lot Laurence

There was one for 120usd, but i have to call to find out shipping, will see if i can do that tomorrow

The annoying thing is, often i can get stuff here much cheaper than you guys, BUT there are lots of things that arent here!!

Edit: i checked online now and it seems to cut steel i need about 100fpm and generally no more than 300fpm for metals.

Edit 2: the pdf seems very informative http://freetechnicalcharts.com/Band_Saw_Speed_Chart_for_Metal.php
 
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