A Question About Bandsaws

W

warden41272

Joined
Oct 13, 2004
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474
In an effort to speed up production a bit and save both money, and wear and tear on my grinder, I'm looking to invest in a metal cutting bandsaw. It needs also to double as a wood saw for resawing. I'm sure a few of you guys out there have one, and I was wondering what you'd recommend. I'm looking at the Wilton and Grizzly machines, as they seem to fall into my price range (about $1500), but am open to any suggestions. Also, I don't know much about electricity...my current bandsaw is a Craftsman 12" I use for cutting up wood for handles and whatnot (I love this saw!), but it runs on 110V...how much trouble is it to convert to 220, assuming the new saw I buy is 220? My grinder runs on 110, too, but I can't help but feel I'd get more performance out of the KMG if I switched over to 220.
 
Have the shop wired for 220. Adding several 220 outlets will be a major improvement in the equipment you can run. It is not hard , and you probably have a friend who can do it with you helping. The power to the shop may already be sufficient. If the breaker box is in the shop, you are In like Flynn.

I would NOT recommend a combo unit for wood and metal. The wood units are not made for the thrust load and rarely will run slow enough (even at the slow speed) for metal cutting. I would get a good 12-14" wood unit ( many available) for about $800-1000, and a 7X12 metal unit for about $700-800, with a hydraulic feed damper. You will be able to cut up big metal (up to 7" round/square) , cut strips for damascus,and make slices from round stock. Get a good Lenox bi-metal blade for the metal saw , About $40, and a carbide wood blade like the Lenox tri-master, About $120.
Stacy
 
I have the Wilton Tradesman 14" bandsaw (about $1000) with a Lennox Diemaster 2 blade on it. It cuts just about everything like a champ! I had it shipped for under $10 from Jantz Supply, I think it was $8.95 or something like that. I think you'd have to kill me before I'd part with it! -Matt-
 
Go with separate saws! Besides the speed issues, you'll have to COMPLETELY clean out any and all sawdust before cutting metal or it'll start on fire!

J-
 
HomeBru said:
Go with separate saws! Besides the speed issues, you'll have to COMPLETELY clean out any and all sawdust before cutting metal or it'll start on fire!

J-
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I've never run into this problem or even heard of it happening, and of course I'm not saying it couldn't. I do run wood, metal and everything else through it including some plastics. I keep mine fairly clean anyway though, just good tool maintenance:thumbup: -Matt-
 
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?vName=Tools&keyword=metal+cutting+bandsaw&sLevel=0

Any of those Craftsman saws would work just fine. I have used the 18" inch Professional wood/metal cutting saw for a few years now and with a 1/4" - 1/2" lenox diemaster saw, it has never let me down. There are 3 metal speeds of 80, 150 and 220 FPM. The wood speed is 3000 FPM. It is often on sale a lot. Uses a 133-137" bandsaw blade.

the motor comes pre-wired for 110, but can also be wired to 220volt. Nice and very sturdy machine.

when you think about it, Wilton, Craftsman, Grizzyly, JET, ....they are all made in TAIWAN. lol...like me.
 
I was impressed today, a friend has been importing some large used bandsaws from japan, he go's thru them and rebuilds, showed me one cutting a 72" pipe, when done the tolerance was under .030 in 6ft!!!! he will be checking on some knife making sizes for me, will let everyone know what they are and prices soon.
 
Leu Custom said:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?vName=Tools&keyword=metal+cutting+bandsaw&sLevel=0

Any of those Craftsman saws would work just fine. I have used the 18" inch Professional wood/metal cutting saw for a few years now and with a 1/4" - 1/2" lenox diemaster saw, it has never let me down. There are 3 metal speeds of 80, 150 and 220 FPM. The wood speed is 3000 FPM. It is often on sale a lot. Uses a 133-137" bandsaw blade.

the motor comes pre-wired for 110, but can also be wired to 220volt. Nice and very sturdy machine.

when you think about it, Wilton, Craftsman, Grizzyly, JET, ....they are all made in TAIWAN. lol...like me.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That looks like what I'm looking for. :thumbup: I'd love to go 220, but I rent, and if I move, I'll have the same problem again. I just need one for profile cutting, and no stock over about .275". The Craftsman looks like the one I need, and within my budget. I'll keep my 12" Craftsman for resawing wood.
 
$150-$170 will get you the most common knifemaker's metal cutting bandsaw from harbor freight. $60-$90 will get you the second most common one, a portaband style. Both run on 110V. I don't have any trouble cutting other materials on the metal cutting bandsaw, but a small dedicated wood cutter is preferable.
 
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