Band saws: Wood cutting saws too fast for cutting metal?

jonnymac44

jonnymac44

Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
7,680
Hey all,
I have been burning up hacksaw blades and angle grinder cutting discs like crazy. If I can scrape together some dough, I'd like to get a bandsaw. It doesn't have to be a complete hot rod, just formidable enough to cut steel up to 1/4" thick. I would also use it for cutting out Micarta and G-10 handle slabs so a dust collector would be nice, but the lack of one isn't a deal breaker.

I've looked at Craftsman, Delta, Grizzly, etc. I notice at Grizzly they separate their band saws into two categories, wood cutting and metal cutting. I like the price and setup on one of the wood cutting band saws the best and originally thought I could put a high TPI bi metal blade on it and be good to go, but noticed that it runs at speeds much faster than the metal cutting saws. I'm assuming that this is going to be a problem, so I think the Grizzly I was looking at is out.

Any suggestions for a good small to mid sized saw for cutting steel and or G-10 and micarta? I'd like to keep the price below $400 if possible. Anything specific I should keep in mind when shopping?

Thanks!
 
Wood saws are way too fast. The best bang for your buck imo believe it or not is the HF 4x6 metal bandsaw. They usually go on sale for around 180 something and you can usually find a 20% off coupon. All said and done you should be able to pick it up for around 160-ish.
 
Fletch Helical said:
Wood saws are way too fast. The best bang for your buck imo believe it or not is the HF 4x6 metal bandsaw. They usually go on sale for around 180 something and you can usually find a 20% off coupon. All said and done you should be able to pick it up for around 160-ish.
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I've heard that in the past, and for some reason I just can't picture the HF model standing up to any real cutting. Like you said....."believe it or not"....I gotta be honest, it's hard to believe!:D You're not the only one who's said it, though, and I really don't want to spend a huge amount on this tool right now, so maybe I'm cheating myself by not giving it a chance....

I'm thinking about it.....
 
You can get a 4x6 metal bandsaw or mount a lower amp Dewalt portaband vertically. I mounted the Dewalt and have no problems. You can run a quick search on both to better narrow your preferences, though I think the HF could be had for cheaper and all you'd have to do is build a sturdier table for it.
 
a lot of makers buy the little portable metal bandsaws.. or power hacksaws and build a table and stand for them.. personally, I mostly do forge work so it doesn't matter too much.. but I'm saving for a plasma cutter ;)
 
Murdok72605 said:
You can get a 4x6 metal bandsaw or mount a lower amp Dewalt portaband vertically. I mounted the Dewalt and have no problems. You can run a quick search on both to better narrow your preferences, though I think the HF could be had for cheaper and all you'd have to do is build a sturdier table for it.
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Yeah, I've seen a pretty cool table/work rest to mount on the porta bands. I'll have to dig that up and compare price just to see.

Kenon, mmmmm.....plassss-ma:D
 
Tractor Supply has a better quality unit for less money.

You can get the Lenox diemasterII blades for them that really hold up!

Mike
Maker
The Loveless Connection Knives
 
You can use the metal cutting bandsaw for wood and micarta but not a wood saw for metal. Just by a carbon steel 14 tpi blade and it will cut softer materials with ease. I have mounted the HF 4 x 6 on a upright table and it works great. I was using the protables but it was just a little small for me and used up blades pretty quick.
 
If you guys are using air hardening steels such as stainless, you may want to rethink plasma-cutters... That is, unless you have a way to anneal the steel prior to working it. Sorry if I just rained on your parade, but I'd hate for anyone to go to the expense of buying a plasma cutter only to find out it made their life more difficult in new ways.

Rick
 
Rick Baum said:
If you guys are using air hardening steels such as stainless, you may want to rethink plasma-cutters... That is, unless you have a way to anneal the steel prior to working it. Sorry if I just rained on your parade, but I'd hate for anyone to go to the expense of buying a plasma cutter only to find out it made their life more difficult in new ways.

Rick
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+1. I should think unless you're doing lots of thick cutting a bandsaw would the most effective way.

Though really a plasma cutter is tons of fun. :D
 
I have a Jet brand horizontal (chop saw type) band saw that I got for $375. It has a table you can bolt on to convert it to vertical. The table isn't the greatest, but it's plenty of saw!!
 
"Though really a plasma cutter is tons of fun. "

Worth every cent as far as fun is concerned! I couldn't agree more. You must be a tool junkie too. :D

Rick
 
Patrice Lemée;8742000 said:
Johnny, buy a Dewalt portaband. Believe me you'll be a happy camper. I am. :D
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Hey Patrice,
I looked into both the harbor freight and the Dewalt Portaband setup with a table attachment that you clamp in your bench vise. The Dewalt setup is tempting but well over $100 more expensive than the Harbor Freight. With all the positive reviews that the HF model gets it's hard to argue in favor of the more expensive Dewalt setup. I'm still on the fence.......:confused:
 
I think a plasma cutter really would be the way to go ultimately... you could draw twenty or so blades onto your stock, blast them all out in about 10 minutes, and load them all into a kiln for an anneal if it were even neccessary..

in my experience, plasma cuts are cool to the touch really really quickly.. I've never even seen steel change colors beyond the oxide shades when being cut.

then again.. they're like twelve hundred bucks..
 
The HF is in every shop in the country. It can be rebuilt, if ever required, from parts readily available. The only thing it lacks is a good quality blade. I've had mine for about 8 years - and use it every day. Bearings replaced once and some tuning done at the beginning. It's a good investment for either vertical or horizintal.

Rob!
 
Johnny, are you talking HF portable bandsaw or HF 4X6? :confused:

If you are comparing dewalt portaband to a 4X6, what people are not saying is that the 4X6 are hit or miss. You get some that will outlive you and others (like mine) that are just plain ole pieces of crap!

For 100$ I would not take the chance. And believe if you are serious with this knifemaking thing you'll soon realize that 100$ is a very small amount of money compared to what you'll have to spend in the future.;-)
 
Michael, how well has the chop saw worked for you? I've been seeing a lot more carbide tipped saws at the store. I've discussed using the dual rotating carbide tipped saws on a bench mount for nibbling/cutting. I haven't heard from anyone who has tried, though.
 
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