Bandsaw or circular saw?????

K

knifemaniac

Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
288
Hi there, people.
I need extra power tool in my workshop for cuting wood, plastics and other handle materials. I am wondering : Bandsaw or a circular saw is my tool. I am afraid that the band saw is more delicate, but I can cut diferent shapes with it, while circular saw is only for straight line cuting. And one more : tell me please what is the minimal electrical engine power for bandsaw. I see 250W/230V mini bandsaws on METABO priced for 200EU. Do I need more power??? I dont know anything for bandsaws.
At the other hand circular saw is not so delicate to maintain.
What is your choice?
 
I use a metal cutting bandsaw to cut my handle materials as well. I cut wood, G10, micarta, carbon fiber etc with no problems. You can use a regular wood saw as well. Unless you are cutting very heavy, thick materials, any bandsaw should work for most handle stuff. Use an old blade for carbon fiber though, it ruins blades.
 
bandsaw! I did not realize how much it comes in handy in the shop makes everything so much better and a circular saw only works on alot larger stuff mine sits on a shelf until I need a bench or something
 
Bandsaw! I set a Porter/Cable PortaBand on a vertical stand.
It's probably used more than any other saw in my shop.
B
 
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Thank you! :) What about the power? How many watts are yours. I Wanna know is it worthy to buy 250W/220Volts motor on bandsaw. This motor seems weak to me.
Metabo bandsaw 250W
There is bigger
metabo bandsaw 570W

And other thing - if I buy band for cuting metal - can I put it on machine built for woodworking?
 
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250W, is roughly 1/3 horsepower which is comparable to the Harbor Freight/Grizzly brand bandsaws that lots of knifemakers use. Should be plenty of power for cutting small stuff.


As far as using a metal cutting blade on a woodcutting saw, that won't work too well because the wood cutting saws generally run about 2000fpm , while most metal cutting is done between 150 and 200fpm. If you have a way to slow the woodcutting saw down, then it might be worth a try.
 
Nice saw, Mine are 1hp and its enought for what I do. If I were starting over I would buy a metal cutting saw and us it to cut wood as well. Wood saws are too fast to cut metal. I just got a 14tpi blade for my metal saw and it cuts micarta and wood very well just a little slower. I use a 24tpi and 18tpi on it for all metal cutting. Being able to cut metal is the most important, the little bit of wood I cut I can do with a handsaw if I were so inclined.

Just took a closer look at the larger saw, its rated at 0.9 kw input, 746w (0.746kw) is 1 hp so that must be about a 1 hp motor. Also it has two speeds 370 m/min in about 120 ft/min which is in the middle of the metal cutting range and 800 m/min is about 266 ft/min, little high for metal and a little on the low side for wood but should work for wood well enough. With the correct blade you should be able to cut about anything with this.

20mm is about 0.51 inch which is the width of most metal cutting blades, looks like to can get metal blades for it. The lenth is about 57 inches which may be a cutom length but they can make them for you.

Looks like a nice saw.
 
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