Bandsaws

J

johndfrancis

Joined
Dec 1, 2002
Messages
14
Any recomendations on a decent metal cutting bandsaw? The one I have now is a no-name horizontal/vertical type that does not work very well. The blade comes off pulley wheel, and cuts slow whenever I profile steel into blade shapes. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Hi, & Welcome:),

Repost this a few forums down in the Shop Talk section. There's lot's of great guys down there that can point you in the right direction.



HTH:D:).
 
Welcome John. Hope you enjoy this place.
Going to move this over to the Shop-Talk forum.
Bunch of great folks over there who will point you in the right direction.
Gus
 
Many of the guys here successfully use a bandsaw similar to what you're describing. I believe it's a question of getting the tracking adjusted properly, and using a quality bi-metal blade. If the steel you are using isn't full soft, it will be difficult to cut.
 
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Bandsaw/Bandsaw.htm

http://www.tinyisland.com/4x6bsFAQ.html

Those two sites should help you get it adjusted right. Another thing, what thickness steel are you attempting to cut, and what is the teeth count of your blade? You should have at least three teeth in contact.
Steel cutting bandsaws run very slow, compared to woodcutters, but a good bi metal blade, like a Lennox, will make the job easier.
Welcome to BFC, enjoy. :D
 
John, here's something you might want to consider doing. I took the guts off my horizontal bandsaw and built a simple upright frame out of some 2" steel tubing and 1/4" plate and bolted everything up. Used some 1/4" plate for the table and been using it for better then 2 years now and love it. Makes it alot easier to use than it was before, especially having a table close to a foot sqaure. Plus the blade isn't twisted now so I'm sure it extends blade life.
What kind of blades are you using? I use bi metal blades made by Ellis Manufacturing. They're super tough and just won't quit. I cut titanium, wood, steel, aluminum, brass, g10, you name it. I've never had one break on me. Here's a pic of my rebuilt saw. I can take some better pix from different angles if you'd like, just gimma a holler.
9051308.jpg
 
metal cutting bandsaws are for doing straight cuts mostly. i make a few cuts to get it close, then clean up on the grinder. i use the lennox bimetal blades on my cheapy harbor frieght 64 1/2" bandsaw.
 
RK, I used to think that too but after hanging around Kit Carson I now know it isn't so. Now I cut my profiles as close to the scribed line as possible, even the tight curves and leave as little metal for grinding as possible. You just have to make some kerf cuts on the tight curves. It seems like it takes longer but I think it actually saves time and I know, on folders, it helps keep things more accurate.
My pleasure Dave! I love seein other folks whacky tools and things they come up with and like sharin the ideas I (of course the credit goes to the Lord) come up with too.
I think knife makers are the biggest tinkerers on the planet, lol.
We should start a home built photo thread just to see all the stuff forumites have made. I bet we'd be amazed!
 
I am currently using a Starret m/42 1/2x .025x18-64 1/2" reg. wavy bi-metal blade on 1/8" 440c steel. Thanks again for all the help and info.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top