chop saw vs. band saw for metal...

The chopsaw will cut anything. Just need to put on proper blade for what you wish to cut (brick, wood, steel, alumimun, and etc). I have a chopsaw and a 4" by 6" metal bandsaw. I use the bandsaw the most.
 
I just wanted to say I think it's funny so many guys are saying a chop saw is nice but that you can't make knives without a bandsaw.

My last bandsaw blade broke (EC Blackstone Lennox) and I didn't even bother ordering any new ones for weeks. I got the three I ordered about two weeks ago and still haven't put one on... But whenever I run out of chop saw blades I'm always in a rush to get more.

Unless you have a really good metal cutting bandsaw, you're most likely not going to be doing very intricate cuts anyway.

I guess in the end though it's a stock removal point of view versus forging...there's a lot of material that needs to be cut away with a stock removal blade... I REALLY don't miss those long sessions at the bandsaw, I hated running that thing ;)

Nick
 
Nick, I think you hit the crux of the matter. For a stock removal maker the bandsaw is definitely the better way to go, IMO. Yes, PITA to sit there profiling but definitely easier than grinding profiles in big blades.
Out at the forge, however, the chop saw is king. Whacking thru barstock or knocking a billet or blade off a welded handle is a breeze cuz it cuts hard steel. Cutting cable to length for welding is a royal PITA with a bandsaw or torch. The only thing I don't like about the chopsaw is the huge current draw and the whimpy cicuit out in me garage! Too many trips inside to reset that breaker. :)
One other point would be that sparks flying everywhere off a chopsaw necessitates having a shield to keep the shop safe. I've had the pile of metal debris catch on fire several times underneath the chopsaw table slot, too.
BTW, to make intricate cuts with the bandsaw, make a series of cuts to the line essentially perpendicular to the line, like the teeth on a comb, thereby creating a bunch of short cuts that break off and allow you to follow the curve.
 
I prefer the bandsaw to my chopsaw most of the time. Chopsaw is very noisy to run, bandsaw is much quieter or operate. Chopsaw blows red-hot particles for ten feet; bandsaw creates a tiny local pile of cold particles. Chopsaw puts a lot of dirt into the air, bandsaw very clean to use. I have to apply cutting force to use chopsaw, bandsaw is set and I walk away while it cuts. This is very nice when I have to cut 20 pieces of ½’ BY 4” flat bar for a job. Work smart; use the best tool for the job at hand. I do heavy work in my shop along with bladesmithing.
 
WOW!!! I just got my HF bandsaw together today, and I've been cutting stuff like a madman! I cut up 5 leaf springs into sections, and I cut up 2 of the sections in half lengthwise to make four long bars of steel. I cut wood, bone, and brass too. This thing is totally cool! It don't even get the metal warm, either. I like it!:D

I was supposed to go to town today for a couple of doctors appts, but I blew them off to play with my saw:p It was great!

Chuck
 
I think Nick and Fitzo make a very good point.

As a stock removal maker, the band saw works great for me. I thank God every day I'm out there using it instead of grinding those blade profiles out by hand.:eek:
If I were pounding hot steel, I'm sure the chop saw would see much more work time. However, it is good for when I'm doing batches and need to cut a bunch of steel to length fairly quickly.

BTW,
Great thread!


All the best,
Mike U.
 
Not trying to offend any chopsaw people as I have one myself. I feel hot cutting with a hardie tool is a better way to go for forge work. Material is hot from forging or welding. Drop the cutter in the anvil hardie hole, two blows with a three pound brass hammer, material is cut. Quick and easy for me. My chopsaw only sees cold hard material the bandsaw won't cut.
 
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