Metal band saws

R

Ribeyerare

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Jul 6, 2014
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What is y'all's recommendation for a metal band saw for cutting blanks in the 200-300 dollar range? Thanks in advance!
 
Look at portaband portable band saws

44 ish inch blades

Harbor Freight, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Milwaukee deep throat

and so on

plus the SWAG off road tools tables that will fit some of them.
 
I have a Milwaukee that I mounted vertical, and bolted a $5 cutting board as a table. It worked good but I broke down and bought a Swag table. I didn't go with the foot pedal, I just rigged up a light switch and mounted it below the saw. The Swag works great and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I believe the saw was $299 and the table was around $120. I use it to cut just about everything, the negative is that you only can cut around 5 1/2" deep.
 
Probably a harbor freight 4x6 cutoff/vertical bandsaw. They can often be found on sale for less than $300, or used on craigslist for $100-$200. The blades last longer, and you can cut out longer/bigger pieces.
 
Space limitations would likely guide this decision. Not a lot of room, go Portaband. Lots of room and wants for increased versatility, go 4x6 saw.
 
PT Doc said:
Space limitations would likely guide this decision. Not a lot of room, go Portaband. Lots of room and wants for increased versatility, go 4x6 saw.
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Space isn't an issue I'm about to get a 30x30 foot barn to work in��
 
The 4x6 will allow you to cut big stock down better if you are a forger, and works well for the occasional non-knife project. Also, you can put a seat in the vise and sit while cutting for extended sawing sessions.
I've had the porta and 4x6 saws, each are useful. I like the portaband better for truly small stuff, cutting pin stock and profiling spacer material, cutting bolt heads off, random stuff.
 
I went with the Swag setup too. I got a new DeWalt saw for around $250, and the table was $120 or so. It works great and has a very small footprint. Whatever choice you make, just know that life is going to be MUCH better with a band saw in the shop.

saw_zps2c1b2e88.jpg
 
All the points and brands that have been mentioned and most importantly buy MADE IN USA Bimetal blades from Lennox or Norse.

The blades that come with those machines are garbage. I have been happy with 14-18 TPI blades. The thinner the stock the higher amount of teeth you want on the blade.
 
Rhinoknives1 said:
All the points and brands that have been mentioned and most importantly buy MADE IN USA Bimetal blades from Lennox or Norse.

The blades that come with those machines are garbage. I have been happy with 14-18 TPI blades. The thinner the stock the higher amount of teeth you want on the blade.
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I don't know about that. I've used Starrett, Morse and the generic HF blades. I've had the best results with the cheapest blades from HF for my 4x6. Not just on a $/$ basis, but overall length of use. I cut a lot of 5" channel, 2" channel, and 1" tubing and the $10 blades seem to last the longest. I also cut a fair amount of 1/2" and 3/4" stainless tubing. I got about 50 cuts out of either blade before dulling. At 1/3 the price, the cheap HF is a much better deal.

Here's a thread discussing different blades. Also be certain to read the break-in procedure by Karl Anderson on the first page. It definitely helps with blade life.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...w-blades/page2?highlight=which+band+saw+blade
 
My experence was from the HF blades that came with my 4 x 6 bandsaw and cutting ferrous bar stock of 3/32-3/8" thick steels of 440C ATS-34 S30v CPM-154 and more. I find the Lennox, Norse and the Starrett Bi-metal you mentioned last about 3-5 times as long.

Now the last time I used a bandsaw blade from HF was about 1998 or 2000 so I guess they must have improved some?

One thing I can share with you is too keep an old candle or any solid wax by the bandsaw to lube the blade with. Helps keep it cool and cuts down on chatter.
 
hard to beat the 4x6 size saw in that price range (i killed 3 ) i am rather saw intensive tho as this week i have sawed up a full 2x3' sheet od XHP stainless steel 3/32 thick. i make alot of kitchen knives and th 4x6 just didnt cut it for me when working down large sheet steel
 
For a shop to have either a wood or a metal band saw only, definitely the metal bandsaw is the way to go as it can cut just about anything. You're just not gonna be able to do things like resaw nice slabs off of a big block or wood or anything...
 
Good advice I never thought of using wax lube at home even tho I use it at work on the table saw and skillsaw to cut aluminum sheets. Thanks.


Rhinoknives1 said:
My experence was from the HF blades that came with my 4 x 6 bandsaw and cutting ferrous bar stock of 3/32-3/8" thick steels of 440C ATS-34 S30v CPM-154 and more. I find the Lennox, Norse and the Starrett Bi-metal you mentioned last about 3-5 times as long.

Now the last time I used a bandsaw blade from HF was about 1998 or 2000 so I guess they must have improved some?

One thing I can share with you is too keep an old candle or any solid wax by the bandsaw to lube the blade with. Helps keep it cool and cuts down on chatter.
Click to expand...
 
PaMtnBkr said:
I know you cannot saw steel on a wood bandsaw but can you cut wood on a asteel bandsaw?
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As Bill said you can cut wood with a metal cutting bandsaw, you just have a hard time getting a clean book match cut, but if you allow for that in your thickness you can clean the cuts up on a 6 x 48" sander.
 
As a hobbyist I would say you can't beat the HF 4x6. You can almost always find a 20% off coupon for them and pick one up for under $250 if you happen to have a store within driving distance and save on shipping.
 
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