Metal Cutting Band Saw

Archer Here

Archer Here

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 2, 2008
Messages
1,310
Hey all,
Due to the amount of orders I'm getting, I need to speed up my work and was wanting to purchase a metal cutting band saw. Unfortunately, I'm unable to find a variable speed, slow enough to cut through steel, unless I want to spend $2000 on an industrial one. Does anybody have any idea where to get these from or if I could put a variable switch on any band saw.

And how slow does the speed need to be to cut through, without burning the teeth off.

Your help would be appreciated.
Thanks, Chris
 
Wood cutting bandsaws run at about 3000 ft/min cutting speed, while metal should be cut with 180 - 350 ft/min . . . depending upon the metal type.

It's not very easy to slow a wood cutting saw down by a ratio of 10/1 without using multiple pulleys and jackshafts, or investing in a decent motor with variable speed (even then it would be best to have a variable pitch belt system or Reeves drive).

In short, you would be best to look at the low end Jet/Delta metal cutting saws. I believe they are about $1000 . . . less than you would spend converting a wood cutting saw over to a metal / wood saw.

Good luck,

Mike L.
 
Unless you need something large the HF 4x6 bandsaw is probably the most common used as far as 4x6's go. They usually go on sale (or if you're good at bartering) you can talk them down to $189 which is somewhere around their usual sale price. And you can get a 20% off coupon out of a ton of magazines and even the TV guide which you can also use. All told you should be able to walk out of the place with one for somewhere around $150-165 with Uncle Sam's cut included.
 
Harbor Freight or Grizzly or Northern Tool 4" X 6" - $250.
 
There are some fairly recent threads about using a portable band saw .A good Milwaukee or Dewalt on a simple DIY table works well.
 
I have a Porter-Cable VS portaband saw set up on a bench stand.
It's probably the most used tool in the shop after my KMG.

Bill
 
I use the HF portable metal bandsaw which has a variable speed. It gets heavy work each day. I use the starret blades from enco. When cutting the thinner scales I just reverse a blade so it is cutting backwards and saves the teeth on a good blade.
 
Wilton still makes a two speed bandsaw. I think they are listed on Jantz. You can have high speed for wood and slow for metal.
 
I bought a Harbor Freight Portable Band Saw, out the door I paid $75, and that was with a 2 year extended warranty, their return policy with the extended plan is if it breaks or you tear it up just walk it in and give them your phone number(no receipt needed) and walk out with a new tool. I have traded tools in there just because they were pretty wore out or about to go out of warranty, the lady I bought this band saw from told me at 23 months just to come in and trade this one in for a new one, they will let you just for wear and tear. You cant go wrong with a guaranteed 2 year no questions asked warranted band saw for $75, its variable speed and has a trigger lock to lock it in the ON position, and I just clamp it in the vise and attach a make shift table that is attached to the blade guard and viola, I have cut a LOT of iron for various things including building my 2x72 grinder and plenty of non-annealed blade steel and still using the original blade that claims to be for soft materials only....ymmv. I have no problem with Harbor Freight stuff. Watch their sales, and get online and look for a harbor freight 20% off coupon there are a few that generate a new date every couple weeks, every time I go out there I just print a couple(just in case). What ever you buy the portable or the bigger floor model 4x6 GET THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, you may need it, you may not but I like knowing I dont have to shell out a bunch of cash to replace a drill press or saw, just take a ride and for what its worth the only Harbor Freight tool I have ever managed to tear up with regular usage was a electric screw gun, I still have a couple angle grinders from 6 years ago... use em all the time.
 
Hey Chris...
I have the 4x6 HF model, I seriously don't know how i got along without it for so long. You are welcome to come over and cut as many blanks as you like. You might have to pick up a new blade on your way over though;) Might help you get by until you get one. Just let me know.
 
jprice76 said:
Hey Chris...
I have the 4x6 HF model, I seriously don't know how i got along without it for so long. You are welcome to come over and cut as many blanks as you like. You might have to pick up a new blade on your way over though;) Might help you get by until you get one. Just let me know.
Click to expand...

Why thank you very much. But I think I've come to the conclusion I just need to buy one. Thanks for all the great info. I knew when I had a question, this was the place to come. :D I've got a dealer out of Chicago buying 26 swords from me. So this info will definately help. I've got to get to cutting now!

Talk to you all later.
Chris
 
If you're going with an HF (or similar) 4x6 bandsaw step 1 is to replace the pos table they ship with it. It took me a couple of years of procrastinating to buy a piece of aluminum plate on ebay, slit it and mount it in place of the original table (I think it was 3/8 thick, but it really doesn't matter). Why did I ever wait so long? The saw is so much smoother and easier to use with just than one simple fix.
 
The band saw blade is more important than the saw. Get a bi-metal quality blade from Lenox or a similar blade from one of the industrial suppliers. The cheap band saw blades won't last with blade cutting.

Few people use their metal cutting band saw on any speed but the slowest, but if you really want variable speed, put a 1HP/3PH motor and a VFD on the saw to replace the existing motor.
Stacy
 
Archer Here said:
Why thank you very much. But I think I've come to the conclusion I just need to buy one. Thanks for all the great info. I knew when I had a question, this was the place to come. :D I've got a dealer out of Chicago buying 26 swords from me. So this info will definately help. I've got to get to cutting now!

Talk to you all later.
Chris
Click to expand...

No problem:)
I think you would be happy with the HF model.
 
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