metal cutting band saw

[the jerm]

Ok so I was wondering if anybody could give me some advice on purhasing a metal band saw. I put a metal cutting blade on a wood cutting band saw and it would not touch my O-1 steel. Maybe it was running to fast, so do metal cutting band saws run slow?

 

[tattooedfreak]

Yes, very slow. I have been looking myself and although I have found some, they aren't really worth it. (I post them on here just to check hehe) A lot of guys buy porta band saws and rig a stand for them. They are a little cheaper than normal metal band saws yet still do the job. If you aren't cutting anything really thick and can find one for a good price, link it in a thread and let the forum tell you whether its worth it or not. Of course, if you have the money......

 

[David Sharp]

Metal cutting bandsaws are much lower than a wood cutting bandsaw. I have a vintage Powermatic that will go as slow as 50 rpm where as most wood saws are measured in 1000s of rpm.

Unfortunately along with being much slower they are usually much heavier and much more expensive for a quality saw. You could check out Harbor Freight, Grizzly, or Enco for a multi-position metal cutting bandsaw; they are usually in the 4"x6" size range and will cut vertically or horizontally for 2-300$.

 

[Rusty McDonald]

Was looking for one a while back and realized that a porta band or dewalt band saw would work just as good and the blades are cheaper easier to find and its variable speed. Found a great stand wfrom swag off-road (Google them) now I have a great portable bandsaw.

 

[Fletch Helical]

If you're looking for a good hobbyist style saw (meaning you're not planning on mass production). Most recomendations will either be for something like a dewalt portaband rigged up on something stationary with some kind of cutting table attached. Or something like the HF 4x6, the HF one online goes for $250, you can buy it in stores on sale usually for around $190-ish. On top of that you can often find a 20% off coupon for it and usually pick it up for around 150-160.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Another vote for a Dewalt portable bandsaw. Love mine!

 

[Jason Sivertsen]

I modifies my wood cutting saw with a VSD and a bigger motor, now works for any material I want to cut. Blade speed from as low as 40m/min for steel, up to 500m/min for wood. Works perfectly.

 

[jawilder]

Since we are on the subject of spending $250 on a bandsaw, I found this for $280 this week. I didn't buy it, but was wondering if it was a good deal

http://www.tractorsupply.com/power-.../clarke-metal-cutting-band-saw-4-5-in-3901611

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

My vote is the HF portaband. $89 retail and easy to make a stand for. Get some ear protection, it is very loud

 

[Bufford]

Another thing to consider are the blades. Use bi-metal blades, they cost a bit more, but they will outlast the cheap ones many times over. Cutting stainless, and cutting curves in steel is really hard on the blades.

Apply gentle pressure as you cut, and avoid pushing too hard or it will dull or break off teeth. Once one tooth is gone, the blade quickly breaks down.

 

[Travis Fry]

I'll give a shout out for the HF 4x6. Get good bimetal blades and you'll never look back. At least you won't after you replace the table with something more solid. It's a fine saw in general, even if it takes a few tweaks to be really good.