Metal cutting bandsaws, again

Phil705

Phil705

Basic Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
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364
I have a Grizzly vertical/horizontal metal cutting bandsaw. It didn't cost much, but I can't say I am impressed with it. First, the throat is only 4x6 which makes it awkward for cutting on longer blanks. Second, the vertical work plate is junk, as it wobbles. Even with a good bi-metal blade I'd say it is marginal.

So I am thinnking of upgrading. I saw a recent thread about the Harbor Freight saw, but it looks a lot like the Grizzly, and may be made by the same guys in an Asian country. Am I wrong?

And, I don't really get why I'd need the horizontal function unless I was cutting pipe or bars a lot. ( So far I only do stock removal)

Given that, my question is: does anyone know of a decent vertical metal bandsaw? It can be bench-top or on a pedistal. Or talk me out of it and provide any input you wish. I appreciate all (well most) comments.

Phil Millam
Winthrop WA
 
Most people replace the work table, you can laminate some micarta to the bottom of it or just make a new one.

I don't tend to have any trouble doing long blanks on the 4x6, although I can't say I've ever tried to cut out a sword or something. One side is open, so you just have to plan on hanging your long side out there. For me, the saw is just something to quickly cut things to rough shape, all the real work is done on the grinder after.
 
I have a Jet horizontal that can flip up as you decribed yours. Don't know if it is that much different from the Grizz, but you might have a look at one. Not sure of the model. It takes the 64 1/2" blades.
 
Many of us have gone with the portable bandsaws, building stands for them....they are far better saws than any of the horizontal/vertical saws....and the 'good" blades are much more affordable.

Obviously the throat may not be overly large on these saws, but for the quality of cut they provide, you would have to go to a full sized floor model saw, which would be thousands of dollars, to equal their quality of cut and have a huge throat.

If you stay with the 4x6 bandsaw, replacing the table is a must....I used 3/8" aluminum plate, which worked well for the life of the saw....which was approx. 10 years.
 
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=570948
http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32287&page=2
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=394908&highlight=Portaband

The Dewalt and Porter Cable portable bandsaws are really good. Both are available in the "reconditioned/refurbished market"... full manufacturer's warrenty for 25%-40% less than new. Most reconditioned tools are store returns with minimal use as opposed to problem babies and are 100% the same as new.

Mike
 
I personally have the Milwaukee 6236, but would recommend the Dewalt variable speed model. Mine gets very hot with heavy use, and is much more difficult to build a mount/stand for. My buddy Steve Kelly has the Dewalt variable, and I will be going to that one before long. It's very easy to mount just by removing the upper handle and using the same bolts/holes to mount it to a piece of steel. Steve has his mounted directly to the wall, and it works great. Although these portable saws do not have the throat clearnace that the big saws have, they way they cut is wonderful, and for the money its hard to find a better "small" metal cutting saw.
 
We use a Milwaukee 6230 with the table (making it a band/chop saw) here at work and it is a GREAT tool for cutting barstock into proper lengths. I haven't tried cutting outlines yet, but I don't expect much trouble. If nothign else I can use it to 'trim' out the corners and such to greatly reduce the grinding required to profile a blade. You can't very well scroll tight radii with a 1/2" wide blade.

We use 20/24 tooth bimetal blades. It is a very smooth cut, even in 1mm thick stock.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/6Z345
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/4XJ91
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1Y335
 
Hmm, I had not considered the portable bandsaws as an option. I'll give that a look.

Many thanks to all who responded.
 
I recently bought one of those portable DeWalts. Got it off Ebay for like $250. I previously had a HF and didn't care for it much. The Dewalt is awesome. Maybe not the largest throat, but very good quality. I haven't bought the stand for it because I have been lazy, so I hooked a tie wrap to the trigger and leaned it against three cindar blocks. It actually works really well that way. I haven't even changed the blade out and its just doing awesome work for me. I love it.
 
Yup, there's a number of DeWalt D28770's on Ebay. I've seen $239 on the reconditioned tool sites and that was total cost... free shipping.

Mike
 
fitzo said:
Is this the same Dewalt saw as you're speaking of?
Click to expand...

Yup, same saw, Mike. After I did my yapping, I went on a search for "reconditioned Dewalt" and came up with this... http://www.toolking.com/dewalt_d28770kr.aspx.

There is a special on DeWalt reconditioned tools for a "limited time"... don't know how long... for another 5% off. That's $199.49 with a storage box, delivered to your door, with full factory warranty.

Don't know which I would have chosen if I hadn't bought one of the ToolKing reconditioned models before I came back to post the link and looked at your link. I've never had a problem with a reconditioned tool and I own 7 of them... use them "professionally", too... we'll see.

Mike
 
Thanks for the info guys $199.49 seems like a great price and you can get a $25 rebate if you pay via eBillme so the down to $174.49 of course it's a six or so week wait for the rebate.
 
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