How Nice is a Metal Band Saw?

mjncad · May 18, 2011

Iplayfarmer said:
Nice! The collar is a creative solution.

Thanks, and best of all its a cheap way to save on breaking blades and bad words.

600rider · May 26, 2011

Iplay, Just wanted to show you what I did with my HF bandsaw the other day. That is 2"x2"x1/4" square tubing and it measures .013 with my calipers!!!! Lets see someone do that with an abrasive saw!!! :laughing:

See if it is set up right they will cut very nicely!

Iplayfarmer · May 26, 2011

600rider said:
Iplay, Just wanted to show you what I did with my HF bandsaw the other day. That is 2"x2"x1/4" square tubing and it measures .013 with my calipers!!!! Lets see someone do that with an abrasive saw!!! :laughing:

See if it is set up right they will cut very nicely!

You must have yours set up perfectly. I moved mine a bit, and now I've noticed it's cutting a little off from true.

mjncad · May 27, 2011

Getting a bandsaw tuned up just right can take a while; but the results are worth it.

Iplayfarmer · May 27, 2011

I tinkered and fiddled with mine for about an hour and a half. I found a few loose bolts on the swivel head, but tightening them didn't make any difference. I think that somehow I've dulled one side of the blade (already). By the time the saw cuts to the bottom of a 4" tube, there's a noticeable bow in the blade. Once the piece falls off, the blade snaps back and there's almost 1/8" of space between the finished cut and the blade.

I'll get the new blade and see if that makes a difference. If not, then I'll keep tinkering and fiddling and have a spare blade.

Iplayfarmer · May 28, 2011

It was the blade. I got a new one today, and the cut is as straight as can be. I also went with a finer toothed blade. It seems like the first one I got would grab at the steel, and that was what caused it to wear faster. When I took the first blade off I even noticed a few bent spots. Looking back I can remember what would have put the kinks and bends in the blade.

It's a learning curve.

sandman2234 · May 29, 2011

Long time users of bandsaws recommended to me if I break a tooth, to go ahead and change the blade, as typically the broken tooth gets embedded in the piece your cutting and is as hard as the teeth that are dragging across it. Oh, and scrap the part...
Being CHEAP, I usually try to keep the blade cutting, rather than trashing the part, but realize why it usually completely trashes the blade.
David from jax

Iplayfarmer · May 29, 2011

sandman2234 said:
Long time users of bandsaws recommended to me if I break a tooth, to go ahead and change the blade, as typically the broken tooth gets embedded in the piece your cutting and is as hard as the teeth that are dragging across it. Oh, and scrap the part...
Being CHEAP, I usually try to keep the blade cutting, rather than trashing the part, but realize why it usually completely trashes the blade.
David from jax

I think there's wisdom in keeping an extra blade on hand. Then it's a simple matter of switching out the blade rather than tinker and fiddling trying to get the thing to limp along.

Of course this come from me who still doesn't have an extra blade.

mjncad · May 29, 2011

Having at least one spare on hand is a good thing.

Bison · May 29, 2011

I use an old big automatic cast iron hacksaw for cutting light and heavy tubing or solid shafting up to 7" in dia.
I don't need to babysit this thing while it's doing it's job either.
It never failed me yet,blades last a long time