It seems like a metal cutting bandsaw could be good thing in my future. My bigger projects tend to be working with 3-4" c channel, up to 1/2 thick flat bar, some tube. When I need a better cut, the dry cut chop saw is the go to, but it lacks precision and versatility on angle cuts plus the ability to do miters. Is a model that is rated for 5-6 inches even worth it for upping my game? I'm not running a metal fab shop but having the right tool for a project is always helpful.
Smaller metal cutting bandsaw thoughts?
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Gordon Gould
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I have a Milwaukee Deep Cut Portable bandsaw mounted on a Swag table. Good for 5" deep cuts. I find it very useful.
gg
gg
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There is always the 6 1/2" or 7 1/4" Diablo metal cutting circular saw blade. I find mine very handy and can make all kinds of angled cuts once the piece is clamped. Just cut 45* "ears" on a piece of 3" channel. Took about 5 seconds per cut.
WranglerX
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I do a lot of cuttings on old Craftsman Professional horizontal band saw..... Got it for $20 because idiot I got it from put blade on backwards and he said it did not cut...
Other option would be chop saw. I have a abrasive one, but If I had to do it again I would have gotten "cold cut" Bit at the time I didn't realize the pros and cons of cold cut vs abrasive and let price guide (mistake)...
Worked many hour with a Porter Cable "Porta Band" during my work career, but find in retirement and for property projects it would be nice to have, but I really fine my chop saw and horizontal band saw more useful, only wish for some operation the Craftsman would go vertical but that may be about 1% of my work....... And vantage of say a 60 inch (blade length) horizontal/vertical band saw it you can set up cut and walk away and let it go, and come back in a bit and it is done mean time you has time to sip a bit of coffee or do something else....
Dale
Other option would be chop saw. I have a abrasive one, but If I had to do it again I would have gotten "cold cut" Bit at the time I didn't realize the pros and cons of cold cut vs abrasive and let price guide (mistake)...
Worked many hour with a Porter Cable "Porta Band" during my work career, but find in retirement and for property projects it would be nice to have, but I really fine my chop saw and horizontal band saw more useful, only wish for some operation the Craftsman would go vertical but that may be about 1% of my work....... And vantage of say a 60 inch (blade length) horizontal/vertical band saw it you can set up cut and walk away and let it go, and come back in a bit and it is done mean time you has time to sip a bit of coffee or do something else....
Dale
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I was checking out the craigslit and someone at least within driving distance had a Ramco 8x13. Bigger than what I was going for, but I see your point. 1200 OBO
I agree that the dry cut saw is a big notch up from the abrasive wheel. The porta bands that you and others have mentioned just may not be the right tool for me. My problem is I get busy and everything becomes work and maintenance and when I go to craft something, my mind needs a reset. A true artist I am not, though I want to be! I have a small Milwaukee circle saw which is good for thin stuff, a dry cut and a plasma cutter. It seems if I had the time to work with this stuff more, my level of proficiency would improve. The set and and watch the cutter do the work sounds like a good thing to me.
WranglerX
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dragoneggs
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I did the same thing. I hate my abrasive saw and someday I will replace it with a dry saw or whatever you call them.
I do like my portaband saw. It is pretty much permanently vertically mounted in a SwagOffroad table w/foot switch. Fine for small stuff but a dry cut miter saw with infeed/outfeed roller tables would be nice. A quality horizontal bandsaw would be great but I don't have the real estate.
Industrial Toys
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I have a maybe forty year old WF Wells saw. Also Plasma Cutter, torches and Chinesium Chop Saw. None really get much use. I have friends with better bandsaws and since I get my steel there, it often gets cut.
Am thinking about getting a hand held Cold Saw. Is that even what they are called? Like Milwaukee.
Built a frame with casors for my Wells Horizontal Bandsaw and it mostly lives under some racking out of the way.
Am thinking about getting a hand held Cold Saw. Is that even what they are called? Like Milwaukee.
Built a frame with casors for my Wells Horizontal Bandsaw and it mostly lives under some racking out of the way.
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