Band saw for basic fab work - this one?

[BigBlue1]

So I'm starting to want to do some of my own fab work for my projects. Nothing too complicated... cutting up some angle iron, square tube, round tube, etc. and sticking them together to make something useful. Repair the go cart's broken frame, build some mounts for my trailer's corner markers, etc. I think one of my first 'bigger' projects will be to build a mower deck dolly to shuffle my 60HC deck from my x758 around the shop. I'd rather build it than spend $250 on one someone else made.

Right now I have some basic tools for metal cutting, including hacksaw, sawzall, jigsaw, angle grinder with cutoff wheels, etc. I know a band saw could be a really useful tool in this area and make things easier and quicker. My question is: How well would I get by with an inexpensive horizontal/vertical band saw like this one:

Klutch Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw 4 1/2in. x 6in., 3/4 HP, 120V



I am not ready to spend $500+ on a 'good' one because it likely won't get THAT much use. The only stuff I'm seeing used on CL is either high end stuff at $1000+ or ratted out junk. But I would invest $280 on this one if it isn't garbage.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[George2615]

Welcome to TBN...........

I have one similar (different brand) for the misc. steel I need to cut. Mine looks like the one sold at HF but not their brand. I got it used about years ago and it is still working fine. Replacement blades are readily available as well as other parts. IMO it is a good unit for a hobbyist. I did find the working height was low for me as I was always bending over to use it. I replaced the original tin legs with 1/8" angle to raise the height. Here's a pic of mine (its between the plow blade and the Camaro)

 

[Dadnatron]

I'm not sure about total utility, but if all you are doing is cutting pieces for subsequent fabrication, have you looked at purchasing a Cold Cut saw? I've been hearing more and more people moving away from the 'slow-a$$ed' bandsaw in favor of one. I have neither at this point, but in looking, I was leaning more towards the Cold cut saw.

 

[BigBlue1]

I'm not sure about total utility, but if all you are doing is cutting pieces for subsequent fabrication, have you looked at purchasing a Cold Cut saw? I've been hearing more and more people moving away from the 'slow-a$$ed' bandsaw in favor of one. I have neither at this point, but in looking, I was leaning more towards the Cold cut saw.

I thought cold saws were very expensive?

Rob

 

[tman1020]

I just went through the same thing as you and I decided to go with a quality porta band. I bought the DEWALT one. I considered cordless but decided to go with the corded one because it has a larger capacity I never have to worry about batteries been dead. I didn't want to buy a cheap saw because every time I buy a cheap tool I'm disappointed down the road. Parts are difficult to find blades are difficult to find an often they're just junk. I don't member exactly what I paid but I think it was a pretty good price for the versatility it gives me.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I inherited my dad's old Buffalo Tools 4x6 band saw and use it regularly to cut steel. Couple years ago I purchased a cheap cold cut saw from Harbor Freight and it works well also. Would not want to use it in a production environment though. I also inherited my dad's old Milwaukee portable band saw. I had to replace the rubber drive belts. It is a great unit. With those three tools and my cutting torch I am good to go.

That unit you posted would serve you well. Not a lot of difference in many of those units. Just branded differently.

 

[PJSprog]

I inherited my dad's old Buffalo Tools 4x6 band saw and use it regularly to cut steel.

My Wife worked for Buffalo Tools back when they were still in downtown St. Louis. She got a bunch of stuff for her Grandfather to use around the farm, including a band saw that was out in the barn until last Spring, when her Uncle made off with it. Wish we still had it now, as I have a project on the horizon for this summer and will need a saw to cut square tube.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Almost any electric bandsaw is better than a hacksaw. There are 2 things that are important about bandsaws that differentiate them from lesser units.
Blade size, a 1" blade will cut straighter and last longer if it has a working Hydraulic downfeed to keep it from hitting the teeth hard on a material's edge.

Coolant is great for helping the blade last, but if you are going to turn around and weld something, it is better to not have oily coolant on it. So just cut it dry.

That being said, the unit you are looking at will probably serve your purpose well.

 

[scdeerslayer]

I say get it. My dad bought a cheap one from harbor freight probably 15 years ago and we've been using it since. The stand is crappy and it can be tough to get it lined up with where you want to cut but it works fine for us. Yes, it can be very slow, but you can start the cut, then do other prep work or welding (or go get lunch) while it's cutting.

 

[BigBlue1]

It was mentioned above that a lot of these products are pretty much the same unit just rebadged. I'm seeing that as true. I also noticed that when looking at bench grinders and belt/disc sanders. Seems like a lot of companies contract with what must be a limited number of Chinese manufacturers to buy their product and offer it under their own brand. This 'Klutch' saw actually looks very close to Grizzly's entry level metal bandsaw. My dad has a wood workshop full of Grizzly tools that have treated him well so I may check into getting the Grizzly version as long as it isn't too much more expensive.

I fully understand that the better quality you buy and the higher-end versions you get the better your results will be. But at the point I'm at I think a band saw like this one will be worlds ahead of me trying to cut things freehand with a angle grinder or a sawzall/jigsaw. I hate, hate, hate it when I can't get nice straight cuts in metal. Though an entry level band saw like this won't be perfection it will be an order of magnitude more consistent and accurate.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[gsganzer]

I'll second the suggestion to look at a cold saw. Especially if your mainly cutting angle and tubing. They miter more accurately and they're also more portable.

 

[BigBlue1]

I'll second the suggestion to look at a cold saw. Especially if your mainly cutting angle and tubing. They miter more accurately and they're also more portable.

A basic search in Google and on Amazon doesn't turn up any cold saws that are anywhere in the $300 range. Most are $1000 or more. Am I missing something? There are a ton of chop saws (using a toothless cutoff wheel) but those are not cold saws. Cold saws run slow RPM with toothed blades and usually have liquid cooling. Is there a $250 cold saw out there worth a ****? Remember, this is a limited use thing for me and my budget isn't $1000.

Rob

 

[fried1765]

A basic search in Google and on Amazon doesn't turn up any cold saws that are anywhere in the $300 range. Most are $1000 or more. Am I missing something? There are a ton of chop saws (using a toothless cutoff wheel) but those are not cold saws. Cold saws run slow RPM with toothed blades and usually have liquid cooling. Is there a $250 cold saw out there worth a ****? Remember, this is a limited use thing for me and my budget isn't $1000.

Rob

The 37 reviews for that saw, as posted by satisfied users, are the answer to your question.

 

[Whatswrong]

I would say get bought ,as stated the reviews give your answer and the price fits your criteria.

 

[k0ua]

There are millions of people that have that saw or one like it, just painted a different color or slightly different. There is a Yahoo users group dedicated to hot rodding them, modifying them to make them better or keeping them in tune. I bought a grizzly that is a bit bigger and its head swivels to cut angles, but they are all made in China, and mine was $500 bucks. I think the saw will do what you want to do. The stock blades on these chinese saws are not very good, but you can put a good blade on it after you get done playing with the junker blade that comes with it.

You probably ought to place your order..

 

[BigBlue1]

As noted, these are apparently available from multiple places. I see Harbor Freight has it too, just in red. Looks pretty darn identical. They have it for $249 but with 20% coupon, so I may go that route.

Thanks for the pointer to the reviews. I had just ignored them but I do see they are mostly positive, so that's got to say something.

Thanks!
Rob

 

[gsganzer]

A basic search in Google and on Amazon doesn't turn up any cold saws that are anywhere in the $300 range. Most are $1000 or more. Am I missing something? There are a ton of chop saws (using a toothless cutoff wheel) but those are not cold saws. Cold saws run slow RPM with toothed blades and usually have liquid cooling. Is there a $250 cold saw out there worth a ****? Remember, this is a limited use thing for me and my budget isn't $1000.

Rob

Rob,
here's a cold saw, or also called dry cut saw or multicut saw. Northern Tool saw
I bought a Makita, but DeWalt and a number of others also make them. They range from $200 to $500

 

[KWentling]

I bought a Grizzly band saw that the vise is stationary and the head pivots for angle cutting. It's a little more money but if you do much angle cutting it's worth it. I expect Northern has one too. You might consider that too. I too would like a cold saw someday. And a plasma cutter. And a ....

 

[stuckmotor]

I've had a Harbor Freight 4X6 for years. I'm on my second motor and missing part of a fingertip because of being careless with it and I'm still crazy about the saw. The Yahoo 4X6bandsaw group is my favorite site for information on this type of saw. Yahoo! Groups
I think you'll have to join the group to post questions and probably even to lurk.

 

[k0ua]

Rob,
here's a cold saw, or also called dry cut saw or multicut saw. Northern Tool saw
I bought a Makita, but DeWalt and a number of others also make them. They range from $200 to $500

That looks pretty good.