cutting metal?

[BHD]

I have or had, a small old band saw, and it is nearly wore out and one of the guides broke off the other day when some thing happened,

the blade has been slipping and coming off, I have worked on the wheel and even re trued it, but still happening, and since the metal falling and breaking the guide off, (may or may not be able to repair), but considering replacement,

what do you suggest? some what considering the JET J-3130 5-Inch by 8-Inch (dry) or JET J-3230 5-Inch by 8-Inch (wet) or basically just replace what I had, some thing like Jet 414458 HVBS-56M 5-by-6-Inch Horizontal/Vertical Band saw
mine was a little smaller than the last one, 4x6 Horizontal Vertical

I like the band saw, partly because I have used on for the last 30 years,

have considered a DRY cut saw, (never used one, and blade cost bothers me),

(I do have an abrasive cut off saw) so I do have some thing to cut metal with , but I do not like abrasive saws.

any suggestions or recommendations,

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

I have a Milaukee abrasive saw that i have used for about 15 years.
after seeing the new dry cut in action I would like to purchase one.
The blades are pricey but our electricians use the one at work alot and love it.
less noise, chatter, cleaner cuts, no dusty enviroment.
Tom

 

[Zebrafive]

I bought an Evolution dry cut cut off saw for metal cutting. I have not cut a lot yet, but the cuts I have made were very clean and did not get hot. I think blade life will be a function of how fast you cut so I do not push it. I does leave a LOT of very small chips to clean up.

 

[Gary Fowler]

A lot of small chips or a lot of abrasive dust, sparks and powdered iron. Your choice. You will have residue from cutting steel regardless of your choice of saw, Oxy torch or plasma rig. I use my abrasive saw or cutoff wheels on my 4.5" grinder for light stuff or oxy/acetylene torch for heavy stuff or anything requiring something other than a straight cut. That seems to be the limiting factor for saws regardless of type, it pretty much needs to be a straight cut.
I dont own a bandsaw although they would be handy occassionally.

 

[dfkrug]

Hey, BHD, every metal-cutting saw has its place, and I still use my 4x6 Delta horizontal
bandsaw, tho it is getting up there near 30 yo, too. I only use bi-metal blades and never
cut thin metal (like exhaust tubing) with it (to keep from breaking teeth). It is good
to keep a bandsaw around for the accurate cuts.

I also use a 14" abrasive chop saw for thin tubing, thin angle-iron, or small diameter rods.

I use a 3" abrasive pneumatic abrasive cut-off wheel for hard-to-get places.

I sometimes use a 4.5" abrasive cut-off wheel on a dedicated angle grinder.

I used an Evolution-clone (HF, $99) to cut all the corrugated 12 ga. roofing panels for
my batten-seam roof on my tractor-port. There are some cool chop-saw style
"cold saws" like this out there, but I have not bought one.

And my favorite: my TD Cutmaster 51 plasma cutter.....I use that often for most
things.

The only steel-cutting tool I have retired is my O/A torch, which I use only for
brazing now.

 

[HCJtractor]

I have the Jet bandsaw, just an entry level saw, costing under $400. It works ok for my needs. But, I also have a SteelMax saw, like a skil saw on steroids. Look at their website for a video demonstration. When I have to cut steel, I use my Steelmax. Being a woodworker, I like it because I can use guides and fences like cutting wood. Clamp a guide to the steel, and run it like a skilsaw. It cuts a piece of 4 x 4", 3/16 steel angle like cutting through a 4x4 piece of pine. It rips 1/2" steel plate like cutting through plywood, leaving a perfect cut with no burrs or heat. I don't use it enough to worry about blade costs. They seem pretty tough. I am still on my first one. You can't cut steel plate on a bandsaw! And it is 10 times faster than a band saw on angle or tubing. It is a little loud (use hearing protection) but it works great. I have the bigger one, as they make two sizes. Their chopsaw would probably work great also, but it won't cut plate. Depending on what you cut, it may fill your needs.

 

[flyerdan]

I also have a small band saw, they're nice in that you can start a cut and go do something else. Also have an O/A setup, a plasma cutter, a Porter Cable metal cutting circular saw, 6" skinny wheels for angle grinders and a 3" air cutoff tool. And for just a quick cut on something small there are 3 hacksaws with different pitch blades. Oh, and a HF sawzall knockoff. Amazing what piles up over the years.

 

[davedj1]

I have an el-cheapo bandsaw that I love, been thinking about replacing it when the time comes. Probably a Jet. I also have a plasma, dry cut, die grinder etc.

 

[59 Sons]

A vote for the cutmaster 42 plasma rig. Very easy to use, economical.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a Jet dry bandsaw, and use it regularly. Ive been thry 3 blades in the past 8 years. id say thats pretty economical. Machine is worth every cent it cost, and that wasnt much.

I also have a portable hand bandsaw (a rigid portaband) and use it at work. Its a great little machine also, cost around $300.

For the big projects i have a 4' x 10' CNC plasma cutter machine.....now thats styling.

 

[billybobjimmyjoejack]

If I had a little more room in my shop I would like to add a band saw. I have just about every other tool for cutting steel (14" Jepson dry cut, Milwaukee portaband, PakMaster 38XL plasma cutter, Smith O/A, countless die grinders and angle grinders both electric and air, Kett 16ga. double cuts and I also have 3 or 4 skilsaw blades that are the dry cut type and I even have a 10" dry cut that I can put into my table saw if I want). Again if I had more room in my shop I would add a metal cutting band saw ( I already have an 18" Jet wood band saw). I seem to use the skill saw blades the most because they are fast, cut clean and only leave chips behind, then The portaband is next in line, it is portable or I built a stand so I can use it like a vertical band saw. Did I mention that if I had a little more room in my shop I would like to have a larger stationary metal cutting band saw.

 

[bamboozled]

As far as the dry cut chop saws go, I have a Makita with the carbide blade that I've used for probably 8 years now, and I'm only on my second blade. The blades will last forever as long as you keep what you are cutting clamped tight. When the stock comes loose is when it chips the teeth, even then you can go awhile on chipped teeth, it will just chatter a little bit. I think the blades are like $100 or something like that, not really that expensive.

Overall it's great, I wouldn't go without it now. Quick, easy and nice clean cuts, it gets the job done.