How Nice is a Metal Band Saw?

[600rider]

Bison, someone on Craigs list here in Erie PA has one for sale and I think it was only $40. I thought about going and getting it but I really don't have the room in my shop. Can you do angle cuts on yours? I don't have to babysit mine either but I don't leave the shop for too long when it's cutting.

 

[Bison]

600rider,if a saw can't cut angles it ain't worth having.
Mine is a industrial one with hydraulic auto feed and cooling and auto shutoff when the cut is done and yes the jaws are fully adjustable for angles
It weighs about 800 lbs
I paid 1/2 a grand for it 25 or so yrs ago,it was orig 3 ph but i put a single face motor on it.

BTW,for $40 that one one craigslist can't be much of a saw me thinks.

 

[sandman2234]

BTW,for $40 that one one craigslist can't be much of a saw me thinks.

Or a heck of a good deal???
David from jax

 

[Iplayfarmer]

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!

Now that I got my new blade I ended up doing something similar to what you did out of necessity. I had to fix a bushing that I had cut before with the crummy blade. I re-cut the end of the bushing so that it was square. The picture quality is poor but the thinest part of the remnant is less than 1/64".

You're right. That would never have happened on an abrasive saw.

 

[600rider]

So I ask you Iplay, "How nice IS a band saw?"!!!!!!!!!!! :cool2:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

So I ask you Iplay, "How nice IS a band saw?"!!!!!!!!!!! :cool2:

Oh, very nice!

Could be the best addition I've made to my shop after my welder. It definately takes up some space vs. a chop saw or an angle grinder, but the quality of cut, precision, and the option to go do something else while the saw is cutting are well worth the space.

Thanks to all for the advice in buying, repairing, and tuning this bandsaw.

 

[Ford tractor]

Only problem is that it's hard to see the join because the cuts are so fine! Used to that ratty edge a cutting torch gives.

 

[Raindem]

I've been thinking of getting one of these. Can you cut wood with a metal band saw? Is it just a matter of changing the blade?

 

[mjncad]

I've been thinking of getting one of these. Can you cut wood with a metal band saw? Is it just a matter of changing the blade?

The manual for mine does not recommend cutting wood with it. I think it's more a matter of how sawdust gets into places it shouldn't as getting wood cutting bandsaw blades made to fit is doable.

Besides I'd rather use a chopsaw for wood since they were designed to cut dead trees.