Looking to buy a BandSaw

[BXpanded]

Adding a coolant system to a dry bandsaw can cause the blade to slip on the pulleys. Then you have to overtighten the band. It's hard on the blades and the bearings. Most of the mfrs don't recommend against using any coolant on the dry saws.
The other (biggest, in my opinion) problem with coolant is the stuff runs through any tubing, channel, etc. you might cut and ends up all over the shop. Everything you pick up drains oil out of the end.

 

[Renze]

...they used a water based lubricant.... No idea how well it worked compared to oil.

You mean cutting emulsion ? You can buy it at any industrial supply. Just dont mix it with engine oil, because it will be like buttermilk

 

[Shield Arc]

Yes the Ellis would be nice. If I had to use a production saw then yes Ellis would be on the short list.

Hello gentleman! My first post here on your fine forum.

I don't know if I would consider an Ellis saw a production saw. An elaborate home hobbits saw yes. About a year ago I was looking to upgrade from my ENCO saw, Ellis was highly recommended over and over, but I just couldn't believe a saw of this size would cut without fluid. Only saws I ever seen of this size are at the steel supplies, which are generally HEM saws. Once it was explained to me an Ellis isn't really designed to cut every minute of every day I gambled and bought an 1800. What a blessing when cutting angles. The material stays in place, and the saw head swivels to the desired angle. Cutting angles with my ENCO saw was a nightmare! In fact I only tried it once, and never again. I used my portable band saw, O/A torch, or plasma. The scale on the Ellis is extremely accurate. I don't miss the mess of wet floors, or liquid all over the material that has to be wiped off after each cut!

 

[ArTrvlr]

Hello gentleman! My first post here on your fine forum.

I don't know if I would consider an Ellis saw a production saw. An elaborate home hobbits saw yes. About a year ago I was looking to upgrade from my ENCO saw, Ellis was highly recommended over and over, but I just couldn't believe a saw of this size would cut without fluid. Only saws I ever seen of this size are at the steel supplies, which are generally HEM saws. Once it was explained to me an Ellis isn't really designed to cut every minute of every day I gambled and bought an 1800. What a blessing when cutting angles. The material stays in place, and the saw head swivels to the desired angle. Cutting angles with my ENCO saw was a nightmare! In fact I only tried it once, and never again. I used my portable band saw, O/A torch, or plasma. The scale on the Ellis is extremely accurate. I don't miss the mess of wet floors, or liquid all over the material that has to be wiped off after each cut!

Does your Ellis have the air cooling option? I was considering converting a dry saw to wet, but after hearing of air cooling on an Ellis, I am considering trying that.

 

[Shield Arc]

Does your Ellis have the air cooling option? I was considering converting a dry saw to wet, but after hearing of air cooling on an Ellis, I am considering trying that.

Hi ArTrvir! I was told if not cutting a lot of aluminum it is not needed. And definitely not worth the $200.00! I honestly didn't think the $200.00 was all that bad if it included a small oil less compressor, but come to find out all your $200.00 gets you is some plastic tube, fittings, and a valve! You still have to use your shop air! Most people do their own plumbing. The saw comes with a wire wheel that cleans the blade. I use my saw just about every day for 9 or 10 months now with no problems! I just installed the third blade, I would still be on the second one, but the cam vice that came with the saw let a piece of pipe move and damaged the blade, the blade didn't last but a few minutes after that! I ordered the screw vice right then and there! Ellis should make the screw vice standard equipment.

 

[Dirtnut]

the bandsaw is the way to go. i have a brand new milwaukee 14" heavy duty, metal blade chop saw 500.00 bucks it is a great saw however the blade will not last long unless it is used in 100 percent mild thin steel. it tells you in the book mild steel only. i made about 100 cuts in a little stronger steel tubing and the blade is shot all it does is burn the steel now. new blades are $170.00.wish i would have gotten the abrasive blade saw i cant put one on this saw the rpms are slower. i went and got a bandsaw from grizzly with the swivel head dry cut and i know i made over 100 cuts on the cheap blade in the same steel as the chop saw.the blade shows no dulling yet,the saw works great.i did buy a bi-metal blade for it $23.00 will put that on when the other one is shot.

 

[rhamer]

One of those slow speed chop saws with a blade was my first idea.

The steel supply place has 3 or 4 of them that they use to cut all their stock. The problem is the price of the unit, and the price of the blades.

Just out of interest, what speed does the saw run at? I have an old chop saw that has a burnt out motor, and I was considering changing it over to a belt drive to slow it down and put a toothed blade on it.

Cheers

Rohan

 

[J_J]

Rohan,

I have one of the 14 in chop saws, made by Dewalt, and it cuts metal so easy, spark are minimal. The saw runs at about 1800 rpm. There are several blades made for this saw. They vary by the number of teeth and the slant on the teeth. Metal, stainless, aluminum. The finish cut looks like polished metal. It is quick and convenient, you just grab it , set it up, and you are cutting in about 5 min. You can use those blades on a belt driven unit, just reduce the speed down to about 1800 rpm.

Have you considered those track cutters using plasma or oxy/acetylene? There is also a torch cutter out now called Petrogen that uses gasoline and oxy. Very impressive. except the cost, but if you consider the cost of the fuel in the long run, It might be worth it.

Petrogen | Petrogen Oxy-Gasoline Cutting Systems Home Page

 

[Dirtnut]

are you telling me i can get blades that will cut harder steel. T72 i think is what the blade is for my milwaulkee and it was the same on the dewalt i looked at. the owners manual tells you the saw(blade) will only cut mild steel. please enlighten me because i already ruined one blade with very little cutting new blades are $170.00.

 

[Scotty370]

JJ- You sir, are a wealth of knowledge!! Where do you find this stuff? I'm refering to the PetroGen. I'm sure it's out of range ($) for the average DIY guy, but here's technology thats been around for 30 years and nary a mention? I read through their site and understand that the torch/gas guys don't want to sell it for fear of fuel gas market loss, but would have thought some how, people would know the technology exists!!! Now if you can just find me that 300MPG carb system that the oil companies are hiding, and the Omaha Steaks are on me!