Metal Band saw

Blaneypark · Nov 13, 2014

Looking at buying a metal band saw. I have a hand held porta-band just want one to make more accurate cuts. any suggestions. Looking at a $350.00 to $500.oo range.

George2615 · Nov 13, 2014

I have one similar to the Tractor Supply Store unit (which is on sale for $150 if you can find a store that has one). I built a new stand for mine (taller) so I don't have to bend over to operate. It works very well for general use in the garage. Has adjustable gravity down pressure. Standard 64 1/2" saw blades are available most anywhere. Higher priced units have hydraulic down pressure which I don't need. I think regular price is around $200. and it seems to be better quality than the one sold at HF.

Black Bull™ Metal Bandsaw - Tractor Supply Co.

Gordon Gould · Nov 13, 2014

I like the looks of this table. Not sure if it meets your needs but it is on my goody list.

SWAG V3.0 Portaband Table

gg

Hiltz · Nov 13, 2014

Blaneypark said:
Looking at buying a metal band saw. I have a hand held porta-band just want one to make more accurate cuts. any suggestions. Looking at a $350.00 to $500.oo range.

Central Machinery, Harbor Freight, Grizzly, Jet, and I probably forgotten a few others, all sell the same metal band saw the only difference being the paint. (the Jet version maybe machined to closer tolerances) Its a decent saw needing a few adjustments and tweeks to work properly but would fit your price range. I have had one for years and it does a decent job but I don't use it everyday. Its a step up from the mess and noise of a abrasive chop saw in cleaner cuts.

The Fred · Nov 13, 2014

Grizzly.com

I have THIS one (for 8 years) and would NOT recommend it to anyone, it is always broken or needing an adjustment. It simply needs babysitting full time!

Stay away!

Regards, Fred

Xfaxman · Nov 13, 2014

You didn't say how big that you need to cut.

For accuracy I have a cold cut saw, it is amazing.

ALFRA RotaDry® 355
Motor 120 V/60 Hz
RPM 1300 min
Cutting area 90° 13 mm wall thickness rect. 7 x 4 inches, 180 x 105 mm
Cutting area 90° 13 mm wall thickness sq. 4.7", 120 x 120 mm
Cutting area 90° 13 mm wall thickness round 5.3", 135 mm
Cutting area 45° 13 mm wall thickness rect. 110 x 100 mm
Cutting area 45° 13 mm wall thickness sq. 100 x 100 mm
Cutting area 45° 13 mm wall thickness round 105 mm
Saw blade diameter 14 inch, 355 mm

There are several brands, I got mine from the local welding supply store.

Also have an old Dayton band saw with the vertical cutting table. I use vertical more than horizontal.

445A · Nov 13, 2014

L

Looking at buying a metal band saw. I have a hand held porta-band just want one to make more accurate cuts. any suggestions. Looking at a $350.00 to $500.oo range.

I bought one of the cheap 64 1/2" blade, 4x6 saws back in 1987. 3 motors later, and some minor tweaking on the blade guide rollers, the saw is still functioning very well. I recently purchased a used Dayton 9x16 for $500. I find myself using the little one most of the time, but when the cuts are long and deep, or at an angle, it's worth setting up the Dayton. I run a 10 tooth per inch blade and it makes short work of thick steel plate 1/4" and thicker. I highly recommend the cheap saw for the money, but if you are going to use it commercially, step up to a bigger saw. I found mine on Craig's list after 2 weeks of looking. Hope this helps and you find the saw that fits your needs. 445A

rswyan · Nov 13, 2014

The Fred said:
Grizzly.com

I have THIS one (for 8 years) and would NOT recommend it to anyone, it is always broken or needing an adjustment. It simply needs babysitting full time!

Stay away!

LOL ...

I have that same one, under the Tool Gypsy brand/label (Homier) ... probably for about the same length of time.

Picked it up cheap, second hand ... it has cut lots of steel, including stuff larger than it's spec'd for and it's been relatively trouble-free until very recently ... looks like some bushings for the drive wheels finally need replaced.

I'm kinda amazed that it even still working ... about a month or so ago I had it set up and doing a cut and I went outside to do some grinding came back in and the saw had stalled in the cut (my fault: too much feed rate for the size of the cut and the blade being used) and smoke was pouring out of the motor ...

I shut it off and let it cool down ... so far, it doesn't seem any worse for the abuse.

For what I paid (I think around $175) I considered it a steal.

Having said that, I'd love to have a larger or better (Ellis ?) bandsaw ... but it ain't in the cards right now.

k0ua · Nov 13, 2014

The Fred said:
Grizzly.com

I have THIS one (for 8 years) and would NOT recommend it to anyone, it is always broken or needing an adjustment. It simply needs babysitting full time!

Stay away!

Regards, Fred