Topic: Band Saw recommendations

[Toxic]

This seemed like a good place to post this question, since there are some hardcore builders in here.
I'm looking to buy a bandsaw for the garage.  What would your recommendations be?
Primarily concerned with what features:
-motor size
-overall unit size, table size would be better as space is limited.
-what features are most important and useful.

I'm looking to cut 1/4 steel plate or 3/8 aluminum at the most.

Is there another tool you guys would recommend?

[tramp]

i think table top is too small for that thickness of material
save money and get a good used one
if you can't repair your own blades get a popular brand that lowes or home depot carry

[Steve F]

Wow, to cut the materials you mentioned, you're probably going to need something in the industrial quality area.  Most of the machines you find at HomeDepot or Lowes or Sears are for the home hobbyist, and are primarily made for wood cutting.  Go online and search for industrial machinery liquidators.

[333]

A Delta 14 wouldn't cut 1/4" steel?  At the boat shop, we cut some hardwoods up to 5 or 6 inches.  Seems to me that with the right blade, it would cut that steel.

[Spikeybike]

i would like to add , that if your using this for odd jobs, building bikes, light duty (but you still wanna cut big stuff)

go for a portable,   i use this Porter-Cable "porta-band"  all the time at work, it cuts through some pretty thick stuff like butter,  not too heavy, and .... it's not attatched to a table

damn it , my link doesn't work

[johnny_from_bel]

http://www.allproducts.com/machine/chyunyow/metal_band_saw.html

This is the one I have. Its Chineese build. And sold under different brands.

[754]

Them Chinees ones are junk.. some are a bit better than others and you can tune them a bit.

I used one for 20 years, real hard on blades..

More  on them later

[johnny_from_bel]

Them Chinees ones are junk.. some are a bit better than others and you can tune them a bit.

I used one for 20 years, real hard on blades..

More  on them later

I beg to differ. I buy Swedish sandvik blades and I have no problem what so ever.

[754]

Let me put it another way:
 Although I tried to tune mine, due to BROAD Tolerances, or mismatched parts, I never got mine very good. The blade angle & twist from drive wheel to first guide is very severe, as far as bandsaw go, this varies on them saws.

I never get good blade life..
I usualy wear of the set due to rubbing on the wheels
If it does not take out the set, I usually, get lots of cracking on blade.. premature wear.
I tried bimetal blades, they were so stiff that they rapidly wore down the wheels!
I cant leave saw unatteded, it will jam or blade comes off

In short, thw worst piece of equipment I own..

Let me ask you this, how many cuts can you get out of 4 inch steel round bar, without drift, on a single blade?

[Toxic]

Great info, thanks.

This is the one I am going to go look at.
https://www.thetoolstore.ca/viewItem.asp?idProduct=4009

[Toxic]

I didn't know there was such a thing as a portable band saw.

Sears in the states has lots of options but for me in Canada there is like 2.

Fortunately I live close to the border.  Road trip.

[754]

That looks like the one I have.

I dont want to scare anyone off, they are worth what you pay for them and will do most home stuff just fine.

Just dont expect them to do commercial cutting, or expect to make money using it to cut.

It would be criminal to try to charge out shoprate, for the time mine takes to cut things. ( I just consider it as lost time, I stop the clock while using it most of the time)

But then they dont even cost as much as 2 blades for the saws at work..

[Toxic]

This is strickly for home shop use.  Making rears sets and thicker engine mount plate.

It's more of a convienence thing as well.  I could use a local shop and it would cost alot less than buying this machine.

[Caaveman82]

What are you cutting? Just pieces of stock? You making long cuts? What? That's the first question I would ask...

If you are just cutting stock... then I would recomend...


http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921289000P?vName=Tools&cName=Bench+Power+Tools&sName=Tile+%26+Cut+Off+Saws

Something like this. Not necessarily Craftsmen, but we have one at the shop and it WILL cut through damn near ANYTHING you put it to.

[Spikeybike]

i hate how Craftsman's new thing is to put a laser on damn near every power tool they make ....  it seems handy on some things (like a drill press) but really  unnecessary and exessive on others ,  kinda feels like cheating to me

[KARamsay]

Look for one with a decent motor/platform. 

You can get some good stuff in the want ads or Craigslist if you look around.  Overall... you will need to buy a good band.  Like drill bits or any other cutting tool, a good blade is key.   

[333]

I don't know about bandsaws in particular, but stay away from Chinese power tools.  A friend bought a belt/disc sander last year as "new" from Harbor Freight.  It has a frozen bearing after using it for a couple months.  Imported from China in 1991 (New, yeah right), parts are no longer available.

[eldar]

You can find a dog anywhere though. I got a $20 18v cordless drill from harbor freight and it has kept right up with $100+ dewalts. It does not spin as fast but then in most cases you do not want super speed when drilling or putting in screws. But then I also got a small orbital sander and the paper clamp broke. It still holds but you have to be careful to get the paper just right.

[Caaveman82]

i hate how Craftsman's new thing is to put a laser on damn near every power tool they make ....  it seems handy on some things (like a drill press) but really  unnecessary and exessive on others ,  kinda feels like cheating to me

But... the laser is what makes it cost the extra $80 over everything else...

Oh wait I see your point.   

[fuzzybutt]

i have a portable one. when i got it i went to work making sure everything was right, i aligned the blade pulleys, made sure their axles were straight as well. i wont use anything but high quality bi-metal blades either, they last alot longer. i'm looking at buying an old band saw blade welder right now so i can just buy the blades in bulk. save a load on money that way

[tsflstb]

If you're doing a lot of aluminum, I just broke down and bought some metal cutting blades for my jigsaw.  It works amazingly well and the cut edge can be cleaned and filed flat pretty easy.

Before that, there was this...



spacers for my fork brace...


I've used the hacksaw for everything on my bike.  That's 3/4" thick in the picture, but just finished hacking out some 7/8" aluminum for my steering damper mount.  You can hold a closer tolerance than you think with a hand file.  Lots of time, a hacksaw, hand drill, and a half-round file is the poor man's 5 axis CNC machining center. 

[74cb750]

wow, that 's a lot of work for 2 small pieces. by hand?

I agree w most everyon here...if you're looking for quality don't go to Harborfreight. Sometimes you just have to bit the bullet and spend some serious cash for a good tool.

[754]

The reality is, most will not spend 3K and higher for a bandsaw, or 1K and higher for a used one.
 so they will buy the little ones, and they will save a lot of work, but try cutting 4inch or bigger shafting, or stainless bar, and you realize they have their limitations..

 They are certainlyy worth what you pay for them, and blades are cheap..

 If you get one, I will explain a few mods that make them a bit better.

[eldar]

Oh harbor freight is not all bad. I have gotten many good tools from them. Quite a few here go there as many of us cannot justify the cost of snap-on and others that pricy. For my duty work, I use a lot of craftsman and it has never failed me, not once. Their quality MAY not be as good as snap on but then I not a mechanic by trade but even if I was, I would still probably do craftsman as they never failed in heavy duty farm work either.

[Spikeybike]

meh..craftsmans alright