View Full Version : Teach me about bandsaws please!
scapegoat
03-27-2008, 06:40 PM
I'm boing to be in the market for a bandsaw within the next few months. I am looking for something that will cut mainly steel, not to much wood but some. I would like to stay under $400. I want to cut exhaust pipe and some sheet metal. Some thicker steel from time to time as well. Horizontal or vertical? Whats the pros and cons of both? I don't know much about them so any info would be great. Maybe some brand/model suggestions. Thanks fellas.
hankj
03-27-2008, 06:48 PM
There are no wood/metal combination bandsaws that I know of. Wood saws run at much higher RPM's than steel saws. You could cut wood on the slow turning metal saws, but I wouldn't advise it. Wood chips and metal chips don't play well together!:p
Also, for sheet metal, bandsaws are pretty limited. A sabre (jig) saw, shears, nibbler, cut-off disk, or a carbide tooth circular saw would be better for this task. Generally, a vertical bandsaw with a large throat clearance is the tool for sheet goods.
As far as models/brands go, there are a lot. The $400 will limit you to something like a Jet 5 X 6 horizontal/vertical saw.
Hank
whateg0
03-27-2008, 07:43 PM
If you're wanting to cut out shapes from sheetmetal, a vertical bandsaw is typically more suited to the task. For structural shapes or anything that comes in stick form, a horizontal bandsaw is easier to work with. So, in your price range, like Hank pointed out, the Jet 5x6, or a similar model, which can be used in vertical or horizontal, is probably what you'll find. I cut wood with mine occasionally, but not very much. With a fine pitch blade, you can cut sheetmetal successfully, but the wider blades found on horizontal bandsaws can limit your cutting radius.
BTW, I have the HF version of the Jet 5x6.
Dave
scapegoat
03-27-2008, 08:51 PM
I guess I would like to go with a basic metal cutting bandsaw. Lets say I have an 8' long piece of exhaust pipe that I want to cut. How would I do this with a bandsaw? Technicaly it would be to long wouldnt it? Because of the opening on lets say a vertical type band saw. Do you know what I mean?
scapegoat
03-27-2008, 09:14 PM
There are no wood/metal combination bandsaws that I know of. Wood saws run at much higher RPM's than steel saws. You could cut wood on the slow turning metal saws, but I wouldn't advise it. Wood chips and metal chips don't play well together!:p
Also, for sheet metal, bandsaws are pretty limited. A sabre (jig) saw, shears, nibbler, cut-off disk, or a carbide tooth circular saw would be better for this task. Generally, a vertical bandsaw with a large throat clearance is the tool for sheet goods.
As far as models/brands go, there are a lot. The $400 will limit you to something like a Jet 5 X 6 horizontal/vertical saw.
Hank
Does the 5x6 mean that it will cut through 5"x6" thick piece of solid steel?
FusionKing
03-27-2008, 09:49 PM
Does the 5x6 mean that it will cut through 5"x6" thick piece of solid steel?
yup:D: basically
whateg0
03-27-2008, 09:52 PM
Does the 5x6 mean that it will cut through 5"x6" thick piece of solid steel?
Well, it will cut through something with a dimension of 5"x6". And I suppose it would eventually cut through a piece of solid steel that size. (I hope you have something else to do while it's cutting it.;) ) So, yes. How big is the exhaust tubing you plan to cut?
Dave
FarmallMan
03-27-2008, 11:10 PM
There are no wood/metal combination bandsaws that I know of.
Wilton makes a wood/metal combo vertical bandsaw. It's a 14". The fact that it's a vertical makes it less than ideal for cutting off stock.
A word about blade selection: Ideally there should be 2-3 teeth in contact with the material during a cut. That is why finer pitch blades are needed for sheet metal, as mentioned before. There is no harm in having many teeth in contact with the material other than the fact that it will slow the cut. You want to select the coursest blade you can that will work for the thinnest material you plan to cut. Or, you could have multiples on hand.
Nick :cool:
dda52
03-27-2008, 11:46 PM
Does the 5x6 mean that it will cut through 5"x6" thick piece of solid steel?
Yup....in about 2 hours.:rolleyes:;)
MAC702
03-28-2008, 02:29 AM
I guess I would like to go with a basic metal cutting bandsaw. Lets say I have an 8' long piece of exhaust pipe that I want to cut. How would I do this with a bandsaw? Technicaly it would be to long wouldnt it? Because of the opening on lets say a vertical type band saw. Do you know what I mean?
If I understand your question, there is no limit to the length of the material or the drop because the blade is angled relative to the spine of the saw. That's where the 5" comes in. You can cut 5" down before the spine of the saw touches the top of the material. The material can be 6" wide and still fit in the clamp and between the guides of the blade. Obviously, bigger band saws are available. Handhelds are available that will cut up to 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" material, like common to plumbers, electricians, and exhaust pipe guys.
scapegoat
03-28-2008, 08:07 AM
Realistically I would be cutting some exhaust pipe up to 4" in diameter. Some 1" thick steel at the thickest. Some angle iron,C-channel,flat stock,smaller round stock and maybe a tiny bit of sheet metal at the worst. Does that Jet bandsaw stand upright/vertical so you can "feed" a piece of pipe into it?
whateg0
03-28-2008, 08:23 AM
Here's the saw...
http://industrial.jettools.com/Products.aspx?nav=ByPart&ClassID=333042&Part=414458
It can be fed by hand vertically, or you can clamp stock in the vice and use it as a horizontal bandsaw, so it cuts it while you have a drink.
Dave
scapegoat
03-28-2008, 08:50 AM
Here's the saw...
http://industrial.jettools.com/Products.aspx?nav=ByPart&ClassID=333042&Part=414458
It can be fed by hand vertically, or you can clamp stock in the vice and use it as a horizontal bandsaw, so it cuts it while you have a drink.
Dave
It cuts it by itself? While I drink beer? Nice!
For what you are talking about, the Jet will do a good job. I bought mine from Amazon and got lucky, they had a free shipping offer going. No matter what you buy, order a couple of good blades for it, the factory blade is junk.
Mr Jimi
03-28-2008, 11:23 AM
Too bad you don't live close to jacksonville, Fl. I have a Ohio Forge 4 X 6 for $100 with a spare blade
I have the same luck everything is at the other side of the USA
:)
Broccoli1
03-28-2008, 10:50 PM
It cuts it by itself? While I drink beer? Nice!
Sho' do:D:D:D
Broccoli1
03-28-2008, 10:54 PM
Does that Jet bandsaw stand upright/vertical so you can "feed" a piece of pipe into it?
Yes- sorta-
Feeding pipe into it while it is in the vertical Set-up ain't ideal.
If you need to cut a piece of exhaust tubing to length then you would use it in the Horizontal Set-up.
I have the Green HF model.