Horizontal Band Saw vs Cut-off Saw

[cjc_td5]

I have a couple of steel fabrication projects soon which involve multiple square and angled cuts of square tubing (up to 50x50) and so rather than using my usual angle grinder method, am thinking of splashing out on a purpose built saw for this purpose.

It seems my main options are either a horizontal band saw or a cut-off saw. I've used a horizontal band saw previously and found it to be great, but a cut off saw is smaller to store and a cheaper to buy.

Any opinions or guidance on which type of saw to go with??

Cheers,

[87County]

IMHE if you just buy a cheap H&F bandsaw you'll go through quite a few blades (even if you adjust it correctly), but you can (after some experimentation) get a much more accurate cut.

Good if you're fabricating small complicated shaped parts.

[Bigbjorn]

Have a look at a Milwaukee 18volt portable hand held bandsaw. One of these may suit your light work.

[Jason789]

Try 'TradeTools'

Mainly in QLD and VIC.
Excellent prices as the stores/warehouse is owned by the person running the shop.
They have their own line of tools which is excellent. I have various power tools from their range and they have all proved reliable.

Their 'drop saw' I have used and can recomend.

Footnote.....I don't have shares or any interest in the company.

Cheers,

Jason

[p38arover]

I have both.

If the tubing you'll be cutting is steel, I'd recommend the drop saw.

The Chinese bandsaws can't, in horizontal mode, cut short lengths of steel. The clamping vice is very limited in what it can hold. Also, often when one is trying to cut at an angle, one simply cannot clamp the material. It's hard to describe without showing you what I mean.

The bandsaw is great on thick bar stock or alloy. It's slow but one can walk away and let it do the job. It's also quiet when working in the garage late at night - important when one has nearby neighbours.

Adjusting the blade so it doesn't come off can be a trial!

[cjc_td5]

Have a look at a Milwaukee 18volt portable hand held bandsaw. One of these may suit your light work.

I'm mainly looking at something with a jig so I can get accurate square or angled cuts. If going hand held, I might as well stick with an angle grinder with a cutting blade.

Thanks

[p38arover]

If you think you want a bandsaw, take a short length of steel tubing into a store that sells the saws and play with holding the steel in the vice while you plan cuts. You'll soon see what you cannot do. Actually try the vice, it is particularly useless on angle cuts.

Mine is similar to this design. Probably identical except for paint. https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/B002

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/318.jpg

[big harold]

I have both it depends how much you will use the saw and how much you are willing to spend. I have one of these https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/B008A
as well as a standard drop saw. I think i still have the drop saw as I have not used it in that long.
If you are buying a band saw make sure you get one that uses coolant as this is why others are going through blades.
I made a full set of cattle yards and race/ramp and only used 2 blades.
I made up a set of rollers either side to allow for a full lengh of RHS.
They are very acurate on angles, very quiet in operation and you can just set up and walk away to do other things while they cut.
The only reason I kept my drop saw is for cutting hardened bolts.
I would take some pictures except my shed is a mess and I would not be able o set up the rollers as I have my quad pulled apart in front of the saw.

[p38arover]

That saw is a big step up from mine - both in capability and price! :D

After getting mine set up, it rarely breaks a blade. I have more problems with the blade coming off.

[Slunnie]

We do a LOT of cutting at work. IMHO, Cold saw with a blade and coolant - ie not an abrasive cut off saw.

Like this:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/245.jpg

If youre not doing a lot of cutting, then it doesnt matter.

[Dougal]

Have a look at a Milwaukee 18volt portable hand held bandsaw. One of these may suit your light work.

Google came up with approx $1k. Is that right?

[Bigbjorn]

Google came up with approx $1k. Is that right?

Absolutely no idea. You wouldn't buy locally anyhow. You would be ripped off. Try the Sears or Harbour Tools web sites. They do international mail orders. I saw one in use at Gary Bridge and Iron last year. Steve Truchan was restoring a couple of Indy roadsters and using the saw to cut lengths of 4140 for a chassis recreation. Looked to me like a real handy item. I didn't know such things existed before then. They have a pretty harsh winter there and Steve and his crew love the Milwaukee heated clothing which uses the same batteries as the power tool range.

[Bigbjorn]

We do a LOT of cutting at work. IMHO, Cold saw with a blade and coolant - ie not an abrasive cut off saw.

Like this:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/245.jpg

If youre not doing a lot of cutting, then it doesnt matter.

I like cold saws. Your neighbours might not. They can be pretty loud.

[Slunnie]

I like cold saws. Your neighbours might not. They can be pretty loud.
You think? I didn't think the cold saw was loud at all. Abrasive cut off saw like this, now they are loud like massive angle grinders!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Jeff]

Until I read this thread, I didn't think portable band saws existed. Now I think I need one!

Especially at this price.

Milwaukee 2629 20 M18 18V Portable Cordless Band SAW Bare Tool | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131134459943'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649)

Jeff

:rocket:

Edit: I just noticed it doesn't include blade or battery.

[workingonit]

Cheap drop saw for your pipe, angle etc, 9 inch grinder for big stuff where cut finish not so important, small grinder with thin blades for more precision, and a plasma cutter with linisher better option?

I think cold saws are nice, and quiet.

[spudboy]

For square tubing up to 2" (50mm) this is my favourite cutter:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

It's a Triton metal cutter. Cuts perfectly straight cuts all day long. Also does 45 degrees too.

For bigger stuff I have a cold cut saw, but the little Triton cutter gets used a lot and has been 100% reliable. From memory it was not very expensive, perhaps $350 or something like that.

[cjc_td5]

For square tubing up to 2" (50mm) this is my favourite cutter:

http://scout.imgix.net/137/1371065.jpg

It's a Triton metal cutter. Cuts perfectly straight cuts all day long. Also does 45 degrees too.

For bigger stuff I have a cold cut saw, but the little Triton cutter gets used a lot and has been 100% reliable. From memory it was not very expensive, perhaps $350 or something like that.

Looks good spudboy. I can't find any reference to them in oz or on their website, so maybe they don't sell them anymore?

All equivalent cold cut saws appear to be $800+?

Cheers,

[Bigbjorn]

You think? I didn't think the cold saw was loud at all. Abrasive cut off saw like this, now they are loud like massive angle grinders!

http://www.makita.com.au/images/products/power-tools/2414NB-2_zoom.jpg

I was remembering the large ones we used in industry, 24" to 36" blades. Used to cut large steel tube and sections like RSJ's and rail line and heavy plate. One 36" was used solely to cut reinforced concrete castings and was housed in an insulated booth with roller stands and hatches to feed the material through. Talk about loud.

[Ancient Mariner]

The abrasive cut off saw is the most versatile it won't care if cutting alloy steel old axles ,drill rods(make sure no anfo in side ):D makes a nice sealing cut on wood and is economical to about 50mm solid .The band saw better suited to anything bigger than 50 mm or nesting .The draw back with the cut off saw noisy.murder on glass or any thing flammable and removes a valuable skill of using a hand hacksaw:(

AM

[p38arover]

I replaced the metal cutting blade in my cut-off saw with a masonry blade and did a lot of bricks when I was making a new set of back steps for the house..