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Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by Lis2323

NOTHING is “hassle free”.

Ask anyone who realized too late their workpiece wasn’t securely clamped in the vise of their dry cut saw.

If you need to frequently “tune” your bandsaw something is wrong.


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Tune up your bandsaw ??
My HF 4x6 is old old. All I ever did was replace motor. It's still gets used for small stuff.
My ELLIS 1600 is 5 years old. I replaced blade, that's it.
Set material in bandsaw saw and do something else ,close by, while it's cutting.


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Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by Need Advice

Washout a doubt the evolution is hassle free and cuts good but its loud and throws metal shaving all over the place. I have hearing damage so I'm going with the quiet bandsaw, otherwise i would get the evolution too because Its faster and hassle free. A bandsaw you have to tune up and its much slower.

NOTHING is “hassle free”.

Ask anyone who realized too late their workpiece wasn’t securely clamped in the vise of their dry cut saw.

If you need to frequently “tune” your bandsaw something is wrong.


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Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by AFSOC

It isn't "the best" for every situation but I just bought an Evolution S380CPS and have been very impressed with the accuracy and finish of the cuts. I have always wanted one to replace/augment my old Milwaukee abrasive chop saw. I finally decided to pull the trigger before tariffs, runaway inflation or Supply Chain collapse (or any combo of those) left me wanting.

Washout a doubt the evolution is hassle free and cuts good but its loud and throws metal shaving all over the place. I have hearing damage so I'm going with the quiet bandsaw, otherwise i would get the evolution too because Its faster and hassle free. A bandsaw you have to tune up and its much slower.

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

It isn't "the best" for every situation but I just bought an Evolution S380CPS and have been very impressed with the accuracy and finish of the cuts. I have always wanted one to replace/augment my old Milwaukee abrasive chop saw. I finally decided to pull the trigger before tariffs, runaway inflation or Supply Chain collapse (or any combo of those) left me wanting.

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

I used my chop saw today. It seems to cut better than the last blade i had on it. Maybe diablo makes a good blade. The chop saw will get me by till i get a bandsaw. I cut 2" bar stock with it as well as some other sizes and it preformed satisfactory.

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by KenO

I didn't read through all the replys. My experience is I cut more with my 6" Metabo angle grinder with a cut off wheel than anything else. Second is the horizontal band saw, which is handy because it can be cutting while I'm doing something else.

I use the oxy/acl torch more than I use the plasma for cutting. The torch is a must for heating to shape also. IOW, for me the plasma is the least used cutting device.

Thanks. I can see myself using the bandsaw a lot because its quiet. I plan on using the Plasma cutter a lot for pattern cutting sheet metal and thin plate. I would like to use a copy cutter or pantograph. I plan on trying the PrimeWeld CUT50DP. It has a 3 year warranty and only costs $400.

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

I didn't read through all the replys. My experience is I cut more with my 6" Metabo angle grinder with a cut off wheel than anything else. Second is the horizontal band saw, which is handy because it can be cutting while I'm doing something else.

I use the oxy/acl torch more than I use the plasma for cutting. The torch is a must for heating to shape also. IOW, for me the plasma is the least used cutting device.

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Looks great.
Low cost blades
You can make new blade from coil .

Dave

Originally Posted by Josey

I find this saw works well for me. Not as fast as a band saw, But more accurate cuts.
I bought this one at a farm auction for $250

Attachment 1731358

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Power hack saws work fine. I have 4 of them, none as new as the one pictured. Three have been motorized from flat belt drives. If one come up for sale near here they sell cheap. The one I use most often, my father bought new in the early to mid 1930's. The other 2 flat belt drives need some work to take the slop out of them. They are slower than some other methods but I set it up turn it on and go do other things while it cuts. The newest one a Racine will cut angles. Like MJD mentioned in another thread, if I were to find myself cutting 20 ga. I'd use a shear, a Beverly for curves and a straight shear for straight cuts.
https://www.eastwood.com/throatless-...=google&wv=3.1
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00YNEXV5A?...EEQ%5Ejul21%5E

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by Josey

I find this saw works well for me. Not as fast as a band saw, But more accurate cuts.
I bought this one at a farm auction for $250

Attachment 1731358

That's a nice old saw. I saw one in a flea market but didn't even bother asking the guy what he wanted for it. I figured it was more than i had. It was huge and heavy looking.

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

I find this saw works well for me. Not as fast as a band saw, But more accurate cuts.
I bought this one at a farm auction for $250

Attachment 1731358

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by N2 Welding

Well if you have a motor that you got for free then there is not much you will loose if you kill the motor from dust except for your time fabricating the tool. You could always make a housing with some bushings that encases the motor to reduce the metal shavings from getting into the motor housing. Other options would be to have compressed air blowing on the belt just below where you are griding to direct the dust into some kind of metal dust collection or use both compressed air and a vacuum to keep the area clean Just a matter of how much time do you want to spend tinkering with it to get it to work just as planned. I still have yet to build a belt sander. I have way to many other things to do before I have free time to do that.

Thanks. I have a lot of free time at the moment.

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by Need Advice

I never considered that the motor could get debris inside and tear up the motor. I never considered they should be sealed. Thanks for the heads up on that.

Well if you have a motor that you got for free then there is not much you will loose if you kill the motor from dust except for your time fabricating the tool. You could always make a housing with some bushings that encases the motor to reduce the metal shavings from getting into the motor housing. Other options would be to have compressed air blowing on the belt just below where you are griding to direct the dust into some kind of metal dust collection or use both compressed air and a vacuum to keep the area clean Just a matter of how much time do you want to spend tinkering with it to get it to work just as planned. I still have yet to build a belt sander. I have way to many other things to do before I have free time to do that.

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by Meltedmetal

I don't think I necessarily agree with LIS on the torque end of things. It may depend on what speed range you need/desire and your power transmission set up . Treadmills have been known to drag some fairly heavy loads at low speeds. But there are a couple of other things that I might consider. Is the motor totally enclosed? Is it a permanent magnet motor. I'm wondering about the collection of iron dust in/on the motor and/or if you can protect it or place it to avoid same. Just a thought or two..

I never considered that the motor could get debris inside and tear up the motor. I never considered they should be sealed. Thanks for the heads up on that.

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by Meltedmetal

I don't think I necessarily agree with LIS on the torque end of things. It may depend on what speed range you need/desire and your power transmission set up . Treadmills have been known to drag some fairly heavy loads at low speeds. But there are a couple of other things that I might consider. Is the motor totally enclosed? Is it a permanent magnet motor. I'm wondering about the collection of iron dust in/on the motor and/or if you can protect it or place it to avoid same. Just a thought or two..

Thanks for the reply. Im not sure if its a permanent magnet motor but i think it has brushes in it. The back of the motor is open. I could always put a cover on it if i had to i guess.

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

I don't think I necessarily agree with LIS on the torque end of things. It may depend on what speed range you need/desire and your power transmission set up . Treadmills have been known to drag some fairly heavy loads at low speeds. But there are a couple of other things that I might consider. Is the motor totally enclosed? Is it a permanent magnet motor. I'm wondering about the collection of iron dust in/on the motor and/or if you can protect it or place it to avoid same. Just a thought or two..

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by Lis2323

I can’t say for certain but I don’t think that treadmill motor will work for you. Probably loses too much torque at low speed.


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Do you have any recommendations on a motor and controller that you know will work? Thanks.

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by Lis2323

I can’t say for certain but I don’t think that treadmill motor will work for you. Probably loses too much torque at low speed.


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You might be right. I have seen people use them on YT for that purpose but that doesn't mean they work necessarily. I'll build it and if it fails i'll get a real motor. It will cost me but will still be cheaper than buying a 2x72 belt grinder

What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by Need Advice

I plan on doing welding and forging and making my own forging tools as well. I can see a belt grinder coming in handy. I have a 2.5 HP treadmill motor that i plan on using for the belt grinder. Im not sure if it will be durable enough but we will see. I can get a wheel and platen kit for $200 and all i would need besides that is some HD tubing for the frame.

I can’t say for certain but I don’t think that treadmill motor will work for you. Probably loses too much torque at low speed.


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Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by BD1

Bench grinders are handy.
I have two wire wheels side by side on one shaft and a single one on the other.
The double is great for cleaning the edges on horseshoes for my artwork.
Add a Harbor Freight circular saw blade sharping diamond wheel to the side of a grinding wheel for sharpening tungsten. It works great.


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Yes they are good for wire wheels. I have an old grinder and thats about all i use it for. I have a stone wheel on it too but dont like using it.

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by BD1

Here's my portaband setup and my HF saw and stand. The supplied HF stand is ridiculous short.

Nice, thanks for sharing.

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by Need Advice

I agree.

Bench grinders are handy.
I have two wire wheels side by side on one shaft and a single one on the other.
The double is great for cleaning the edges on horseshoes for my artwork.
Add a Harbor Freight circular saw blade sharping diamond wheel to the side of a grinding wheel for sharpening tungsten. It works great.


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Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by BD1

Belt grinders are amazing if you need it.
Something like a Burr King is amazing !
That catorgy of machines, really eats metal.
I thought about buying one but not cheap.
Again, depending on what your needs are determines what you need.
My 1x42 belt sanders are from garage sales and private sellers. The most I spent was $60 for a Belsaw 1x42 with about 25 extra belts. That's a nice sander.
I only use mine for taking the edge off.
The slower speed is nice for my handheld pieces.
It's nice having exposed belt above the platen.
That helps to get in tight spots in handheld small pieces.


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I plan on doing welding and forging and making my own forging tools as well. I can see a belt grinder coming in handy. I have a 2.5 HP treadmill motor that i plan on using for the belt grinder. Im not sure if it will be durable enough but we will see. I can get a wheel and platen kit for $200 and all i would need besides that is some HD tubing for the frame.

Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by BD1

Belt grinders are amazing if you need it.
Something like a Burr King is amazing !
That catorgy of machines, really eats metal.
I thought about buying one but not cheap.
Again, depending on what your needs are determines what you need.
My 1x42 belt sanders are from garage sales and private sellers. The most I spent was $60 for a Belsaw 1x42 with about 25 extra belts. That's a nice sander.
I only use mine for taking the edge off.
The slower speed is nice for my handheld pieces.
It's nice having exposed belt above the platen.
That helps to get in tight spots in handheld small pieces.


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Its hard to beat a belt grinder small wheel attachment for some of the projects you do[emoji16]









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Re: What's the best wat to cut steel?

Originally Posted by _Weldman_

No it can't they run at two different speeds, an abrasive saw runs faster than dry cut saw. Put a dry cut saw blade in a abrasive saw arbor and things might get interesting along with burn the blade up real quick and abrasive blade in dry cut saw will not cut. Besides what everyone said about the Well Saw the size on this one is 9 x 16" cut which you don't want to go over half it's rating at most to keep things true, same with other band saws, see page 10 and enjoy the read.
https://www.lenoxtools.com/Guides/LE...d_20Sawing.pdf

Yes, i thought about that after i posted. Thanks.