[Guest]

I need a way to cut metal I was thinking either a bandsaw or a chop saw. I was wondering what the advantages of either was.I don't want to spend more than $200 on one. I would only use it for home use not that much. I was looking at the Clarke bandsaw Tsc has, any opinions.

Thanks, Don

 

[tubeman]

Bandsaw = clean, quiet, big , slow

Chop saw = small, fast , noisey, messy

 

[Guest]

I have a Chop Saw. Fast! I have used an Ellis bandsaw. Nice cut but took almost all day to cut some square tubing that I could have cut in a few minutes with a Chop Saw. Noise? I wear hearing protecters. Not only for the noise but to keep that hot stuff out of my ears. Messy? A little but I keep a magnet inside a plastic bag near the Chop Saw and cleanup is easy. I just pull the magnet and bag inside out when I'm done and I have a bag with a little dust in it ..and a clean work area and magnet.

 

[tubeman]

That's a great idea on the magnet and plastic bag!

 

[Guest]

Thanks Tube. I got that idea from someone on this site. Works great! What I use is a magnet from an old speaker. I'll post pictures when I get home later today. Sometimes a picture helps on somethings for somepeople ...som....once in a while.

 

[Guest]

I think because space is a limited I might go with the chop saw but it is still in the air. Do you guys like this Chop saw

 

[Guest]

well to each his own really, myself i prefer the chop saw because when i want to build something i don't have to set a wait for the piece to be cut only takes a couple of minutes to cut with saw and your ready to go on with project. But then again i'm kinda hyper and not much patience either lol. They both have their good points and bad points. Oh and really like the magnet idea guess i missed that post.

 

[Guest]

so how long does it take to cut metal with a bandsaw

 

[7018]

Band saw's are a good thing,if ur not in a hurry i used to use one to cut 1x1x1/8 angle when i was building alot of trusses clamp 10 togather and walk off to fit or weld,they make a goodcut ,but a good chop saw does to. i have a 14 inch i use it alot,so i guess its what ur using if for and if ur in a hurry or not! i Stell use both! hope this helps

 

[Guest]

I have a Chop Saw. Fast! I have used an Ellis bandsaw. Nice cut but took almost all day to cut some square tubing that I could have cut in a few minutes with a Chop Saw. Noise? I wear hearing protecters. Not only for the noise but to keep that hot stuff out of my ears. Messy? A little but I keep a magnet inside a plastic bag near the Chop Saw and cleanup is easy. I just pull the magnet and bag inside out when I'm done and I have a bag with a little dust in it ..and a clean work area and magnet.

Ha! Great Idea there, Slag.

But my experience speedwise is just the opposite. I hate using my chopsaw compared to the bandsaw but I keep the chop here at home and the bandsaw in my shop five miles away. I get better and faster cuts from the bandsaw & it is sooo much easler on the ears.
Dman, if you have 200 bucks to spend on your choice, I would get the bandsaw now - Harbor Freight, TSC - whoever, and get you one or two bi-metal blades while you're at it; the factory blade will disappoint you for sure. Just be sure to get the model with the metal blade guides instead of plastic. Then do a search here for previous threads using "bandsaw or band saw" and you'll find plenty of discussion about how to tune them, weld up your own blades and make a few modifications as time goes by.
You can pick up a chopsaw for $100 or less later on; they are real useful for limited space situations & carrying to the job, etc. I just hate to be around them.

 

[TonyC]

so how long does it take to cut metal with a bandsaw

I just cut some 1 3/4" x 1/4" angle iron on my bandsaw. I didn't time it but I would saw about a minute per cut. Blade type and blade speed have a lot to do with it too. I am in the middle on both counts but if you go with a coarse blade and speed it up a bit you can cut that time down a lot. It will still give you a better cut than a chopsaw.

Bottom line, with a bandsaw you trade time for a clean cut. With a chop saw you pay in noise and a little mess for speed. If you really don't plan to use it much at all, I would go with a Chinese chop saw. You can get one for $40 to $50 bucks. They don't take up much room either.

 

[Guest]

A bandsaw you can leave cutting onit's own and start on something else. A chop saw you have to stay with.

 

[enlpck]

Bandsaws also do better miter cuts for a given price.

I much prefer the band saw for general work, for the reasons above, as well as the ablity to do heavier stock. For example, we regularly cut 2X6 and larger bar, often mitered, and the bandsaw is set it and forget it... done in five monutes with no attention and a beautiful cut. Chop saw-- don't count on it being easy. A good one will do it, but it won't be fun.

Chop saw IS nice for jobs with lots of square cuts where they are all different lengths/sizes, especially if the pieces need to be fit as you go.

 

[Guest]

Dman, I vote for the bandsaw. I've never regreted for a minute buying it. The speed of cutting is not an issue for me and it's so much cleaner and quiter than a chop saw. When I got mine in October of last year I bought a Rigid blace from the orange box and it's been cutting every weekend since.

 

[Guest]

A Bandsaw is the way to go. Do a search here. There has been a lot of posts on the subject. If you're close to an HF store, they always have them on sale for 150 bucks. Make a new stand and it will give you good service. The blade that it comes with is trash. get some good blades. I make my own out of Starrett flexback stock.

 

[Guest]

I looked at harbor freight and think I found the one link. Where could I get a good blade, and did you say your make your own how would you do that.

Thanks, Don

 

[Banzaitoyota]

Once you get your bandsaw, the fun begins with the mods n tweeks!

 

[Guest]

Here's the post I did on brazing my own blades, using a jig I made and Starrett blade stock.

http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=208&highlight=bandsaw+blades

 

[Banzaitoyota]

Forgot the link:
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Bandsaw/Bandsaw.htm

 

[Guest]

Oh yeah! Great link, Banzai. I had forgotten to bookmark it last time it was posted. Thanks.