Band saw suggestions

[ms08]

Just started in the hobby and wondering about a band saw? as opposed to circular saw? - suggestions please - don't want to spend a fortune but know you only get what you pay for - ideally 1/2" blade or there abouts - like the Porta's but kind of expensive...
Cutting fairly small stock - 1" tube and thin sheet.

 

[norlander]

http://www.stakesys.co.uk/ have a look at their stuff, they say they are going to be selling Italian made saws starting at around 280 quid.
edit: thats plus vat.

 

[shedfull]

I had a machine mart 6 x 4 heavyish, crap stand, didn't cut straight after a while,

Sold it, bought a Femi 120 off ebay not cheap but cuts straight and you can pick it up with one hand.

I also dropped on a genuine USA made porta band at a car boot sale for 40 quid handy but not that accurate, a cordless one would be v handy.

Did I mention the 10 speed Startrite 3 wheel saw I got off ebay for £125 came with the blade welder as well

So my advice is to steer clear of the Chinese stuff, either spring for the new Femi or buy a good second hand saw

 

[Kent]

Just started in the hobby and wondering about a band saw? as opposed to circular saw? - suggestions please - don't want to spend a fortune but know you only get what you pay for - ideally 1/2" blade or there abouts - like the Porta's but kind of expensive...
Cutting fairly small stock - 1" tube and thin sheet.

I shouldn't buy a bandsaw for that. Jigsaw, Grinders and slitting wheel or abrasive cut off saw. Thin sheet can also be done with tinsnips or a nibbler, shear etc.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Record machines represent good value for money

http://www.recordpower-thetoolshop.com/acatalog/Bandsaws.html

 

[Wallace]

Check the blade speeds available as woodworking bandsaws usually run faster than metal cutting saws.

 

[ms08]

Record machines represent good value for money

http://www.recordpower-thetoolshop.com/acatalog/Bandsaws.html

Strangely I was looking at record band saw a few weeks back as a general purpose tool before I even considered metal working/welding.

 

[norlander]

I am thinking of getting a bandsaw too, I have a stand mounted abrasive wheel chop saw, rage chop saw, 9" grinder, multiple 125 and 115 mm grinders, plasma,2x jigsaws,air cut off tool,nibbler,2x jigsaws.
All have their time and place but what I like about bandsaws is they are quiet, don't create dust and the kerf is fine.
Having used a wood bandsaw before, it pays to get a decent one which can be set up with reasonable accuracry, although, a joint in metal which is not spot on and which is to welded is easier to deal with than wood in my experience.
Noise is the main issue for me, then dust,.
I looked on Stakesy's site and they have portable ones, I am going to try and visit them next month to have a gander and talk over machines with them.

 

[hareng]

I wouldn't recommend the Sealey quick release, mines spent more time broken down than running since 1998 £330 then.
Like most of this style they can be used vertical, again wouldn't recommend too small a footprint to screw top plate to.

As said above check the speed range all wood saws run faster which no good for metal work.

Stakesys looks good but small notice the twin bearings and wipers.

 

[norlander]

Check the blade speeds available as woodworking bandsaws usually run faster than metal cutting saws.

any bandsaw users out there got any thoughts observations on this one?

http://www.stakesys.co.uk/product/sta158_4x3_portable_vari-speed_swivel_head_bandsaw/ the variable speed function appeals to me if it saves changing blades for ali.

 

[ms08]

I shouldn't buy a bandsaw for that. Jigsaw, Grinders and slitting wheel or abrasive cut off saw. Thin sheet can also be done with tinsnips or a nibbler, shear etc.

I am think mitre cuts on 1" square stock - not sure I could be accurate with cutting disc was my thought - can cut sheet ok

 

[norlander]

@ms08, I am going to try and visit Stakesy's first week in June to have a play with their english wheel, but I intend to check out their bandsaws as well if possible.
If you want,and can wait, if I get up there I'll post a trip report on here, or PM/e mail you with what I found, but bear in mind I have never owned or used a bandsaw before.
I use my little rage chop saw for cutting round and sq tube, but its not spot on, plus its hellish noisy and can spit out shrapnel.
My abrasive wheel cut off saw is better as it has good work holding, but noise,dust and a wide kerf are issues again, there are of course sparks, but they are contained.
So, bandsaw is being considered.

 

[Paul G]

I used to have this




But now I have




The red one covered in filth has a 13mm blade and
the blue one covered in filth has a 20mm blade.

In the trade I believe this is known as an upgrade.

Paul G

 

[ms08]

@ms08, I am going to try and visit Stakesy's first week in June to have a play with their english wheel, but I intend to check out their bandsaws as well if possible.
If you want,and can wait, if I get up there I'll post a trip report on here, or PM/e mail you with what I found, but bear in mind I have never owned or used a bandsaw before.
I use my little rage chop saw for cutting round and sq tube, but its not spot on, plus its hellish noisy and can spit out shrapnel.
My abrasive wheel cut off saw is better as it has good work holding, but noise,dust and a wide kerf are issues again, there are of course sparks, but they are contained.
So, bandsaw is being considered.

Thank you sir - I can wait I think as have plenty to get on with. I and thinking of some railings using square section so looking at quite a few 45 degree joints lol...sort of like eth third version down...

 

[norlander]

OK-itsa plan, get bak 2 ya if I get up there,
cheers,
n.

 

[Wallace]

any bandsaw users out there got any thoughts observations on this one?

http://www.stakesys.co.uk/product/sta158_4x3_portable_vari-speed_swivel_head_bandsaw/ the variable speed function appeals to me if it saves changing blades for ali.

Some of the features look good on it like the swivel head, portability and the build quality looks better than some of the 6x4 saws from the photos but can't help thinking it might be a frustrating bit of kit to own due to it's size. The short blade length won't last long making it expensive to run and being hand operated means you have to stand over it for the whole cut length trying to avoid forcing the blade through so you can't leave it cutting and do something else.

 

[Turbo]

All those 6x4 band saws are very similar and probably come out of the same factory. They will all need some fettling to get them cutting square but once set up are a very useful item in a workshop. There are loads of setup guides online to get you started and what I like about them is that you can set something up and leave it quietly cutting while you get on with something else.

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Metal-Cutting-Bandsaw-150mm-230V-with-Mitre-Quick-Lock-Vice-Sealey-SM65
I just got of these and if you are planning on switching between cutting mitred and square joints I would recommend this type as it is a lot easier to change the cutting angle around.

http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/info_CBS45MD.html
I also have one of these but now I leave it set up for 90 deg cuts as it's a pain to swap between cutting angles. I've had it for over 20 years and it's cut a lot of steel in its time. I took pity on it last year and treated it to new bearings and a coat of paint, good for another 20 years!

 

[norlander]

Thanks chaps, I do like the idea of the bigger saws, not sure if I have the space for one though,or the amount of cutting work to justify it.
Yes, it would be nice to set it cutting and do summat else, all my cutting methods require me to be there whilst doing the cut.
I assume one feature of the bigger saws is that you can cut two or more pieces at the same time depending on material size of course?

 

[Kent]

all you show could easy be done with a simple abrasive wheel chop saw. Far and away the cheapest option at around £150 for a little more you could go for a TCT type and avoid the grinding dust but the blades are dearer. I shouldn't think of something as big as a bandsaw for such sized stuff an if your not working it daily a decent one is never going to pay you back

 

[zx9]

I used to have this

View attachment 65333


But now I have

View attachment 65334


The red one covered in filth has a 13mm blade and
the blue one covered in filth has a 20mm blade.

In the trade I believe this is known as an upgrade.

Paul G

Interesting Paul, that first one is just like the one I bought off Gavin, I like the coolent tank idea.