Bandsaw recommendation for 4" tube

[AlexGTR]

I am looking for a recommendation on a bandsaw I can buy that will cut 4" tube for exhaust at angles.

I was looking for a second hand Clarke CBS7MC, but have just seen these newer style bench top ones.

I don't have a huge amount of space so if there is a bench top one that will cut what I want then I'd prefer that over the Clarke, unless there are any other recommendations?

 

[Mick Annick]

Several of us on here have various models of the Femi range, not a bad saw at all and reasonably priced.

 

[Mark 2]

100mm is a fair size machine even without adding the (obtuse?)angles in the mix.

 

[Kram]

I have a 5" Aldi Ferrex bandsaw which comes with the stand. Its not a bad machine however I dont use it enough for the space it takes. It can do accurate cuts if you use a decent blade.

I'll stick it up in the sale section at some point...let me know if interested I can stick it up sooner.

As mentioned above, its probably a bit small for larger angles on 4" tube.

 

[Fazerruss]

These are very good. I've had one for nearly a year now. For an Eastern tool its very accurate. A very good feature is the band saw body moves rather than the vice for cutting angles and in both directions.

Axminster Model Engineer Series MCB115SHD Swivel Head Bandsaw | Axminster Tools https://share.google/hdl2ucfCVX1aZBm4N

 

[AlexGTR]

These are very good. I've had one for nearly a year now. For an Eastern tool its very accurate. A very good feature is the band saw body moves rather than the vice for cutting angles and in both directions.

Axminster Model Engineer Series MCB115SHD Swivel Head Bandsaw | Axminster Tools https://share.google/hdl2ucfCVX1aZBm4NView attachment 518959View attachment 518960

I saw those, but they won't cut 4" at 45° according to the specs

 

[Fazerruss]

I saw those, but they won't cut 4" at 45° according to the specs

Its very close. This is 100mm wide ali box at 45 degrees.
It will probably do three and a quarter

 

[Fazerruss]

Also I doubt there is a saw on the market that will cut 4 inch at 45 and sit on a bench. The next size up will be a lot bigger

 

[Agroshield]

Its very close. This is 100mm wide ali box at 45 degrees.

From your photo, could you comment on whether an enterprising person might relocate the fixed jaw of the vice a little further back to gain the required capacity.

 

[Fazerruss]

From your photo, could you comment on whether an enterprising person might relocate the fixed jaw of the vice a little further back to gain the required capacity.

Yes that would be easy to do. The rear jaw of the vice is attached with 3 cap head screws. Just needs a spacer making to gain 10mm. If a new rear jaw is made with a recess for the bottom stop then you could possibly gain more so 15mm ish in total

 

[Fazerruss]

 

[hotponyshoes]

If you are going to the trouble of making up a new jaw (and are only cutting 4" tube) make one with curved jaws.
I'm guessing you will be using relatively thin wall tube. That's hard to hold tightly without crushing and, even with a fine tooth blade, it will tend to grab and try to spin the tube.

If you are only doing 1 type of cut I'd find some heavy wall tube with an ID of 4", Weld it to a plate that bolts to the original vice mounting points and slit it with a cam or bolt to clamp.

Blades don't last long if you get chatter when cutting tube. If you can also fit some sort of downfeed/free fall control that will help a lot.

 

[AlexGTR]

If you are going to the trouble of making up a new jaw (and are only cutting 4" tube) make one with curved jaws.
I'm guessing you will be using relatively thin wall tube. That's hard to hold tightly without crushing and, even with a fine tooth blade, it will tend to grab and try to spin the tube.

If you are only doing 1 type of cut I'd find some heavy wall tube with an ID of 4", Weld it to a plate that bolts to the original vice mounting points and slit it with a cam or bolt to clamp.

Blades don't last long if you get chatter when cutting tube. If you can also fit some sort of downfeed/free fall control that will help a lot.

I will be cutting up to 4" and sometimes 5-6" depending on turbo size but I will just have to do them the dirty way. Most of it will be 3-3.5" but the last bandsaw I had didn't do 4" and I was forever cursing myself for not getting a larger one.

 

[Fazerruss]

If you are going to the trouble of making up a new jaw (and are only cutting 4" tube) make one with curved jaws.
I'm guessing you will be using relatively thin wall tube. That's hard to hold tightly without crushing and, even with a fine tooth blade, it will tend to grab and try to spin the tube.

If you are only doing 1 type of cut I'd find some heavy wall tube with an ID of 4", Weld it to a plate that bolts to the original vice mounting points and slit it with a cam or bolt to clamp.

Blades don't last long if you get chatter when cutting tube. If you can also fit some sort of downfeed/free fall control that will help a lot.

These saws have a hydraulic damper/decent control. Its a nice feature that isn't on a lot of the generic Clarke 6x4 saws. It cuts thin wall tube without grabbing if set correctly.
For only 500 quid they really are a nice little saw. I was very surprised.

 

[Fazerruss]

A lot of other companies are taking the urine with their prices for the exact same saw in different livery

 

[RichardM]

You can put a motorbike steering damper on to control descent speed if needed.

 

[hotponyshoes]

You can put a motorbike steering damper on to control descent speed if needed.

I've got the damper but fitting it is still on the job list
I am planning to put it on an adjustable mount as I've found (especially at angles) tube cuts start better with more pressure.
It would be nice if the damper only starts acting once the blade pierces the top of the tube.

I've not quite figured the mounting out yet. I cut a variety of tube so automatic setting would be nice. Maybe something connected to the vice for setting the diameter and a pin to adjust for a few different wall thicknesses?

 

[Erie Fred]

I see these in small fab shops all over the place.
While I'm not a fan, they do have a following:

Ellis Band Saws, Saw Blades, Drill Press and Beltgrinder

Quality Band Saw Blades, Bandsaws, Drill Presses and Beltgrinder from Ellis Mfg. Best prices and quality.

ellissaw.com

 

[fizzy]

Just a thought - not sure how long it would last - but 3d print a jig you can place over the pipe. Possibly line the slot with some steel strip - and use a hand held portaband styl;e bandsaw to cut.