Bandsaw vs Chopsaw or both?

[gasket999]

Just looking for advice before ordering.

I think I need a metal cutting bandsaw and I’m trying to decide if the typical cheap style Chinese-made one (like a Clarke CBS45MD) will do the job or if I need to look for a second hand, but again Chinese, one with the big base (like a Clarke CBS7MC). I think I’d like to add a small table to it in either case.

Just to explain what I l’d be using it for:

I’d like to be able to cut box section mild steel (typically 90 and 45-degree cuts) and steel CDS tube (with a more reasonable amount of accuracy than I get from the 9”grinder).

I’m trying to avoid having grinding sparks and dust flying across the room.

I may, very rarely want to cut something big - like Steel I-beam.

It would be nice, when fiddling with making steel brackets to be able to use a vertical bandsaw with a table.

I do have an evolution mitre saw with multi-material blades if I get stuck but I can’t see any reason to buy a chopsaw unless anyone can advise differently?

 

[morssdn]

I have both an Evo chop saw and a cheap Femi bandsaw and far prefer the latter, much easier to get squarer cuts and my ears thank me.

 

[bourbon]

the Clarke 45 has a facility built in to convert to a bandsaw. It comes with a table. Keep your eyes on the website as they sometimes put them on price crash.

 

[smashweld]

do you mean an abrasive disc chopsaw?
for mitres they're hit and miss...the disc wanders, for box section the angles end up different each side of the box! and they stink!

 

[dieselsamurai]

For me its a bandsaw no contest , you can set it up leave it to cut and do other stuff no dust or sparks and crucially much quieter than other methods. I can cut as much as i like late into the evening without fear of annoying the neighbours

 

[Richiew]

There's a bigger bandsaw up for sale in the sales section. Good deal. I would have had it if it was near me. Very good price.

 

[dieselsamurai]

one just listed on here too

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/horizontal-metal-bandsaw.144011/

 

[Richiew]

That's the one.

 

[frank horton]

def both.....been running a SIP 12 incher for years......mostly upto 75mm round bar and 200x8-10mm strip plate...
plus loads of 3-4 mm box n round tube.....
it' has saved me a fortune.....
Blades I get from Tuff Saw.in south wales....always cobalt and vari tooth....
for thinner stuff just use the Evo chop saw....
I believe with the cabalt blades not necc for coolant but mine gets it everytime.....can end up a bit messy when cutting long stuff.....
I have a couple of paint pales just for that job....
If u buy used pls check the blade guide bearing, they get no lub, covered in carp but just a few pounds each.....
My machine gets a good degunk every few years and replace those bearings everytime...

 

[BrokenBiker]

i had a wood based mitre saw that i put an evolution blade on to cut metal, it was ok, but loud and shavings flying everywhere...i currently have an abrasive chop saw and again its loud, an a lot of sparks, but if you are gentle with it, it can be wonderfully accurate...however it is glacier slow in comparison to a proper mitre saw...

i wish i had space for a decent sized band saw, i have thought about the little portable ones and making a table for it as i dont ever really cut much bigger than 100mm tube or box section

 

[gasket999]

Thanks very much everyone. That settles it, bandsaw it is.

And thanks for the tip on the one for sale - I’ve replied to the seller and said I’ll take it, fingers crossed no one has bought it through private messages.

Frank - thanks for the note on the blade, IF I get the used one I’ll need a new one plus probably a good clean and service too.

Fingers crossed.

 

[gasket999]

Seller replied - she’s mine.

3 hours and not only do I get my enquiry answered with 7 replies but I also get a deal closed on a used purchase.

I do like this forum.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Seller replied - she’s mine.

3 hours and not only do I get my enquiry answered with 7 replies but I also get a deal closed on a used purchase.

I do like this forum.

Thanks again everyone.

this forum is by far the easiest place ive ever bought/sold from

 

[chunkytfg]

For what its worth I’ve recently purchased a makita 18V hand held circular saw.

Cuts 50mm box section 3mm thick with surprising ease and I’ve even clamped 3 bits of 3mm flat together and cut all 3 together. Again did it with relative ease.

If you’re only cutting 90’s and 45’s then with the help of a speed square it is really really easy. Obviously if your wanting repetitive cuts done with the help of floor machines and stop blocks it isn’t a lot of help but compared to a disc grinder they are amazing.

 

[xillent]

Does anyone have one of these Bandsaws?

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cbs45md-41-2in-x-6in-metal-cutting-ban/#reviewsBox
Clarke CBS45MD 370W

Is it any use? Is there something better for around that price?

 

[Richiew]

I have that model. I love mine and if it died I'd replace it with the same or bigger. They come up regularly second hand and I don't think I'd want to pay Machine Mart retail for one.

 

[GRW]

Does anyone have one of these Bandsaws?

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cbs45md-41-2in-x-6in-metal-cutting-ban/#reviewsBox
Clarke CBS45MD 370W

Is it any use? Is there something better for around that price?

I've got the older but pretty much the same machine in the Sealey version (plus made a small table that clamps in the vice to use it as a vertical bandsaw).
Quite a few others on here have as well I believe. Mine was s/h & needed a bit of fettling.
Trued up to cut square & with a good blade they work well, & nice & quiet. Mine gets only occasional use, but it's handy to have around

 

[Chaz's Garage]

Depends on space really. My dad has a bandsaw, it's slow and massive, but no noise, no mess, accurate cuts. My evolution 355mm chop saw sends hot "chips" everywhere, they go down the back of your neck, they attack your hands, they'd attack the dog if they could. I always wear my grinding helmet and gloves. The nice thing about it is it's fairly accurate when set up right, it takes no time at all to chop stuff, and takes up very little space.