Since there is a ton of experience here, I'd like to know what you guys are using to cut box tubing, rod, flat plate, and such. I have this ****py *** Sears Chop Saw and I think it ****s big time. Not to mention messy as hell. I just can't seem to get perfect right angle or any angle cuts for that matter. So, I'm interested in learning what you guys use. I've been cutting 2 x 2 x 1/8 box for the most part. I'd like to be able to accurately cut frame size box at some point as well. I guess a better question is what types of band saws are you using? Thanks! Gary
Cold saws are nice, but they range in price from 2-3k. A good alternatave is a metal cutting circular saw that milwuakee makes. It's only like $300 and can cut 3/4 inch steel plate.
I use the Milwaukee metal chop saw.. It makes fast, accurate cuts. It leaves a mess of small filings, but not that smokey powder like abrasive saws. It cuts thick stock fast. Blades are EXPENSIVE and you cant abuse it like an abrasive saw.
Love the band saw idea. Looks expensive tho. The Dewalt metal blade saw looks pretty good too. But, I'm finding that making an angle cut on a small piece is very hard with a small fence. Chaz, lets say you have a 4 inch piece of 2 x 2 box tube that needs a 45 at each end. Is that easy to do on the Milwaukee saw?
Milwaukee port-a-band. Smooth cuts and straight (if you can draw a straight line). Problem is shallow throat, but they've got a deep throat model too which most guys prefer. My second favorite cutting tool is my torch.
http://www.woodwardfab.com/woodward_fab_metal_cutting_saws.htm These guys have a chop saw for $449 and a cold saw for $1850, and several bandsaws. I have a Harbor Freight $189 bandsaw, junk. I may be able to adjust it to get it to work better, but I've just been using my messy abrasive chop saw.
i too have a jet h/v bandsaw and love it i paid about $400 for it. Its the smaller model, i think it has a 6x6 opening,61" blade.
I use a combination of a chop saw, porta band, plasma and grinder. My local industrial gas place had a saw a little while ago that really cought my interest. It was basically a porta band set up as a chop saw on pivoting base. I got to play with it a little, it made great cuts. It would be perfect for a home shop that didn't require a full size saw. I don't remember who was making it but do a little searching and I am sure you will find it. I think it was reasonably priced as well.
Buy the best bandsaw you can afford, you'll like it. I had a Makita cutoff saw that I'd used for years and then bought a cheap HF bandsaw. Used the HF bandsaw for about six years before replacing with a better bandsaw.
I bought one of those foreign made drop type bandsaws about 18 years ago. I've cut alot of metal for projects at home, I've never had a problem with it. I've gotten some pretty accurate cuts, although it took a little bit of time getting it adjusted.
Funny, i was just thinking about the same type of post, running a bunch of 18 guage cold roll floor material , got a cheap pistol grib type air nibler that is supost to cut up to 18 guage and works like ****, what do you guys use on sheet metal this thin ?
DoAll vertical bandsaw - bought used - 500 bucks. Brobo Cold Saw - bought used 3 or 4 hundered bucks. Rockwell Abrasive Cutoff saw - bought used - 150 bucks. I couldn't afford any of them had I bought them NEW. BTW I RARELY used the abrasive saw - too noisey - too messy - but it does have it's place - liek the other day when I was cutting a hardened axle shaft.
I like the look of those portable band saws as well. Does anyone know if they make something to hold it steady for angle cuts. Kind of like a removable base?
After cleaning out the garage and wiping down gads of black dust all over everything, I just couldn't take it any longer, so I bought two, both Milwaukee....the porta band and metal chop saw. Gotta love eBay. Thanks for the advice. I just hate waiting for stuff to show up though. Looks like I got both with shipping for about $650. Seems reasonable to me. Hopefully, this will keep me happy for awhile. I think I spent $650 on gasoline last month so what the hey! Gary
I have a dewalt dry saw about 450 bucks and carbide blades at 100 that can be sharpened a couple of times very accurate...
It was basically a porta band set up as a chop saw on pivoting base. I recently bought a portaband thats in need of repair.. however I plan on building one of these bases (even though I believe milwalkee makes one) I like my cheapo abrasive chop saw for box tube and such..
low buck or no buck? many moons ago I used my trusty woodworking table saw. put on a metal cutting blade and went to town very accurate at whatever angle you need. not recommended though as I'm sure the metal bits would eventually fug up your motor
i have a Makita model LC 1230 metal cutting chopsaw, i love the thing there around $400 new. you can cut up to 4.5 in. on the blade depth and if you have to shave a 1/16 off of something it does it with ease. blades are about $80 if you have to replace one. you can have the blades resharpened, just be gentle when cutting and dont let the blade come down to hard you can bust some of the cutting teeth off.
An 80 year old recipricating power hack saw, a DeWalt Sawzall and a 4 1/2" angle grinder with cut off wheel seems to be all I need.
I use a little bit of everything. I like a good jig saw/scroll saw for cutting boxing plates and brackets out of 1/8" & 3/16" steel, maybe a little heavier aluminum. At the shop we use a Makita chop saw for all our tubing. Be sure you let the saw do the cutting. If you apply too much pressure, the abrasive blades deflect and you get a crooked cut. I love a sawzall for any kind of demolition. It can also do a good job on axle tubes and frame rails. I keep a good air driven cut-off tool for precise work and a 4 1/2" grinder doubles as a saw with thin abrasive wheels when I need something fast, but accurate. We have a plasma cutter, but only use it on sheet metal. I guess we are only missing the flame wrench and a roll of prima-cord. You can never have enough cutting tools.
Scotty - What kind of jig saw do you use? BTW, the lines on your 38 are very cool. Wish I could figure out just how you guys manage to chop a top and actually get it back on. Gary
Not practical for tubing but I just bought a Heck Trace-A-Punch nibbler - the big Model 4 that can nibble through 3/16" steel. The best part is you can make a pattern out of just about anything (as long as it is less than 1/2" thick), clamp it to your stock and run it through the nibbler and it will follow along. I have made some amazing brackets with this I'd never be able to do outside of a CNC setup. I guess it's kinda a poor man's CNC! I've made patterns on my computer, printed them on heavy acetate sheets, cut them out with SCISSORS (!!), glued them to the steel stock and cut them out. Really neat tool. It has a 3 phase motor though - not really practical for at home without a phase converter. Steve
Wow, just got the Milwaukee Cold Saw and Porta Band. Love 'em. The Sears chop saw has seen it's final days. Can't believe how nice and fast the Cold Saw cuts. This is great!! Thanks again for the advice. Gary
The Jalopy Journal
