Need Help!- 1 2 get this bandsaw. Any good?

[alexccmeister]

Hi All,

I am looking to get a band saw like this one. Will this unit cut aluminium and steel no problem? I had a look at one of the thread started by Hoss on MIT's machining chop video tutorial and found the band saw they use fascinating. I didn't know you can cut aluminium that fast. Hence I want to get one.

I know the one in the video is much larger. Will this Makita unit do the same job? Thanks.

Alex

[LUCKY13]

You should look at something like this if a saw like the Makita is what you rinterested in.
http://www.lathemaster.com/Benchtop%20Bandsaw.htm

The Makita may be better (quality wise, not sure though) but this is setup to do more in the area you wish to be using it. LatheMasters has a good rep for supplying low cost, good quality import products. They do there best not to sale any junk, and supply the best they can for the money.


You might also look at places like HomeDepot and Lowes for the small table top bandsaws that set vertical.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100593258

These work good but you will probably have to change the blade when you get it because the one thta comes on them is for wood. They are surprizing at how good they work and if you add a DC motor to them so you can have veriable speed control they work even better ( Treadmill motor and controls).


You need a wide range of speeds to go from aluminum to steel thats why the vari speed helps a lot. Even when you are just doing aluminum its good to have the veriable speed because you can find the sweet spot of its cutting range. This not only helps it to cut fast, but helps the blade to last longer.


Jess

[tikka308]

alexccmeister - I had a similar one to the makita and it was INCREDIBLY loud (louder than a leaf blowers, but worse because it was piercing). I had to wear earplugs and eventually bought a 6"-throat benchtop bandsaw. It's less powerful (hence cuts slower) but is so much more pleasant to work with.

[alexccmeister]

Jess, thanks for the tips and links. I wish I could easily pick up the first band saw you link to but that's the problem. A versatile machine like this isn't sold here where I am. Surprising. I am getting a friend who owns a big hardware store here to look into stocking some of these saw. Hope he is willing. But before I can do that, I need to make up my mind on vertical or horizontal bandsaw before I ask him to bring one or two in.

Herbie,

What's this throat benchtop bandsaw? You have a link to one I can study? Thanks.

Alex

[Geof]

Here are links to a vertical woodworking bandsaw that with the correct blade is fine for aluminum and a horizontal metal bandsaw. I think these are the style you should be looking for.

http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/pictu...4&NTITEM=CT081

http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/pictu...4&NTITEM=CT081


Busy Bee is Canadian but their stuff is made in China

[NEATman]

Alex-
I have a Milwaukee hand held bandsaw - it's one of my favorite tools. This is the model I have:
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...MT4NO=52226984
You can get a chain vise for it here:
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...r=2392%50mode=
and I just saw this on ebay recently:
http://cgi.ebay.com/VERTICAL-BANDSAW...d=p3286.c0.m14
I have a good size vertical bandsaw as well, so I have never used this last attachment, but I use my saw by hand all the time, and I have used the horizontal attachment and I like that as well.

It will cut steel, aluminum, wood, just about anything. I cut steel roll cage tubing with it, raw stock, pipes, PVC tubing, etc. Plus, I prefer the Milwaukee brand as it is near bullet-proof. I have several of thier power tools and I have never had a problem, and I reccomend them to anyone. The blades only cost about $5 each, less if you buy them in packs.

Also, I found a used saw like this for a friend just last week on www.craigslist.com (as he had already borrowed my saw a few times) it was only $100. It needed two guide rollers replaced ($3 each), but that was it.

Keith

[tikka308]

Alex - the throat is 6". Here's a link to the vendor page - http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares...oduct&ID=82203

and here's a link to my blog where I discuss both the bandsaw and my modified table: http://www.nyccnc.com/Herbie/HERBIES...DIY_Fence.html

[alexccmeister]

Thanks guys. I am glad alot of the suggested bandsaw are within my budget and to know you guys have cut aluminium with them is a boost to my confidence in getting one. I will go thru all of them and pick one that my friend (the hardware store owner) can source one for me. Thanks.

Herb, the Micromark bandsaw looks good. I have gone thru your blog before. I have forgotten about that.

Alex