cut off saws

[skippy]

Hi everyone,
it's been years since I did any metal work but I'm slowly getting back into it on a hobby basis. I attempting to set myself up with the basic tools but need an opinion on cut off saws. Years ago I used to use a cold saw (hope you call it that in the States, slow turning disc with coolant feed, manual descent controlled by operator). I notice most people here (Spain) have controlled descent, bandsaw type cutting machines. I plan on cutting round tube and box section, and would like good repeatable angle cuts (45/60degrees). What's the opinion of the professionals? I do own a chinese mill but don't have the necessary money to buy tooling at this stage meaning that for at least the short term, I won't be needing to cut solid bar.
thanks for your opinion

[Konrad]

You got it...
Cold saws are best when it comes to accurate cuts in small bars, tubing's, angle iron, miter cuts.
I have one with hand feed, comes handy at times,
have made myself a holder for a Deckel like Thiel,
on the horizontal spindle as a slitter or cut off saw.
I also have a bandsaw.

Konrad

[skippy]

Thanks Konrad,
does that mean you normally use the bandsaw type but you have a cold saw for those less frequent occasions when it is needed? i.e. the one you use most is the band saw type?

"a holder for a Deckel like Thiel"? What's that?

"I also have a bandsaw" meaning of the controlled descent, cut off saw type right? not an ordinary bandsaw.....
I am just trying to clarify things before making a purchase.
thanks again

[DareBee]

"I also have a bandsaw" meaning of the controlled descent, cut off saw type right? not an ordinary bandsaw..... I am just trying to clarify things before making a purchase.

This is the typical method for those of us in business.
I GOOD saw with GOOD blades will outproduce a cold saw probably 10:1 and still has the ability to do accurate miters.
An auto cycle production saw will greatly increase those production numbers again.

If you do not have a budget for a good saw $10K (new) and have a line on a coldsaw, it is a very nice start. Buying a cheap bandsaw will only piss you off in the long run (well...maybe not, if you have never used a good bandsaw. I am spoiled by having a Hyd-Mec in EVERY shop I have ever worked at).

[skippy]

thanks DareBee,
I appreciate the tips.

[mc-motorsports]

Can't beat an abrasive wheel chop saw for the price though, just make sure you use good wheels, 3/32 or 1/8" thick, the thin ones flex and deflect, won't cut straight.

[DareBee]

Originally Posted by mc-motorsports Can't beat an abrasive wheel chop saw for the price though, just make sure you use good wheels, 3/32 or 1/8" thick, the thin ones flex and deflect, won't cut straight.

On this same note, the carbide blade chopsaw are even better.

[Konrad]

[QUOTE=skippy;528353]Thanks Konrad,
does that mean you normally use the bandsaw type but you have a cold saw for those less frequent occasions when it is needed? i.e. the one you use most is the band saw type?

Yes, it's a vertical band saw, hydraulic table feed, I'm mostly in tool and die, this saw comes handy when cutting out tool steel.
I use a 1" wide blade most of the time but sometimes go down to 1/2" when cutting curves by hand or cutting in a hole, then the blade gets welded on the machine.
I assume you're not in high production like me, ....no need for a fancy production saw.

"a holder for a Deckel like Thiel"? What's that?

A Thiel is a mill, similar to a Deckel FP2

There is one other advantage of a cold saw,...the end cuts are smooth, just like milled, no need to machine ends.
If you intend to cut precision cuts in all kind of tubing or extrusion, I would be seriously look into the cold saw.
Band saw's make a rough cut.

Konrad

[mcm375]

I have an Evolution Rage 2 TCT blade cutoff wheel/saw that works wonderfully for this type of work.

http://www.evolutiononlineshop.com/s...%202%20%20Saw/

Looks like they have a smaller version of this now called the Rage 4.

http://www.evolutiononlineshop.com/s...%20Chop%20Saw/

Half the price too, nice.