Trboatworks
Diamond
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2010
- Location
- Maryland- USA
I have been pulling in more general fabrication jobs in my marine industry shop so I am finally going to up my game for cutting stock,
I don't do production so my needs are more along the lines of a flexible saw which can switch hit over different stock and materials.
Aluminum and stainless tube, solids and extrusions of all the typical types out to about 3-4".
So I assumed I was heading for a cold saw until I was reading this thread and started thinking the Miter Bandsaws may be a better choice.
I need-
Smallish footprint.
I'd like clean to run and fairly quiet.
I don't want to blow far past $2000 so that puts me in the used cold saw or a bench top bandsaw.
I guess my question is which platform switch hits the best for a small shop?
I'd like as flexible stock positioning as possible for odd cuts in tube/extrusions as well as the ability to chew through a 3" solid in stainless on occasion.
I have a 14" and a 16" vertical bandsaws in the shop now.
Both are antiques and both have gear boxes which I don't generally use.
I have the 14" setup with a Lenox diemaster while the 16" has a carbide tooth Tri-master- I use both for cutting aluminum flat stock and use a chop saw with alloy blade for aluminum sections.
I guess in theory I could start using the bandsaws I have for long sticks of material and get a vice setup going but miters are not going to happen as I don't have the room in the shop.
On cold vs miter bands - it is looking like the bandsaw wins for flexibility by stint of being able to lay the head over so that opens up far more cuts than the simple vise swing on a cold saw.
I guess this thread is "if you had to pick one"...
So-
For the bandsaw I am looking at gear like this:
Or to blow my budget this (or any one of the other saws from Hem at lower price points):
For the cold saw a used unit in one of the flavors of better quality manual 250-300 mm saws with coolant.
I do have a whole stack of new blades for this 14" chop saw I picked up at auction- in a pinch I could buy the saw and roll with this but think that saw would annoy the crap out of me..:
I have a tiny shop so a real mitering bandsaw out in open floor space to bring long sticks to is not going to happen.
So smallish units on a stand.
What I will have to deal with is stock over bench level of my assembly table and the table saw- roll around cart wouldn't hurt.
What do you think?
I don't do production so my needs are more along the lines of a flexible saw which can switch hit over different stock and materials.
Aluminum and stainless tube, solids and extrusions of all the typical types out to about 3-4".
So I assumed I was heading for a cold saw until I was reading this thread and started thinking the Miter Bandsaws may be a better choice.
Advice wanted on a cold saw for an Engineering workshop
At my employer we have a reasonably equipped Engineering machine shop. It has your typical manual mills, lathes, drill presses, saws, sheet metal equipment, TIG welder and similar. This is a prototype shop used by the engineers for building and modifying and does not have a dedicated machinist...
www.practicalmachinist.com
I need-
Smallish footprint.
I'd like clean to run and fairly quiet.
I don't want to blow far past $2000 so that puts me in the used cold saw or a bench top bandsaw.
I guess my question is which platform switch hits the best for a small shop?
I'd like as flexible stock positioning as possible for odd cuts in tube/extrusions as well as the ability to chew through a 3" solid in stainless on occasion.
I have a 14" and a 16" vertical bandsaws in the shop now.
Both are antiques and both have gear boxes which I don't generally use.
I have the 14" setup with a Lenox diemaster while the 16" has a carbide tooth Tri-master- I use both for cutting aluminum flat stock and use a chop saw with alloy blade for aluminum sections.
I guess in theory I could start using the bandsaws I have for long sticks of material and get a vice setup going but miters are not going to happen as I don't have the room in the shop.
On cold vs miter bands - it is looking like the bandsaw wins for flexibility by stint of being able to lay the head over so that opens up far more cuts than the simple vise swing on a cold saw.
I guess this thread is "if you had to pick one"...
So-
For the bandsaw I am looking at gear like this:
EV 91DMHV Portable, Double Miter, Horizontal/Vertical KAMA Bandsaw - Kama Bandsaws, Bandsaws from Elderfield & Hall
The EV 91DMHV KAMA Bandsaw gives you everything you need for cutting anything in your shop! Need to sever a piece of material? NO PROBLEM, the EV 91DMHV will cut any piece of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, plastic or wood UP TO 6 INCHES IN DIAMETER! Need to cut a pattern? NO PROBLEM, simply...
kamabandsaw.com
Or to blow my budget this (or any one of the other saws from Hem at lower price points):
ABS-1750XL
Check out our ABS-1750XL stationary benchtop band saw. Compare standard and optional features. Request a quote for pricing. Replacement parts also available.
www.hemsaw.com
ABS-1750XL
Check out our ABS-1750XL stationary benchtop band saw. Compare standard and optional features. Request a quote for pricing. Replacement parts also available.
www.hemsaw.com
For the cold saw a used unit in one of the flavors of better quality manual 250-300 mm saws with coolant.
I do have a whole stack of new blades for this 14" chop saw I picked up at auction- in a pinch I could buy the saw and roll with this but think that saw would annoy the crap out of me..:
Evolution S355MCS: Mitering Chop Saw With 14 In. Mild Steel Blade | Heavy Duty | Metal Cutting
The Evolution S355MCS 14" Mitering Chop Saw handles heavy-duty metal cutting with precision and ease. Check it out at Evolution Power Tools!
store.evolutionpowertools.com
I have a tiny shop so a real mitering bandsaw out in open floor space to bring long sticks to is not going to happen.
So smallish units on a stand.
What I will have to deal with is stock over bench level of my assembly table and the table saw- roll around cart wouldn't hurt.
What do you think?
Last edited: