Band saw vs metal miter

[sjvicker]

I currently have a band saw comparable to this grizzly: https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-7-x-12-1-hp-metal-cutting-bandsaw/g0561 and no matter how much I fiddle with it I can't get a square cut and its even worse if I try to do a 45deg cut. It also takes up a lot of space for how often I use it.

I've been seeing adds for the evolution metal miter saw and am thinking about changing things up. Most of my cutting is 2"x2" or less and less than 1/4" wall so this seems like a perfect fit for what I typically cut. https://store.evolutionpowertools.c...55mcs-mitre-chop-saw-heavy-duty-metal-cutting

Has anyone used the new evolution saw? Any downsides? I know its expensive but I'd sell my bandsaw to cover as much of the cost as possible.

 

[readhead]

Have you tried installing a new blade on your saw?

 

[isb cornbinder]

Have you tried installing a new blade on your saw?

NEVER EVER use a carbon blade. ALWAYS use a bi-metal blade. The carbon steel blade will likely lose most of the teeth on one or both sides when it ties to cut the resistance weld in tubing. The bi-metal is 3-4 times a much money and it will give 50 - 100 times the service. Make sure you blade tension is correct. a loose blade will wonder. Google for correct tension. reset the blade guides.

 

[sjvicker]

Have you tried installing a new blade on your saw?

yup, no difference with new blades. I dont think there's a problem with the saw, I'm just missing something in setting up the blade guides. At the end of the day, even if its set up correctly its a space hog and tough to do 45deg cuts with long material in my shed.

 

[readhead]

To answer your question, the Evolution saw works well but is limited to smaller sizes. Blades will be expensive. I have one but I use the band saw a lot more.

 

[darkzero]

I have the same 7x12 bandsaw except mine is branded MSC, made by Rong Fu. Mine cut straight out the box, even came with a test cut sample. They're not hard to adjust, just need to get familiar with it. I had a RF 4x6 previously so I learned on that. I only use Lenox bi-metal blades.

Depends on what you work with but I would never give up my bandsaw for a glorified chop saw. Chop saws are way too loud for my home garage & I don't like that they throw sparks/chips. They do cut quicker but for my needs I rather have a bandsaw.

Man $850 is a lot for that Evolution saw, that's what I paid for my 7x12 brand new from MSC.

 

[GeoBruin]

I had an evo saw (the one with a vise, not the "miter saw" version) . I've also owned a Grizzly Bandsaw, somewhat smaller than yours but still floor mounted on a base.

The key benefit of my grizzly saw over yours is that the head mitered. That cannot be oversold. It's a huge time/space saver. I loved the Grizzly saw but it just took up too much space in my shop. So, I sold it and wound up with a benchtop mitering bandsaw made by Femi. It's almost as small and every bit as light as the Evo saw, but has way more capacity and a mitering head. It also cuts super straight which admittedly took some fiddling with the Grizzly.

I don't think I would own another TCT saw after owning a couple bandsaws.

Anyway, just consider one of these as part of your search. I actually ended up with this one but I got it used.

 

[BTL-A4]

I say buy the miter saw. That bandsaw you linked to is huuuuge. Get yourself a smaller bandsaw to cut metal; I find mine indispensable.

 

[isb cornbinder]

When starting a new blade, run the blade at a reduced tension for a few minutes then tighten to specification. You should do the same start-up procedure if the saw has been sitting for a long time. (More than a week) I have not started my bandsaw in over 2 years.

 

[Rusted Nut]

If you’re having trouble getting good cut, check to make sure the workpiece is level. My garage floor slopes, so I need to adjust my roller stand to make sure the work piece is level. Also use a guage to adjust the saw stop to the correct angle to the blade. I have a similar jet bandsaw, which cuts nicely.

 

[slowtwitch73]

When I got a tensionometer, I was floored by how much tighter the blades were supposed to be that what I had been doing by feel for years.
Fwiw... unless your using a tensionometer, the blade is more than likely too loose.

 

[LeeG]

Here’s my long term review of my bandsaw. Not cheap, but accurate and small footprint.

Femi Hemsaw 105 ABS - Long term review

I have had my Femi Hemsaw ABS 105 for about 3 years now. I bought it as a replacement for my Harbor Freight 4x6 Horizontal Bandsaw. I have been extremely pleased with the purchase and would buy another if something happened to this one. It has taken a fall or two, and one of the switches...

www.garagejournal.com

Lee

 

[Retroman]

I have a MK Morse Metal Devil its great for what I need. Ya its loud and throws metal shavings but I get good accurate cuts every time. I bought a cheap magnet broom from HF to deal with the metal chips.