Bandsaw for Steel

[TauntDevil]

Hello all,

Well, as usual, instead of lurking around, I have to post because I am having difficulty finding something that would be easy to someone else.

I am wanting a vertical bandsaw. Bench or on stands, less than $500.
I plan on using it to cut steel only. I usually cut 1/8th thick steel and rare times, cut 3/16 but I will also be cutting 1 3/4 diameter DOM tubing here and there.

For some reason, I seem to be having trouble finding a bandsaw that will cut at 50-200fpm for this price range. Considered buying a horizontal one and just welding it vertical... but trying to find something I can just buy and not have another project even though it would be small.

Any ideas for the less than $500 range? I have tried google searching all over and even searching for models found posted in forums but cant find those bandsaws. I keep finding 1800fpm + that are vertical...

Thank you in advance and sorry for my lack of... finding them.

 

[OccupantRJ]

They can be elusive to find, for sure. If you are doing mostly straight cuts, the idea of converting a saw to vertical is not a bad idea. The usual 1/2" width of the blade will limit how much curve you can cut. Someone will suggest a portable bandsaw mounted vertical, but throat depth is very limiting on those.

 

[matt_i]

I can't help you with price, but there's a Delta version of the 14" vertical bandsaw with the ability to use metal cutting speeds. There's a Wilton version of same with some fiddling around changing belts and pulling a detent in the back to switch from wood to metal cutting. There's the Powermatic 143 which is in my opinion the caddy of this class of tools.

Then you move into 20" vertical saws. DoAll is probably the king here, they made the nicest saws in my opinion (Model 2013s) and other older versions, I think they also made a 16" lineup for awhile. Powermatic makes the Model 87 - 20" which I own and is sort of a cheaper copy of the DoAll. There's also Grob and a lot of others I'm probably forgetting.

The 14" saws are in the 300-500# range, the big 20" saws are easily into 1000 lbs and are going to be 3phase most likely, needing a VFD or motor conversion. I'm giving you industrial class tools here which are going to last a lifetime, even already used for 1 of them as long as not severely abused (!!)

Its not totally out of line to get the generic Delta 14" wood cutting saw and put something like a 10:1 to 30:1 gearbox into the direct drive system (you said no projects...but this will keep the price lower)

Personally it might be easier to get one of those "cold cutting metal circular saws" and a 4x6 import horizontal bandsaw probably for the same price range. Cutting tube and round on a vertical saw is not the greatest fun, as you can only cut a piece, square-ended, of the same length as the throat depth. You can of course skew and cut diagonal but it wastes time and material, making 3 cuts for every 1, and the round/tube stock likes to grab and twist out of your hands. The horizontal saw can be tuned to cut pretty square, then the circ saw will take care of your larger sheets.....

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/corded/6370-20

On the subject of taking something like a 7x12 horizontal and making it vertical, the saw blade is twisted thru the guides. In other words the plane of the saw wheels isn't the same as the plane of the cut. So this opens up the throat considerably, making it a non-issue until you get to really large pieces. The downside is there isn't really a stout trunnion for the table, its just affixed to the lower ball bearing guide. This is probably the cheapest solution if you can't find a proper vertical.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have a 4.5 x 6 horizontal bandsaw I bought used for C$75.00. I built a small table that bolt in place of the red sheet steel protector plate on the pivot side of the arm. The table is about 6" x 10" x 1/8" steel plate and notched such that it fits tight to the bottom table profile when the arm is in the horizontal position. It works good for what I have into it....A little time.
The pics are from before I built the table. Sorry, no after pics.

 

[TauntDevil]

They can be elusive to find, for sure. If you are doing mostly straight cuts, the idea of converting a saw to vertical is not a bad idea. The usual 1/2" width of the blade will limit how much curve you can cut. Someone will suggest a portable bandsaw mounted vertical, but throat depth is very limiting on those.

I will mostly be cutting straight. If any angles, they would be slight. I have a wood bandsaw now that uses 3/8" blades but too fast.
I considered the portable band saws as well but the throat issue is why I am not going with that option.

I can't help you with price, but there's a Delta version of the 14" vertical bandsaw with the ability to use metal cutting speeds. There's a Wilton version of same with some fiddling around changing belts and pulling a detent in the back to switch from wood to metal cutting. There's the Powermatic 143 which is in my opinion the caddy of this class of tools.

Then you move into 20" vertical saws. DoAll is probably the king here, they made the nicest saws in my opinion (Model 2013s) and other older versions, I think they also made a 16" lineup for awhile. Powermatic makes the Model 87 - 20" which I own and is sort of a cheaper copy of the DoAll. There's also Grob and a lot of others I'm probably forgetting.

The 14" saws are in the 300-500# range, the big 20" saws are easily into 1000 lbs and are going to be 3phase most likely, needing a VFD or motor conversion. I'm giving you industrial class tools here which are going to last a lifetime, even already used for 1 of them as long as not severely abused (!!)

Its not totally out of line to get the generic Delta 14" wood cutting saw and put something like a 30:1 gearbox into the direct drive system (you said no projects...but this will keep the price lower)

My issue will be finding them in the price range. I have no problem spending $300-$400 for a nice one being that I will use it often but I cant see myself spending over $500 for a tool that I dont actually need to get the job done. Just makes it easier for me. I appreciate the recommendations and will keep searching but using your recommendations to help my search.
I wouldnt mind a small project as long as I didnt have to put too much time into figuring it out. My issue is the time I have free right now is rare with two jobs and so I dont want a week long project, if I were to do it, mainly would do it because I would be babyfed the info and the parts would be easy to order. Mainly just bolt up or simple stuff that can be done within a day. But usually stuff will take longer.
I appreciate it!

I have a 4.5 x 6 horizontal bandsaw I bought used for C$75.00. I built a small table that bolt in place of the red sheet steel protector plate on the pivot side of the arm. The table is about 6" x 10" x 1/8" steel plate and notched such that it fits tight to the bottom table profile when the arm is in the horizontal position. It works good for what I have into it....A little time.
The pics are from before I built the table. Sorry, no after pics.

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww342/mrich1962/misc/tools/4x6%20bandsaw/IMG_1425.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww342/mrich1962/misc/tools/4x6%20bandsaw/IMG_1426.jpg

I have built the same thing with my saw as well before. I am going to be doing this to mine again here soon as my mini table was removed by another person however, I am wanting something more permanent to the vertical position as I use my horizontal band saw the most. I appreciate it. I may just buy the horizontal bandsaw and make a mount for it to be vertical on my desk to save cost. If of course, i ever get time lol

 

[crguy]

Don't forget the Walker Turner 14 & 16" sizes with the optional slow speed gearbox.

 

[6PTsocket]

I can't help you with price, but there's a Delta version of the 14" vertical bandsaw with the ability to use metal cutting speeds. There's a Wilton version of same with some fiddling around changing belts and pulling a detent in the back to switch from wood to metal cutting. There's the Powermatic 143 which is in my opinion the caddy of this class of tools.

Then you move into 20" vertical saws. DoAll is probably the king here, they made the nicest saws in my opinion (Model 2013s) and other older versions, I think they also made a 16" lineup for awhile. Powermatic makes the Model 87 - 20" which I own and is sort of a cheaper copy of the DoAll. There's also Grob and a lot of others I'm probably forgetting.

The 14" saws are in the 300-500# range, the big 20" saws are easily into 1000 lbs and are going to be 3phase most likely, needing a VFD or motor conversion. I'm giving you industrial class tools here which are going to last a lifetime, even already used for 1 of them as long as not severely abused (!!)

Its not totally out of line to get the generic Delta 14" wood cutting saw and put something like a 10:1 to 30:1 gearbox into the direct drive system (you said no projects...but this will keep the price lower)

Personally it might be easier to get one of those "cold cutting metal circular saws" and a 4x6 import horizontal bandsaw probably for the same price range. Cutting tube and round on a vertical saw is not the greatest fun, as you can only cut a piece, square-ended, of the same length as the throat depth. You can of course skew and cut diagonal but it wastes time and material, making 3 cuts for every 1, and the round/tube stock likes to grab and twist out of your hands. The horizontal saw can be tuned to cut pretty square, then the circ saw will take care of your larger sheets.....

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/corded/6370-20

On the subject of taking something like a 7x12 horizontal and making it vertical, the saw blade is twisted thru the guides. In other words the plane of the saw wheels isn't the same as the plane of the cut. So this opens up the throat considerably, making it a non-issue until you get to really large pieces. The downside is there isn't really a stout trunnion for the table, its just affixed to the lower ball bearing guide. This is probably the cheapest solution if you can't find a proper vertical.

I own the 14" Delta you refer to. They are discontinued and in refurbished condition they bring a lot more than $500. It is a wood and metal cutting saw. There is a 20:1 gear reducer built int the lower half of the saw that can be engaged or disengaged There is a set of pulleys for direct 3100 ips drive for wood and another set of 4 step pulleys for a range of lower speeds, for metal. Both belts can remain on when running in either mode. I think Sears used to sell a gear reducer attachment for their band saw, to cut metal. I have not looked into it but maybe there is some type of outboard gear reducer that could be adapted to any 14" wood saw. I don't know if it is even economical.

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[bczygan]

Hello all,

Well, as usual, instead of lurking around, I have to post because I am having difficulty finding something that would be easy to someone else.

I am wanting a vertical bandsaw. Bench or on stands, less than $500.
I plan on using it to cut steel only. I usually cut 1/8th thick steel and rare times, cut 3/16 but I will also be cutting 1 3/4 diameter DOM tubing here and there.

For some reason, I seem to be having trouble finding a bandsaw that will cut at 50-200fpm for this price range. Considered buying a horizontal one and just welding it vertical... but trying to find something I can just buy and not have another project even though it would be small.

Any ideas for the less than $500 range? I have tried google searching all over and even searching for models found posted in forums but cant find those bandsaws. I keep finding 1800fpm + that are vertical...

Thank you in advance and sorry for my lack of... finding them.

Double your budget. Really. You need to.

This one is local to you.

 

[royesses]

In that price range the only thing I've seen is new is the harbor freight/grizzly 4x6 horizontal/vertical bandsaw aprox $300 to to $450 using coupons.

Roy

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have built the same thing with my saw as well before. I am going to be doing this to mine again here soon as my mini table was removed by another person however, I am wanting something more permanent to the vertical position as I use my horizontal band saw the most. I appreciate it. I may just buy the horizontal bandsaw and make a mount for it to be vertical on my desk to save cost. If of course, i ever get time lol

I think I wasn't clear in my description, the table I made is mounted permanently and the saw is used either horizontally or vertically as needed without removing the table. It's great for brackets or other small intricate cuts.
The throat depth may be a factor tho.
The horizontal bandsaw is one of the best buys I made. I can set a piece in there and go do something else while it's cutting. A real timesaver in some cases. And the verticle option is also a real timesaver eg; I need to trim an 1/8" off or cut a V in some sheet steel.

 

[pepi]

Wood saws are a dime a dozen, throwing this out to give you ideas. The was a wood saw, mounted a jack shaft, increased the drive pulley dia.

Cuts metal all day, one word of advice buy good blades, bi-metal type. The blade on this rig cost 50 bucks, twice that of the delta 25 dollar one.... but cuts much quicker with less feed pressure.

Jack shaft is a jet part, the drive pulley 10.5 grainger... using it now for 10 years easy. Have built headers and side pipe 3.5 - 4.0 tubes, flat bar up too 3/8'' .





Greg

 

[TauntDevil]

Wood saws are a dime a dozen, throwing this out to give you ideas. The was a wood saw, mounted a jack shaft, increased the drive pulley dia.

Cuts metal all day, one word of advice buy good blades, bi-metal type. The blade on this rig cost 50 bucks, twice that of the delta 25 dollar one.... but cuts much quicker with less feed pressure.

Jack shaft is a jet part, the drive pulley 10.5 grainger... using it now for 10 years easy. Have built headers and side pipe 3.5 - 4.0 tubes, flat bar up too 3/8'' .





Greg

Yeah, I found an old looking craftsman one that I light and am considering getting and just making it a project to make it work for cutting metal. I dont plan on cheaping out on blades. The blade for my horizontal saw was about $60 and has lasted over two years so far cutting DOM tubing as well as other misc metals and still cuts amazing. Just have to try and find the time to research how to make the bandsaw I am getting slow down to work for cutting metal :/

Picture of the craftsman bandsaw:

 

[crguy]

Wood saws are a dime a dozen, throwing this out to give you ideas. The was a wood saw, mounted a jack shaft, increased the drive pulley dia.



Greg

If you would have bought a Delta with the optional slow speed gearbox, you would be able to Easily switch back & forth between cutting wood or metal.

 

[crguy]

Yeah, I found an old looking craftsman one that I light and am considering getting and just making it a project to make it work for cutting metal. I dont plan on cheaping out on blades. The blade for my horizontal saw was about $60 and has lasted over two years so far cutting DOM tubing as well as other misc metals and still cuts amazing. Just have to try and find the time to research how to make the bandsaw I am getting slow down to work for cutting metal :/

That's not really a good enough saw for much metal, or wood cutting.

 

[6PTsocket]

If you would have bought a Delta with the optional slow speed gearbox, you would be able to Easily switch back & forth between cutting wood or metal.

The optional gear box is built into the casting it is not some kind of bolt on. A refurb is $1500. It is discontinued. I bought one that had been stripped to repair another one and put a couple of hundred into it. This was a long time ago when Delta was still a US owned company with service centers and parts support.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[kevs79]

Kind of on the same subject. Anyone tried adapting a treadmill motor to one? I actually tried it with a motor from a small treadmill but it did not have enough torque and just havent had the chance to try a larger one that I have laying around.

 

[justanengineer]

JMO but I wouldnt bother dinking about with converted wood saws or one of the lighter hobbyist saws (ie. 14" Deltas). DoAll and a few others made metal saws down to 12" and theyre significantly heavier than the hobbyist machines bc to cut metal efficiently and not simply rub/ruin blades you need power and rigidity. Realistically, your budget is close to the price of a real saw, I'd suggest hitting a few used industrial dealers and shop auctions looking for a deal. My next major purchase is going to be one of the 12" DoAlls, theyre somewhat rare compared to the 16" and 20"+ versions but there are quite a few around, HGR usually has at least one for ~$700 and I expect to get a deal to match your ~$500 budget. If you have to spend a bit more and already have a bandsaw, you might consider selling your old one as these saws can easily crank up the speed to cut lumber and much more.

Kind of on the same subject. Anyone tried adapting a treadmill motor to one? I actually tried it with a motor from a small treadmill but it did not have enough torque and just havent had the chance to try a larger one that I have laying around.

Never know either way, but you still might have to play with the gear ratios a bit. I cranked down the VFD on my 20" 5 hp Powermatic wood saw a few years ago, switched blades, and was honestly surprised and thoroughly disappointed with the lack of power cutting steel bar stock. I probably couldve cobbled it into working by reducing the drive ratios a bit but IMHO it wasnt worth dinking with.

 

[crguy]

The optional gear box is built into the casting it is not some kind of bolt on. A refurb is $1500. It is discontinued. I bought one that had been stripped to repair another one and put a couple of hundred into it. This was a long time ago when Delta was still a US owned company with service centers and parts support.

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Good running older (and that's what you want) ones show up regularly for $400. - $500. I've owned several.

 

[6PTsocket]

Good running older (and that's what you want) ones show up regularly for $400. - $500. I've owned several.

I guess I shop in the wrong places. I based my price on one recent ad I saw. Mine is an older one. The doors are not hinged. It is a Rockwell. It had a 1/2 hp when I got it but put in a nice I hp Baldor that I rescued. Even though I had a matched set of Delta belts, I could never get the tension so I could leave both on at the same time. I have an old Delta fence With very long rails that I have scraped myself on numerous times. Maybe I will get a Kregg. I cut metal and wood but I am definitely just a hobby user. I don't go through lot of machines.

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[pepi]

If you would have bought a Delta with the optional slow speed gearbox, you would be able to Easily switch back & forth between cutting wood or metal.

What's to switch I do metal ...

Greg

 

[MikeF2316]

My dad did the jackshaft thing on his Craftman. He moved the motor over an inch, 2 bearing blocks on the frame, shaft and 2 pulleys. Everything was inside the frame below the saw.

I was just a kid then, faster was always better. When he did it, I couldn't fathom a reason to make something go slower.

 

[bczygan]

I just passed on this one for $800. Would have liked to have had it.