Cold Cut Saw vs Bandsaw

[ForceFed70]

Dry Cut Saw vs Bandsaw

I have an abrasive chop saw now and it's garbage. I want to upgrade to something that cuts quicker, makes nicer cuts, and can also cut aluminum.

I'm a hobbiest. Not a lot of volume. I would like to keep price below $500. Don't think I can justify auto cutting features or the additional cost of a cooling/lubricating system (looking at dry cut only).

I typically only work with smaller stock. 2x2 is the biggest I've needed to cut so far, can't ever see a need to cut anything bigger than 4x4.

What would you recommend? Key points being budget, low volume, and ability to cut both aluminum and steel.

Thanks!

 

[Strouty]

I think you may be confusing terms. Cold cut saws run a constant coolant bath and are very expensive.

I have an older dry cut panasonic with the 14" blade. It works very well, but I can't comment on any newer ones. I am pretty sure you can get one for well under $500 though.

 

[aka Larry]

I want an Evolution model. I borrowed a friend's and it will cut 2"x2"x3/16" angle like butter with a straight clean cut.

 

[Strouty]

Bad link, edited out.

Rage 2 on amazon $290

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I have both an Evolution saw and larger bandsaws. The Evolution saw works nicely when used as intended but seems much more sensitive to misuse, ie steel too thick, steel too thin, feed too fast, feed too slow.

If you're conscious of what you're cutting it shouldn't be an issue but in my experience it's easy to make a mistake and trash a blade with a single cut.

I use Freud Diablo Steel Demon blades on the saw and they seem better than the Evolution blades (and cheaper locally for me).

On a separate note I also have the handheld Milwaukee metal cutting circular saw and have noticed the smaller blades seem to hold up much better.

 

[jnkpile]

^^^^
Looks like the first link is for a $200 Rigid dry cut blade only

(Referring to two posts above (; )

 

[Jack Olsen]

Northern Tool makes a $250 bargain dry cut saw. A few GJ users have used it and like it.

A band saw is great for some jobs, but it's not fast.

You can do most of your aluminum cutting with your wood saws.

 

[paranoid56]

i wish they made a small horizontal band saw, like a tabletop one that wasn't more money than a full size one

 

[finn]

I've got an old craigslist horizontal bandsaw with a Wilton label and a newer Jet set up as a vertical configuration. They are convertible (Wilton didn't have a table when I picked it up), but not as robust in the vertical configuration as a fullsize, high dollar vertical.

With the 2 saws, I rarely use my abrasive saw. The advantage of the saw is that you can more or less follow a pattern, while the cold saw is going to limit you to straight cuts.

 

[ForceFed70]

Sorry, I guess "dry cut" is the proper terminology.

Wish we could get tools in Canada as cheap as you get them in the US.

So.. reading between the lines, it sounds like the dry cut is the popular opinion/choice.

I do like how dry cut blades can be re-sharpened where bandsaw can only be replaced.

 

[Mike007]

I just grabbed an Evolution Rage 2 for $240 including shipping from Sears.:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238879

Why did I wait so long??????? I'm no longer gagging to death like I was with the abrasive saw and it cuts much cleaner. I had to cut a brake line end due to clearance issues. I wouldn't be able to use an abrasive saw due to the heat. I cut it clean with the dry saw and the piece was cold after the cut.

Oh, and Ive been cutting aluminum with it too.

 

[bigdave39355]

the dry cut saws work great. i use a dewalt at work.

Only thing is its very easy to damage a high dollar blade.

also the vise / clamp on the saws are the key to blade longevity.
if the metal slips while cutting ( esp 45* cuts) it can damage the blade.


Dave

 

[brawls43]

I've got a Rage2 chop saw, had it for 4-5 years and on my 2nd blade as a hobbyist. My brother and I did cut a lot of 1/4" wall 2x2 and 1/8" wall tubing for awhile. So we put some good miles on that first blade. Since then I also picked up an old Portaband saw, with the chop saw attachment like this :

I just need to adapt the Swag Offroad table to it, and I'll have a super versatile saw. I kind of wish it was newer, but it works well. I like that the small bandsaw throws way fewer chips, and its quieter to run. But if I've got a lot of metal to cut, the Rage runs through it quickly and easily.

If you could get a newer Milwaukee or Dewalt porta bandsaw, with a chop saw attachment and the Swag Offroad table, you'd be set for cutting all kinds of stuff.

 

[JCByrd24]

Within days of getting my jet 5x6 bandsaw the Milwaukee abrasive was bartered away and I have never regretted it. I do not know how I got away without it. I personally wouldn't prefer a dry cut type saw as I prefer the quiet, controlled chip dropping of the bandsaw. You also won't be limited on cutting larger solid stock like (I would guess) you would be on the dry cut. It is plenty fast for me, I'm not doing production. Thin angle and pipe goes pretty quick. It cuts beautifully straight and true with a great finish. I have a sliver of 3x3x1/2" angle around 1/64" thick on my fridge with a magnet, perfectly consistent thickness. On an entry level metal bandsaw don't worry about the need for coolant, everything I've cut is cool to the touch coming off the saw.

 

[zkling]

Horizontal bandsaw.

 

[paranoid56]

Sorry, I guess "dry cut" is the proper terminology.

Wish we could get tools in Canada as cheap as you get them in the US.

So.. reading between the lines, it sounds like the dry cut is the popular opinion/choice.

I do like how dry cut blades can be re-sharpened where bandsaw can only be replaced.

however, a dry cut blade is 100 bucks were as a bandsaw blade is around 20. i ran a good bandsaw blade on our old saw or 4 years with lots of tubing cutting. was still going strong when i sold it (should have never sold it lol)

 

[Jack Olsen]

You've got to work out what works best for your own needs.

I have a dry cut saw, a circular saw with a metal-cutting blade, a portaband with a table (making it a vertical band saw), hacksaws and Sawzalls. I went out and bought a horizontal band saw once and returned it the same week. For me, it didn't offer a capability I didn't already have, outside of production-quantity cuts if you bundle pieces for a horizontal band saw, which I've never had a need for. And the footprint was too big for my little two-car garage.

 

[Strouty]

Who sharpens the dry cut saw blades? I have not found anyone that is willing to re-sharpen them.

 

[ADSR]

Sorry, I guess "dry cut" is the proper terminology.

Wish we could get tools in Canada as cheap as you get them in the US.

So.. reading between the lines, it sounds like the dry cut is the popular opinion/choice.

I do like how dry cut blades can be re-sharpened where bandsaw can only be replaced.

This is thr best we get in canada.
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Chop-Saws/14-in-Dry-Cutting-Metal-Saw/8353187.p

I bought mine from cpo milwaukee and landed it for 375.

 

[sz0k30]

I'm also just a hobbyist so no need for real serious equipment. For my metal cutting I usually have 2 options. I use a 4-1/2" angle grinder. I also have a Evolution Rage4, 7-1/4" chop saw. I don't remember the cutting specs, but it works for me. If I had to do something now I think I would get a portable bandsaw and a "Swag Off Road" portaband table.

 

[PT Doc]

Who sharpens the dry cut saw blades? I have not found anyone that is willing to re-sharpen them.

Look at the hf carbide saw blade sharpener. Many tweaks on you tube videos to make this sharpener very useable.

 

[lotsoftools]

Who sharpens the dry cut saw blades? I have not found anyone that is willing to re-sharpen them.

Fastenal does it. They send them out to their own resharpening division in Minnesota.

 

[tvguy]

I have a Makita metal cutting saw and really like it. It works great on tubing and plate up to roughly 6". Blades last a long time as long as you let the blade do the work and don't force the cut.

http://www.makitatools.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?Name=LC1230

 

[ADSR]

Fastenal does it. They send them out to their own resharpening division in Minnesota.

We have a local blade shop that does them here for .40 a tooth.