metal band saw

[superspec]

hey guys im in the market for a vertical metal cutting band saw. buying new is out of the question at over 3k for something like i am wanting. craigslist is dead in my area for this type of thing.

would a wood bandsaw with a wider wheelset for the blade and a way to back the speed down be completely out of the question?

 

[bluebolt]

Most wood bandsaws will never satisfactorly cut steel. Some of the older ones had metal conversion kits available for them if you can slow down the speed enough. Are you in West Monreo area? I get over there every so often I am near Shreveport.

 

[superspec]

yep, good old west monroe. i go to keithville almost weekly to help my buddy get his shop finished.

 

[bluebolt]

I come across older wood bandsaws every once in a while that can be converted to light metal use, mostly older Craftsman. There was a real nice older Delta few months back that had the dual speed gearbox for wood or metal, $150 at a estate sale. I was real tempted to pick it up but didn't have the cash for it.

 

[superspec]

if you run across another one please let me know. i can always get my buddy to run over.

i am mainly looking for one to do exhaust work...making merge collectors, turbo manifolds and downpipes.

 

[evintho]

I've posted this before. If you've got a portable bandsaw it's really easy to make up a quick stand and it becomes a stationary metal bandsaw. I used this to cut all the 2"x3" .120 wall square tubing and a ton of 5/16" steel for my roadster frame. And, if you don't have a portable, they're all over CL for $100 or less! Don't take up much room either!

 

[gus1962]

hey guys im in the market for a vertical metal cutting band saw. buying new is out of the question at over 3k for something like i am wanting. craigslist is dead in my area for this type of thing.

would a wood bandsaw with a wider wheelset for the blade and a way to back the speed down be completely out of the question?

I think that won't work. Wood cutting band saw is generally designed for wood but not that exclusively made for it . But still , it will not give you satisfactory results. You may want to check www.utilitybandsaw.com . Try to give them a call for recommendations . I have their Trajan 712. Works great.

 

[Thunderbisciut]

I like my Jet 4x6 horizontal/vertical. The vertical attachment tray is a joke, but it's easy to make an acceptable one. You'd have more than enough throat for doing what you want. I'm assuming you'll be working with sch10 ss for the manifolds, and 16-18g ss for the exhaust. You'll definitely want bimetal blades with different tooth counts. If you really want vertical only, this is probably your cheapest bet for a new saw.

The Bead Form Jr from there is great for beading IC tubing too. I've had one for years, a bit pricey though.

Good holesaws help too for things like blow off/bypass valve and wastegate merges. I'm partial to Lenox bimetals myself.

 

[454ragtop]

Unfortunate you're so far away, have a few here. A wood saw runs about 10 times as fast as a metal cutting saw, so would need significant reduction in speed.
Jim

 

[superspec]

Unfortunate you're so far away, have a few here. A wood saw runs about 10 times as fast as a metal cutting saw, so would need significant reduction in speed.
Jim

you have a few metal or wood saws? i am not opposed to shipping.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Horizontal metal band saws show up on Craigslist fairly commonly in the $150-200 range. It's hard to give them proper value when HF puts theirs on sale new at $249.

That said, there's only a couple of different models out there. You'll find the parts are interchangable between the majority of them for the Chinese models.

They work for light use- get the USA made blades as they really make a huge difference and are available at good hardware stores.

 

[rodm1]

I've posted this before. If you've got a portable bandsaw it's really easy to make up a quick stand and it becomes a stationary metal bandsaw. I used this to cut all the 2"x3" .120 wall square tubing and a ton of 5/16" steel for my roadster frame. And, if you don't have a portable, they're all over CL for $100 or less! Don't take up much room either!

Any photos of the mounting bracket? Grate idea!

 

[neonnblack]

Any photos of the mounting bracket? Grate idea!

its the vise behind it.

 

[dirttracker18]

I like my Jet 4x6 horizontal/vertical. The vertical attachment tray is a joke, but it's easy to make an acceptable one. You'd have more than enough throat for doing what you want. I'm assuming you'll be working with sch10 ss for the manifolds, and 16-18g ss for the exhaust. You'll definitely want bimetal blades with different tooth counts. If you really want vertical only, this is probably your cheapest bet for a new saw.

The Bead Form Jr from there is great for beading IC tubing too. I've had one for years, a bit pricey though.

Good holesaws help too for things like blow off/bypass valve and wastegate merges. I'm partial to Lenox bimetals myself.

Any pics of your homemade table?

I recently picked up an ITC hor/vert unit like new very cheap. The only issue was the table was missing and I have been considering options.

Thanks

 

[454ragtop]

you have a few metal or wood saws? i am not opposed to shipping.

Have a few metal cutting vertical saws, and a couple metal cutting cutting horizontal saws, and obviously I don't need this many. Have a Johnson horizontal on the classifieds here, and would sell either a Dayton wood/metal 14" vertical or a 30" Kalamazoo Startrite. Probably should Pm if interested, not sure if this is allowed here.
Jim

 

[930dreamer]

OP, post some specs on the type of saw your looking for. I'm always looking on CL in Abq, NM, Amarillo, OKC.

Can't tell much on this one;
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/tls/3502031122.html

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/tls/3495524766.html

 

[raddksn]

some time back "car craft" showed how to convert wood band saw to cut metal. I'll see if i can find that issue and let you know the date.

 

[superspec]

thanks guys.

454 ill pm you. while i would love to have that Kalamazoo im pretty sure that #1 i cant afford it used and #2 i would have to kick my wife out of the garage to house it haha.

 

[raddksn]

some time back "car craft" showed how to convert wood band saw to cut metal. I'll see if i can find that issue and let you know the date.

october 2011

 

[darkk]

I have a small collection of metal cutting saws...The big Delta is a 14" 1939 model 880 wood/metal band saw with a geared transfer case for speed selection. I paid a lot for it. $450 The smaller band saw is a new Dewalt portable for $250 and a Swag bench top conversion stand for another $250 with foot switch and powder coat finish and lastly it an old Craftsman 50's power hack saw for $80. The old machinery is all heavy cast iron and will last forever if maintained properly. And it can be had relatively cheap.

 

[PurdueSD]

I searched and searched and finally gave up...

Bought a new portaband and the swag off road table. Amazed at what I have been missing. It's a sweet setup and having the portaband has come in very useful too!

 

[A29]

my 1954 craftsman just before I finished it. Work well on sheet metal.

 

[machine_punk]

It depends on what capacity you need. I've had good luck with a portable band saw (the Milwaukee, variable speed, *********** model), custom metal table and a plywood bracket...
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Kevin