Metal Cutting

[cobrasnake66]

Am looking for advice on a metal cutting tool. Had a HF horz/vert band saw yrs ago and never would cut straight. I don't plan on using it often, so don't want to spend a great deal.

Thinking of a chop saw, but don't want all the grit and short life. Thinking of a new generation horz/vert band saw maybe. Maybe a cold cut, but expense kinda scares me. A wet saw does not interest me because of the mess. Thx for any ideas anyone has.
Roy L
S Dak

 

[larry_g]

What are your cutting requirements? Materials, shapes, accuracy, and any other requirements?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Stephenw]

I've got a Harbor Freight bandsaw and it cuts great. You just need to take the time to set it up properly. You could also try a Milwaukee portable bandsaw.

 

[antinym]

I picked up a 4x6 bandsaw off craigslist. works pretty good. There's a 7 1/4 circ saw blade designed for metal cutting. I'm thinking of picking one up and building a cutting platform for it.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

The simplest thing for occasional cutting is a 4½" angle grinder and some cutoff wheels or a Sawzall with a good blade.

If you use decent blades, chop saws have a decent lifespan. I use the chop more than anything, because it's quick and it's straight. I actually do cleaner lines with the torch than I do with the bandsaw, so I rarely use the band except for quick and dirty stuff.

 

[evintho]

How about this. Scan CL and pick up a used Milwaukee variable speed portable bandsaw. They're on there for $100-$150 all day long. Then grab one of these.
http://www.swagoffroad.com/Porta_band_Modular_Mount_Product.html

Presto, quality stationary bandsaw for an awesome price!

 

[Jack Olsen]

My go-to cutter is a Milwaukee dry cut saw. It was $320 without a blade, and I use inexpensive Freud Diablo metal cutting blades. I'm very happy with it.

The cheaper alternative is to get Northern Tool's low-RPM saw ($250 on sale) and use Freud Diablo blades from Cripe Distributing ($40, and they last a LONG time).

I recently got a second-hand *********** Milwaukee portaband, which I'm going to combine with Swag Off-Road's base and miter attachment for a small vertical band saw. Not sure if it will be an essential tool or not. We'll see. Saw was $90, and the base, miter guide and foot pedal were another $80. It fits on a vise.

 

[Shipfittin]

What do you want to cut with it?

 

[5lima30]

My metal cutting arsenal includes 14" chopsaw, angle grinders, and a recip saw. They work for most of my needs. YMMV.

 

[cobrasnake66]

Most of work would be hobby shop things. Cutting angle iron to make a stand for something. Smaller round stock. Biggest that I can see would be building a small lake deck deck with used (dirty) 6" I beam. Pipe up to 4".
Channel up to 4" and square tubing up to 2". Some used and some new. And thank you for the replies.
Roy

 

[metaldad]

Great price you got on that band saw, Jack.
I usually use a 6'' Metabo with super slicer wheels. I do have a chop saw, sawzalls, gas axes, band saws.
I just saw a sparkie using a Milwaukee cordless circular saw with a 6'' metal blade, cutting unistrut with it. Nice straight cut, a little noisy, and I would be a little worried about kick back.
Anyone use one?

 

[Zeke]

Porta band is one of my favorites. Quiet in comparison. I have a 14" chop saw and it makes the noise of a jet. I know, I live next to the airport. It's more accurate when accuracy counts. I have a couple extra 7 1/4 saws. I might get a Diabetes blade and see. I know this is a good set up for sheet metal and longer cuts.

 

[Hammer1963]

My go-to cutter is a Milwaukee dry cut saw. It was $320 without a blade, and I use inexpensive Freud Diablo metal cutting blades. I'm very happy with it.

The cheaper alternative is to get Northern Tool's low-RPM saw ($250 on sale) and use Freud Diablo blades from Cripe Distributing ($40, and they last a LONG time).

I recently got a second-hand *********** Milwaukee portaband, which I'm going to combine with Swag Off-Road's base and miter attachment for a small vertical band saw. Not sure if it will be an essential tool or not. We'll see. Saw was $90, and the base, miter guide and foot pedal were another $80. It fits on a vise.

Great idea Jack. The use of the attatching table is a nice idea. You've just given me a new quest for a new addition to the shop

 

[ibedayank]

I picked up a 4x6 bandsaw off craigslist. works pretty good. There's a 7 1/4 circ saw blade designed for metal cutting. I'm thinking of picking one up and building a cutting platform for it.

you mean like this....

 

[diesel research]

I might get a Diabetes blade and see.

 

[Zeke]

I might get a Diabetes blade and see.

Hah! Damn spell checker. I guess Diablo isn't in my dictionary.

It is now.

 

[PCO6]

The cheaper alternative is to get Northern Tool's low-RPM saw ($250 on sale) and use Freud Diablo blades from Cripe Distributing ($40, and they last a LONG time).

Jack - Do you know the approximate rpm at which low rpm saws turn? Most circular saws I've seen at the common outlets (Home Depot, Lowe's, Canadian Tire, etc.) turn at about 5,000 to 5,800 rpm. The Diablo blade is rated at 5,800 rpm. I've seen a few on line that are down around the 3,000 rpm mark. Is it worth it to look for something low and how low would you go?

Thanks - Stew

 

[gjz30075]

Could this be part of one's arsenal of cutting tools?
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200309556_200309556

Price is right and no mess. I'm sure there are some downsides.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Jack - Do you know the approximate rpm at which low rpm saws turn? Most circular saws I've seen at the common outlets (Home Depot, Lowe's, Canadian Tire, etc.) turn at about 5,000 to 5,800 rpm. The Diablo blade is rated at 5,800 rpm. I've seen a few on line that are down around the 3,000 rpm mark. Is it worth it to look for something low and how low would you go?

Thanks - Stew

14-inch bladed cut-off saws like the Milwaukee and Northern Tool models spin at ~1400 RPM. That's what the 14-inch Freud blades are rated for. The 7-1/4" Frued blades are rated for higher RPMs, and I'm not sure what they do in order to have them work at that speed. All of Freud's larger blades (which are rated for thicker material than the 7-1/4" models) need to spin at a lower RPM.

 

[PCO6]

^^^ Thanks. I'm tempted to try a Diablo 7 1/4" blade rated for 5,800 rpm on my DeWalt circular saw, also 5,800 rpm, and see what it can do.

 

[PCO6]

Absolutely! I have the same model and use it a lot. I have an older slightly more heavy duty model that cuts 1/4" plate, rod, etc. and it's great.