Shop / Tools Let's talk bandsaws!

[Herzog]

I see in my near future a vertical bandsaw. It will see very little woodwork, mostly metal work. Does anybody have any opinions or advice to share? I don't need anything huge, but I want it to be able to run through 1/4" material when needed.

I'm currently looking at a WEN 2 speed 10" unit but would be happy to consider others. It will get light usage so I don't think I need to spring for an expensive industrial bandsaw.

 

[nnnnnate]

I've been cruising KSL for a 14" vertical bandsaw for months. Mostly/exclusively for woodworking though.

 

[mesha]

I want to try one of the swag table thingers for my milwaukee portaband

 

[muleskinner]

I have this one, it's an older model but it works great. http://www.grizzly.com/products/15-3-4-Vertical-Metal-Cutting-Bandsaw/G8146
It's probably bigger than anything you'll need. It's pretty nice and it has a blade welder on it so I buy blades in bulk rolls and make my own.

i also have a swag table. If you're not cutting lots of steel and don't need a deep cut, the swag table works great for what it is.

I have one of these in my shop that I probably use once a week too-
http://www.jettools.com/us/en/p/hbs-1018w-10-x-18-horizontal-bandsaw/414473

What ever you buy, make sure it has a nice low speed to cut steel. like 70-80 SFPM. Some people say 250-300 is good, but I like it around 75.

 

[RogueJeepr]

Check out YouTube on how to convert a wood bandsaw for metal cutting. One guy uses a motor and dimmer like switch from a treadmill.
I picked up my horizontal/vertical from an RME-er and made a bigger plate to cut like a bandsaw.

 

[muleskinner]

I tried converting a 14'' wood bandsaw by using jackshafts, different size pulleys and a VFD and it never even cut as good as my swag setup. I'd look for a true metal cutting bandsaw if it were me.

 

[Greg]

You've seen it, but I have a DeWalt Porta-band with a Swag table... I love it, use it way more often than I thought I would. And I use it for more than metal... PVC, wood, etc, etc. It's incredibly handy. I have cut some pretty big material on it, but you have to watch it... it's easy to pop the blade off or break it if you're not careful.

 

[frieed]

I want to try one of the swag table thingers for my milwaukee portaband

you can try the one I have.

 

[YROC FAB.]

My 1955 DoAll vertical band saw has a handy chart for the cut speeds based on what your cutting (it even has a asbestos as a material)and it recommends steel up to 1" thick set up at 175 sfpm. Its going to be hard to find a decent small vertical band saw that will cut that slow. If you haven't tried the portaband approach i would start there first, they are the handiest little units and even more handy with a table. I cut out a table for a friend that bought a Horror Frieght portaband and has been happy with its performance.

 

[Brad J]

I use my Harbor Freight Tools Portable Bandsaw all of the time. I only wish that the blade was turned 90 degrees so I could cut deeper stuff.

 

[Noahfecks]

x2 on the harbor freight/SWAG setup

under a $100 for the bandsaw with coupon right now

 

[DaveB]

I have a Milwaukee portaband with the swag table and use it a lot.

 

[Herzog]

Interesting... I might have to consider the SWAG setup. I do like the idea of being able to use it as a portable as well.

Good info in here!

 

[Shawn]

To add to the question, can we also talk about blades. I typically use Lenox Bi-metal, is there anything better?

 

[Hickey]

I bought one similar to this one about 13 years ago.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200418479_200418479

When it works right, I love it. Most of the time it just pisses me off. It is the most finicky tool I have ever owned. The vise on it has been stripped for several years now, and it rarely cuts a straight line.

 

[zmotorsports]

I purchased a Wilton model# 8201 (14" metal cutting vertical bandsaw) about 15 years ago and used the snot out of it but it was getting to the point where I was really overworking it and I was fearful that it would someday leave me sawless one day at the most inopportune time. I was at a point about three years ago where I could upgrade to a more industrial saw but the stuff I was seeing on KSL was either junk or not exactly what I was looking for.

I ended up purchasing a 20" Birmingham KB-45 from Precision Mathews (same guy I bought my mill and lathe from) and it has been a fantastic vertical bandsaw. It is a modern Taiwanese version of the old DoAll model saws and I have used this one a lot and am very happy with it. I definitely think it will be my last vertical bandsaw that I ever have to purchase. I wish I wouldn't had purchased the smaller one all those years ago and just bought my final bandsaw first.

Mike

 

[Gravy]

I've got a HF Horizontal/ vertical that needs a new roller thingy or I'd use it more.

 

[cruiserhead81]

I was looking for one as well but didn't want to spend a fortune. So like others have stated I built my own table for my Milwaukee and it is very handy. I don't know why I didn't do it years ago.

 

[ricsrx]

i have the HF vertical with a metal blade, 2hp VFD, 1/4 HP 3 phase motor, foot peddle, it works great, yes i had to modify the drive pully, update to better V belts

 

[Herzog]

Finally decided to go this route. Gonna pick up a Swag V4 table for it as I really like the idea of the quick disconnect for other uses.