I hate hacksawing

[DTR]

I mean, I really hate hacksawing.

I've looked at horizontal bandsaws and powered hacksaws and they all seem very expensive, and oversized for what I need. The little vintage Kennedy powered hacksaw would be perfect or what I want but they are very pricey (more so than a brand new bandsaw several times the size).

So, would it be practical to buy a generic small two-wheeler bandsaw and fit it with a metal cutting blade from Tuffsaws?

Thanks

 

[CHJ]

Depends upon what you wish to cut, but I suspect if you dislike hacksawing it is steel you want to cut.

Most small two wheel vertical band saws run too fast for steel cutting.
Typical band speeds on metal cutting range between 20 and 50 metre per minute.

 

[chipmunk]

Hi Dave,
I don't intend to teach my Grandmother but have you seen this little bandsaw?...

http://www.warco.co.uk/metal-bandsa...2-cy90-3-12-mitre-arm-bandsaw-with-stand.html

I had the same aversion as you to hacksawing 2" MS bar and it's been a real boon at a reasonable price.

I'd also recommend the modifications here from another place...

http://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=99594

I'm sure there are better bandsaws but for the money it seems tough to beat.
HTH
Jon

 

[DTR]

Most small two wheel vertical band saws run too fast for steel cutting.

Excellent point CHJ, I never thought of that.

 

[DTR]

Hi Dave,
I don't intend to teach my Grandmother but have you seen this little bandsaw?...

http://www.warco.co.uk/metal-bandsa...2-cy90-3-12-mitre-arm-bandsaw-with-stand.html

All suggestions are welcome Jon (Except any that involve a hacksaw!)

I had been considering that Warco bandsaw so the reassurance is most welcome. The only thing I was concerned about was the footprint. But looking at that thread it looks quite small anyway, and building a cabinet underneath is a very good idea (along with a few others too). So thanks for posting!

 

[t8hants]

You can buy a lot of the 1.6mm slitting discs for the 4 1/2" grinderette for the cost of basic drop band-saw.
If you want bigger use the 9" grinder thin slitting discs, munched my way through many a universal beam with those.

 

[RogerP]

You can buy a lot of the 1.6mm slitting discs for the 4 1/2" grinderette for the cost of basic drop band-saw.
If you want bigger use the 9" grinder thin slitting discs, munched my way through many a universal beam with those.

Having just hack-sawn twice through a 50mm solid brass bar I couldn't face doing the remaining cuts.

So in desperation I dug out my cheapo disc grinder and bought a pack of thin cutting discs. Bingo - job done in a few minutes!

Previously I'd really only thought of grinders for rough work but in fact it did the job really well and the waste to kerf was only a little more than that of a hacksaw.

 

[DTR]

Hi chaps,

I'd prefer not to use an abrasive cutter because of the sparks and dust.

 

[woodfarmer]

I have had a Clark 4 1/2" metal cutting bandsaw for over 20 years. they still make the same model. It works without fuss. Just sits in the workshop and gets used whenever I want. A special feature is you can run it vertical and cut curves freehand on the vertical table that comes with it. Just does what it says on the box.

http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/CLAR ... DSAWS.html

All cast iron, not beautiful, but functional. many on Ebay but just make sure its not been damaged.

 

[Inspector]

Hi chaps,

I'd prefer not to use an abrasive cutter because of the sparks and dust.

That would rule out Oxy and plasma cutters too I suppose. :roll: I use an abrasive cutoff saw in the driveway to keep the dust and sparks away from the shop.

Pete

 

[woodpig]

How about a TCT bladed chop saw?

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/prod ... g-chopsaw-

 

[woodpig]

Or this one.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/prod ... ut-off-saw

Might actually get one of these myself ...

 

[Nigel67]

I have an Evolution rage sliding mitre saw that will cut wood and metal or a combination of both. It's a great piece of kit, I can chop through a bit of 2" box iron then cut a wooden picture frame mitre straight after without problems. It cuts steel with virtually no sparks and it stays cold. Spare blades are about £20.

 

[paul-c]

hi dave
my dad bought one of these last year - its absolutely brilliant.
http://www.warco.co.uk/metal-bandsaws-m ... stand.html
cuts through 25mm dia. bar so quickly - been using it today to cut angle iron and 3 x 1/2 inch flat ms bar.
i would definately recommend getting this machine
cheers paul

 

[Harbo]

I have a half share in one of those - bought with a friend a few years ago for just over £100
Very useful and work well.

Rod

 

[DTR]

I am definitely leaning towards that Warco bandsaw (won't be until after christmas though). But does the abrasive chop saw have any advantages (or disadvantages) over a bandsaw?

 

[woodfarmer]

I am definitely leaning towards that Warco bandsaw (won't be until after christmas though). But does the abrasive chop saw have any advantages (or disadvantages) over a bandsaw?

http://www.warco.co.uk/metal-bandsaws-m ... ndsaw.html

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/thre ... d-2.45408/

think it is a better buy .

 

[Cheshirechappie]

This may not be quite the answer you wanted to see, but would investing in some coarser-toothed hacksaw blades ease the pain a little? Cheaper than a fixed machine for occasional use, and a lot less storage space! They do speed things up a bit in solid materials (say 1/2" bar and above); save the finer toothed blades for thin-walled tube and sections. Another thing that helps a bit is a smear of cutting compound (Trefolex or similar), especially in steel.

Here's a link to a source of 12" 14tpi blades - https://www.cromwell.co.uk/KEN0403510K

(Hacksaw blades are available in 14, 18, 24 and 32 tpi that I know of, and maybe others. It's worth having a least a couple of tooth sizes on hand.)

 

[Bedrock]

I bought the Evolution Rage from Screwfix a couple of months ago. Generally OK but not accurate ie about 1mm out in cutting a 25mm steel round bar. Might have to take it apart if I really feel that fussed, or simply shim the bed which is a simple steel pressing.
Generally cuts reasonably cool, but I would not use inside my somewhat crowded workshop, as there are a fair amount of sparks flying about. Gloves, eye protection and some sort of face covering are a must.
On my first cut with gloves and eye protection, a spark flew up and caught my lip. That made me stop and think for a moment. Not sure what the absolute cutting capacity is, but has coped with vertical cutting 8mm O1 X 50mm, taken gently, plus the aforementioned 25mm round bar.

Mike

 

[woodpig]

I think I just need to find a way of slowing down my woodcutting bandsaw, oh and buying a decent HSS blade from Tuffsaws!