Band saw for basic fab work - this one?

[Al 2]

As some others have suggested, it's a great saw for the price and for your needs. I've had one for 15 years with no issues but I'm not building watches. Just cutting steel for welding projects. Suggest you make a larger stand and higher and put some casters on it. On it's original stand it's very easy to tip over. I just got a 7 x 12 at a yard sale and it's so much nicer but you can't go wrong with 4x6.
Al

 

[BigBlue1]

I'll definitely watch CL. If I can get one of these low-end 4x6 saws for $150 or less that would make it more palatable. I'd really like to find one of the $800-900 saws (7x12?) for $400 or less. There is one from Grizzly on a site I saw for $500 but it is almost 10 years old and is being sold by a metal shop so I'm not sure how much life it left in it.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Xfaxman]

I recommend a horizontal/vertical saw. Mine is used most in the vertical position making non-precision cuts on hose, tubing, wood, rubber and whatever else that I can hold that needs cutoff.

 

[BigBlue1]

Got a line on a Grizzly G0561, the 7x12 size with coolant. It's been used a fair amount but only about 6 years and can be had for under $400. I think I'll check that out and hopefully go with that one.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Raspy]

Rob,

That saw looks identical to the one I have and I love it. Very accurate, strong and stable machine. The coolant really helps the blade. Find yourself some soluble oil and you're good to go. It's the one I recommended in an earlier post.

Find yourself some high quality, High Speed Steel blades in about 18 TPI.

 

[CADplans]

My Jet saw cutting a few 3/4" thick bars,,,

If it died tomorrow,,, I would replace it.

The only negative is it takes up a LOT of space,,, I have a place under the steps it fits perfect.

 

[BigBlue1]

My Jet saw cutting a few 3/4" thick bars,,,

If it died tomorrow,,, I would replace it.

The only negative is it takes up a LOT of space,,, I have a place under the steps it fits perfect.

Impressive!! That's some steel! How long did that take to cut?

As for space, I'm lucky that I'm not especially constrained. This place I bought last year came with a beautiful 50x105' pole barn that I'm gradually finishing off into my dream workshop and play area. So having a bandsaw sitting around does not worry me at this point.

Rob

 

[BigBlue1]

Rob,

That saw looks identical to the one I have and I love it. Very accurate, strong and stable machine. The coolant really helps the blade. Find yourself some soluble oil and you're good to go. It's the one I recommended in an earlier post.

Find yourself some high quality, High Speed Steel blades in about 18 TPI.

The Griz looks identical to the $900 Klutch I saw at Northern Tool this weekend. That one looked like a very good quality, heavy duty unit. Far, far better than the $300 model I initially posted about. I think it will be a good investment if I can snag it.

Rob

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

As for space, I'm lucky that I'm not especially constrained. This place I bought last year came with a beautiful 50x105' pole barn that I'm gradually finishing off into my dream workshop and play area. So having a bandsaw sitting around does not worry me at this point.

Rob

I kind of hate you a little bit.

 

[CADplans]

Impressive!! That's some steel! How long did that take to cut?


Rob

If I remember correctly,, under 2 minutes.
The saw cuts at the same rate if it is 1/4"X 2" angle or 3"X 6" solid steel bar.

I paid about $500 for the saw,, it is remarkable as to what it can cut.
I have a 4X6 USA made vertical/horizontal bandsaw,,, it has not been started since I purchased this one.

 

[BigBlue1]

I kind of hate you a little bit.

I totally get that. Sometimes I start to feel a little guilty myself. Then I go out there, sit down in the patio chair, grab a beer from the fridge and have a cigar and just sit there taking it in and thinking of future plans and all the years I went without and the feeling passes!! Between being finally able to get a place like this and a wonderful lady who wants to share it with me I'm livin' the dream!

Rob

 

[Raspy]

I totally get that. Sometimes I start to feel a little guilty myself. Then I go out there, sit down in the patio chair, grab a beer from the fridge and have a cigar and just sit there taking it in and thinking of future plans and all the years I went without and the feeling passes!! Between being finally able to get a place like this and a wonderful lady who wants to share it with me I'm livin' the dream!

Rob

Excellent and I totally get it. Same here. Been working on my place for about ten years now and recently moved in. Your shop looks amazing.

 

[k0ua]

I recommend a horizontal/vertical saw. Mine is used most in the vertical position making non-precision cuts on hose, tubing, wood, rubber and whatever else that I can hold that needs cutoff.

Yes, that is one feature I really like about my Grizzley. I made a little table for it to use when it is vertical. I also added a folding handle to move it around better with.

 

[PJSprog]

I kind of hate you a little bit.

I think we all do. That is an awesome space, Rob. Well done.

 

[BigBlue1]

Yes, that is one feature I really like about my Grizzley. I made a little table for it to use when it is vertical. I also added a folding handle to move it around better with.

Nice job on adding that handle! Looks like a great saw.

Rob

 

[BigBlue1]

I think we all do. That is and awesome space, Rob. Well done.

Thanks for the compliment! Believe me, I know how lucky I am!

Rob

 

[k0ua]

Nice job on adding that handle! Looks like a great saw.

Rob

Thanks, I have enjoyed having it. Before I got the band saw, cutting consisted of either a hacksaw or my sawzall with a metal blade or the jigsaw with a metal blade. Not that those things are bad, just not the best for making accurate repeatable cuts. And you can cut angles in the steel, even bevels on the ends to facilitate welding. It is quiet and clean and if you put a magnet in a sealed plastic bag then place that in a larger sealed plastic bag you can attract most of the "chips" and make them easy to dispose of in the trash. Just open the outer bags seal and reach in and grab the magnet bag out and let the chips fall in the can.

 

[Renze]

You get a lot more life out of your saw with cooling. When i bought mine the pump was missing. A pond fountain pump and a bucket were cheap and pay themself back in saw blade life.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

If I remember correctly,, under 2 minutes.
The saw cuts at the same rate if it is 1/4"X 2" angle or 3"X 6" solid steel bar.

I paid about $500 for the saw,, it is remarkable as to what it can cut.
I have a 4X6 USA made vertical/horizontal bandsaw,,, it has not been started since I purchased this one.

That Jet is more than twice the saw compared to the $900 machines being talked about. It should cut angle faster than solid.

We have this model of Jet at work, it is a decent saw, but no bad boy Amada.
Jet 414474 J-7M,1" x 16" Horizontal Mitering Bandsaw – Jet Tool Store

It would take at least 10 minutes to go thru a 4" x 4" solid steel bar stock.

I like your bikes. What is the red one?

 

[CADplans]

That Jet is more than twice the saw compared to the $900 machines being talked about. It should cut angle faster than solid.

I like your bikes. What is the red one?

Jet still sells pretty much my saw,,,

Jet 414468 HBS-916W, 9" x 16" Horizontal Bandsaw – Jet Tool Store

The controls are identical, the blade size is identical.

The head descent is hydraulically controlled,, the descent speed is pretty constant
Yes it varies,, maybe 2-1 for big steel,, but never 10 minutes for anything I have ever cut.
I ran that saw daily for over a decade,,, we cut a LOT of steel.

My red bike is a Polaris,,,