Band saw for basic fab work - this one?

BigBlue1 · Mar 17, 2017

So I'm starting to want to do some of my own fab work for my projects. Nothing too complicated... cutting up some angle iron, square tube, round tube, etc. and sticking them together to make something useful. Repair the go cart's broken frame, build some mounts for my trailer's corner markers, etc. I think one of my first 'bigger' projects will be to build a mower deck dolly to shuffle my 60HC deck from my x758 around the shop. I'd rather build it than spend $250 on one someone else made.

Right now I have some basic tools for metal cutting, including hacksaw, sawzall, jigsaw, angle grinder with cutoff wheels, etc. I know a band saw could be a really useful tool in this area and make things easier and quicker. My question is: How well would I get by with an inexpensive horizontal/vertical band saw like this one:

Klutch Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw 4 1/2in. x 6in., 3/4 HP, 120V

I am not ready to spend $500+ on a 'good' one because it likely won't get THAT much use. The only stuff I'm seeing used on CL is either high end stuff at $1000+ or ratted out junk. But I would invest $280 on this one if it isn't garbage.

Thanks,
Rob

George2615 · Mar 17, 2017

Welcome to TBN...........

I have one similar (different brand) for the misc. steel I need to cut. Mine looks like the one sold at HF but not their brand. I got it used about years ago and it is still working fine. Replacement blades are readily available as well as other parts. IMO it is a good unit for a hobbyist. I did find the working height was low for me as I was always bending over to use it. I replaced the original tin legs with 1/8" angle to raise the height. Here's a pic of mine (its between the plow blade and the Camaro)

Dadnatron · Mar 17, 2017

I'm not sure about total utility, but if all you are doing is cutting pieces for subsequent fabrication, have you looked at purchasing a Cold Cut saw? I've been hearing more and more people moving away from the 'slow-a$$ed' bandsaw in favor of one. I have neither at this point, but in looking, I was leaning more towards the Cold cut saw.

BigBlue1 · Mar 17, 2017

Dadnatron said:
I'm not sure about total utility, but if all you are doing is cutting pieces for subsequent fabrication, have you looked at purchasing a Cold Cut saw? I've been hearing more and more people moving away from the 'slow-a$$ed' bandsaw in favor of one. I have neither at this point, but in looking, I was leaning more towards the Cold cut saw.

I thought cold saws were very expensive?

Rob

tman1020 · Mar 17, 2017

I just went through the same thing as you and I decided to go with a quality porta band. I bought the DEWALT one. I considered cordless but decided to go with the corded one because it has a larger capacity I never have to worry about batteries been dead. I didn't want to buy a cheap saw because every time I buy a cheap tool I'm disappointed down the road. Parts are difficult to find blades are difficult to find an often they're just junk. I don't member exactly what I paid but I think it was a pretty good price for the versatility it gives me.

Turbys_1700 · Mar 17, 2017

I inherited my dad's old Buffalo Tools 4x6 band saw and use it regularly to cut steel. Couple years ago I purchased a cheap cold cut saw from Harbor Freight and it works well also. Would not want to use it in a production environment though. I also inherited my dad's old Milwaukee portable band saw. I had to replace the rubber drive belts. It is a great unit. With those three tools and my cutting torch I am good to go.

That unit you posted would serve you well. Not a lot of difference in many of those units. Just branded differently.

PJSprog · Mar 17, 2017

Turbys_1700 said:
I inherited my dad's old Buffalo Tools 4x6 band saw and use it regularly to cut steel.

My Wife worked for Buffalo Tools back when they were still in downtown St. Louis. She got a bunch of stuff for her Grandfather to use around the farm, including a band saw that was out in the barn until last Spring, when her Uncle made off with it. Wish we still had it now, as I have a project on the horizon for this summer and will need a saw to cut square tube.

Kyle_in_Tex · Mar 17, 2017

Almost any electric bandsaw is better than a hacksaw. There are 2 things that are important about bandsaws that differentiate them from lesser units.
Blade size, a 1" blade will cut straighter and last longer if it has a working Hydraulic downfeed to keep it from hitting the teeth hard on a material's edge.

Coolant is great for helping the blade last, but if you are going to turn around and weld something, it is better to not have oily coolant on it. So just cut it dry.

That being said, the unit you are looking at will probably serve your purpose well.

scdeerslayer · Mar 17, 2017

I say get it. My dad bought a cheap one from harbor freight probably 15 years ago and we've been using it since. The stand is crappy and it can be tough to get it lined up with where you want to cut but it works fine for us. Yes, it can be very slow, but you can start the cut, then do other prep work or welding (or go get lunch) while it's cutting.

BigBlue1 · Mar 17, 2017

It was mentioned above that a lot of these products are pretty much the same unit just rebadged. I'm seeing that as true. I also noticed that when looking at bench grinders and belt/disc sanders. Seems like a lot of companies contract with what must be a limited number of Chinese manufacturers to buy their product and offer it under their own brand. This 'Klutch' saw actually looks very close to Grizzly's entry level metal bandsaw. My dad has a wood workshop full of Grizzly tools that have treated him well so I may check into getting the Grizzly version as long as it isn't too much more expensive.

I fully understand that the better quality you buy and the higher-end versions you get the better your results will be. But at the point I'm at I think a band saw like this one will be worlds ahead of me trying to cut things freehand with a angle grinder or a sawzall/jigsaw. I hate, hate, hate it when I can't get nice straight cuts in metal. Though an entry level band saw like this won't be perfection it will be an order of magnitude more consistent and accurate.

Thanks,
Rob