Bandsaw swivel head

[Rch]

http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/pages/431.cfm?&site=grizzly (The second picture down)
Have any of you welder/fabricators had any experience with a swivel type bandsaw ( the bottom one on the linked page) This is set up more like a wood miter saw and enables 45 and even 60 degree cuts. I ran across this one on the Grizzly site. Despite a search up to the 50th page of a Google search I could not find another version or brand with this type of set-up. I submit this to the TBN braintrust for experience or other sources of such an animal. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Loges1]

I haven't used a band saw like that, but I used to use a cold saw that the head swiveled on. It had about a 14" blade with a coolant bath, low RPM. The swivel head was nice, because you could set up stationary in feed and out feed rollers.
Now I have one more thing on my "gotta have" list /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[beenthere]

First I have seen one, but the idea behind it is great. As it states, the vise is fixed and the saw angles up to 60 degree. That feature would make cutting angles much easier.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Interesting design on that 4 x 6 swivel head saw!

But unless you are angle cutting long stock all the time, I wonder if the 6.5 x 10 inch saw for an additional $100 wouldn't be the better buy, since it also includes a coolant system.

I have been thinking about replacing my cheap, little 4x6 metal cutting bandsaw and if I do, I will probably go with that 6.5 x 10 inch, and hope to get better blade life [not that that matters much, don't use the saw all that much anyway...]

For cutting angle cuts on long stock though...that angle head sure looks like it would be real nice, doesn't it?

 

[Rch]

Henro, thats a good point ; a 60 degree cut can only be done on up to 2-3/16" wide stock and a 45 degree cut can be only be done on up to 3-5/8" wide stock. I wonder if there is a bigger version with a 10" wide throat that swivels a la miter saw thus allowing wider stock. Like I said, this was the one and only metal bandsaw I found on the web with this configuration /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color="blue"> I wonder if there is a bigger version with a 10" wide throat that swivels a la miter saw thus allowing wider stock. </font>

I don't think Grizzley has one...my new catalog is downstairs and I'm not, but I don't remember seeing another one sold by them.

Happy hunting... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[hfd376]

I have not seen one that small before. I used to work for DoAll, an industrial supply company. Their Continental Machines Co. made a 9x16 swivel head saw. I don't recall the price exactly, but I think it was around $7,000.00. It used a 1 inch band, maybe 158 inches long. It is a great machine, and unless Continental Machines went out of business, parts are still available. Its probably more machine than your looking though, being a production type cut off saw.

Try looking at Jet Equipment, and Wilton Equipment. There were other companies Harbor Freight or Northern, for example that imported small saws like that. Also, do a search for swivel head horizontal band saw. Google came up with alot of hits, mostly larger machines. Your best bet would be a company that imports machine tools.
Doug

 

[mrcaptainbob]

Too much machine???!! Did I read that right???? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif No such thing!!!!

 

[Rch]

Yeah, I need something in the several hundred dollar range. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[hfd376]

Maybe we can match you up to a better machine. What and how much are you planning to cut?
Doug

 

[hfd376]

Well, yeah,thats true. But even used machines in that class were going for 4 grand and up, and thats before rebuilding the wear items. These are generally run ragged before they sell them. For that kind of money, you really need run alot of steel thru them to make'em pay for themselves.
Doug

 

[Rch]

hfd376, I'll be making gizmos such as a people lifter a la Spencer. My current project is http://www.treeterminator.com/terminator2.htm
I would like to be able to cut 45 or even 60 degree angles up to 6" wide stock but 90+% would be 2-3 inch wide stock. Also the piece may be short so there is not much to put in a vise. Little triangles for gussets can be tricky. The Grizzely unit in the origenal post is the one and only I have found in that price range. I suspect it's a Taiwan or, worse China, knock off but I'm not doing production runs. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[hfd376]

You know, in replying to your posts, I looked around at the saws on the web, and I don't think you're going to find a saw much different than the one on the website for the money. Jet and Wilton make saws very much the same for varying prices.

I would stick to one of those for parts availability, and because i think they have a better saw guide system, the heart of good, accurate cuts. If you plan on doing alot of cutting, consider getting a chip blower to help cool the blade and work piece. Liquid coolant systems are great but can be messy and like diesel fuel, micro organisms can grow in the coolant. There are biocides available to control growth, though. Also look into bi-metal blades for extended blade life.

Your next best bet would be to keep an eye out for industrial machine tool auctions. Sometimes there's a deal to be had in a larger, more capable, machine. The smaller saws are like the sub compact tractors. They can do, just not as fast or as much, as a larger saw.

I think for the many projects it sounds as you may have in the works, you may want to up your budget in the future for a bigger saw.

Doug