bp71k5
3/4 ton status
I’m considering ditching my abrasive chop saw and switching to an horizontal bandsaw. Any reason to keep the chopsaw? It just creates tons of sparks and dust and the disc bends a little and so doesn’t cut very square.
CK5
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Bandsaw VS chopsaw
- Thread starter bp71k5
- Start date
Bandsaw is better.
However, switch to a better blade that isn’t abrasive but actually cold cuts. Much better With no sparks. Less noise. Should let you keep your same saw if you desire
I rarely use my chop saw after the purchase of a horizontal bandsaw.
I owe a lot to my rigid chopsaw, did all my K5 fab with it.. that said, the only time it EVER gets used is when i bring it down to the marina to chop sumfin in a pinch..
i live by my grizzly... fishmouthes, etc, it built my bed...... #coolantfedFTW
i live by my grizzly... fishmouthes, etc, it built my bed...... #coolantfedFTW
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
I thought those evolution blades had to run at a lower speed then a regular chopsaw?
I was impressed by the new dry metal cutting blades when I saw one being used to cut channel iron on a radial arm saw a few months ago..
They are probably pretty pricey though...I too thought they had to be used at lower rpms,but this one seemed to zip right thru the metal at the usual speed a radial arm saw runs at..maybe it'll go dull faster ?.
One of my late friends had a "Central Machinery" metal cutting bandsaw similar to the one pictured above--though it was a low cost unit ,it did a good job cutting thick metals...been a few times I wish he was still around when I had to cut some thick angle iron not long ago--had to use a torch and grind,grind,grind,to make the cut look presentable..and it didn't come out very good..
They are probably pretty pricey though...I too thought they had to be used at lower rpms,but this one seemed to zip right thru the metal at the usual speed a radial arm saw runs at..maybe it'll go dull faster ?.
One of my late friends had a "Central Machinery" metal cutting bandsaw similar to the one pictured above--though it was a low cost unit ,it did a good job cutting thick metals...been a few times I wish he was still around when I had to cut some thick angle iron not long ago--had to use a torch and grind,grind,grind,to make the cut look presentable..and it didn't come out very good..
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
I didn’t quite expect this to be so unanimous.
I think I used a chop saw cutting some cement pavers a number of years ago. But I suppose I could rent one if I ever need one again.
I think I used a chop saw cutting some cement pavers a number of years ago. But I suppose I could rent one if I ever need one again.
I havent used my chop saw in a few years, I find the portaband way better especiallywith the swag table, just cleaner, quieter, and safer. Wish I had a horizontal bandsaw like pictured above.
beags86
Eastbound and Down
I keep my ol' choppy around for certain reasons. But a bandsaw is the way to go. I lucked out and bought one for 100 bucks at an auction. Have been thinking about selling it off and getting a new one. Just cuz.
That’s my setup. The first time I got to use one and saw how much less dust mess and just how much more in control I was, I was sold. I’d love to get a horizontal for bigger pieces but most of my stuff is small enough th swag table does fine
I have the evolution chop saw. It works way better then an abrasive saw and it's still portable, which i's very handy. That said I can't wait till I can get a decent horizontal bandsaw.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
the evolution says it’s rated for ~1400rpm and my chop saw spins way faster than that. Looks like a portaband may be my best bet. I’ve even seen some clever setups on YouTube to convert it to a horizontal saw.
I've seen guys run a dry cut style blade on an abrasive saw. Pretty sketchy and little scary.
I'm need something portable eventually, until then my wife had this old butcher boy with a metal blade.
I have both a portaband, and a horizontal... I'd say the portaband definitely gets used more than just about any other power tool in the shop.
But the horizontal is catching up. Especially since I set it up as a vertical. Both of my saws have done a LOT of work now, and both are cheap ones.
Portaband is the Harbor freight one. I actually have 2 the older one still works fine and is about 10 years old. I got a new one just because they changed design and I liked the drive wheel setup better.
https://www.harborfreight.com/10-Am...Xq0GZ2KvQ9bmV3sX65ezUAU2BQBfjXYBoCaAUQAvD_BwE
The horizontal is the cheap brand WEN. it's on Amazon. And other than a real slight drive shaft oil leak, it's done lots of very accurate cutting for me. .. There was a little initial setting up to do but now all I set is my angle and then cut. That said, I will step up to a better one when this dies, but that may be a while lol.
https://www.amazon.com/WEN-3970T-4-...1&keywords=wen+bandsaw&qid=1580825308&sr=8-30
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
I bought the Wen for use at work and that’s what started this question in my mind. It’s pretty inexpensive but works much nicer than the chop saw.
They do. You can't just buy a carbide blade and put it in a regular chop saw. You have to buy the whole unit with the lower speed to match the blade. My buddy has the evolution basic one and he says it's pretty good and way better than your standard chop saw.
beags86
Eastbound and Down
A high quality cold saw is every bit as good (if not better) then a bandsaw.
The evosaw380 was my first choice, and I went back and forth between that and the WEN bandsaw.
The only reason the bandsaw won was that it was $100 cheaper at the time.
And the ability to turn it into a vertical helped.
But my main concern, and probably a thinking too much one, was that the Evo has sharp 1/8" square chips. And they get all over. The bandsaw has almost a metal powder type filings.... And that seemed less dangerous with the dogs and kids around the shop if I didn't happen to get it all cleaned up
The Evo would be MUCH faster though.
The only reason the bandsaw won was that it was $100 cheaper at the time.
And the ability to turn it into a vertical helped.
But my main concern, and probably a thinking too much one, was that the Evo has sharp 1/8" square chips. And they get all over. The bandsaw has almost a metal powder type filings.... And that seemed less dangerous with the dogs and kids around the shop if I didn't happen to get it all cleaned up
The Evo would be MUCH faster though.
