A good way for cutting angles...

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Wanted to find out what everyone's using for precise cuts (ie:saws rather than torch/plasma cutters)?  Ive got my grinder and a miter saw.  Ive been hearing about portable metal band saws?ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:I have a 7" x 12" heavy duty bandsaw and I love it. No sparks, mess, and airborn dirt to breath when cutting. Also you set it and let it cut while doing other things. I used a chop saw for years and never again except when portability is an issue.  Also the band saw I have has the ability to stand straight up and a small working table amounts to the upright part so you can cut steel like a wood bandsaw. Harbor freight carry one very similar to the one I have, item # 34272-6VGA. I will never look back now and recommend one very highly. If you get one be sure to post your thought on it.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:As jamlit said, I also prefer my horizontal band saw. Less mess and you don't have to be at the machine guiding and watching it. For quick cuts I still use my chop saw alot. I cut alot of thick wall stainless tube for one of the parts I produce. So the bandsaw is the tool of choice there. No slag or burs left and it waste less material with the cut. We all know stainless isn't cheap.I hope to pick up a Dake cold saw this year too.Patriot Performance AutoLincoln Power Mig 255CLincoln AC-225 StickVictor Journeyman O/AQuincy QT-5 Compressor
Reply:Originally Posted by jamlitI will never look back now and recommend one very highly. If you get one be sure to post your thought on it.
Reply:I vote for the Horz BandSaw.  They are great for being able to "set-it-and-forget-it" and they can handle mutiple pieces. Unfortunetly, I don't have room for one in my current 1/2 garage/shop at home.I made some quick wooden prototype jigs (L&R) for cutting an accurate 45* angle with plasma that worked well. I plan to make them out of metal for future use. I just gave the parts a quick clean up the on the belt sander.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick MoranI vote for the Horz BandSaw.  They are great for being able to "set-it-and-forget-it" and they can handle mutiple pieces. Unfortunetly, I don't have room for one in my current 1/2 garage/shop at home.I made some quick wooden prototype jigs (L&R) for cutting an accurate 45* angle with plasma that worked well. I plan to make them out of metal for future use. I just gave the parts a quick clean up the on the belt sander.
Reply:Porta-band types are a little tough to hold on track for angled cuts. It can be done, yes, and on some occassions they work great. Overall they wouldn't be my choice.
Reply:MetalBob- I'll try to take some pics this weekend and maybe get them posted next week.  As I said, they are just rough prototype jigging consisting of blocks of wood on a 45* angle to clamp on and use as a guide.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:I made one out of metal for the bandsaw, its just a little 45 45 90 triangle I cut using a plasma of all things.  I used the inside cutout of a carpenters square as my guide, ground it smooth, mounted it to a couple of pieces of small angle iron and clamp it down.  Ive since gotten a nice stationary bandsaw, but the jig works.  (with a bandsaw, the blade will bind on the material since the fence is at a 90 deg.  I worked without one, it can be done, its just takes a little more effort and isnt as precise).Heres an old pic. Attached ImagesLast edited by Doolittle; 01-20-2007 at 12:16 AM.Various GrindersVictor Journeyman torch200cf Acet. 250cf oxygenLincoln 175 plus/alpha2 gunLincoln v205t tigLincoln 350mpEsab 650 plasmaWhen you can get up in the morning, Its a good day.Live each day like its your last.
Reply:Here is the part number from harbor freight that is just like my bandsaw and a picutre of one just like mine. I need to get some new pictures of the shop soon. I use a plasma cutter sometime for certain cuts as Rick Moran mentioned above but I havn't a good dust remover yet and I find it makes allot of black dust everywhere. 34272-6VGA Attached ImagesMiller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:Nice jig Dolittle.  That makes the bandsaw a nice method for quick cuts & it's portable too.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:I use the Makita 12" cold saw in our shop. We have three in our shop they cut so fast there is no need to go do anything else. We also have a large band for big stuff we hardly ever use it. There is no dust with the cold saw, but sharp hot chips...fun for everyone."If you live in Sacramento you have seen my work."