Hobbyist metal saw (<$500) recommendations please!

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I am a beginning hobbyist welder who is in need of a better method of cutting metal. I do have a Miller Plasma machine, but I need something for precise cuts on steel and aluminum.  Currently I am using an old, converted Hitachi wood 12" chop saw with a metal blade in it.  It does OK for light gauge 90 degree cuts, but anything else not so much.  Because it was originally a wood saw, the blade spins too fast for metal. I recently attempted to build a welding cart out of 1/8" x 1 1/4" angle steel using the Hitachi, and the 45 degree corner cuts were pretty crappy especially when I needed to trim just a bit off the ends. I would like to stay under $500 if possible and I have limited room in my garage shop.I think my options are either a band saw similar to one of these:http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5543_200365543http://www.harborfreight.com/horizon...saw-93762.htmlElse a dry chop saw like one of these:http://www.lowes.com/pd_108921-29990...cagpspn=pla%22http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...6857_200326857I was hoping to find a deal on a wet/cold metal chop saw, but the cheapest one I could find was over $1000.For getting the most bang-for-the-buck, what would be the smartest investment in a versatile metal saw?  I doubt that I will need to cut anything thicker than 1/2".  Finally, it would stay in my shop so portability is really not a concern.  Thanks.
Reply:Go with the band saw.
Reply:go with the northern one. i have tried a bunch the ones where the blade swivels instead of the work piece are much better.
Reply:I have had this for 5 years and its still kicking and cutting good.  I used in my custom shop heavily for large metal and tubing.  Get a good quality blade.As long as you keep it clean and care for it...it will last.http://www.harborfreight.com/horizon...saw-93762.html
Reply:I had an older version of the northern bandsaw for a while. It actually worked good and cut straight once I got a real blade in it. Didn't last tho, the gear box went bad. It was a direct drive tho, not the belt drive like in the pic.
Reply:It looks like members prefer band saws.Since I don't know, what is the issue with the 14" circular saws that make the band saw cuts so much better?
Reply:I personal think shop equipment should be purchased in this order:TorchGrinderWelderChop sawThen everything else is tertiary.  Chop saws are so versatile.  Most importantly you can bring them to the work. Bandsaws are nice ,but a chop saw is more important.Farmer2Hobart Champion EliteMiller S-32p 12Lincoln sp175tLincoln 225 ac tombstoneHarris oxy/aceteleneMakita grinders/chopsawHypertherm Powermax 45
Reply:I use my old import style bandsaw way more than that dust and spark spewing 14" Dewalt thats sitting in the corner. Like already stated a good fine tooth blade is a necessity. Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk
Reply:Hobby guy ? Shop not big enough for 20 footers ? You cant cut sheet with a bandsaw or chopsaw.Milwaukee 8 inch circle saw and an abrasive saw for little angles, tubing and crap. I cut my stuff in half while it's still on the truck using the dunnage as a bench.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:I have the horrible freight 4x6 bandsaw. It took some monkeying to get it right but it works fine for me, a lowly home garage Bed Frame Welder (TM).  The original blade broke quickly but an Olson blade is on it now and it cuts great and pretty damn straight.  I went with the HF because it was under $200 out the door with an extended warranty.  Of course, wrestling that mofo in the dark putting it together really is a bit of a challenge (heavy and awkward), the base and wheels are flimsy, and you must have some patience to set it up so it cuts straight.The Northern Tool looks like it is worth the extra money if it's in your budget.  Or a used Jet can be got for under $500.I like the bandsaw because it's quiet, no sparks and you can use it vertically to cut curves if you want to.EDIT - I have a bosch jigsaw that cuts sheet metal really nicely and a metal blade on a milwaukee circ saw but it is LOUD.Last edited by RodJ; 02-26-2014 at 06:00 PM.
Reply:Chucke2009(Lanse is his name on here) did a review for the Northern Dry Cut saw. It looks pretty good and the price isnt bad. Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkLincoln Pro Mig 180HF Stick/Tig Inverter WelderLincoln AC225s
Reply:I like a band so too. It's nice to set up the cut, turn saw on, and do something else while it's cutting . I have the HF 4x6 saw for about 5 years now. First thing to do is make a real stand for it. It just won't die ! It cuts dam near perfect. Quality blade is the answer. I have chop saws, a Rage 2, and a HF metal cutting circular saw and really like the band saw. Each one has it's specific use. Have you looked at a Baileigh ?  $ 595.00http://metal.baileighindustrial.com/band-saw-bs-128m The Northern one is similar , however the Baileigh has a 3/4 HP motor and weighs 319 pounds while the Northern is only a 1/3 HP and weighs 226. Blade speeds are close.What's your location ? Do you have craigs list ? I always check there for equipment. I did get some great deals there.
Reply:I bought the HF ban saw because it was on sale and I got it with a 25 percent coupon off, out the door just under $100 six or seven years ago. It's not my most used or most expensive piece of equipment but if it dies tomorrow I will be on my way to buy another one. I have a number of chop saws that are loud and through crap all over the shop, the HF ban saw is quiet and that's how I like it. Be sure to use good quality blades.Do regular maintenance on it and don't try to use it for something it wasn't designed for and it will last a long time.
Reply:I keep reading "good quality blades", care to mention a brand name or two?
Reply:Morse makes excellent blades, in Ohio no less.  I've actually found good morse blades(for a portaband) for sale in Harbor Freight.  You can also get them online for a reasonable price.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Originally Posted by LuMaxI keep reading "good quality blades", care to mention a brand name or two?
Reply:Olson bimetal blade is what I use.  Cuts fast and straight.  I would have picked up any of the "good brands" such as Starrett or Morse, but the Olson was on the shelf at the Ace Hardware on a Sunday.  Got home with it and decided to install it once the original chinese HF blade broke.  Didn't take long... less than 10 minutes of run time and sproing!Case closed.  Don't overthink it. Get several in different tpi range for what you plan to cut.
Reply:Well I made a decision and brought home a HF band saw using a 20% discount coupon for the purchase.The first container the HF guy wheeled out of the back of the store had a corner smashed in, so I had him retrieve a different one without a damaged box. It went together smoothly but did require lots of minor tweaking. I think I am going to add a couple of braces to the leg bottoms just to make them a bit sturdier. The top surface had a thick, crusty coating on it (varnish or shellac?) which I carefully removed, and with the help of my fattest file and some alcohol (not the drinking kind), I managed to get the top surface clean and flat as possible. I also coated it with heavy oil once I finished. I gave the two clamping parts the same treatment.I spotted the blade pictured below at HF, am going to give it a try while I am waiting for my Olson blade to arrive. It says "Made in USA", will let you know how it works out. Got it for 20% off also.Thanks for the help, information and advice!
Reply:I bought my HF 4x6 back about 2000 or so when I first started putting a shop together after over a decade of moving around and "making do".  It's been with me ever since, with more than a few upgrades along the way.  But it's been a real work horse.  Using it I built a rock-crawler buggy, a number of fences and gates, heavy shelving and storage units for my shop, and any number of other projects.  Probably one of the most used tools in my shop.  I now have other band saws, plasma, and other means of cutting, but the trusty 4x6 still occupies a primary position in my shop and it's a rare week that I don't use it for something.  These days I mostly keep it fitted with a fine multi-pitch Lenox bi-metal blade and use it for cutting a lot of long structural steel material.  The larger Wells is fitted with a coarser Lenox bi-metal blade for larger cross section plate, strap and solid stock.  And most recently my big Roll-In 20" vertical handles all the, well, vertical work.  But even in the name of diminishing floor space, I can't bring myself to part with the 4x6.Bottom line, if I got divorced and lost it all, one of the first tools I would buy starting over, if I couldn't find a smoking deal fast, it would be another HF 4x6.
Reply:I think you will be happy. Just make yourself a upgrade stand for it. Besides being flimsy it was too low for me. I made mine higher with wheels ,two fixed and two swivel.    I was using Starret blades that a buddy got from Grainger. I was at Farm and Fleet and they had some on sale. MADE IN USA by R@D Systems LTD,P.O. Box 158, Ashippun, Wi. 53003. Best part is they were only $8.39 EACH. Bought one to try and was pleased so next trip bought more. http://www.farmandfleet.com/products...saw-blade.html