vertical bandsaw

admin

I'm looking for a small vertical bandsaw to start me off as I don't use it much.  I've been looking at the 14" delta, craftsman, even the northern and harbor freight ones that are made for "wood working" because they are affordable.  I would love the huge "metal" rated saws but I just cannot afford them in my current situation.  My question is....Do the Woodworking saws have the capability to slow them down slow enough to cut metal?  Mainly aluminum in various thicknesses up to 1/4"Have you guys done that or are currently doing that that can give me any pointers?  Hoping for something with at least a 3/4" blade size.Last edited by paulzy; 03-06-2013 at 09:47 PM.
Reply:My wood bandsaws slowest speed is roughly around 1650 feet per minute IIRC. That's a bit on the high side for alum, but doable with the right blade. I've done 1/8" alum on it, but never 1/4", and honestly haven't used that saw since I got my horizontal/vertical bandsaw. 1000 fpm is about right for most alum materials IIRC. The fpm on my horizontal bandsaw is about 80-200 fpm and it has no issues cutting alum at those speeds, but it does take a while..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:This may not be what you are wanting, but take a look at the SWAG OFF-ROAD vertical bandsaw table.  IF you already own a portable band saw:http://www.swagoffroad.com/SWAG-V40-...able_p_63.htmlThey make them for almost all major manufacturers of portabands. It really is a heavily made table that is almost indestructible. You can get a HF pedal that turn on with a step and turns off with another step on the pedal, or a HF pedal that runs the saw as long as you keep pressure on the pedal.http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=GEnMcquGf24Good luck on your search.Last edited by TxDoc; 03-06-2013 at 10:15 PM.TxDoc's Photos Lincoln SP175 PlusLincoln Power Mig 256Lincoln 250 LX Spool Gun Lincoln Precision Tig 225 Hypertherm 600 KMG 2x72 Belt GrinderBaldor 812RE Grinder
Reply:You can cut aluminum to your wood cutting band saw. You just have to get the right blade and speed.PlasmaCam CNC cutterLathe and Band SawClamps
Reply:I have a 1993 vintage 17" woodworking bandsaw I got on the super cheap a few years back.  $125, perfectly workable, just needed a small $3.00 bearing, and some fine tuning.  I will only use it for 16 gauge tubing, or the thinner aluminum like DSW was talking about.  It does about 1700 rpm, and is definitely limited with regard to working with metal.  If you can find one of these used, and aren't trying to make heavy cuts, go for it.  If you can hang with a used horizontal, go for that.  Some of them convert to vertical as well, like the model you see in my signature.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:You might consider adding a jack shaft and cone pulleys to provide speed change options.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Here is a Delta wood saw converted to metal. Jet sells a 3 speed kit: PN 3SP-14. The Jet reduction itself did not slow it down enough, so the 10.5"  pulley was added and cured the problem, hope this helps some.Cheers,Greg Attached Images