Metal cutting band saw

admin

Im going to buy a bandsaw next weekend, and ive been looking around and i decided to get the 6-1/2" x 9 1/2" Metal-Cutting Bandsaw from grizzly ind. but my question is does the vise swivle left to right for an angle, the link doesnt say http://www.grizzly.com/products/6-1-...-Bandsaw/G4030just curious if it does is all. would you guys recommend any thing else or is this one a good choice?ive decided to spend the extra cash and go with a bit better quality rather than harbor freight, or maybe its just as good, but i dont want to take chances.thanks, brent
Reply:Yes mate the vice should swivel to alow a angled cut. Most have a angle scale under the grip so you know the angle you're cutting at.Metaltrades.co.uk
Reply:Most all the bandsaws I have seen you used only swivel one way just like a chopsaw. I need to flip the material over if you trying to cut 45 degree's angle you want to mate up. Also that saw is an awsome choice. I have one almost the same and it has been one of my greatest investments.Here is mineMiller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:I'm hoping that saw is made by a different plant than the one that's a little bigger that we bought at Panoz for R&D a few years back in around 2000!  The one we got looks a little different, with a different system of swivelling.  Anyway - it's the most worthless piece of cast iron in the shop!  We have spent hours trying to dial in the blade alignment (using GOOD blades!) and the best we can get is for the blade to stay on with only the slowest cuts - and even then it popps off randomly.  The worst part about it is the upside down loading of the blade.  You have to load the blade up onto the wheels from underneath - and with gravity fighting you it is not a one man job.  Just about everything on the saw has failed at some point or another like the half nut in the vise, blade tensioner, etc.  Several of the castings have broken like the mount brackets for the hydraulic drop cylinder.  It is truly a piece of junk.In contrast there is also a similar sized H.F. Wells at Panoz.  It was acquired used in the early 90's by being left by another company that used the building before Panoz.  It has been used at least 30 times as much since I've been there as the Grizzley and  to this day has never needed a bit of repair, not even and adjustment!  The blade never popps off and nothing has ever broken on it.  The blade loads from the top, and one man can easily replace it.  Sorry - but I had to speak up on this one.  I have used a lot of equipment over the last 20 years and nothing has come close to being as junk as this particular Grizzley product.  I'd look for a good used "Made in America" saw myself.
Reply:Originally Posted by TubularFabSorry - but I had to speak up on this one.  I have used a lot of equipment over the last 20 years and nothing has come close to being as junk as this particular Grizzley product.  I'd look for a good used "Made in America" saw myself.
Reply:I agree that the budget sometimes only allows for import brands of machinery.  In fact, the $2600 Enco (made in CHina) 13 x 48 lathe that they always have on sale is one machine I'd endorse.  We haven't been able to kill one in 12 years of use and abuse.  But the particular Grizzley saw we have is the most worthless tool we've seen...I guess it just boils down to luck of the draw on the import stuff.  Maybe our Grizzley was the worst lemon they produced and that Enco was at the top of the quality scale.  But, I think there are a lot of design issues on the Grizzley - the load from the bottom blade being the worst.  But, like I said in the first post, maybe the saw shown above was made at a different plant or company than the one we have since they are different sizes.  I assume Grizzley imports stuff from different companies and puts their badge on it before selling it.  That's how a lot of the import tools are done.Last edited by TubularFab; 11-24-2007 at 12:02 PM.
Reply:Man thanks for the info guys, really appreciate it.Ill do some more searching around for different brands and see what i can come up with, if not i guess grizzly is the way for me and at that point i guess its luck.thanks again, brent
Reply:This saw isn't as big as the one you're looking at, but the stationary vise/swivelling power head make it much better for cutting angles.  I really like it!http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=11176America Needs AMERICA'S Oil!!!"Global warming is the greatest scam in history ...There is no run away climate change. The impact of humans on climate is not catastrophic. Our planet is not in peril."--John Coleman, Founder of The Weather Channel
Reply:Check this saw out.  http://cgi.ebay.com/Jet-414457-HBS-5...QQcmdZViewItem    I got one of these this summer, after my 1982 bandsaw broke.  It is actually quite strudy.  The swivel mechanism is solid with no play.  The vise is quick release and hold metal flat without tipping when tightened.  The base is a keeper no modification required.  The swivel head is a real time saver.  Construction is very impressive for that class of saw.  The swivel is also a great space saver.  Not real convient to use as a vertical saw since you have to disconnect the hydraulic downfeed. However jet did put some thought into making it convient.  I also don't like the fact the at the blade guard must come off competely in order to install a new blade. While there is only one screw it can be a challenge putting it back on the machine.  I guess it has to come all the way off because there is not much clearance unless the head goes verticle, which it will not unless you disconnect the hydraulics.  The company selling them is in Nashville, TN.  I have no affiliation with the company.  Though, they do make my saw blades.  I would not suggest ordering small blades from them, unless you are local.  I usually inspect mine before leaving their shop and sometimes have them make me one special because of the appearance of the weld.Last edited by tapwelder; 11-24-2007 at 04:46 PM.