torch, plasma or bandsaw

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alright...so i i just picked up a miller 212 mig and i dont have a cutting rig except for a angle grinder and zip cuts which just isnt gunna cut it (no pun intended) so im trying to figure out whats going to suit my needs the best as im a student, just starting up and dont have the money to buy more then one of the above. right now im going to be doing mostly 4x4 fab building bumpers, sliders maybe a cage or 2 and also carts as well as other odds and sodds for around the carpentry shop that my dad has. i can get a new air liqued light/medium duty torch for 250 and then a oxy bottle and propane tip is extra...thoughts?
Reply:Each has its own purpose with the bandsaw being the most versatile and cheapest. If you can get an O/A, that is good for heating and cutting thick steel.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:The plasma is out for what you mentioned. The $$$ is the most and not the best for cutting tubing.  They work very nice for plate and flat (for a budget a jig say does also)First tool I got was a horizontal band saw and I have been very happy with it.  It's only down fide is it is the slowest way to cut things.  But it can cut all materials. If you are only going to be doing mild steel I would look into a dry cut saw, they are also nice...http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=13811Me!
Reply:When you're limited to only one it's a simple choice for me. A/O allows you to CUT your stock, PREHEAT heavier materials, BEND and SHAPE heavier materials. Which of the other mentioned tools will do all that ?Anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT
Reply:if your doing bumpers and sliders, a vertical/horizontal bandsaw will be great.  Your angle grinder can cut flat stock and the bandsaw can cut round and squ tube, make miter cuts, ect.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:I would get the bandsaw first and maybe the cheap tube notcher from Harbor freight. That should cover you for the best start up in the projects you mentioned. O/A or plasma would be next. I got the plasma over the O/A.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:alright guys thanks for the input i think im going to try to keep my eyes open for a used metal bandsaw and start with that as it will be a bit friendlier in the carpentry shop my dad operates-lots of sparks+sawdust=realy realy bad-until i can get my hands on one at least school is starting next week and i can always use the schools equipment because they have all 3.thanks guys
Reply:Originally Posted by yotawheeleralright guys thanks for the input i think im going to try to keep my eyes open for a used metal bandsaw and start with that as it will be a bit friendlier in the carpentry shop my dad operates-lots of sparks+sawdust=realy realy bad-until i can get my hands on one at least school is starting next week and i can always use the schools equipment because they have all 3.thanks guys
Reply:If I were to pick one tool for bumpers and such??? Sawzall, hands down. A bandsaw is nice, but the minute you have to cut on the truck, the bandsaw is OUT. The plasma is a much better cutter than O/A, and better than a saw, but you need a compressor as well. Olddad has a great point, the O/A torch is a good deal, and very versitale. Only bummer is cuts tend to be a little ragged compared to saws.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Originally Posted by yotawheelerlots of sparks+sawdust=realy realy bad
Reply:I bought a 9" Jet horizontal bandsaw that also works in the vertical position.  It has been a great machine and is very versitle.  Expect to pay around $900 for one of these though.  Now, to get my jobs to a point where I could buy that saw with cash, I started with an abrasive chop-saw from Home depot.  I was able to cut all kinds of steel and stainless tubing.  You can do many angles too if you get creative with the clamping.  And it cost $99.  Good luck-
Reply:Want to show you a picture of a hacksaw I made from scrap steel, can cut solid steel with an accuracy of 35/thousandths, slightly thinner than a dime, solid steel no problem, tubing I have been having some trouble with after I accidentally walked into the front of but don't want to hijak your thread to post questions about,will start another thread,cost about $150.00 and gained a ton of fab info, it was worth it for the education and picture of homebuilt cutoff saw diagram, absolutely I would make one of these with a 1 horsepower motor and 14' abrasive disc or cold saw blade but you would need lubrication for cold saw blade but would have tons of power, very simple to make, thing is we all are going through renaissance, recycle it.Go for it. And you need torches best bet may be get yourself a small patio propane tank and a 20 cu oxygen tank, and go to your LWS and get some used gauges and torches until you can afford better or just take out a lease like everyone else. Attached Images
Reply:Good post and pics, super super old thread though. Repost it in pics and projects area
Reply:I'm going to side w/ the O/A bunch. The chop saw does most of the cutting for me if the iron will fit it. Then the torch comes into play. I use the sawzall for long straight cuts on 1/8" thickness or less to prevent warpage. Anything thicker the torch does it. I realize you have to work in Dad's shop right now, but are you going to be welding in his shop for many years? If you watch craig's list, there's usually an occasional Victor set for $150 or a little less w/o the tanks. If you're going to be cutting mostly tubing, then the bandsaw is the way to go. It's your cow, so ya gotta figure how you're gonna milk 'er!!                                         MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:A dry (cold) cut caw will sit on a shelf, out of the way, until you need it.  Then it makes very clean cuts in anything you throw at it.  Band saws are nice, but they're finicky (especially the cheap ones) and they take up a lot of shop space.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Guys, this thread is 2  1/2 years old. I hope he has made up his mind by now, or maybe bought all three.
Reply:Ya hmmm... nice to see someones on the ball....haha.. was looking through old posts while waiting for current posts to load and got them mixed up.Will load pics to my homebrew hacksaw project I'd like those engineering types have a look at later this week I'll post the info in projects and a dirt cheap 1" sander/grinder....
Reply:Old thread, but I just have to say that since going out on my own, I miss having a bandsaw the most.  Quiet, clean, accurate angles, no sparks.  I have a plasma, oxy/propane, and plasma, but would prolly trade any of the three for a good bandsaw.My name's not Jim....
Reply:I have all three and do not want to part with any of them.  The bandsaw sees the most use for my purposes, while the oxy/acetylene is used more for heating than cutting in my use.  I also use cutoff wheels in an angle grinder and a small cold saw sometimes.  Even though the bandsaw is the cutting tool that I use most often, I would choose the oxy/acetylene setup if I could only have one of the the three.  It will not only cut but it will weld, braze, and heat.Larry "I feel for the man who cannot spell a word more than one way."  by Mark TwainLincoln AC225-SLincoln Weldpac 100 Miller Matic 180 (auto set)Miller Spectrum 375 ExtremeMiller Spoolmate 100Victor Super Range II
Reply:well...you know i did make a decision on this a long time ago but thought i should update this i guess. i sold off my MM212 probably about 6 months after i started this tread because i picked up a MM251 and a 12" bandsaw used for a good price. band saw is cheap offshore POS but it works for the amount of use it gets. i got a oxy/fuel system for my 19th b-day and i just picked up a used hypertherm powermax 1000 off a buddy....all in all i have been the most excited about the plasma cutter. the torch is $$$$ to run and seems like im always filling bottles, the bandsaw is useless when im doing plate work. picked up the plasma just before x-mas and used it to build this with my brother in law was really impressed with cut quality and cut speed.