BandSaw or chop saw?

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I can't afford a oxy torch or a plasma cutter yet so in the meantime, Do you guys recomend a chop saw or a band saw? Eaither one will be like a pawnshop/harbor freight spechial for now... untill I can buy better.Edit: I can afford one but wife won't let me, LolLast edited by bkivi99; 08-27-2011 at 01:53 AM.
Reply:It really depends on whether you do work mostly on the bench, or do you do more mobile cuts? ie cutting on a truck chassis, bumpers, etc. Or, are you just cutting stock on a bench for building. If I had one choice, it's a sawzall. Next would be the porta band. Next is the bandsaw, and then the chopsaw last.  But, if you are cutting say 2" sq. tube for project after project, then the chopsaw makes perfect sense.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:i do all my stuff in the garage, largest material i mess with is probably 2x3inch tubing.. i like a horizontal band saw, its quieter, doesnt blow hot sparks all over the place like a chop saw, it isnt loud like a chop saw, and doesnt stink like a chopsaw..  a horizontal band saw is slower than a chop saw.. i just start a cut and go do something else. i also like the mitre cuts of a horizontal band saw better than a chopsaw..tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Cold cut or if you go cheap bandsaw make sure it has at least 1/2hp motor, or get yourself a 4.5inch grinder and a handful of walter zip cut discs.
Reply:To do torch cut up type work, you can cut a lot of materials with a 4 1/2" angle grinder and cut off wheel.  You can get into one for $10.  Or spend $80-100 and get a keeper.  You'll change a few discs to cut through heavier materials but when you're done switch to a sanding pad to cleanup.  You'll need a grinder sooner or later anyhow.
Reply:chopsaw is noisy, dirty, more dangerous and will go through more blades...unless strictly into a high production environment no point at all...a sawzall is a good choice for the "other"types of cuts..stuff ypu cant bring tothe saw..hf sells both real cheap. throw away the stock blade and .use good bimetal blades..
Reply:yea, why not just go with an angle grinder for now.  Easy on the budget and pretty versatile.
Reply:angle grinder is a good idea, but most people tend to use a good bit of pressure to cut with cut off wheels and not let the wheel do the work which causes them to wear. I get my 6in cut off discs for free, but they can be 2-5 bucks a pop at the store, so you can spend a decent buck in blades alone.ESAB MigMaster 275Miller Econotwin HFMiller Syncrowave 250
Reply:X2 with Brucer.
Reply:I'd go for the bandsaw!I was thinking to myself the other day how new tools make other tools sit in the cabinet.My first like many was just a plain hack saw. I picked up a milwaukee sawzal and never used a hack saw again. Later down the road I picked up a chop saw because I started doing production runs and wanted strait fast repeatable cuts, barely used the sawzal after getting the chop saw.  A little while later I picked up a portable milwaukee bandsaw and guess what, never used the sawzal or chop saw any more.  Just a few years ago I picked up a 7x12 horizontal bandsaw and same thing happened and is continuing yet today. I don't use  a hacksaw, sawzal, chop saw, or the portable bandsaw any more. My number 1 cutting tool that gets used every single day and is preferred over all the other options is the 7x12 bandsaw! Nice strait cuts (or angled if desired), no slage, cheap, cuts anything fast and easy, can set up a cut and walk away, and it is quiet!Only other tool I would consider and its only because I don't have one is a cold saw and I can't think of any situation I would need one over the bandsaw.
Reply:I have both. I have not used the chop saw in years. The HF band saw is great once you dial it in an make a stronger base for it.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTMy first like many was just a plain hack saw. I picked up a milwaukee sawzal and never used a hack saw again. Later down the road I picked up a chop saw because I started doing production runs and wanted strait fast repeatable cuts, barely used the sawzal after getting the chop saw.  A little while later I picked up a portable milwaukee bandsaw and guess what, never used the sawzal or chop saw any more.  Just a few years ago I picked up a 7x12 horizontal bandsaw and same thing happened and is continuing yet today. I don't use  a hacksaw, sawzal, chop saw, or the portable bandsaw any more. My number 1 cutting tool that gets used every single day and is preferred over all the other options is the 7x12 bandsaw! Nice strait cuts (or angled if desired), no slage, cheap, cuts anything fast and easy, can set up a cut and walk away, and it is quiet!
Reply:I agree that all of them come in handy at one time or another.  But if you just get one, I'd get the HF portaband.  Sixty-odd bucks with a coupon.  Portable.  (Relatively) quiet.Here's my home hobbyist perspective.  A cold-cut saw like the Milwaukee 6190-20 or an Evolution is the most useful kind of chop saw, in my opinion.  A circular saw with a metal cutting blade is gread for long straight cuts.  Chop saws with abrasive blades are pain, and most of those cuts can be done with an angle grinder.  I never use my Oxy-AC setup.  A plasma is an expensive toy I'd use once or twice.  A horizontal band saw is great, but it eats up a lot of floor space.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:For me....horizontal band saw wins hands down.  Use it all the time and love it.  Plan on replacing the chicom wheels/casters (feet) with a better set.Miller 211 w/ spool gunMiller Dynasty 200DXLongevity 60i IGBT plasmaO/A w/ crappy chinese torch/gaugesSouth Bend 10K latheGrizzly 4029 10x54 millGrizzly 7x12 hor bandsawangle grnders, bench grnder, bench belt sndr7.5 hp 80gal cmprsor
Reply:like a lot of folks here, i have stepped up though the ranks of cutting tools. hack saws, saws alls, die grinders with cut off disks, side grinders with disks, 2 abrasive chop saws, 3 torch setups, kalamzoo band saw, 14" cold cut saw, and 2 plasmas. the ones that are used daily, in order of amount is the cold cut, plasmas, torch's for multiple uses. the rest either wait a long time in the tool box for their turn or sit in a corner in semi retirement. i have tried but never owned a porta band and doubt i ever will as long as there are other tools to buy.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Originally Posted by bkivi99I can't afford a oxy torch or a plasma cutter yet so in the meantime, Do you guys recomend a chop saw or a band saw? Eaither one will be like a pawnshop/harbor freight spechial for now... untill I can buy better.Edit: I can afford one but wife won't let me, Lol
Reply:Cold cut Chop saw.Evolution Rage 2.. $235 of pure awesome. No sparks just some kerf to clean up.cuts 10 times faster than the bandsaw.
Reply:Originally Posted by ReebsI have both. I have not used the chop saw in years. The HF band saw is great once you dial it in an make a stronger base for it.
Reply:There is a Yahoo discussion group devoted to the Harbor Freight (and similar) 4x6 bandsaws.  Lots of tips and accumulated wisdom.  Not the easiest thing to navigate, though.http://groups.yahoo.com/group/4x6bandsaw/Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Whoever designed yahoo groups is messed in the head. It's so hard to figure out and should have never made it past the design stage.This is the one I bought.http://www.harborfreight.com/portabl...saw-47840.htmlEdit: I found this.http://forum.weldingtipsandtricks.co...php?f=9&t=1417Last edited by Gamble; 08-27-2011 at 11:16 PM.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Not a fan of the chop saw, I have a Horizontal bandsaw, I also have the Milwaukee pora band,  around $300 new or $150 used. I really like the porta band and if I could only have 1 I would take it over the larger stationary band saw."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Thanks for all the info! By the way I should have put that in the first post, I do have a 4 1/2 inch angle grinder already but I go through alot of cut off wheels and im sick of it. I think i will go with the band saw... I like the set up hit button and forget until its done. I also rent so less noise would be better.
Reply:You will be very pleased with the bandsaw!I picked up my 7x12 at auction for $200 bones.
Reply:evolution DRY saw (not cold - cold is low RPM w/ coolant).  Dry is a carbide tipped blade, hot is an abrasive.  I use my angle grinder w/ a cutoff wheel for most small stuff and the chop saw works awesome for everything else up until I get out the oxy setup.  It's best for repeatable production style cuts but I use mine instead of a bandsaw (takes up less room and it's faster) and have good results even on mitered cuts.  It is very loud though - comparable to an angle grinder w/ cutoff wheel - but it's WAY faster.Millermatic 135Syncrowave 250
Reply:Also-  I like the chop saw WAY better than the protaband (I even have a stand for mine turning it into a horizontal band saw) and way way way better than a sawzall!  They both have their place, but not for cutting fast or making real nice cuts for fabrication.  They're perfect for demo or cutting something off a car/truck/tractor/etc.Millermatic 135Syncrowave 250I bought this evo rage 3 and put it on a porter cable folding stand with wheels so i could stand it up in a corner when not in useBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Originally Posted by bkivi99I can't afford a oxy torch or a plasma cutter yet so in the meantime, Do you guys recomend a chop saw or a band saw? Eaither one will be like a pawnshop/harbor freight spechial for now... untill I can buy better. Edit: I can afford one but wife won't let me, Lol
Reply:i just yesterday had to cut some 2 1/2" mandrel bend exhaust pipe. due to the shape,i couldn't clamp it in a chop saw or my rage 3. remembered that i had bought a 7 1/4" metal cutting blade from hf a year ago and never used it. put the blade on my skilsaw,clamped the pipe in a bench vise and it sliced like butter.'miller thunderbolt 250vlincoln square wave tig 175 prolincoln idealarc mig sp250everlast tig 210EXTeverlast power plasma 50chicago electric (hf) 130 tig/90 arcchicago electric 90 amp flux wire3 sets oxy/acet
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenI agree that all of them come in handy at one time or another.  But if you just get one, I'd get the HF portaband.  Sixty-odd bucks with a coupon.  Portable.  (Relatively) quiet.Here's my home hobbyist perspective.  A cold-cut saw like the Milwaukee 6190-20 or an Evolution is the most useful kind of chop saw, in my opinion.  A circular saw with a metal cutting blade is gread for long straight cuts.  Chop saws with abrasive blades are pain, and most of those cuts can be done with an angle grinder.  I never use my Oxy-AC setup.  A plasma is an expensive toy I'd use once or twice.  A horizontal band saw is great, but it eats up a lot of floor space.
Reply:The best choice depends on what you'll be cutting.  I've a chop saw, a 4x6 bandsaw, a HF portaband and a Hypertherm plasma.  For light gauge mild steel miters and other crosscuts the bandsaw is my preference for accuracy and finish.  I made a table for the bandsaw in it's upright position and use it for longish cuts when warpage prevention is important.  I use the plasma for long, curved or irregular cuts but the heat input on long cuts on narrow stock (though minimal) leads to warpage that sometimes needs OA flame straightening. I never use the chop saw anymore (but it's a comfort to have it in reserve).So, given your needs, I'd look for a used bandsaw (picked up my ENCO for $150 on CL).ScottMiller XMT 350 CC/CV w/gas solenoid opt.Miller S-22A wirefeederBernard 400A "Q" gunMiller Spoolmatic 30A / WC-24C-K 200A torch/gas lensWeldcraft WC-18 watercooled torchHypertherm Powermax 30Victor O/A
Reply:[QUOTE=bkivi99;546888]I can't afford a oxy torch or a plasma cutter yet so in the meantime, Do you guys recomend a chop saw or a band saw? Eaither one will be like a pawnshop/harbor freight spechial for now... untill I can buy better.Ive got an evolution rage2 chopsaw its loud but cuts fast,also it throws the cut filings all over the place.it does;nt have a good vise.
Reply:[quote=catman;549614] Originally Posted by bkivi99I can't afford a oxy torch or a plasma cutter yet so in the meantime, Do you guys recomend a chop saw or a band saw? Eaither one will be like a pawnshop/harbor freight spechial for now... untill I can buy better.Ive got an evolution rage2 chopsaw its loud but cuts fast,also it throws the cut filings all over the place.it does;nt have a good vise.
Reply:One thing no one has talked about yet is dust and fatigue.Chopsaw and grindercutofwheel are hard on hands and lungs. Do your body afaver and get a bandsaw. when I was younger I didnot think about what was I doing to my self now it is all to real and painfull.
Reply:i cant imagine being without either one        thermal arc 252i  -  millermatic 350P -   miller XMT, cp300ts, 30a 22a feeders, buttload of other millers, handfull of lincolns, couple of esabs  -   Hypertherm 1250 G3
Reply:Originally Posted by Old DougOne thing no one has talked about yet is dust and fatigue.Chopsaw and grindercutofwheel are hard on hands and lungs. Do your body afaver and get a bandsaw. when I was younger I didnot think about what was I doing to my self now it is all to real and painfull.
Reply:Originally Posted by Old DougOne thing no one has talked about yet is dust and fatigue.Chopsaw and grindercutofwheel are hard on hands and lungs. Do your body afaver and get a bandsaw. when I was younger I didnot think about what was I doing to my self now it is all to real and painfull.
Reply:So many ways, if your still developing your skills go with some zip discs, thats all alot of mobile users have, along with the good old cutting torch.I have been looking at some of the HF type chicom bandsaws and alot are woefully underpowered.