Subject: Advice on bandsaw or cutoff saw sought

From: [email-masked] (Vance Bass)
Date: Tue, 30 Jul 1996 16:13:28 GMT

I'm still working (slowly) on getting a shop set up, and now it
appears that the next piece of large equipment should be a bandsaw or
cutoff saw.  The range of choices is large, though, and the prices for
those machines go from $300 to $6000.  Needless to say, I'm confused.

I will be working with bar materials of less than 2 or 2.5 inches, and
pipe of less than 3 inches (1:20 scale locomotive materials).

I would like to hear advice and experiences with sizes, types, etc.
Do I want a horizontal or vertical?  Is automatic feed a must? 
Could I get by with a cutoff saw for this type of work?  Thanks for
any and all words of wisdom.

regards,
  -vance-

Vance Bass                
Small-scale live steam homepage at http://www.indirect.com/www/vrbass
=====================================
The steam locomotive teaches us that the railway age was a totally
viable and a civilised alternative to the hideous consequences of
basing national economies on road transportation.  -- Colin Garratt

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From: [email-masked] (Philip Duclos)
Date: 30 Jul 1996 23:27:38 GMT

I bought a power hacksaw at the local school district auction a few weeks
ago. Didn't pay too much. Nobody seemed to want it. It needs a
few new bronze bushings, a single phase motor, a belt and a blade. Although
light enough to move around, it is built like the proverbial brick s***house.
I saw a lighter duty model a few years ago at a flea market and didn't buy it.
I regretted that decision. Not any more.

BTW, some vertical bandsaws (LARGE) went for $900. Don't know the condition...

Phil Duclos

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From: [email-masked] (James Wilkins)
Date: 31 Jul 1996 12:43:54 GMT

> (Needs) bandsaw or cutoff saw (for) bar materials of less than 2 or 2.5
inches, and pipe of less than 3 inches (1:20 scale locomotive materials).
> Could I get by with a cutoff saw for this type of work?  

   I couldn't decide so I got one of each, the $149 Enco cutoff saw and a
used Delta (resembles Enco) horizontal bandsaw. Both do a good job on 1/8"
- 1" mild steel. 

   The cutoff saw will cut hard material, such as lathe bits for boring
bar cutters. It will cut thinwalled tubing that the bandsaw would catch
on, but so will a 32 TPI hacksaw. The abrasive blade that came with it
doesn't seem to work on steel wider than about an inch or so without more
pressure than I want to apply.  The shower of incandescent sparks is a
fire hazard indoors.  When not in use, it takes up shelf space, not floor
space. 

   The bandsaw is better for heavy stock and nonferrous material like
brass and aluminum. The saw takes a while but it takes its time, not
yours. It also cuts curves, like loco frame rails, and is a fairly decent
general-purpose wood saw. Some people have reported a lot of trouble with
this type of bandsaw.

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From: [email-masked] (James Wilkins)
Date: 2 Aug 1996 20:58:50 GMT

> It helps if one views it as a semi-finished kit of parts.  

Good comment.  Low end imported stuff is OK if you are comfortable buying
old, broken equipment and repairing it.  Don't buy it if you expect
everything to work.  At least the imported machinery isn't caked with
congealed lard oil.