Metal Chop Saw Vs Band Saw

Me to. Following...

 

I bought a 14" Evolution metal chop saw, carbide blade. Paid under $200.

It changed my life for the better.

Not super quality, but I use it almost every day. Makes projects go much faster, due to having clean square cuts instantly. Wish I'd had one years ago.

 

Every abrasive 14" chop saw I have used blew breakers and last year made me rage quit that POS. I would get a carbide toothed dedicated saw. I have a portable band saw and its ok, but mine doesnt like to cut straight. I did get it used, so I dont know how it was abused.

I have a plasma torch and its amazing, but not amazing for tube at all. Flat sheet type stuff making round holes or plates, its perfect.

For a budget saw, I have used worm drive saws and a carbide metal blade and they work very well... until the metal chips get into the motor... then your budget is blown.

 

I have an old harbor freight 14 inch chop saw and it works great. As 47v6 mentioned above, they do draw a lot of amps on start up, so it’s important to make sure you aren’t running a bunch of other stuff on the same breaker.

 

This!

 

Those are like $350 now. I might just get one for Christmas.

 

Those two types of saws have some different applications. For just cutting stock, an abrasive chop saw is going to be as economical as it gets. The DeWalts seem to hold up ok. HF versions are just smoke machines. A "cold cut" version of the same with a carbide blade is twice as fast and makes a better cut.

The bandsaw like the HF version can be used for a vertical bandsaw also allowing you to cut out irregular shaped stuff. Over the decades, I've worn out one similar ENCO machine. Their limiting value is in the depth of cut but one will still suffice for most automotive work.

 

Have heard good things about the Evolution.
Old Dewalt abrasive chop saw works, but it is messy with all the blade abrasive all over the floor. The Harbor freight band saws work well, but sometimes need some alignment work to be accurate. A porta-band type saw with a stand could be useful. Think I'll try the chop saw with a blade.

Interested to see what works the best.
Need to build a circle cutter for the plasma cutter.


Dave

 

Might be an issue with the speed.

 

I've used both . abrasive chop saws work great . but the smell of the abrasive wheel reminds me of shipyard
and flying sparks could be a issue . best used out doors
Portaband hand held saw . is my go to saw for metal work . been using one for over thirty years . it's clean . and can make some complicated cuts
even seen a guy hang it in a vise . and use it as a small table saw . small sheet metal parts

 

Personally, I like horizontal bandsaw versus abrasive chop saw.

 

I have a milwaukee 14" i run on its own 30a breaker. I use it for pipe and angle iron and whatever else will fit in there. It certainly saves the little cut off wheels. I built it into the work bench with a spark shield and tray underneeth. It makes lots of dust for sure. Open the doors and let the air blow through and hold your breath. I recently aquired some worn out toothed blades. and they definately make less dust but still tons of sparks and more noise. I also recently got a milwaukee porta band it works pretty good but not as conveinient as the chop saw. Good for cutting small pieces out of thick plate which is what iv been mainly using it for. I had a regular 12" band saw with a metal blade it sucked i never used it. A horizontal band saw would certainly be the best if you have the room.

 

I have a dewalt 14" abrasive chop saw I have had for over 20 years and I still hate it.. Haha.. It's loud, messy, starts fires in your shop several feet away (don't ask) and is limited in it's abilities but I have used the crap out of it.. A good (milwaukee, etc..) porta band is vastly better in my opinion..

 

Likewise, I would never use an abrasive wheel again after having a cold carbide cutoff saw.

 

14 years as a Custom Knifemaker I have used a cheap 4x6 vertical/Horizontal bandsaw for 95% of my metal cutting. With a Lenox Bi Metal blade from 10-18 teeth I have cut everything from sage brush wood to Titanium sheet with it. I can cut as tight as a 3" D circle with it I have spend HOURS cutting out Stainless tool steel knife blanks and done it all with a single $22.00 blade. I use my saw in the Vertical position with a small 6" square table bolted to one of the blade guides. NOW if I were cutting 4x6 1/4" wall tubing I might chose another option but this has worked for me.

I recently cut hundreds of piece of aluminum tubing for the Hard top I am making for my Willys jeep. It next to my drill press my most used tool in the shop and I have a very well equipped shop.

 

Yes! The carbide blade versions run a lot lower rpm.

 

What Duffer said about different tools for different jobs. I have a horizontal bandsaw for tube, angle, solid stock, etc. I got it after using an abrasive saw for years which rarely gets used these days. However, I needed to cut a couple axle shafts and all that happened with the bandsaw is the teeth stripped off the blade. Took a while but the abrasive saw did a good job.

 

Just putting this here, lots of work, but maybe something like this

 

A couple of years back I bought a 16" evolution to replace my Dewalt abrasive 'chop' saw - for cleaner cuts and less dust and mess.

Well, I buggered the blade on a small bundle of re-bar I was cutting that chipped out teeth and cost a new carbide blade.
I keep the abrasive for certain work, and have augmented both with a small handheld bandsaw in a Swag Offroad portaband table.
wwwdotswagoffroad.com/products/swag-portaband-pro-table