Can I get recommendations on the best way to cut 1/8 to 1/4 inche thick slices off of materials like wood and soft metal that are up to 4 inches in diameter?
I'm thinking of getting the smallest bandsaw that would accomodate these sizes,but I don't know much about how accurately I can do this.
Can I get recommendations on the best way to cut 1/8 to 1/4 inche thick slices off of materials like wood and soft metal that are up to 4 inches in diameter?
I'm thinking of getting the smallest bandsaw that would accomodate these sizes, but I don't know much about how accurately I can do this.
Are you talking about cutting thin "cookies" off the ends of round stock? If so, I'd do it with a miter saw.
But if you're talking about ripping thin strips off lengthways, then I'd use a bandsaw. However, I don't think a small (benchtop) bandsaw will give you satisfactory service if your primary purpose is to cut 4" thick stock. You may manage to make the cut, but the narrow blades those saws use will be wandering all over the place. I think you'll need a standard 14" model to be successful.
DonkeyHody "Even an old blind hog finds an acorn every now and then."
Are you going to hire an apprentice to go and find them as they fly all over the shop?
A jig can be made where the "keeper" end is inserted into a block, then pulled or tapped out after it's cut. The jig will work on miter and table saws.
Personally, I'd do it with a decent, well-tuned 14" band saw with a zero clearance insert.
Darren, Many metalworkers use the 4x6 horizontal bandsaw available from Harbor Freight, Grizzley, Northern Tool, etc. Accuracy is somewhat variable depending on how well the saw was originally built but I have been able to keep it cutting 4 inch rounds within 1/32 of an inch (0.062 "). To learn more you can try yahoo groups forum at
The term "soft metal" is pretty vague. Are you contemplating brass, copper, aluminum, low-carbon steels?
Whatever metal is involved in this arrangement will determine your minimum bandsaw equirements. And yes, the other posters are correct ...if you are going to cut any appreciable quantity of this material you definitely want a horizontal bandsaw with recirculating coolant. The coolant also acts as a lubricant, reducing the load on the blade, bearings and motor and extending the life of the unit as a whole while increasing the speed of the actual cut. For cutting thick metals, you need a STOUT blade and high blade tensions on a VERY rigid saw or you are just going to make nested saucers, not disks.
DoAll makes nice saws ... but they are industrial in nature, built like a tank and priced like one, too.
I can see that I'm going to have to worry about cutting metals with a bandsaw another time. I'll obviously have to outsource that work. Recirculating coolant is definitely not an option. And I need something with the smallest possible foot print anyway.
The immediate project will involve cutting 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick "plates" off of Delrin cylinders that are 4 inches in diameter, so I was hoping that perhaps I could get away with a 4 X 6.
Any specific recommendations?
Thanks.
Darren Harris Staten Island, New York.
********************************************************************************************************** Bill wrote:
On 29 Dec 2006 17:35:48 -0800, with neither quill nor qualm, "Searcher7" quickly quoth:
Y'ain't holdin' yer mouf right, pard.
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1) It's a Crapsman. Think "Blob Villa and Handyman Club of America". If that doesn't do it for you, think "Searz automotive fraud lawsuits"
2) It's probably a woodworking bandsaw with a speed which'll melt teeth off your metalcutting blade if it doesn't harden and crack it (rapid heat/cool cycles) first.
3) What're you looking here for? Weren't those two enough?
-- My future starts when I wake up every morning... Every day I find something creative to do with my life. -- Miles Davis
So I assume that no single band saw is appropriate for soft metals(Brass, Aluminum, mild steel), plastic, and wood, correct?
When someone mentioned a horizontal bandsaw with recirculating coolant I thought I'd just have to concentrate on a machine for cutting the plastic and wood, and have a third party do the metal cuts.(Aluminum, Brass, mild steel).
I still need to cut 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick "plates" off of one foot long Delrin cylinders that are 4 inches in diameter, and was wondering if there was any way to accurately do this with the portable band saw you directed me to.
By accurately, I mean consistent cuts from one piece to the next determined by eye.
You may have written the above really early in the morning before your coffee. Anyway, steel, even low carbon (aka "mild") is not exactly a soft metal. In actual reality, you can cut aluminum or plastic fine on a saw set up for steel, but if you try to cut steel on a saw set up for aluminum, the blade will be destroyed.
Vertical bandsaws exist which either run in direct drive at speeds in the
800-3000 fpm range suitable for aluminum or hardwood at the lower end, up to softer woods at the higher end, or in backgear at speeds of 30-300 fpm for steels. I have never heard of such in a cutoff saw.
The 4x6 saw, readily available at many places, is your best choice. Or if you have good scrounging skills, look for a used Wells or Wellsaw and rebuild it.
Grant Erwin former owner of 2 different 4x6 saws current: Wellsaw 58B also Walker Turner 14" wood/metal vertical bandsaw
On 30 Dec 2006 07:22:48 -0800, with neither quill nor qualm, "Searcher7" quickly quoth:
I gave my blood and skin to those bastids a few decades ago.
Correct, but it's all in how much you're willing to get by with. A metal cutting bandsaw will work on wood but will be slower, and you'll chance getting coolants and/or grease/silicones on the wood. That could make it harder than hell to put a nice, clear finish over.
Depending upon the actual thickness, a wood bandsaw will cut soft metals, but you might have to do more filing on the edges.
Sure, just jig it up and use a stop for maybe a 0.020" accuracy, depending upon the jig precision, the blade used, and the speed.
-- My future starts when I wake up every morning... Every day I find something creative to do with my life. -- Miles Davis
Then he could look for an old Walker Turner, Delta, Powermatic etc variable speed, two range gearbox verticle bandsaw like the one you saw in my shop. 30fpm to 5000 FPM.
And no..not having any luck finding you a gear..sigh...but Im still looking.
Gunner
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