blackleafforge Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Hi all I have only ever used bandsaws for cutting my stock and i am now setting up a workshop and need one of my own. But I recently came across chop saws that seem to fill the same niche e.g. : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Makita-240V-Metal-Cutting-Chop/dp/B00004YOLV/ref=sr_1_6?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1422035910&sr=1-6&keywords=makita+Metal+Cutting+Discs The claims made for the modern versions of these tools seem to be compelling - faster cutting, no burrs or sparks and more economic to run. Has anyone had any experience with these types of machines? How long did the blades last for you and how did it cope with solid stock? thanks Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpankySmith Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I have both in my shop, and have to say the band saw is my go to tool, I rarely use the chop saw. The chop saw I got had a terrible factory disc/blade on it, I replaced it quickly with a much better one - I can't speak to how long it will last since I so rarely use it. If I'm cutting really thick stock I'll break out the chop saw, but for basic stuff it's the band saw all the way. For me at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 OK for thin wall tube, pipe & the new steel wall studs, pretty much useless on solid stock. For that you need a 'Cold Saw', and those run into thousands of dollars. As do the big band saws that will cut structural steel. Sorry, the Free Lunch stand is still closed. Costs a lot to run with the big dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottMitUns Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 I have both in my shop and I use the carbide tipped "chop saw" a lot for stuff that is solid square or round under 1" ,angle iron up to 3x3x1/4", and 2-1/2 pipe ( all mild steel). Anything made of stainless, alum, or high carbon (4140) I send thu the band saw. The carbide tipped blade makes it a completely different animal then the standard chop saw with abrasive blade, I can cut off a 2" long chunk of 2-1/2" pipe and pick it up bear handed as soon as it fall off the saw. I used mine daily and get 6 months out of a blade, not production use but steady use. your mileage may very. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbruce Posted January 23, 2015 Share Posted January 23, 2015 Two words. Apple. Orange........If I want to cut a piece of hardened stock like and old file (un annealed) or thin tubing my choice is the chopper.......Cutting annealed tool steel for say a power hammer die the bandsaw shines and with my Roll In saw I can cut out shapes freehand.......For precise little pieces I've got a 10'' Wilton cold saw......I need em ALL but you may not..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danguite Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 I ended up getting a Milwaukee Portaband and then a small table for it made by a company called SWAG Offroad. It is great. Acts like a normal band saw, has a five inch throat, and also has the portability of the portaband. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJS Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 The smaller dry saws work fine for tubing, angle, struts, and solid ~1" or less annealed, standard hot rolled or cold rolled. I like them, you just have to make sure its clamped down good and tight, and start the cut right. The abrasive chops saw for hardened steel, stainless or high alloy, and anything else you want to throw at it. The horizontal band saw for thicker sections of steel, 2" square, 6" round, or 7 pieces of 1/4"x2" clamped together... THick sections can also be done on an old power hacksaw, tends to be slow but good... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notownkid Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 In my shop $$ dictated a chop saw or live with a hacksaw. Lot access to big band saws both horizontal and vertical when my brother in law sold his machine shop, unkind of him! Still hoping to get a band saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Carbide "chop saws" are often called by a number of different names, dry saw, metal cutting saw and so on. They differ in major ways from a standard abrasive chop saw. Biggest is that they run at a much lower RPM. This means you can't simply stick a carbide blade into a similar looking saw ( usually at a much cheaper price) designed to use abrasive blades. As mentioned carbide saws like this work well for thin sections, but not as well on heavier stock. Also you have to use a firm gentle pressure on these or you'll toast the expensive blade pretty quick. If you try and force a cut like many do who are more familiar with abrasive chop saws, or if you don't apply enough pressure, you will strip or dull the teeth. As mentioned also they are not the greatest for hardened stock and some wear resistant steels as the blade usually suffers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Band Saw is WAYYYY quieter. Chop saw will work on red hot material (Know where the sparks are going!!! FIRE!!) They each have their place. Not unlike every other piece of machinery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy k Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 For years - no matter what brand of abrasive chop saw I used, I always found the Makita blades were by far superior to any others, I use a Porter Cable carbide tipped saw now - no abrasive dust in the shop and much better cuts. The use of the saw is very important to blade longevity. Like others have said - "you need to choose the saw for your situation - and use it within its means". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacob Nothstine Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 I had a Chop Saw but never used it between the noise, dust and sparks. Would take it outside. The band saw is great for me I can cut metal when the kids are in bed sleeping. Don't have to worry about setting the garage on fire. The band saw does take a little more practice and tuning to get good results. You have to adjust it when going from tubing to solid stock. I pick mine up for $100.00 used and abused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJS Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 There is no arguing that the band saw is considerably more quiet than either the chop saw, or a dry, or cold saw... But when I am in the shop working by myself, I have the "work tunes" type hearing protection on, so it doesn't bother me anyway;-) You only have to protect the things you would like to keep, and I would like to keep what little hearing I have left... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Furrer Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Andy, What do you wish to cut? What is your "normal" product made from? I went through three Milwaukee chop saws like you have pictures (worm gears usually failed as the teeth had ware over the years). I have owned eight or so band saws over the years and have three in the shop ...no...the port-o-band makes four. For most architectural work I used the Milwaukee deep throat port-o-band with 44plus inch blade. It has limitations, but for anything 1" and under it was great. I have a 1600 Ellis that I use for most work now..and a carbide blade when needed for coppers and titanium. My chop saw was a 3hp Everett and I gave that to a friend when I got my 5hp Kalamazoo. I have cut 4" square damascus billets on that 5hp when hot........it does make the air chewy so you need to mask yourself. Anything hardened goes on the chop saw. soft metals which need clean cuts go into the Ellis horizontal saw with carbide blade ($200 each for those blades) Small cuts as needed are done with the port-o-band....blades are good and cheap on that one and I simply clamp it into the post vise (made a bolt on oversized table for it). ALSO...do not discount a plasma torch for cutting plate. I suggest a "get by" with a "deep throat" Milwaukee port-o-band...........then invest in a good larger horizontal/vertical bandsaw. Ric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Evans Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 snip... For most architectural work I used the Milwaukee deep throat port-o-band with 44plus inch blade. It has limitations, but for anything 1" and under it was great. I have a 1600 Ellis that I use for most work now..and a carbide blade when needed for coppers and titanium. snip.. I suggest a "get by" with a "deep throat" Milwaukee port-o-band...........then invest in a good larger horizontal/vertical bandsaw. Ric Are the Milwaukee Portaband saws you mention the 18volt battery ones or do they do corded ones in the the US? I can only find the battery powered versions, the 44 7/8" blade one is listed as M18 CBS125….is that the one? Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy k Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Alan - yes we have corded versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Evans Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Alan - yes we have corded versions. Bother! Milwaukee UK/EU only list battery ones. Maybe will have to sort out a swap with one of you ex-colonials for a fly press or a Peter Wright…. :) Hand luggage next trip anyone? Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Hand luggage next trip anyone? I'm sure the TSA inspector at the airport will have something to say about a portaband in your carry on luggage sadly. Of course the anvil might raise more eyebrows. I can see you now trying to explain to them that the anvil in the backpack fits in the little carry on sizing box so it should be ok to fly with. Be kind of ugly in the overhead bin though. Thinking about it, it might be kind of neat to see the anvil go thru x-ray though. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judson Yaggy Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I'll take you up on that Alan, fly press please, we each pay shipping on the tool we start with! (Grin) Seriously, the portabands are great tools. If you get a chance to get one, do so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Evans Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I have found a couple of second hand corded ones advertised and there are some new from Makita which are similarly specified capacity and power wise, any preferences? Most of my angle grinders and corded/rechargeable drills are Makita, my big Diamond Drill rig is Milwaukee so I know they can both make good stuff. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianinsa Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Alan those Milwaukee portabands were just the biscuit for me on my last trip! Quite cheap too, sadly only corded at 110v and the wrong hz rating otherwise one would have been carted home. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Evans Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Would the hz matter? Would it not just run a bit faster/slower? I wired the forge with 110volt and all my corded tools are 110 so that I can take all my workshop hand power tools when installing on sites. Do not have to have two of everything. Milwaukee evidently did sell them over here at one time, there are a couple on ebay UK and I found one "out of stock" listing on a tool dealer site. Makita may be the best bet now in regard of service and back up as theirs is current. (excuse the pun! :) ) Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeeko Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 I have the carbide Makita chop saw. I use it for everything from 3/8" angle iron to 2" rounds of mild steel. Have also cut quite a bit of mystery carbon steel on it. It is great for cutting accurate thin sections off of 1/2-3/4" plate. Blades hold up for a surprisingly long time, but the vise on the table is pretty cheapo, and though you can adjust the backing plate for angles, it creeps a little, needs to be squared occasionally.I like the bandsaw for heavier or odd-shaped pieces that are hard to clamp on the chop saw, but for general fabrication with pipe and tubing, the chopsaw is much faster, easier to set stops on, cleaner, and ergonomic to use (sits above counter-height. Loud, but not dusty - it makes a lot of chips. I'd never go back to an abrasive saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notownkid Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) I'm sure the TSA inspector at the airport will have something to say about a portaband in your carry on luggage sadly. Of course the anvil might raise more eyebrows. I can see you now trying to explain to them that the anvil in the backpack fits in the little carry on sizing box so it should be ok to fly with. Be kind of ugly in the overhead bin though. Thinking about it, it might be kind of neat to see the anvil go thru x-ray though. LOLA number of years ago I was on a business trip to Sweden, one of our guys bought an antique Fire Hose nozzle and had it in his luggage wrapped up in a couple towels they spotted it on x-ray and went nuts and called the police etc. when they got done ripping his bag apart and hosing it down he didn't have enough luggage left to fill a paper grocery bag which was what they gave him minus the nozzle to go home with. When I attended his wake a couple yrs. ago I told his widow I hoped they didn't x-ray his coffin as I put an antique nozzle from my department in there with him, the family had a good laugh at that. Edited June 2, 2015 by notownkid hadn't finished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 A fitting memorial. Well done.Say do you know a BP Fink, lives in Woodstock CT.?Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.