Band Saws

[whatter]

I have been looking at buying a Portable Bandsaw. When I went to the local tool store they had a small vertical/horizontal metal band saw by Jet for $279. This thing looks like it may be a better deal than a portaband. Has anybody on the board has any experience with these? Jet Model HVBS56M.

Thanks
W. Hatter

[ASKANDY]

Sounds like one of those little import ones similar to Harbor Freight.

May want to check theirs as those are all pretty similar but Harbor's might be cheaper. I have one of the Harbor ones that I use for light stuff. My only complaint is if I try to push it, it does sometimes jump the blade off the big guide wheels inside.

Andy

[Brad-Man]

The Jet has a better motor and blade guide setup (cast iron/cast in vs aluminum add-on).

Enco currently has one on sale with the cast iron guides and UL motor for $199.

[tackit]

I have had bad luck cutting straight with the smaller saws, especially once the blade dulls. When I built my new shop one of the first things (after the welding machines) I wanted to buy was a good saw so I invested in an Ellis 1600. It cost as much as a welding machine but I've never been sorry or in doubt for buying it. It's movable head makes cutting angles as simple and as accurate as using a power miter saw in wood and it makes projects go so much faster. I won't be with out a good saw ever again.

[cope]

Re: Band Saws

Originally posted by whatter
I have been looking at buying a Portable Bandsaw. When I went to the local tool store they had a small vertical/horizontal metal band saw by Jet for $279. This thing looks like it may be a better deal than a portaband. Has anybody on the board has any experience with these? Jet Model HVBS56M.

Jet and Delta are the cream of the crop in that style bandsaw. Better depends on what your use is. The portable like Milwaukee may well cost more than the stationary but it is portable. It will not cut as accurately as the stationary saw with a good bi-metallic blade. Look at the Hobart Weld Talk Forum; several guys over there converted their dry vertical saws to wet cut.

Thanks
W. Hatter

[Paul Seaman]

Jet makes good solid equipment for most types of work but you will find some small limitations with any machine if you use it long enough.
Peace,

[whatter]

Bandsaw

Thanks for all the insight. I actually bought one of these today and I look forward to seeing how well it works. I will be cutting 3/16 x 3 angle and 2" square tubing. I think this thing will be more accurate than my abrasive chop saw. It might make my corners a little more square. I'll post comments later on how well it works.

once again thanks,
W. Hatter

[Paul Seaman]

Whatter;
Indeed!!!
Peace,

[hankj]

Had that saw for a while now. It cuts nicely, is well built, and you don't have to watch it - you can do something else while it does what it's supposed to do.

One ctricism: The cut is not perfectly square. You don't see it in a 2" cut, but long cuts on thin stock are out by about .5 to 1°.

Be well.

hank

[whatter]

Band Saw

Well I tried out the new Band Saw and am pleased with its operation. It makes really nice cuts as long as you don't go too fast. It works best as a horizontal band saw, marginally as a vertical band saw. The bottom line is it is a really good tool for the money (ie $269). However you get what you pay for and it can't compete high dollar tools. For a hobbiest like me, I still think this is a better tool than a portaband.

Thanks,
W. Hatter

[paulrbrown]

Whatter, make yourself a bigger sawing table for when you use the saw vertically, you should even be able to sit on the saw as you work. Buy some extra blades now before you need them, as soon as one starts getting dull, they start to walk, Lennox and Starret are both great BiMetal types. Your welding supplier may even be able to supply them.
Remember the rule of thumb, 2 to 3 teeth need to be in the material so don't go too coorse unless you are cutting thick stuff, 1" or more.
Hope this helps, Paul

[aametalmaster]

There are 2 different 4x6 saws out there. 1 has sheetmetal guide arms and the other cast iron arms. I perfer the sheetmetal arm saw and I have 2 of them. They both cut super accurite but not from the box. They needed a little work. There is a yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/4x6bandsaw/ if anyone is interested. Some saws have a smaller motor and some are cheaper made. A guy gave me a scrap one yesterday and the parts in it are real cheap compared to the 2 I use. Enclosed is a pic of 4 inch alum bar I cut. They look pretty good..Bob

[JOHN1]

I have had the Jet Horizontal Band saw ($800.00) for four years and it does a great job, however I would like a much larger "commercial" grade of saw.
Which one do you guys suggest.
I would like to stay in the $1500.00- 2500.00 range if possible. Due you think auctions are a good place on this item.

I am a little afraid to buy some used equipment.

Thanks

[cope]

Originally posted by JOHN1
I have had the Jet Horizontal Band saw ($800.00) for four years and it does a great job, however I would like a much larger "commercial" grade of saw.
Which one do you guys suggest.
I would like to stay in the $1500.00- 2500.00 range if possible. Due you think auctions are a good place on this item.

I am a little afraid to buy some used equipment.

Thanks

The problem with used heavy equipment on Ebay is two-fold; you can't inspect it and shipping is expensive. Still, it works for a lot of people.