bandsaw,chopsaw or something else

[clintonwelding1]

I have room for one more tool in my shop, what should I fill the space with?

[Powerstrokinit]

I don't know what sizes you are planning on cutting, but a Milwaukee Port-Band might suit you well. I love using mine, and it is portable. It is also compact, so if you don't have much room it might be a good choice. Replacment blades are also available at Lowes and Home Depot.

Tobin

[KB Fabrications]

I have got these laying around that you could have but you would need to pay for shipping.

[clintonwelding1]

LOL, is a good portable bandsaw better than a clarke bandsaw?

[Pile Buck]

I have got these laying around that you could have but you would need to pay for shipping.

That’s just wrong

[clintonwelding1]

so id need freight?

[Pile Buck]

so id need freight?

I’m thinking the Union Pacific

[clintonwelding1]

lol, i think one of them would take some manuvering to fit in my shop.

[Rvannatta]

I have room for one more tool in my shop, what should I fill the space with?

We have a band saw and a chop saw and never use the chop saw. We have had a succession of band saws, with the first one having a couple wheels
on one end and a 1/2 blade, and the second one having a 3/4" blade, and then we got one used which is forklift portable with coolant, and trust me there is a difference.

But if you only get one tool, it should be worthwhile---My vote is for a big plasma cutter with a tracing table. ---- You tape the blue print to the table and the scanner follows the cut line and cuts it out for you. The big plasmas will also take a hand torch so you can cut the structural stuff as well.

[clintonwelding1]

it has to be in the $200-$300 range and about 4ftx2ft


if i get a chop saw I can get a drill press and maybe a belt sander

[Pile Buck]

Back to your saw question, I agree with the port-a-band. I’ve been using them for over 40-years. In no time at all you can run the blade right beside a pencil line, while making a 4 or 5-inch cut. I just switched to the Milwaukee; I had a B&D for 27 to 28 years! May it RIP!

[KB Fabrications]

it has to be in the $200-$300 range and about 4ftx2ft


if i get a chop saw I can get a drill press and maybe a belt sander

HF has their little "red" 4" X 6"bandsaw on sale for $149 right now. Lots of folks using them over on the Hobart board.

[clintonwelding1]

id rather get the clarke for $200 from tractor supply....no shipping and it has an air hose connectiion.

[gnewby]

You might take into consideration what you plan on cutting with what ever type of saw you get. I am guilty like a lot of others here on using what ever metal I can either get very cheap, or for nothing such as bed frames. The chop saw will cut right through the bed frame material but after some cuts using the band saw the blade will be dull enough you will not be able to cut straight.

Fortunately I have both a band saw and a chop saw, if it is going to be bed frame material I am cutting I use the chop saw. Otherwise most of the time I use the bandsaw.

[clintonwelding1]

using miled steel