Chop Saw Or Band Saw ??????

[84ZMike]

Lets toss another one "in the mix" if you will....a portable cold saw....catalogue I got today shows $895.00 and it is far above and beyond the quality cut a chop or band saw could ever produce.
Mike

http://vansantent.com/Saws/Hyd_mech_...e_cold_saw.htm

[HMW]

Your right, we tried a demo. Like a wood cutting circular saw but turned slow. Cut a piece of 3/8 flat bar right off. very smooth. No sparks and catches the metal chips. They also make bench models. Pretty cool. I think it was an "evolution" brand. Chop saw is $449.88 with blade about $100.00. The circular saw model is about $300.00 or so. At least according to the sales flyer from my local welding supplier.

[84ZMike]

You are thinking about the Morse Metal D evil line...... I tried the blades in my circular saw (talked with there eng. dept. they said it would work just fine) it did o.k. but just didn't last......... for that much $ I'd go with a Millwakee first...... the cold saw I listed is different as it uses a coolant system and turns at 50 RPM's and the cut quality is awsome.
Mike

[WireJames]

My Ronco saw. Set it and forget it!

[sjmiller]

Chop Saw or Band Saw

I started out with an abrasive chop saw, migrated to a cut-off blade on my angle grinder (for small work) - then to a portable bandsaw. I'm now shopping for a horizontal band saw for my shop (hobby). The band saw gives me a more precise cut (less grinding & fitting), without the fire starting sparks of an abrasive wheel.

I'm not selling nor do I have an interest in Stout tools - but I bought their portable band saw and table stand for about $200US - it can cut up to 1 1/2inch stock. That being said - as a hobbyist I rarely work with big stock or thick plate. The band saw cut time on 1/8" X 1" 90 degree angle is about the same as my angle grinder - less noise and no sparks...

Steve

[HMW]

84Zmike...no I wasn't referring to the saw blades for a regular saw. Although I'm glad you tried them and posted your findings. I was wondering how they did. This is a regular "slower" turning cold saw made to cut metal. This saw is a little less expensive than the one in your post, but this one doesn't have a cooling system either. The one in your post might be better. Although this one worked great I don't know how long the blades would last since we only had it for the day. Here's the link, I think. They also show the "circular saw" type. It worked good also, but again dont know how long the blades would last. I kinda like the one in your post.


http://www.tubing-benders.com/evolution/355.html

[84ZMike]

Morse makes the evolution saw.....Milwakee,dewalt and a few others make them as well.....the cold saw is completely different and a much nicer cut.
Mike

[HMW]

Hi Mike, I checked em all out. It seems that besides the cost, the big difference between the Evolution, Millwaukee, dewalt and the cold saw you posted is RPM. A regular "abrasive wheel" cut off saw runs around 2800 rpms, the Millwaukee/dewalt/evolution "cold saw" runs around 1500 rpm and the hyd-mech brand you posted runs very slow at just 50 RPM. Plus that one has coolant too. That alone will help with blade life. I think if I was going to buy a new "cold" saw I would buy the Hyd-mech brand you posted. The evolution worked OK but I'm sure at 50 rpms and coolant pump the Hyd-mech would be a better one. Just might have to get one now

Scott

[Bert]

Saw (no pun intended) this one yet? Bought it for $500 with an extra blade.
http://www.steelmax.com/saws_s14.htm
bert

[MYBOYDAVE]

Thanks To All

Thanks To All Of You Who Replied To My Thread
Readind All Of The Replies, Im Going For The Portable Band Saw.
I Wish I Could Afford The Vertical Or Horizontal Ones But I Cant.
I Thought About The The Dust ,cost Of All The Blades I Will Have To Buy And Keep On Hand ,the Possibility Of Flying Debree And Everthing Else You Guys Explained.i Will Getting The Milwuakee Variable Speed Portable Band Saw. The Cost Is About $300.00 Plus Tax.

[HMW]

The portable band saw will be good to use. Also cool looking saw Bert!

[jamlit]

Thanks To All Of You Who Replied To My Thread
Readind All Of The Replies, Im Going For The Portable Band Saw.
I Wish I Could Afford The Vertical Or Horizontal Ones But I Cant.
I Thought About The The Dust ,cost Of All The Blades I Will Have To Buy And Keep On Hand ,the Possibility Of Flying Debree And Everthing Else You Guys Explained.i Will Getting The Milwuakee Variable Speed Portable Band Saw. The Cost Is About $300.00 Plus Tax.

Please post how your bandsaw works out for you so others that have read this post and are debating the same question can see how you feel about your decision. I hope works out for you and the bandsaw works well.

[Camaro Zach]

Thanks To All Of You Who Replied To My Thread
Readind All Of The Replies, Im Going For The Portable Band Saw.
I Wish I Could Afford The Vertical Or Horizontal Ones But I Cant.
I Thought About The The Dust ,cost Of All The Blades I Will Have To Buy And Keep On Hand ,the Possibility Of Flying Debree And Everthing Else You Guys Explained.i Will Getting The Milwuakee Variable Speed Portable Band Saw. The Cost Is About $300.00 Plus Tax.

You will not be dissapointed with that! I use mine daily and i'm not sure how i'd do without it. BTW when I purchased mine I found the best price from Amazon.com something like $260 w/$50 gift certificate and free shipping.
Zach

[Bilbobaker]

Hey Guys First Time On The Board
Just Got Into Welding And I Think Its Great
I Already Got About 3 Or 4 Different Projects I Want To Do
But I Need The Right Tools First
What Do You Think The First Cutting Tool Should Be
A Chop Saw Or A Portable Band Saw
This Is Not My Job Just For Fun
Thanks In Advance To All Who Reply

I still haven't made up my mind on the band saw hot saw question but in the mean time I have had great luck using my Milwawkee Super Sawzall with a long bimetal blade.
Works great and it's quiet and not much mess.

[bikecollector12]

I bought an abrasive chop saw first... it did the job for much less money. About 3 months after that I bought the Milwaukee dry cut machine and I've never been happier.. I can actually cut a 1/16 piece out of some tubing.. It's very precise which is good for fit ups, making sure your project is square, and does wonders for any tig welding jobs. I have a portable bandsaw that collects dust... but the stand up works well for steeper angle cuts and weird cuts that might be difficult with the dry cut machine.