advice on best type of metal saw

Hi guys, I am interested in purchasing a new saw to cut metal. I need advice on the best type. I will not be cutting anything very big. It will not be used commercially and probably will not be used all that much. I just need something for my home garage. I want something that is accurate. I kind of like the dry cut saws, but do not have any experience with them. Is the MK Morse a good saw? Maybe the small Harbor Freight type band saw, although I used one once and it was not accurate at all? Larger bandsaw, all these have coolant pumps and reservoirs and my garage is not heated? I do not want an abrasive saw, that I am sure of. All opinions, experience, and advice is welcome. Thank you
 
If you put a good bimetal blade on the HF bandsaw and set the guides right it will cut straight. I think a hydraulic control vs the spring would be a great improvement for that saw. The cold cut chop saws are awesome but expensive. I have also used the carbide tipped blades in the circular saw with great results. I am not sure how well the carbide blades do in thick steel. It really comes down to your budget type of stuff your cutting and what you need for and end result.
 
In the context of what you're doing, I'm assuming that by "accurate" you mean square in both directions. I have had a Harbor Freight (actually another brand but the little 4x6 or so ones are all basically the same) band saw for 10+ years and it's been a VERY useful addition to my workshop and has paid for itself many times over. It still cuts square, though they can be a bit fiddly to get set right, and like many of the lower-end tools they may require a bit of initial adjustment and tweaking to get them properly aligned (mine did not, but I know others who have had to do some adjusting to get them cutting properly) but that's to be expected--you're doing the little fiddly bits of work that the original manufacturer did not do, which is why they can sell them cheaply. If that doesn't scare you, then I'd recommend one--cutting workpieces to length is a basic need for nearly all fabrication projects, and having an efficient way of doing it really ups your fabrication abilities.
 
I have a chop saw and a band saw but for something to be real accurate you need a metal shear. I have used all of those and wish I had a shear at times but they do tend to be very big if you want to cut much of any thing. I probably use my chop sa more hen any other metal cutting tool I have. Doe a fair job and it pretty fast and yes not super accurate but when your welding a 1/4 inch is not hard to make up for
 
A lot depends on what you plan to cut with it.

If you are going to be cutting small structural type materials, for accuracy and versatility, a "cold saw" would be best. It uses a heavy duty HSS blade, turns low RPM, and does require coolant (you can use oil or a spray mist). The down side is they are expensive and somewhat limited to their specific use.

If a band saw would suit your needs better, be careful to get one geared for metal, not wood. For metal, you need around 200 FPM blade speed. Wood saws run up around 2000 FPM, so not suitable for metal.

With the proper blade, a good blade, properly adjusted guides, and a steady hand, band saws can be fairly accurate. Again, for accuracy and proper speed, you won't find a new saw that is affordable. Metal saws are expensive because they have a reduction gear drive. A used industrial model will be much better than a new Harbor Freight model. You can run a band saw dry.
Used Cold Saw
 
I just got to use a friend's big chop saw. It's not an abrasive one, but a true chop saw. It cuts great, minimal sparks, cut is cold and fast.
Chop saw
 
The 4x6 dry band saws are inexpensive and readily available new or used. They are all made in China .... probably at the same factory, defiantly off the same plans.
Some are better than others. I have two. One I picked up for $80 off CL. They guy couldn't get it to hold a blade. I spent an hour tweeking it to make the blade stay on and then cut straight.
The other was a few hundred dollars out of a tool store. It cut pretty good out of the box. Again a little work to make it track straight.
These saws are slow but more than enough for all the projects I do... Which is more than I ever thought I would be doing. Get a few good Bi- Metal blade with different tooth counts. Make sure the pull-ups and belts are tight and lined up true. I also immediately drained the goo out of the gear box and put 80-90 in them. One was probably ok the other had some weird rancid oil in it.

Adjust the spring tension for what you are cutting, and sometimes I dribble a bit of cutting fluid along the blade if I'm working on a heavy piece of steel.
Don't expect miracles and fast production but I usually have something else to do while the saw is working.
Good luck. Grant.
 
I bought a couple of Milwaukee saws for the guys in the ADOT shop; they really liked those. Milwaukee costs more than Harbor Freight saws; it's up to you to decide if you want the higher priced one.
 
A hand-held dual saw (two side-by-side blades turning in opposite directions) works great for cutting sheet metal. It will also cut heavier stuff.
 
I have the cheaper Harbor Freight bandsaw and it works well. I've even set it up vertically and cut 1/2" steel in irregular shapes.
 
I have the cheap HF bandsaw. I put a good base under it and replaced the leaked out gear lube and cover gasket. With a decent blade it cuts good. The HF steel cutting circular saw is ok but very underpowered, I'd recommend the Milwaukee 6370-21 if you decide this option. HTH Mike
 
I bought this saw used in 1979. It was old then. Guessing it's about 60 years old, made in USA and can still get blades made for it. I'm very happy with the cut, can adjust everything to get a good cut.

When I need to cut hardened steel, I use a 14 inch chop saw. Smaller stuff I use cutoff blade on right angle grinder.

If I needed to replace this saw, I would look on craigslist or ebay.
a238008.jpg
 
Sounds to me a Metabo would be ideal for your situation. With a little practice, material can be cut to length, width, or into shapes with little effort.
 
I have a Rage hand saw. Will cut almost anything, and quick. But I have to mark another line to go by, because blade is about a inch in from guard. Two blades cut enough 1/2 X 4 steel to make a grate to drive semi's over and dump grain.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top