Band saw

Ted in NE-OH · Jun 8, 2017

What is the difference between a metal cutting band saw and a wood cutting band saw?

TimV · Jun 8, 2017

In simplest terms, blade speed on a wood saw is typically higher than a metal saw. Usually a metal saw has a better guide system as well, and the metal saw's blades are of course different--usually with more teeth per inch. You can certainly cut wood with a metal saw in a pinch, as I often have on my little 4x6 cheapie horizontal/vertical metal saw, but doing it a lot leads to problems with sawdust gumming up everything.

MarkB_MI · Jun 9, 2017

Some folks will use a jackshaft arrangement to slow down a woodworker bandsaw for cutting metal. As I recall, you need at least a 10:1 reduction.

Stephen Newell · Jun 9, 2017

The metal cutting bandsaw is made where the saw blade tightens much tighter. Therefore it doesn't have rubber tires like the wood saw does. The metal saw also runs a lot slower. It often also either doesn't have a saw table or the table is removable so a clamping devise can hold the steel in place while being cut. Some metal saws also have a pump which dispenses oil on the blade to lubricate the cut. You sure wouldn't see that on a wood cutting bandsaw.

Mike M · Jun 9, 2017

Our old Delta wood saw can do both. I never tried it on metal as I already have one of those.

Ted in NE-OH · Jun 9, 2017

Thanks guys

bass · Jun 10, 2017

(quoted from post at 19:28:31 06/08/17) What is the difference between a metal cutting band saw and a wood cutting band saw?

we run a quad band saw mill with 6' wheels and a 40' 15ga band saw. you run metal thru our band and they will blow up. Oh, I work in a southern yellow pine sawmill.

bass

Band saw

Ted in NE-OH

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TimV

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MarkB_MI

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Stephen Newell

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Mike M

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Ted in NE-OH

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bass

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