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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Chop Saw or Band Saw

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JerryG

08-17-2003 14:49:25

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My local welding shop has decided that they want to charge more money per hour and also work less hours per week. Some times, when I go there to get work done they have just closed up and gone home during the day. I have a welder, but I take a lot to them because I don't have a way to cut the steel. Which would be the best to use around the farm, a good chop saw or a horizontal band saw?

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dumolebob

08-18-2003 21:02:49

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

Lots of interesting ideas here!

I've got a DeWalt Multi-Saw (carbide chop saw), a Milwaukee portable band saw & a Chinese band saw. Sold my abrasive chop saw years ago & NEVER missed it! I never use the Chinese band saw, but it is still a nice outfit! I use the Dewalt almost exclusively, but I do REALLY like the Milwaukee band saw for portability & small jobs. The carbide multisaw is fantastic, but blades run $125 (they can be "resharpened". The multisaw is ten times any abrasive chop saw.I'd say it all depends on what you'll use it for & how often. As with so much - you'll get what you pay for!

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Fred OH

08-18-2003 11:32:44

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

Well, after reading all the comments...maybe I can put the cap on this subject...as a machinist....we'll have to confine this to the three methods described, chopsaw, bandsaw and power hacksaw. The fastest and most expensive method is the Chopsaw, bandsaw next and the power hacksaw being the cheapest to operate. They all have their uses in a shop...but for a starter...I would suggest a cheap imported bandsaw (4 x 7 or 7 x 12)and learn to get smarter than it is...just watch cutting square tubing with it...sometimes the weld seam inside is hard and will remove your teeth. And just for the information of the fellows who say that a bandsaw won't cut hardened metal...the old DoAll bandsaws had a speed on them for friction sawing...it was pretty fast...used a special blade and the sparks just flew...but it would cut through anything hard...even a lathe tool. Sorry, (this is for all us older fellows)...sometimes...older is better. (smile) L8R....Fred OH

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08-18-2003 11:26:38

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

I wouldn't trade my chop saws for a tractor trailer load of band saws. Just buy a good one not a cheap one. I suggest the Dewalt DW871, I have three of them, have owned Makita, Milwaukee and B&D, Dewalt is my pick by far.

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Chris-se-ILL

08-18-2003 06:15:24

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

We used to have a large bandsaw (25 years ago) but after we got the Mikita chopsaw.... we never used the bandsaw again! Don't even remember what happened to it.

If you do get a chop saw... use the thinnest cutoff wheel you can get. I can't remember the dimension, but we used the size just under 1/8th inch ( 7/64ths??? ). It doesn't sound like much difference but the thinner wheels cut much faster. With care and safety in mind... the chopsaw will make nice clean cuts (and much faster)!

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Rick

08-18-2003 06:00:59

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

It all depends on what you do and how much. I had chop saws several years and usually would go through one in 1 1/2 years. Blades are very short life. Create alot of smoke. After last one burned up I went with a (dry)band saw and love it. I use it to cut angles also. Cut lumber on it also. I wouldn't go back to chop saw now. They are alot cleaner also no smoke and it basically doesn't burn it into. Rick

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JerryG

08-17-2003 19:48:20

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

Thanks for all of the advise. I am leaning toward the chop saw. It will be used to cut up to quarter inch thick angle and tubing for fabrication.

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ScottT

08-17-2003 19:32:08

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

I would get a chop saw unless you are planning on spending quite a bit of money. A good chop saw can be had for around $200-250, you will need to spend several times that to get a decent band saw. A chop saw will be faster than a small bandsaw as well.

Scott

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Mike

08-17-2003 19:09:35

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

You might want to look into a hand held bandsaw. We use them at work and they are great. Ours cuts up to 5" wide pieces. They cost around $300-$400 new, and can be taken any where there is electricity.

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Larry806

08-17-2003 18:53:12

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

I haven't hardly used my band saw sense I got the chop saw

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Dale in Ar.

08-17-2003 18:11:21

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

I've used both and both have their pros and cons.I would recommend a bandsaw.If you just want something to cut metal with and can control the sparks,why not use a 4 or 4 1/2 inch grinder with a cutting wheel?They are less costly,easier to use and don't take up much room in your toll box

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markct

08-17-2003 18:03:57

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

one thing that no one has mentioned is that a chopsaw will cut steel that is glass hard, like tranny gears, axleshafts etc, a bandsaw will definatly not do that. i have both a bandsaw, power hacksaw, and an abrasive chopsaw. each has its own use, the power hacksaw doesnt see much use now that i have the bandsaw tho, its a bit slow, but blades are cheap for it. the bandsaw is used for most fabrication involving heavy angle iron,tubing or channel,it provides a nice cut and its nice to be able to set it and walk away from it till its done cutting. the chopsaw is used for thin tubing and angle, stuff that would often chip the teeth of a bandsaw blade, and its also used for things that ya just want to chop off fast, like rebar. and the thing that the chopsaw can do that the bandsaw definatly cant is cut hard shafts,gears etc for when ya are doing those real unusual projects.

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Slowpoke

08-17-2003 22:14:04

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Re: Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to markct, 08-17-2003 18:03:57

I agree with markct 100%. I don't know how I ever managed with a hacksaw now that I have an inexpensive $150 bandsaw. I modified the crude blade adjustment control and added an outboard table for cutting small pieces. It works slick as a whistle now. BUT the blade will be destroyed in seconds if you try to cut hardened material. Test unknown material with a hacksaw. I don't have a cutoff saw yet, but have used one at work.

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Bandsaw...n/m Rod (NH)

08-17-2003 17:16:48

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

n/m

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Van(WA)

08-17-2003 16:26:57

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

JerryG; I have both, couldn't do without either one! For "light" metal, I use the chop saw, for heavy stuff use the band saw, set it, and go do somthing else.

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Roy B

08-17-2003 16:06:21

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

Jerry:
Both are useful tools and have a place in a farm shop. The big advantage I see to a band saw is that it works by its self. You can start the saw and walk away to do anything else. The chop saw only cuts when you do. Roy

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Ryan

08-17-2003 15:09:58

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Re: Chop Saw or Band Saw in reply to JerryG, 08-17-2003 14:49:25

I personally would go with a horizontal band saw. The cutting capacity is larger and there is less work hardening

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