Bench Top Machines

[pufame]

Our team has students from a few different schools, and all of our machines are at one of the schools. However, now we are looking into getting some light machines into one of the other schools not only for robotics but for a couple engineering classes at that school as well.

So, we looked around the space we have and we though that some bench top machines may be the best option. We were looking at possibly a bench top Band Saw and Drill Press.

I know a number of different teams have these types of machines in their pits at competitions. My question is... how is the power from bench top machines, the band saws in particular. Most of them are made for woodworking, which worries me trying to cut aluminum. I'd like to be able to cut at least 1/8" aluminum and idealy 1/4" aluminum. What type of bench top band saw does your team use if you have one? What thickness of aluminum can it cut? Does it cut straight? Thanks.