Bandsaw

[Dad1279]

Originally Posted by aechmtwash11

Thanks for the input!

We are looking for a vertical bandsaw but we'll definetly consider getting a saw that does both vertical and horizontal.

On the machine calibration, that is the exact reason we are looking for a new one. We purchased one last year that was a wood working saw with a bi-metal blade but the cut completely sucked. Looking into it, the speed were way off so now we are trying to find the right one for cutting aluminum

What's wrong with the cut? Perhaps it just needs adjustment. Also, if it is a belt drive it would be easy to slow down.

We use a cutoff saw, handheld, for cutting steel and threaded rod. We use an old 8" miter saw for cutting aluminum angle, 8020, pvc pipe, etc., and a 14" delta bandsaw for sheet aluminum, wood, and lexan.

[joek]

Originally Posted by Dad1279

What's wrong with the cut? Perhaps it just needs adjustment. Also, if it is a belt drive it would be easy to slow down.

We use a cutoff saw, handheld, for cutting steel and threaded rod. We use an old 8" miter saw for cutting aluminum angle, 8020, pvc pipe, etc., and a 14" delta bandsaw for sheet aluminum, wood, and lexan.

we use a horizontal, it works great, and the problem with all-purpose blades is that the cut is extremely coarse for metal. we use the bandsaw mostly for cutting angle aluminum for brackets. we use a sawzall for everything else except wood, for that we have our school's woodshop. another thing is that you can't use abrasive cutters w/ aluminum, it gums up the disc, but it's fine for steel. then again, how much steel do you really work with when building a robot?

[aechmtwash11]

Originally Posted by Dad1279

What's wrong with the cut? Perhaps it just needs adjustment. Also, if it is a belt drive it would be easy to slow down.

The cut was rough and the blades went dull very quickly. One of our mentors looked at the possibility of changing gear ratios, since it is a belt drive, but it would take a lot of modification to cut the speed down to a 1/10 of what it is now. Also some of the mechanisms to keep the blade inline were never great

[Dick Linn]

You could buy or make a stand for a portaband type saw if it is large enough for you. Or just make a better horizontal table for the Harbor Freight type.

http://www.swagoffroad.com/Porta_band_Product.html

http://www.swagoffroad.com/Porta_ban...t_Product.html