I don’t know what or how people are cutting on the metal shop band saw but it always seems to have a ruined blade in just a few days. I’m assuming pushing too fast or without adequate lubrication. Considering buying my own blade so when I need to do some cutting I can, horizontal band saw is too inaccurate for what I need to do.
Also, there is a chop saw behind the HAAS. I have some 2" x 1/2" 6061 Alum bar stock, can that be cut using that saw or is it just for thinner material?
Thanks
Theoretically it can be used, but I wouldn’t recommend it. That chop saw has injured at least one member when the teeth come flying off. And those teeth get damaged very quickly. Frankly, I think that chop saw is a major safety hazard.
Also, the last time Brian and I looked at it, it appeared to be non-functional… The guards were in constant contact with the blade…
The blade seems excessively aggressive for cutting metal, even aluminum, I would expect smaller more teeth per inch.
Any possibility of getting a composite cut-off blade for it instead? Much safer than flying teeth and can easily handle steel.
The chop saw is only intended for aluminum; however, as I said the blade sends teeth flying… What we need is a cold saw, which is on Brians list.
Is there a reason you can’t use the horizontal band saw? I have produced square cuts with that, that were within a 1/64" of what I wanted. I would be surprised in any sawing operation with the equipment we are likely to have would be more accurate then that.
Multiple pieces of same length, band saw has a fence and chop saw I clamp a stop to. Horizantal saw would be too time consuming and many of the cuts have pieces are smaller than gap between the blade and outer surface rest plate so could effectively get a stop in place.
I suspect the common problem is too high a blade speed for the materials being cut.
Concur, then pushing harder to try and make it work.
Just ordered a bimetal blade for the band saw I was going to donate for plastics and do the work at home. Just hate having to do work at two places. So I guess this topic can be closed/locked or whatever needs to be done.
No portaband? I thought we had one. But doesn’t Aluminum require a less teeth per inch than the standard bi-metal bandsaw blade? I’ve cut aluminum with a reg bimetal blade but used ATF to keep the blade from clogging.
In researching blade types the bimetal blades cost about 2.5X+ but last 6X. They are made in a wide range of TPI. The one I ordered is for non-ferrous metals so it has fewer TPI vs a ferrous blade and a larger gullet to avoid clogging. I’m not looking to cut steel, for the occasional the SS I’ll need to cut it will 3/32"~3/8" (.09375"~ .375") rod … chop saw with composite cut-off blade will make short work of those cuts.
Like you, I’m a big believer in keeping the blade well lubed despite the mess.