Well take look and tell me what you think about each machine, I know which one would be the best but sometimes money is tight and we can't always have the best machines out there.

Band saw


Band saw with a 1/3 hp (max dev.) motor and a 2-wheel design that allows for better tracking and increased blade life. Rack and pinion bevel adjustment for maximum accuracy. 11-1/2 x 11-1/2 in. aluminum table for material support and control. Table tilts 45 degrees. Micro adjustment for upper and lower blade guides. Includes 2 extra blades

Chop saw



15 amp, 3-1/2 max dev. hp motor drives wheel through rebar, pipe, angel iron, metal studs, & metal fencing. 3300 rpm for fast, efficient cuts. Ball Bearings permanently lubricated for long life

Cut off saw



Quickly cuts conduit, steel pipe, drywall studs, PVC and rebar with a 1/2 hp maximum developed Universal Motor and 6 in. abrasive wheel. Head lock-down chain and handle make the saw portable.

What is the big difference between a chop saw and cut off wheel saw ? Is it just the blades ?

 

It looks like the cut off saw only lets you make cuts perpendicular to the pipe. the chop saw is set up to make angled cuts. thats worth spending for the upgrade in my mind.

 

I have that craftsman chopsaw in my garage.

It works well, no complaints except its big and heavy.

 

i have a cut-off saw from harbor freight. spent $50 for it and also bought the 3 year exteneded warranty which cost me a whole $3. so if it breaks i take it back to the store and get a new one. it will work until i get a decent band saw and i havent had any complaints except the angle adjustments arent even close to being accurate

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98AccordEX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i have a cut-off saw from harbor freight. spent $50 for it and also bought the 3 year exteneded warranty which cost me a whole $3. so if it breaks i take it back to the store and get a new one. it will work until i get a decent band saw and i havent had any complaints except the angle adjustments arent even close to being accurate</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well for 20 more dollars I'd rather spend it on that craftsman cut-off saw, also the closet harbor freight store around me is about an hour and a half drive.

 

well what kinda cuts do you want to make and what are you going to be cutting ???

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B18C1CYA &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well what kinda cuts do you want to make and what are you going to be cutting ???</TD></TR></TABLE>

Exhaust wor, turbo piping, um maybe cage work. And other little things like, make metal tables, stuff like that.

 

well i like using a hori metal cutting band saw , you can get them for around 200 buxs , they will make a lot nicer cut then a chop saw , that band saw in the pic probly is no good for metal work cus the fpm on the blade will be to fast and it will just rip the teeth off the blade,

 

Got any links of these machines you use ? Craftsman also has this one.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr...CRAFT

 

i believe both of the bandsaws you have shown are for wood cutting only. the motors spin too fast. you need a slower speed to cut through metal with a bandsaw. it may work though. i've never used a bandsaw to cut metal so i'm not absolutely positive

 

i use a cut off saw never had any problems

 

chop saw and cut off saw usually work best when cutting metals. never been a fan of a ban saw unless your cutting wood.

 

Thanks guys

 

I'll make you a deal on a Milwaukee chop saw that has hardly been used.

 

milwaukee makes good chop saws.
i've burned out my fair share of chopsaws and the milwaukee's seem to last the longest.

followed very closely by anything made by makita japan. makita taiwan is junk.

those craftsman tools look a little underpowered.

 

I have a milwaukee chop saw.

If you are looking for precision cuts, like for 45deg, and mis angles, the chop saw isnt the best thing, They aren't very accurate. BEWO saw would be best, but are probably out of budget. The chop saw can do all the same things as a cut off saw.

I would start with the chopsaw, then later pick up a bandsaw. Craftsman is fine, lifetime warrenty. Bandsaw's are good for plastic, alumnium etc.

-Eric

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HamiltonRex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If you are looking for precision cuts, like for 45deg, and mis angles, the chop saw isnt the best thing, They aren't very accurate. BEWO saw would be best, but are probably out of budget. The chop saw can do all the same things as a cut off saw.

I would start with the chopsaw, then later pick up a bandsaw. Craftsman is fine, lifetime warrenty. Bandsaw's are good for plastic, alumnium etc.

-Eric</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well whats prescision to you ? Is it pretty close ? The only reason I was gonna spend the extra money was because of the angle option with the chop saw. But if it sucks cutting on an angle, I'll just get a cut off saw.

By the way, does a cut off saw and a chop saw use the same blade ?

 

You can get a cheap metal bandsaw from Harbor Garbage for $160. It's a horizontal one that tilts up and has a cheap "table" that can be added on to it. It works decent on aluminum and mild steel, but it likes to pop the blade off a lot on stainless. It's junk, but for $160, it sure beats a chop saw. I would get a large disc sander (9" at least) as well.

 

you can find one like this at harbor frieght or at tractor supply company , http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...&rd=1 , or you can find one like this wich is what i recomend http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...&rd=1

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HamiltonRex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Craftsman is fine, lifetime warrenty. -Eric</TD></TR></TABLE>

craftsmans lifetime warranty is on handtools. power tools do not have a lifetime warranty. they come with like a 1 year warranty and you can buy extended plans if you would like to

 

i have a porta band saw. Effective for cutting tubes well if you make a jig. Consider it because it will be much more versatile than all of the above.

I would also suggest getting the harbor frieght chop saw, i have it, works fine, really inexpensive.

 

If you bought this machine it would be one of the best metal working investments you ever made in your life http://www.northerntool.com/we...oogle .... When you doing metal work that virtical band saw isent going to get you anywhere but up a tree with a headache.... If you do decide to go for a band saw a horizontal is what it would take for anything steel...... Ive done a lot of metal work and i can tell you from experence, if you put a band saw and a chopsaw side by side in a metal shop the band saw will collect dust....