I've been cutting all my SS and alum pipe with a chop saw with an abraisive wheel.

It sucks.

I've been looking for alternatives to get a cleaner, more accurate cut.

I was looking at band saws today but I don't think the geometry of most band saws is very versatile.

I'm looking for what you guys use.

Also, what filler metals are you guys using for 304 to 304? My welds look like butt when I use 308L.


Modified by Underwhere at 6:22 PM 7/23/2007

 

Bandsaw, have a chop saw but that rarely gets used.

 

i use a wilton bandsaw, i have a chop saw that i use when the bandsaw blade wears out.

 

cut off saw for SS and band saw for alu and sch10 (for accurate cuts)

 

cold saw

 

i use the bandsaw for fine cuts, chop saw for cuts that don't need to be perfect.

if you get a bandsaw i recommend you buy aggressor brand blades, they cut fast, stay sharp and they last.

what thickness is the disk you are using?

 

if you want a **** way to do it and have it perfect. CNC mill with a rotary 4th axis.

 

You guys using vertical band saws or horizontal band saws?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Underwhere &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You guys using vertical band saws or horizontal band saws?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Both, 7 inch horizontal bandsaw, 4x6 vertical bandsaw.

The 7 inch is a monster compared to the 4x6, it will rip anything right out from the vice if its not in there good enough. And the blade never pops off, if anything its the piece that will come out of the vice.

 

I use my 15" x 20" horizontal band saw to cut my pipe

 

The best and most versatile saw for doing tube and plate when you need to buy just one is the vertical band saw. It is the most used saw in the shop by far. It is also the saw that will adapt the best to fixtures for cutting collectors and things or even fixtures for cutting tubing for headers. You need to buy a good saw that is meant for cutting steel not a wood saw converted. I use a doall. These saws will last and many in use today are from the second world war. They are indestructable
and parts though expensive are available. When you think about how old some of these are parts that seem expensive really aren't.
16" saw is a good size for most anything. Most doall's will be 3 phase so a phase converter might be needed. Nothing to be afraid of though and once you have one you will find allot more equipment.

I have also found that specialty saw in conn is the best source for blades maybe not always the cheapest but great quality and service -800-225-0772

 

I use a 6" Metabo hand grinder with .045" cutoff wheels and I use a tiger wheel to buff the burs off. For a hand grinder they are pricey. About $250. I like it better than a band saw because it is easier to follow your cut marks on your material. They are the best in the industry and you will not find any other hand grinder in a true welding/fabrication shop.

 

I second the metabo grinders. I have two of them, the cord will fall off before the grinder goes bad. Ive bought mine used and they are still top notch

 

Our fabricators prefer cold saws. They have access to most everything here but laser, and the manual cold saws are nearly always backed up. It would be a good idea to get a variable speed control if you do, it will allow you to tweek the blade speed to material & size.

 

This is what I have

it doubles as a cut off saw and a band saw. when you have it in the upright position, it can be locked in place and ther is a table that bolts on.

as for blades I use anything bimetal, HSS blades wear out really quick but the price of them reflects that.

 

nevermind i cant read


Modified by MAFDARK at 7:15 PM 7/25/2007