I'm getting more into turbo manifolds, so a lot of schedule 10, and I've been doing them with a combination of a chop saw and what has to be a 15-20 year old vertical band saw. Well the chop saw is gonna eventually take a finger off if I don't find a better way to get the 90 degree weld els down to the angle I want for some bends and the band saw is very slow. I can't complain for $100 honestly, I've gotten my monies worth out of it. I'm ready to upgrade though.

I don't mind paying for good stuff. My business is a full-time gig and I've grown to love fabricating more then the tuning, part installs, and engine/trans work that got me started and has now enabled me to be in this position.

In the past years I've built 5 turbo manifolds, not a lot. But considering I was only offering my services to in-house cars and the amount of time I didn't have (worked alone) it's not too bad. Since I hired an employee in September I can breath a little easier now and I've been able to hone in on my welding and manifold making even more. About a month ago I added a belt sander with proper metal sanding belts and that helped tremendously. I don't know how I did it before.

I'm only 26 and I don't know any older fab guys to ask, or ones who are self employed and actually have to pay for their own equipment. So I figured with the plethora of knowledge on here I can be led in the right direction.

Not only do we do manifolds but I've got into making custom brackets for doing things like moving alternators to a different location and catch can. So We have been having to cut the small stuff with a sawzall and cutting disc. Obviously that's timing consuming and not always super straight the first time. I would like to eventually move into cage work too, so whatever you suggest keep that in mind.

The reason I settled on band saws was because it seems that after tons of googling that's what the majority of full time shops prefer. And I like mine, it just too slow and not "flexible" enough. I'm considering a vertical and a horizontal, unless there is some way I don't need both. That way I can cut the piping like I want and still cut out small pieces for brackets and such.

Just a idea of what I've looked at:

http://www.trick-tools.com/JET_J_341...8#.UQdkDB1EFxs

I'm still looking for a budget minded single phase vertical. I may just get something lower end for it since I'm not trying to use it to fit tubing. Or I may hold off on it all together for a while.

Any suggestions I'm all ears. If someone knows of a horizontal that's just as good and not as expensive that would be great. But if it's what I have to spend then that's how it goes. I'm also looking at a upgraded chop saw as well, so feel free to offer input on that too.

Sorry for the long post. Just trying to get as much info in here as possible to make answering my question easier.

Thanks

 

The only band saw I've used in the shop a lot was a hand-held, and although I could never cut perfectly straight with it, it would glide through whatever I was cutting. But it was almost a 1HP saw. My concern from an electrical stand point is the saw you listed was only 3/4 HP (559.5 Watts) I dunno maybe that's plenty still but something to keep in mind.

If you could get a 240V band saw it wouldn't get stuck as easy if you are cutting thick metal...

 

A vertical/horizontal is IMO the best setup to have, if I had to pick between one or the other I'd go with just a vertical. I can cut a lot more stuff on a vertical than I can with a scissor.

Doesn't really matter what you do, cutting sch 10 with a band saw takes time, and a lot of it. Increasing blade travel speed does not necessarily increase your cutting time, especially on thick stainless steel.

When I invest in a bandsaw I will likely be getting a vertical/horizontal one personally, it's just the most versatile thing out there.

 

i have a vertical tilting bandsaw w/ hydraulic vise(s)..when it comes to cutting extrusions and thick billets its the best/most used machine in my shop.

i also have a bs horizontal and a contouring vertical, both have their uses also.

 

I def understand that it's gonna take some time cut the thick stuff, I'm just trying to make things more efficient is all.

So can anyone link me to some horizontal bandsaws they recommend?

 

I have the Grizzly 7x12 horizontal, looks the same as the Jet you posted and has worked great so far.

 

Vertical tilt, marvel 8 series or similiar with hydraulic feed/clamp.

 

You just need a horizontal that has a proper vice/jig mounted so you can let the bandsaw do the work and do other things. I cant tell you how much I made with a tweaked harbor freight bandsaw. I cut better collectors with it than from companies using mills...no lie.

I used the HF for years before it crapped itself. I couldnt imagine the number of els it cut.

 

Thanks for the input guys. After researching and deciding I only wanna do this once I decided on this one:

http://m.grizzly.com/products/G0613

Hopefully have time to order it tomorrow or next week.

It's expensive but I don't care. If it makes things both easier and more efficient itll be worth it and pay for itself.

Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions. Now I gotta find a good basic chop saw to replace this dewalt. After that I gotta save till I can swing a miller dynasty! Lol

 

that is not an expensive saw for someone who is serious about cutting. in fact it is quite cheap for someone who wants reliable, repeatable cuts. i'd get a cold saw or an industrial vertical band saw. i find the blades on saws like the one you linked tend to twist and stray crooked- more often as soon as they start to get dull. the more tools you get your hands on and direct experience with, the more you will learn what works for you.

aaron

 

Very true. I know a lot of this is preference and it comes from exp.

For me right now this should be a huge improvement and hopefully one day I can step up to something like you mentioned as I plan to get deeper and deeper into the fab stuff. Also this saw works with my current shop wiring.

Also, I purchased a Evolution SteelSaw 2 TCT Chop Saw. I plan to use it for aluminum and thin wall stuff and let the band saw do it's thing on the thick tubing.

Thanks again for all the input guys. I love this forum and hope to use my exp to be able to eventually help others.