What's a respectable vertical bandsaw for doing light fab work that won't break the bank.
I probably don't need anything enormous. I just plan on cutting sheet metal for catch cans, intake manifolds, fuel cell mounts, etc.

I already have a decent horizontal saw. I'm just not sure what to look for in a vertical saw. How can I tell whether it's for wood or metal?

 

To be honest, a craftsman from sears is not bad. We have one craftsman and 2 jets.

 

what are the specs on the Craftsman redboost10? i have been in the market for one as well, but it seems none are any good for metal. i have a chop saw for pipe and such, but really need something for sheetmetal

 

The craftsman is just a bench top model, 1/3 hp, table doesn't tilt, but its been a good little work horse for small jobs. Can't remember what particular metal blades we use.

The two jets are loaded and large frame.

 

I have a rather large (takes a custom 103" blade) old school vertical band saw. I like it because the table on it is really big, but the saw itself takes up so much floor space. If it wasn't given to me, I would have bought a little porta-band and built a stand for it. I know a lot of people that have gone that route and haven't regretted it. Very cost effective if you aren't trying to cut anything crazy.

As far as determining if it's for wood or metal goes, you have to figure out the rpm of the electric motor that is on the saw, then plug that in to a formula with the diameter of the pulley on the electric motor, the diameter pulley on the drive wheel, and the diameter of the actual band wheels.

Here: http://vintagemachinery.org/math/sfpm.aspx

I think metal saws run at around 300ish sfpm and most wood saws are around 2400 sfpm and up. Those aren't exact numbers so don't hold me to them.

If you are just planning to cut sheet metal and stuff 3/16" and under I'd recommend a bi-metal blade with a 14-18 tpi configuration. That's the configuration my local saw blade mfg recommended to me years ago when I told him what I was using the saw for and so far his blades with that setup have worked great for sheet metal for me. The bi-metal blades cost more, but they last quite a bit longer so the extra cost is worth it to me.

Sorry for the drawn out reply, probably could have cut it off at calculator link and been fine

 

Exactly^^. Most have adjustable pulleys so you can adjust the rpm. We use the large jet to cut chunks of styrofoam for the cf molds and we turn the rpm way up for that.

 

Check out the below link. Might be handy if you are only doing small things like brackets etc.

http://www.swagoffroad.com/SWAG-V30-...able_p_55.html

 

Yes, that's exactly what I'm talking about. Good little setup for what it is. I'd be willing to bet that any good fabricator could make a stand like that for cheaper if they wanted to.

 

I'm still in the dark on this one. I'm digging all over craigslist in my area and I am finding a bunch of benchtop style bandsaws for under $100, but I have no way of telling whether they would be suitable for metal or not. I can only assume that most were designed for wood.
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/3770585959.html
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/3764957062.html
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/3755596952.html

 

maybe that Ryobi with the right blade, but otherwise, i couldn't consider any of them

 

what makes the Ryobi so special?

 

how about this guy here?
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/3687635918.html

 

get one with a hydraulic feed dampner. I wish mine had that but I work with what I have for now

 

I believe they are talking about vertical bandsaw, not horizontal ones.

 

we're talking verticle, but yeah, I have a wilton horizontal that has that. It def makes life easier. You could probably adapt one onto what you have.

 

I just ordered the Femi HemSaw NG120XL. heard nothing but good things about the saw. It was in the upper end of my price range but figured it will be worth it in the end. After having metal cutting chop saws break on me in the past and a horizontal bandsaw that was just awful to deal with, I'd rather spend a little extra cash to get a good product.

 

FWIW, I use a dewalt portaband on a SwagOffroad vertical portaband table all the time for small stuff...mostly thin wall header/mani runner (< 2.0 in. Ø) cuts. The portability aspect of the setup is awesome.

http://www.swagoffroad.com/SWAG-V30-...able_p_55.html

 

Portabands are great and can cut pretty much whatever you need in a small sense. Used one all the time to cut 4 1/2 schedule 40 and 80 pipe. Blades aren't too crazy in price and if your not sure about how much you will use it you can always pick up a harbor freight saw...

Check craigslist for used metalworking tools as well.

Micro mark makes some interesting tools as well too