Alright guys. I'm in need of some decision making help. I'm ready to purchase my next tool. I'm getting a bandsaw. I'm looking to use it for the usual exhaust, intercooler piping, manifold making stuff. The most important feature that I'm worried about is the ability to cut the collector angles. I've found several models and I'm just not sure which one anyone would recommend. I'm looking for the sub $400 range to give you an idea.

Thanks for the help in advance!

Overblown Teg, feel free to chime in w/ your help because I've seen the setup you have and I'd like something similar(I know yours runs $1000+, a little steep for what I'm needing). I also know that you used to have a cheaper model and maybe that is what I'm in need of.

Like I said i've noticed that 4.5" max diameter seems pretty standard unless you bump up to the 7" ones which are about double price like the last one listed which i did just for comparisson specs because it is what Overblown Teg is using and very nicely I might add.

Okay, The three nominees:

Numero Uno: $199
this one says 4" but from the picture it seems that the exposed blade is longer than that... not sure...
these two on ebay look similar so i'm just listing it here too...

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...37151
also discussed on here before: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=654690
Ebay 1: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...86994
Ebay 2: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...20784
and I believe this one to be really close: http://images.cardomain.com/me...l.jpg

Deux: $279
two websites, different prices but maybe different info for ya...

http://www.globalmart.com/page/d/del_20_330.htm
http://store.rhinotoolshop.com/20330.html

and Three: $279
So far I'm leaning towards this one!!! I've heard good things about JET and it just seems to be the best built and it is the only one w/ a 5" max diameter cutting surface.

http://store.yahoo.com/toolsplus/jethvbs-56m.html cheapest place!
owners manual: http://media-server.amazon.com...3.pdf
manu. website: http://www.wmhtoolgroup.com/JE....html

Here's the one owned by Overblown Teg w/ details to compare: $900
http://www.southern-tool.com/s....html

Here's the original welding page 13 when the bandsaws were discussed first:
https://honda-tech.com/zero...ge=11

 

I 've used the first one from harbor freight, works great, just a pain sometimes having to re-install the blade. It tends to come off pretty easily with a slight pressure.

stan

 

I got mine from grizzly.com. $240 shipped (on sale).

Awesome support and service. The Harbor Freight one is on national backorder until January or something like that. They won't tell you this until you call to place your order.

Sonny

 

I wonder if it is a problem w/ just that specific model or if all of these ones would have that sort of problem? Does it have to do w/ the tensioner device?

Thanks for the input stan. much appreciated. After looking at all the little details in the pictures, I'm starting to think that they are all made by the exact same company/place and then labeled for different companies. if that's the case then I mine as well go w/ the harbor freight one and then kick down the extended warranty for like $50 and not worry about anything for a few years, plus i could return it locally if that was ever the case. hmmm. hard decisions...

 

Thanks Sonny.
So, it looks like the Grizzy.com one is the same saw just not on backorder. That's the kinda help I'm looking for! That one definately is in the running.

Votes for this one just place for the "Bandsaw One"!
here's the direct link for the grizzly one! does the exposed blade look longer than 4.5" to anyone other than me.
http://www.grizzly.com/product...G1010

Even this beefier one doesn't look bad. Definately big enough and not bad at $575
damn these decisions. If it was a car part i'd have no problem spending that cash, but since it doesn't directly make my car faster than I have a hard time ! Maybe settle with the cheaper one for now and then a few years down the road go all out w/ a JET biggin!?
http://www.grizzly.com/product...G4030

 

my friend has that small jet one pictured for a couple years and he likes it. however, he doesnt use it everyday, and uses it for hobby purposes.

 

jet all the way..

 

my jet bandsw kicks *** !

 

wasn't this posted a couple of months ago?

 

not really a debate, it was a topic(linked above) that asked about the first one i mention.

 

they all look the same, but the harborfreight one is rated at 1 hp, vs .5 on the others...

I wonder if HF over rates their power, and if not, how important is the extra power...

I picked up a little stationary $100 one at lowes the other day and even with a metal blade it wont cut steel at all... does good on aluminum, but just basically scratches the mild steel pipe I wanted to cut...

also how important is it to have the hydraulic arms that move the saw?? that seems to be the biggest diff. between the more expensive ones and the cheap ones?

 

I'm guessing that harbor-freight overrates them. I'm actually about to head over there and check one out to help me decide on this or the JET.

 

well. the trip to harbor freight was successful. I looked at the one shown first above, it seems pretty decent, had a price tag of 189$ but then the deal! On sale for $149 so i got it and figured it'd work for now and for that price you cant go wrong. Walked out the door w/ a total of $220 w/ the saw and 7 blades and a year long warranty for replacement if anything goes wrong. I figured that a year or so down the road I'll invest in a biggin but there are others things that I could make better use of the money with right now.(plasma cutter, good tig welder)
i'll post some pics up for you guys later tonight after i put it together and make a jig for it and start playing around.

by the way, the motor does say 1hp on it so we'll see how she does.

also, it has a total of a little over 8" of exposed blade when the guides are drawn all the way back.

 

alright, well, lesson learned, here's the pics and a story.
in the box.

set up

not too bad?!

and heres the kicker, back in the box to get returned to harbor freight!!!


Got it all set up and went to turn it on and the motor makes noise and smells like *** but no turny! So, i check everything like 4 times, tensioner of belt and blade, belt guard, bolts, etc... still nothing but noice and warmth!

So i figure i'd try it with no belt on it to start the process of elimination. yeah, it barely turns when there is no drive belt. You physically have to start turning it by hand to get it to kinda jumpstart and then it goes but barely, it just sits there and makes a grinding/pulsating energy sound until you give it a little motivation.. so, all in all I'm kinda bummed, deal was too good to be true.

cliff notes: Bought cheap saw cause it was a damn good deal, set up saw, saw no worky! "George angry"!!!

So, i think this has made me realize that It's better to go all out the first time so perhaps i'll hold out until january or x-mas time(hint hint read this mom and girlfriend!lol ) and get a good 10" w/ coolant capabilities and stuff. probably the Jet one for $800.

 

Damn that sucks man.....why dont you get another one and if that doesnt work go for the JET

 

It's kinda discouraging that when you go to use one for the first time and it doesn't work! who knows about the hassels a month or more down the road. I know there's a warranty but that's just hassle and inconvenience.

 

I ended up buying one myself.. (it was $150 at the store as well)...

mine worked when I put it together.. it was much smaller than I imagined, but since it is going in my garage, that was ok...

it makes straight cuts pretty quickly, but it cuts angles slowly, but cleanly... if I try to push it down to speed up the cuts the saw will stall or the blade will pop off... so I just gotta let it do its thing... it is a set and forget.. it turns itself off when it is done, so the slow cutting is not that big of a deal..

the clamping mechanism is crappy in my opinion... I am trying to figure out if I can fab my own clamp or at least a jig of some sort...

overview - all in all a good purchase for the $150 I paid... I cant justify an $800 saw for making 1-2 manifolds for my self and friends, and I have no interest in selling manifolds as a buisness, so this saw will do what I need and the price is great... if anyone plans on making several tubular manifolds I think it would definately be worth the money to get the big jet saw, but this one is great for the DIY guys that just want to make their own, and dont need fast production speed

 

Yeah, I haven't returned mine yet, i'm going today and if they wont just give me my money back then i'll try another one. The clamp definately needs some work, the part that moves should not have the slot in it to allow it to flop all over the place. Glad to hear that it worked out for you. maybe i'll be luckier this time! If i do get another one i'll be making a jig and modding the clamp so i'll post pictures of my setup and maybe we can compare.

 

on mine it seems pipe just tears the teeth off my blade..

i gotta find some place that carries super good blades..

 

The jet is a nice piece.The one I have has coolant and has a cylinder on the arm so you can control how fast it goes down.It is bad ***.

 

http://www.tinyisland.com/4x6bsFAQ.html some interesting stuff if nobody's seen it... make sure you check out all the links too.

 

Well. I ended up getting another one this week and I'm not to disappointed at all. In fact I'm quite surprised w/ it! I spend a hour tonight making a jig to cut collectors and it works very well. I have made over 20 cuts on this blade w/ no dulling, and no jumping off the tracks. Here are a bunch of pics of the jig I made. A few minor adjustments to the stock clamping guides but nothing was done that isn't easily undone by taking three bolts out. The pipe just slides in snug to the angle iron and away it cuts, no clamping or anything required to hold the pipe in place! The pictures are all show w/ a piece of schedule 40 1-1/2" that is exactly 7" long, I will most like use 6" from now but either works. Let me know if you have any questions! Total Cut time for each pipe i'd say no more than 5 minutes. so figure easily under 30 minutes a collector. Saw is on medium speed.

 

just out of curiousity (sp), are you going to mig or tig it?

 

some of each, mostly mig till i get the tigging down real good.

 

Wow looks really nice man, keep up the good work ......i think i see another manifold fabricator in the works