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Thread: Cutting stock

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Geelong
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    27

    Default Cutting stock

    I'm looking at improving my capabilities to cut stock in the workshop.

    I'm currently considering a few options. the first is a basic bandsaw,
    https://www.totaltools.com.au/100386...-370w-mcb115s2
    This appears to be the same (or close enough too) the basic hafco saw, and without the 3 hour round trip and a little cheaper.

    Otherwise I have been interested in looking at one of the evolution cold cut chop saw.
    https://www.amazon.com/Evolution-Pow.../dp/B003TX1UPO
    I have used one of these types blades in a drop saw and had reasonable results, as good as I have ever seen form a cheap hacksaw.

    or do I hang out and try to buy a better second hand bandsaw. I have always found bandsaws tricky so a 2nd hand higher quality one could either be perfect or a disaster.

    I have a max budget of around 600 dollars.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Melbourne
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    35
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    1,522

    Default

    I find those evolution saws to be really messy, noisy and a bit of a pita. I have one of those cheap bandsaw and it does a pretty good job across the board. Especially with a good bimetal blade.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Toowoomba Qld
    Posts
    401

    Default

    What kind of stock are you normally cutting ?

    What you want it to cut will play a big part in what tool is going to be the best option.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    blackburn vic
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    297

    Default

    I would go for the bandsaw. I have used mine after midnight in a residential area without any problems.
    Just as a comment, Hafco carry, or can get, parts for all of their stuff.

    Roger

  5. #5
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
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    7,182

    Default

    Another vote for a BS for all the reasons already mentioned but one that has not been mentioned is I really like is start it cutting an go do something else. That doesn't matter so much with thin stock but it comes into its own with thicker stock.

    Something else to consider with Evolution saws are these recommendations for cutting thick stock.
    Mild Steel Plate - Max. Thickness: 1/4"
    Mild Steel Box Section - Max. Wall Thickness: 1/8"
    Minimum Cut Off Piece Length: 1/2"
    I have no doubt they can cut thicker stock but this increases the risk of overheating as one of the blokes at the mens shed discovered when he cooked the saw with repeated cuts of 12 mm plate.

    The minimum cut off piece sounds of little value less but it does occasionally help to be able to trim a piece of stock or take a thin usable slice off a piece of stock.

    By widening the vice slot in the base it has possible to cut 150mm diameter rod albeit slowly with my BS.

    My well used BS cost me $100 and I reckon it is one of the most used bits of gear in my shed.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Aldinga Beach.
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    73
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    148

    Default

    I won't tell you to go either way other than avoid at all cost fibre disk drop saws: noisy messy and inaccurate. I'd imagine the hard blade drops are pretty noisy too.

    I have a Hafo BS5S which was a little over $600. Very happy with it, it will cut pretty well anything. I avoid the bi/metal blades as I've never had any luck with them, only buy Starret carbons.

    I fitted the bandsaw with a geared pump for shovving coolant around. Gear pumps don't block up with the fine swarf as magnetic pumps do and the coolant makes the blades last a lot longer. I've also installed a filter to keep the coolant clean, conxixts of a retic tap filter to collect the larger swarf and a series of rare earthe for the finer swarf. If anything it works a little too well as I always seem to be cleaning it.

    Very accurate if set up right, Nut setting up can be time consuming. Once setup no need to do it again unless using a different brand blade.

    Great for trimming to size as cutting off slivers the width of the blade is possible.

    One of the most used and better buys I've made.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
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    4,255

    Default

    with a band saw you can always get on with something else while its doing its job

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Sydney
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    201

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by onanonanon View Post
    avoid at all cost fibre disk drop saws: noisy messy and inaccurate.
    I agree with this comment. Abrasive cut-off saws throw sparks in all directions (not good indoors or out), leave the metal hot, leave a nasty burr, are noisy as hell, and in my limited direct experience don't cut accurately presumably because of the thin flexible abrasive disc. Try trimming anything less than 10mm off a piece of steel RHS, the cut just wanders towards the free end.

    I'm lucky to have a beautiful old Brobo cold saw which is gentle, quiet, and very accurate, but I still get the BS-4 out surprisingly often. As already stated, a good feature of the bandsaw option is that you can leave it running and get on with something else. And they are quiet!

    I'd go with the bandsaw option. As mentioned, even though I kick myself for saying so, there is a service/spare parts benefit of going with the Hafco version, but that Total Tools one does appear to be identical.

    Graham.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Country West Oz
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    77
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    169

    Default

    Plus one for the band saw for all the above reasons.
    Mine cost $150, took a bit of tuning, but now is quite accurate and trouble free, and has done a huge amount of work over the years.
    Regards
    Bradford

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Laidley, SE Qld
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    1,038

    Default

    If you do buy the bandsaw (and I reckon they are amazing value for the work they can do) be prepared to tinker with it to get it cutting properly. Plenty of info on these pages on how to go about that task.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    229

    Default

    Horizontal bandsaw is an easy winner IMHO
    I use mine for everything from 1/4” to 5 1/4” diameter. The 5 1/4” takes less than 10 minutes per cut.
    The bandsaw is the most used machine in my shed, quiet and cheap to run.
    They can initially be a little temperamental though, so it pays to get to know your machine.
    Pete

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    near Warragul, Victoria
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    3,718

    Default

    Is a vertical bandsaw more versatile ? The old Doalls come up for sale now and then

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Sydney
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    201

    Default

    A vertical bandsaw won't do the auto cut-off function. Plus, clamping of round stock is a pain.

    The BS4 machines usually come with a small table to convert the machine for vertical use. I used one of these for years as my only bandsaw. It was surprisingly useable as long as you didn't mind sitting on the vice bed to hold the machine down against the cutting forces.

    Graham.

  14. #14
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Feb 2006
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    Perth
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    Default

    There is a vertical at the Mens Shed but I'd much rather use my BS4. Auto feed, good work holding and auto off are available on uprights but expect to shell out a lot of $$

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Canley Heights, NSW
    Age
    67
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    529

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rogerbaker View Post
    I would go for the bandsaw. I have used mine after midnight in a residential area without any problems.
    Just as a comment, Hafco carry, or can get, parts for all of their stuff.

    Roger
    Somehow broke the Balance spring on the side of my BS5 Bandsaw a while ago and Hafco wanted $45 for a new one with a 4 to 6 month wait for it, got a new one from a spring supplier for $12. Moral of the story shop around with Hafco Spares.
    Shane

    Got the square peg in the round hole, now can't get it out !!

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