[TheForge] New Bandsaw question, cutting large stock

[Bob Ehrenberger]

Chris,

I've had trouble in general trying to cut large stock with a chop saw.  The
problem as I see it is the blade heats up and develops a glaze on the
cutting edge.  My solution to this is to cut a bundle of small stock.  I
have a stack (about 8) of old band saw blades wired together that I put in
the chop saw and take a couple thin slices off of.  This cuts the glaze on
the blade and it will cut the thick stock again for a while.

I don't think that the chop saws turn fast enough for thick material.  I
have a Milwaukee 14" and it turns at 3600 rpm.  We can cut through much
thicker stuff using a 7" angle grinder with a cut off wheel, it turns at
8000 rpm or something close to that.  The problem is it is hard to get a
nice cut with a hand held grinder and they are pretty dangerous.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.

-----Original Message----
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Chris Kilpatrick
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2004 12:27 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] New Bandsaw question

Firstly,
     Thank all of you for such great information.  Secondly, I have some
125# railroad rail that I am wanting to cut and my chop saw isn't cutting
it.  I also have some 3" round I need to make a series of cuts in and some
1050 in 1 1/4" that I need to cut through.  That is why I am looking this
saw.  I also want to be able to cut curves in wood.  Am I misguided in
believing this saw will do this?

-Chris K.