[TheForge] Horizontal Band saw

[Jerry Frost]

I used a 4" x 6" no name horizontal vertical bandsaw 
for about 20 years till it just plain wouldn't track 
and couldn't be adjusted about. In all that time I 
replaced the roller guides once but the bearings in the 
blade wheels finally went 4-5 years ago. It cost $79.00 
in the late 70's or early 80's I don't remember little 
details that far back. <grin>

Now I have a Jet 7" x 12" horizontal vertical with 
coolant. Bought it for under a grand, just. Either work 
just fine though the Jet has more capacity and I expect 
it to last a little longer. Still if it falls short of 
the longevity of the closeout store el-cheapo bandsaw 
by a few years it'll still be worth more than it cost 
by many multiples.

I'm less impressed with the coolant especially cutting 
new steel, on rusty or dirty steel it helps by washing 
some of the dirt and grit off. A little wire brush 
action is a good solution you say and I say use the 
brush inside a piece of pipe and we'll talk. <grin>

The secrets are a solid machine with adjustable 
tracking, slow speed and a good blade. The blade is all 
important after the machine is squared up. The most 
important rule of thumb is the "three tooth rule" There 
should be three (3) teeth in the cut at all times. 
Fewer wears the blade quickly, often just stripping the 
teeth. More teeth will load up with cuttings, not only 
slowing the cutting down but generating excess heat 
which wears the blade out more quickly. The vari-tooth 
( I think that's what they're called) work very well 
though you still need to make sure the coarse part of 
the blade isn't going to grab. At any rate you'll want 
to use Bi-metal blades in most situations. Some 
situations you'll want to keep cheap throw away blades 
around for are salvaged metal where you don't know the 
alloy and it's dirty, rusty and such.

Next in importance is feed speed, slower is almost 
always better though not universally. Some alloys work 
harden very quickly so it's important to carry as much 
heat off in the cuttings as possible, hogging the feed 
and living with slightly off cuts may be a viable 
alternative in these cases.

I really recommend a horizontal vertical bandsaw. Being 
able to use it in the vertical position in no way 
degrades it's performance as a cut off saw and being 
able to change plattens and cut curves, split stock, 
etc. is VERY handy.

Frosty
-------------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.

http://www.artmetalradio.com/

From: "Lynn and Susan Lang" <langfarm at together.net>


> Hello
>
> Need someone to tell me where to go.......To buy the 
> best power hacksaw
> for my small operation; do I go with the Delta, Jet, 
> MSC or what?
>
> I am just one step above this being a hobby.
>
> Thank you
> lynn
>
>