Metal cutting bandsaw

This topic has 13 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 11 January 2018 at 08:14 by the artfull-codger.

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9 January 2018 at 20:42 #336102
Peter Simpson 1
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@petersimpson1
I realise that there have been several posts on bandsaws recently. Does anybody use the typical Sealey, Warco Axminster variations in the vertical mode, The tables fitted to these saws look flimsy to say the least. Has anybody retrofitted a decent quality table to the saws. Looking at photos of these saws there does not appear to be much metal around the blade area to secure a solid table. Femi sell optional table at £100 which seems very pricey.
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9 January 2018 at 20:42 #9044
Peter Simpson 1
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@petersimpson1
9 January 2018 at 20:54 #336104
daveb
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@daveb17630
I bought my saw from APTC, There was a note saying that EEC rules did not allow tables for vertical operation so this item was no longer supplied. There is not much to fit the table to, it fits to the end of the blade guide with 2 screws. I made a table 150mm square X 3mm, used it once, haven't seen it for ages.
10 January 2018 at 10:36 #336155
larry Phelan
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@larryphelan54019
Like Daveb,I too made a table for my saw,in order to cut some sheet steel. I was not impressed by either the speed or the ease of the operation. I considered it to be dangerous,even with the bigger table,so I never bothered with it again.

Has anyone ever made a saw bench type cutter,using a metal cutting blade,at a slower speed,I should think?

Just a thought !
10 January 2018 at 10:49 #336160
Martin Kyte
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@martinkyte99762
Axminster Trade Series BS11-INV Bandsaw

I have a BS11-INV from axminster which works well for metal sheet and wood but then I was not really looking for a cut off saw.

It's here on the web if anyone is interested.

**LINK**

regards Martin
10 January 2018 at 10:55 #336161
Michael Cox 1
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@michaelcox1
I have made a small but more substantial table for vertical bandsawing on my Axminster 4 x 6 saw. I made the table smaller and hinged so that it can remain in position even when using the saw in the horizontal mode. I also made a detachable fence for the table to facilitate straight cuts. Because it is always on the bandsaw, ready for action, it gets used quite frequently. More details are here:

http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/bandsaw-table-and-fence.html

For thin metal (<1.5 mm) it is necessary to feed slowly and steadily to avoid snatching and the possibility of breaking the teeth on the blade but it is only a matter of practice to develop a good technique.

I prefer to use a nibble to cut thin sheet, see

http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/nibbler.html and http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/a-nibbler-table.html
10 January 2018 at 12:03 #336169
larry Phelan
Participant
@larryphelan54019
Hi Martin,

I do have a vertical bandsaw,bought years ago for woodwork,and I have used it to cut sheet steel,from time to time. I just dont like the idea of getting metal chips embedded in the rubber tires of the wheels [very difficult to remove them ]

I was thinking more along the lines of a circular saw,as used for woodwork [not a chopsaw ],perhaps running at a lower speed. I have cut Ali sheet on my benchsaw,so that,s what set me thinking.I know that the speed of my saw is much too fast,so perhaps a slower running machine ? I have never seen any such machine so I suspect it,s a non-starter.

These are the kind of things which keep us busy !
10 January 2018 at 12:29 #336173
Les Jones 1
Participant
@lesjones1
I have built Michael Cox's modified tabe for a Clarke 4 x 6 bandsaw. It is much better than the original table. It is a very worthwhile modification.

Les.
10 January 2018 at 12:58 #336180
RichardN
Participant
@richardn
Posted by larry Phelan on 10/01/2018 12:03:04

I was thinking more along the lines of a circular saw,as used for woodwork [not a chopsaw ],perhaps running at a lower speed. I have cut Ali sheet on my benchsaw,so that,s what set me thinking.I know that the speed of my saw is much too fast,so perhaps a slower running machine ? I have never seen any such machine so I suspect it,s a non-starter.

Are you thinking of a larger version of the Myford saw table, as shown here which is modified for mini lathes?

**LINK**

I have used a 4” square of 1/4” sheet clamped at suitable height with a block on top as a fence as a poor mans version of this which worked quite well… but relatively small capacity to suit my needs any S7…
10 January 2018 at 13:32 #336190
larry Phelan
Participant
@larryphelan54019
Hi Richard N,

Yes,something along those lines but bigger. Would be thinking about a table around 18" square with a long fence..

Still thinking !!
10 January 2018 at 13:45 #336194
Martin Kyte
Participant
@martinkyte99762
Posted by larry Phelan on 10/01/2018 12:03:04:

Hi Martin,

I do have a vertical bandsaw,bought years ago for woodwork,and I have used it to cut sheet steel,from time to time. I just dont like the idea of getting metal chips embedded in the rubber tires of the wheels [very difficult to remove them ]

The INV version I have runs slow for metal cutting. I run vacuum extract and that with the brushes and chip diverter seem to keep the chippings off the tyres.

As I said I selected it because I wanted to use it for wood and sheet metal, mostly brass for clock plates.

Some years ago I bought some compo brass sheet from GLR and was informed that it had been cut on a normal table saw so it can be done. I imagine with steel it would generate to many sparks to be safe. I'm not sure I would want to do brass either really!

regards Martin
10 January 2018 at 14:04 #336197
richardandtracy
Participant
@richardandtracy
Michael Cox's table mod looks very clever. I shall make one for my Clarke 6×4.

Regards,

Richard.
11 January 2018 at 04:41 #336276
Kerrin Galvin
Participant
@kerringalvin72662
Hi Peter,

If you check out my photos there’s a couple of photos of my table. Takes about 10 seconds to get on & off, “& best of all no tools required!

Cheers Kerrin
11 January 2018 at 08:14 #336287
the artfull-codger
Participant
@theartfull-codger
Although not the fastest machine but often underated is the meddings scroll/jig saw, I've just cut out some large radiused parts for our village church organ out of 2 inch brass Which it coped with easily,the real bonus is you can pick up bandsaw blades at autojumbles cheaply for either wood or steel etc they also cut inside shapes which a bandsaw cannot do (without cutting & rewelding the blade), I've cut 1/4 inch steel many times,as I say, not the fastest but l wouldn't be without mine.
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