Cold Saw vs Big DIamond Blade vs Bandsaw

[BWParticipant @bw]

Hello,

Got an email from Total Tools yesterday promoting these things

https://www.totaltools.com.au/113391-evolution-2200w-355mm-multi-purpose-cold-cut-saw-rage2

So was pondering …….. would you invest your money in one of these or a horizontal bandsaw (similar prices in Australia) or a big 14" Lenox diamond blade for your existing abrasive chop saw ? Much cheaper approx $160 vs $500

https://www.totaltools.com.au/110903-lenox-357-x-25-4-x-3-8mm-diamond-metal-cutoff-disc-1985500

They make a complete range of sizes for these diamond wheels. https://www.lenoxtools.com/pages/lenox-metalmax.aspx

Bill

[BWParticipant @bw]

[I.M. OUTAHEREParticipant @i-m-outahere]

Not sure how a diamond blade would go cutting aluminium .

The bandsaw is the most versatile as it can be used as a cut off saw and in the vertical position as a bandsaw to trim around curves , they also don't produce dust like a friction saw and don't throw hot chips at you like a tct blade will .

You can buy the tct blade for your origional drop saw / cut off saw and these work well but you can only use it as a cut off saw .

The only bad thing with the band saw is they can take a little tinkering to get them to cut square and they are slower than a cut off saw but once you start the cut you can leave it to do its job and get on with something else while it does its job.

[clogsParticipant @clogs]

I'm fortunate enough to own a 12" bandsaw (bought new), a 355mm Rage cold cut saw and a diamond blade cutter also 355……never use the diamond saw anymore…….

did think about putting a carbide cold cut blade on one of my abrasive chop saw's but DIDN"T because the speed /RPM is so different…….

so, sold both abrasive saw's and bought a new 355..Rage chop saw….also have the largest hand held metal cutting carbide circ saw available……..why u may ask…well they all do their specific jobs well and SAFELY.….

my band saw is used for solid and the larger box sections…..the cold cut for everything else…..

found the Rage to be very accurate and well guarded so chips are not a problem….still wear saftey specs tho…….

just made a heavy'ish folding cutting benches / stands, in-feed and out-feed with an adjustable length stop for the long stuff…….been wanting 1 for ages…..so made it to suit the bandsaw and then made rolling stand for the Rage all the same height….now both are interchangeble with the cut/bench…..

would put photo's on but always struggle with that on here…….

I don't do hobby engineering really, living and working a small farm plus restoring old cars + motorcycles + tractors keeps me busy plus always making gates and security doors…this makes it necc for all the above toy's / tools….

have a very understanding wife…..hahaha…….

depending what u do/cut up buy a 6" band saw and the smaller Rage chop saw, u wooooon't regret it……promice….

please don't put a cold cut blade on ur abrasive saw, a it wont last very long due to high speed and b, just to risky…..

also,

once initially adjusted, my 12" B/saw has never been touched in the 12 years of ownership, it's a SIP….everybody says they are rubbish but I like mine, it has a pumped coolant feed (used everytime) and just bought some HSS/Co blades for it from Tuff Blades, "brilliant", u wanna see it go thru 80mm solid bar……hahaha…

it's no good having money in the bank if u need the tools……money is worthless…….

make ur life better and buy the tools……..

good luck…. clogs

[Roger Baker 2Participant @rogerbaker2]

I have used my bandsaw till midnight as they make minimal noise. Queried my neighbor to be told "I dint know you were working"

Roger

[Paul H 1Participant @paulh1]

I've got the Rage, an abrasive cut off saw and a the ubiquitous horizontal/vertical bandsaw. The abrasive cut off saw I no longer use as the Rage is much better and the blade obviously does not wear down. The chassis of both is pretty much the same generic Chinese type. Both have clamping which is pretty crap. To be really useful the Rage needs vice mods/upgrades, but well doable in the home workshop. It does cut ally. Clogs points above on the Rage are spot on.

The winner for me is the bandsaw. I use it in both orientations, on cut off work I just leave it to get on with the job and do something else. I have been using it in the vertical mode on loads of Land Rover restoration work over the last 6 months and is invaluable. It does need some upgrades, but these are well covered by Mike Cox on his website and are on my to do list.

I have to say I do have a big bandsaw as well but that is left with a woodworking blade in as I am also always doing woodwork as well.

Paul

[BWParticipant @bw]

Thanks for the replies,

Have been skirting around buying a bandsaw for ages.

I've got an old approx 16" electric hacksaw and that is better than the 14" abrasive chop saw but not as good as a bandsaw.

Gotta admit I was hoping somebody would say something like "I've tried all ways of cutting steel and replacing my 14" abrasive blade with a 14" diamond saw blade on my chp saw was the best thing I ever did" However, that didn't happen.

Bill

[Author]

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