Coldsaw or Bandsaw? It depends........

[frijoli]

A band saw for speed, and structures which don't need a tight fit before welding, or where you intend to finish the ends on a mill or somewhere else.

Think of a cold saw as a milling machine for "one shot" cutting and finishing stock ends for welding precision structures.

One recommendation I would make is get the power down feed if more than one person is going to use it an set it up. Cold saw blades are expensive and really should be used correctly at the correct speeds and feeds, whereas bandsaws allow a lot more room for incorrect speeds and feeds and abuse.

One important area to consider if you have large sizes, cold saws are limited in capacity just as a radial "Skilsaw" is. Buy the heaviest duty, largest one, you can afford for precision and life span.

Clay

[bhardy501]

Another sugestion for a saw tha is kind of in the middle is the carbide blade chop saw such as the one Milwaukee makes. It is better than a band saw on the finish it leaves on the material and most things are very workable straight off the saw. You dont have as nice a finish as a cold saw. It is also a lot more cost effective for the hobbyist and small shop that cant afford $3000+ dollars for a cold saw. The carbide blades are around $80-$110 but can be sent and sharpened.

[BearNPum]

I have thought about the Milwaukee, but haven't decided to drop the cash yet.

Art could build a cold saw, then share the plans with us. I like this idea!

[bhardy501]

I found mine on Ebay for $399 about $200 below list. There is also one made by Rage. i have their metal cutting circular saw and it is great. i think their big chop saw is around $350

[weldingtwopotatoes]

How does just a chop saw with an aluminum oxide metal cut off wheel compare to the cold saw in terms of the quality of the cut?

[KHK]

I have a Dewalt chop saw, I have placed a 120 T carbide blade on it. After about 20 cuts on some 1 in x 1/4 angle iron the blade has no visible damage on it. I was tired of adjusting, replaceing the composit blade. Time will tell if this was a good decision.

[BearNPum]

Hmm, I had thought that ideally you want the carbide blade spinning much slower that the abrasive blade. But if it is working, this may be another way to go.

Nice, the Rage 10" compound sliding miter is $315!! 14" chop saw version for $279 at Sears.

[frijoli]

How does just a chop saw with an aluminum oxide metal cut off wheel compare to the cold saw in terms of the quality of the cut?

Think of the cold saw as a milling machine finish, and the cut off wheel like an angle grinder finish. Cold saws are built more like TANKS, and chop saws are built more like Hyundais!

[Hamstn]

I also was tired of replacing the chop saw blades and was looking into a metal blade but research said that they are designed to turn slower. Was afraid that it would not work so just bought a box of composite blades at around $7 each. Be real interesting to hear how long that blade ends up lasting you. Cost would be more I think but the pro is you always have a full 14" blade when you need to cut larger metals like square tube.

[KHK]

The carbide blade was purchased at HF and is ment for a wood chop saw. It is a 12 in blade rated at 7,000 rpm. I think that the Dewalt chop saw is rated at 5,400 rpm.