Dry Cutting Metal Bandaws - Blade Life

[JMarsa]

I'm thinking of getting a horizontal band saw. I expect that blades wear our quickly for the dry variety and that over the years, I'll go through enough blades to warrant the upgrade to one that uses coolant.

Any comments?

--JMarsa

[hotrdblder]

some of the better band saw do not recommend coolant, i have a horizontal, ellis and they hate coolant and no you won't go thru alot of blades as long as you buy the proper blade for the proper material, blade life highly hangs on you have the appropriate amount of teeth in the work peice.
what brand are you looking at? ellis are made int he u.s and high quality but come with a price tag

[JMarsa]

I've only used wet saws in real metal shops, this is for hobby use. I like the idea of the horizontal/vertical combo but I might be able to get away with a jigsaw, reciprocating, or plasma instead with a horizonal only. I hate having the wrong tool for the job.

I'm debating between these:

this wet (http://www.grizzlyindustrial.com/products/6-1-2-x-9-1-2-Metal-Cutting-Bandsaw/G4030)

and

this dry (http://www.wttool.com/product-exec/product_id/41297/nm/4_1_2_Metal_Cutting_Bandsaw_with_Angle_Cutting_WT_ Import_)

Both are imports. I'm leaning towards the latter.

--JMarsa

[astroracer]

For hobby use that saw will do fine. I have a 25 year old Tiawanese 4x6 horizontal that I use all the time with no blade issues. In fact, the current blade has been on there for a couple of years now. I cut everything with it, wood, aluminum and steel.
I use bi-metal blades exclusively and these are purchased through Enco (usually on sale).
Mark

[Otto-813]

I have a Dake SE-712 and used the blade for over a year before finally changing it. It is a wet saw and I did a lot of cutting with it.

But it is a little pricey when compared to the knock-off ones.

http://www.southern-tool.com/store/media/dake/bandsaw-johnson-se712.jpg

[JMarsa]

Nice. It's vertical as well. I wish you lived nearby!

--JMarsa

[hotrdblder]

http://www.ellissaw.com/Band-Saws/12/1500-mitre-band-saw
these are about 2500 new made in usa

theres mine, check ebay and buy a good used high quality one before buying a new import one, quality is incomparable, price is also but thats why i say buy used quality one

[Jim Nilsen]

Check out Jet and Delta for brand names and last but not least check out good ole SEARS Craftsman. Remember that the Craftsman will help out the paycheck of a serving soldier.

You can find all of these on line and see what the prices are and the capacities.

Goodluck.

[BMF Machine]

I use a jet. I have HAAS CnC's, but a saw, is a saw. Take care of them, never crash the blade down to hard, it will be fine. Mine is big and cost around 3500.00 I am sure the smaller ones are nice as well. I cut mainly A-2(Hard stuff), it never fails me, I love it. I was unsure at first. But I take care of it, nothing is worse than an old worn out saw.IMO.