Modding a Rigid Bandsaw to cut steel

[parsonsj]

Yeah ... somehow I talked Paul into sending me his prototype. I'll give it a solid go, and report back here in a week or two. I have some sheetmetal and tube work (both steel and aluminum) to do, so I will exercise the saw a bit.

jp

[astroracer]

Sounds good John, and thanks for the info. I was scoping out parts in both McMaster-Carr's and Grainger's catalogs yesterday. I also went out and dinked around with the 12" variable speed saw I bought and decided it's not worth messing with. I will leave it alone and use it for cutting wood only. It's got a small motor on it and the variable speed leaves it with no torque at metal cutting speeds... No great loss for 70 bucks. I will be picking up one of the bigger 14" saws shortly. Do you have any suggestions or things I should be looking for different then the Rigid saw? I will be checking out Harbor Freights offerings and Sears has one that is similar so I should be able to come up something that will work.
Mark

[JohnUlaszek]

Mark,
The harbor freight model can be caught on sale for $229.00 and is worth considering on price, but of the higher quality models the Rigid seemed the best bang for the buck.

John