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Post by LastGodslayer on Feb 16, 2024 19:37:02 GMT
After playing with a videogame recently, I'm inspired to give making blades a try again.
If I don't want to use an angle grinder, not a hacksaw, and can't/won't outsource plasma or waterjet, but I can afford a bandsaw instead, what do you recommend?
Is a cheap 200€ Amazon metal bandsaw enough for simple blanks that I can tune up on a grinder?
What should I be on the look out for?
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Post by larason2 on Feb 16, 2024 22:57:01 GMT
No, band saws aren't really made for steel. I got a cheap band saw about what you want to pay, but it struggles to make it through wood if it's too thick. It will cut copper, aluminum, tin, but steel just laughs if you try to use it (and the blade falls off the wheel). What I did is got a cheap circular saw, and a diamond cutting blade for it. My circular saw was about 70 euros, and the cutting blade was about 40 euros. But nothing laughs at that blade! I can cut any kind of steel (even hardened), and I also use it to cut the ends off polishing stones and rocks. It heats up a lot sometimes, but I've never had it fail. If you get some hot metal on the blade cover though, make sure to let it cool down before using it for wood! Also, make sure you use a respirator when you're using it, either for steel or stone! A mitre saw with the same blade would also be rather practical.
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Post by eastman on Feb 17, 2024 3:19:18 GMT
there are bandsaws that cut steel really well. They are huge and very expensive. Don't expect much from a cheap one.
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Post by LastGodslayer on Feb 17, 2024 16:48:01 GMT
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Post by larason2 on Feb 17, 2024 17:12:12 GMT
Here is the exact saw I bought: www.homedepot.ca/product/ryobi-13-amp-7-1-4-inch-circular-saw/1000722730It's corded, so that's why it is so cheap! It's even cheaper now, I see. The price is in CDN, not sure you can get an equivalent in europe. And here is I think the exact blade I bought: www.homedepot.ca/product/diablo-7-inch-diamond-rimmed-cut-off-grinder-wheel-disc-for-metal-cutting/1001106663It's made for metal, but it also works great on stone (shouldn't matter for you!). There's also much cheaper diamond blades available now, at least here. Worth a look anyway. I'd give up on the bandsaw idea. I use it all the time for cutting metal, just not steel. It's annoying to have the blade fall off the wheels (or worse!). As mentioned, they exist, just not cheap! The problem isn't the blade, it's the mounting on the wheel. Bandsaws are made so the blade is a sort of abrasive wears away the material, it doesn't tolerate materials of high resistance to abrasion. For steel, just pushing it against a cheap blade causes the blade to fall off the wheel. Maybe putting it so it just touches the blade? Still, you'll be there for hours, even for the diamond wheel it takes a while to get through steel, and the steel gets pretty hot.
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Post by mrstabby on Feb 17, 2024 18:20:27 GMT
The Einhell does work for steel, but it's not fast. You can look up a few videos, they work, but again slowly. I have seen bike locks being cut by one.
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Post by eastman on Feb 17, 2024 19:36:59 GMT
there was a company making parts to convert the small cut-off horizontal bandsaws into fixed vertical bandsaws. They are more likely to work on steel than the woodworker bandsaws.
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Post by LastGodslayer on Feb 17, 2024 22:10:34 GMT
Larason2, did you get it with the table? (I'm asking because the link gives me an "access denind" error, but I've found that circular saw in a local shop for 120€)
Mr. Stabby, I've seen these be used in Forged in Fire and such. Cutting brass and steel. They don't need to be super fast, rather, I am looking for straight cuts, which on wood bandsaws sometimes wander...
Eastman, that sounds great. I'ma look that up.
Maybe the metal bandsaw can be salvaged yet!
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Post by mrstabby on Feb 18, 2024 7:22:22 GMT
Those in FiF are different beasties.
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Post by larason2 on Feb 18, 2024 14:20:46 GMT
No, my circular saw doesn't have a table. Around here, if it's a circular saw that's mounted to a table, we call that a "mitre saw." I clamp all my workpieces to my bench, but if you don't have a bench to work with, a mitre saw is practical.
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Post by LastGodslayer on Feb 20, 2024 1:12:53 GMT
Thanks everyone for your input. Saw a "DIY" mod for such a saw and was fairly convinced its at least an option.
Sure, its a grade better saw to begin with...
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