Metal Cutting?

[JohnV]

I hope that this question is OK for this board...I just bought a L#$%^&n welder.... and I am looking for a saw to do some light duty detailed cuts in metal...I have been considering a Delta 9inch band saw with a metal blade...am i crazy to consider this??....I just want to cut some designs in some sheetmetal...is this a decent method??...the jig saw is driving me crazy!!!

Here is the Delta band saw

Thanks for any info,
John

[Mark Whiddon]

don't know how much the bandsaw costs, but you may consider a plasma cutter. a bandsaw will give you very nice cuts but it will take a while. Why is the jigsaw so bothersome? I am unsure if that bandsaw has the right amount of HP, if it is very light sheet metal it will probably work ok. If you get higher than maybe 16-18 gauge it may be hard on the motor, belts etc.

[JohnV]

Well the jig saw is hard because of having to find a way to clamp the sheetmetal so I can cut it....at least with the band saw I can rest it on the table and move it around...I would love a plasma cutter...but for now the cost is too high...maybe later if I stick to welding alot...buy the way that band saw is only $99

[jniolon]

bandsaw

John...

I'm not that familiar with the particular saw you are referencing but in general terms... a $99 bandsaw is not going to have the h.p. or precision for metal cutting with any accuracy.. good metal cutting saws cost in the multiple hundreds of dollars...even used ones...

Unless you're doing really light gauge stuff ( and even then) I think you'll be disappointed... just my .02¢

john

[Dan]

Like Russell stated the saw is for wood. The blade is to fast for steel. Plus as Russell stated too, the motor is under powered.

Now, I took a larger import floor model 14" vertical bandsaw and stepped the speed of the band down by installing a different pulley configuration on the machine. In the end I was able to cut up to about 12 ga without any trouble.

[Blkvoodoo]

Something to consider,

A few years ago I rented a plasma cutter, as luck would have it the first time I rented it it was new ( Miller Spectrum 300 cutmate ) .

went back about a year later and rented it again, same cutter, as I was walking out of the place, the clerk mentioned that is was for sale, ( HMMMM)

I took it home and used it ( hard ), ended up buying it. got it for about half of new price.

All I have done too it was added a line drier to inlet side and cleaned it up.

Seems rental stores like to rotate items out once they have rented for a percentage of cost ( 60% I have been told ) then sell and either repurchace or upgrade to newer model.

might see what you can find and try this route.

Kevin

[JohnV]

Thanks for all the great info...I now have some ideas on what to do

Thanks again!!!
John