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  #1  
Old 01-14-2011, 01:08 PM
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Garrett3374 Garrett3374 is offline
 
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Default Band Saw Question

What type of Band Saw would you suggest getting? Would one of the small table top 9" saws work ok? Kinda like the Ryobi's?
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  #2  
Old 01-14-2011, 01:12 PM
KayS KayS is offline
 
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i got one from sears. was 139 $. has also 9" and works fine. but don't try to cut steel with it.
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  #3  
Old 01-14-2011, 01:14 PM
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Mel Mel is offline
 
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Two main factors in searching for a bandsaw. Throat depth and speed.
Throat depth is the limiting factor for cutting size.
Many table top saws don't have a very slow speed. If you ever intend to cut steel, you will need the lower speeds. Trying to cut steel with the higher speeds will do nothing but burn up the blade.
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  #4  
Old 01-14-2011, 01:16 PM
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Garrett3374 Garrett3374 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mel View Post
Two main factors in searching for a bandsaw. Throat depth and speed.
Throat depth is the limiting factor for cutting size.
Many table top saws don't have a very slow speed. If you ever intend to cut steel, you will need the lower speeds. Trying to cut steel with the higher speeds will do nothing but burn up the blade.
Not too worried about cutting steel. I have use of two cut off saws at work I can use for that... Mainly just for use on all my alum angle and such.
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  #5  
Old 01-14-2011, 01:18 PM
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DCat22 DCat22 is offline
 
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In order of price, these are on my wish list:

$97: Skil 5585 9"
$350: Jet JWBS-10OS 10"
$450: Grizzly G0555 14" (sans shipping, and others in this range)

For me, really depends if I foresee doing other work with it beyond what is needed with the plane.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Garrett3374 View Post
Not too worried about cutting steel. I have use of two cut off saws at work I can use for that...
I love my "steel slicer".

I was also considering one of the aluminum cutting blades you can use on a miter/chop saw....assuming you keep the work clamped well. Some pro's and con's on that in other threads I believe.
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Last edited by DCat22 : 01-14-2011 at 01:20 PM.
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  #6  
Old 01-14-2011, 01:21 PM
esjacoby77 esjacoby77 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: San Antonio, TX
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When I first started my empennage, I bought a small (10"?) Ryobi from Home Depot for around $100. I've been very happy with it, but I've never tried to cut anything other than wood and aluminum.
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  #7  
Old 01-14-2011, 02:19 PM
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larrynew larrynew is offline
 
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Default 10" Craftsman

I've used my 10" Craftsman with a metal blade for everything through the wings and not needed anything bigger.

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  #8  
Old 01-14-2011, 02:43 PM
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N941WR N941WR is offline
 
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I bought an OLD three wheel 14" band saw at a garage sale for $10. Bought a bunch of new 18TPI blades for it and went to town.

The thing is a real POS but works great for cutting thin aluminum skins and aluminum angle. (I would love to buy the $450: Grizzly G0555 14" (sans shipping, and others in this range) that DCat 22 listed.)

A few other tools which I highly recommend are a pneumatic body saw, bench top belt sander with a 4" wide belt and 5" disk. (I used fine 120 grit belts and 80 grit on the disk. Just don't mix steel and aluminum on the same belt or you will push steel into your aluminum.) Cheap cutoff saw from Northern tool with aluminum blades. I didn't use this often but it was nice to have. 12" table top drill press. I used this for drilling and spinning my deburring wheel.
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  #9  
Old 01-14-2011, 05:28 PM
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Rainmaker Rainmaker is offline
 
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Location: Seattle, WA
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Default 2 Cents

I'm halfway through the airframe using a $100 Delta bandsaw from Lowes. I can attest to burning up a blade trying to trim the seat belt anchors. But it's been great for all the aluminum cutting. I wouldn't think to spend too much on a bandsaw. I would put your money to buying a better drillpress as the bolt holes are more critical to get accurate and straight. YMMV.
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  #10  
Old 01-15-2011, 01:55 AM
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BSwayze BSwayze is offline
 
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I just finished my fuselage kit recently. My little $99 Ryobi bandsaw from Home Depot has served me very well. Especially considering the money spent. It has a 9" throat depth. For less than $10 you can get a hacksaw-style metal cutting blade that cuts through aluminum like butter. Just don't try any steel and you'll be fine.

Here's a picture of my Dad helping me cut the stiffeners for the fuel tank. The saw is easily carried around; in this case, outside to sit on top of a little portable workbench I made:

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