Band saw cutting metal

jere · Post by **jere** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:18 am

Ed in Tampa wrote:Also understand you can damage the bandsaw tires. The blade will get hot and it can and will cause damage. I don't know how bandsaws designed to cut metal handle the problem but I do know you have to keep an eye on the blade temp.

You can get around this problem by adding a brush to clean the blade before it gets to the tire. Some people use toothbrushes heat them up and bend them to the shape you need to fit inside the bandsaw case, and screw them in.

Also make sure to get a bi metal blade for cutting metal, no use in killing wood saw blades.

For the speed when cutting steel turn the speed all the way down and hope that is slow enough. Maybe find some pulleys and a belt and put them on the out side of the SS rather than using the SS drive shaft. You might be able to slow the speed down this way too.

jere · Post by **jere** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:21 am

Ed in Tampa wrote:Also understand you can damage the bandsaw tires. The blade will get hot and it can and will cause damage. I don't know how bandsaws designed to cut metal handle the problem but I do know you have to keep an eye on the blade temp.

Metal bandsaws use slower speeds and sometimes cutting fluid systems. They also don't have rubber tires on the track wheels just a raised metal backing. At least that is the way my horizontal metal bandsaw is.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 8:39 am

jere wrote:You can get around this problem by adding a brush to clean the blade before it gets to the tire. Some people use toothbrushes heat them up and bend them to the shape you need to fit inside the bandsaw case, and screw them in.

. . .

How does a tooth brush cool a hot blade?;)

jere · Post by **jere** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 12:29 pm

[quote="JPG40504"]How does a tooth brush cool a hot blade?]

Yeah doesn't do anything for the blade temperature wise but the brush acts as a chip brush and keeps metal shards out of the tire. Without a brush the tire have a short life.

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 1:59 pm

I wonder if using the Jig Saw with metal jig saw blades might be a better solution?

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:42 pm

fredsheldon wrote:I wonder if using the Jig Saw with metal jig saw blades might be a better solution?

I think a hand held jig saw would be more gooder.

jere · Post by **jere** » Tue Oct 22, 2013 11:18 pm

A reciprocating saw of some sort will get the job done, as would a hack saw. Might need some touching up with a file or grinder later on, but they are a nice simple once in a while solution.

That said a metal cutting bandsaw cuts a lot smoother and accurate than the above and comes in handy, at least in my garage, pretty often.

holsgo · Post by **holsgo** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:16 am

After countless cuts with the machine set up for metal, the issues of chips in the tires are really not that dramatic of a concern. Use the machine, followed by a brass brush on the tires and a shopvacing and they are good to go. Blade tracks fine when a wood blade has been put back on.

Jack Wilson · Post by **Jack Wilson** » Sat Oct 26, 2013 4:07 pm

Used mine today to cut 16 1/4" carriage bolt to length. It was much easier than doing it by hand.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 11:29 am

Jack Wilson wrote:Used mine today to cut 16 1/4" carriage bolt to length. It was much easier than doing it by hand.

I would have used an abrasive cutoff wheel(disc). Roto zip likely candidate.