Shopsmith Forums

1/4 inch steel. I would like to make a good square cut

I heard metal cutting band saws make way less mess and noise than say an angle grinder..

That's why I was wondering if I could switch out the blade on my Shopsmith bandsaw to cut he steel tubing.

what about putting an abrasive cutoff wheel on the table saw? I know you are now all just shaking your heads ...

I got my 4x6 hor. band saw (also works in vertical mode) about 5 years ago. I wish I had got one 35 yrs ago! It works great for cutting pipe and angle iron. There is lots of small mods owners do to them and found described on the web, here for instance:
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Bandsaw/Bandsaw.htm#mods

prmindartmouth wrote:I got my 4x6 hor. band saw (also works in vertical mode) about 5 years ago. I wish I had got one 35 yrs ago! It works great for cutting pipe and angle iron. There is lots of small mods owners do to them and found described on the web, here for instance:
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Bandsaw/Bandsaw.htm#mods

I love that wooden base. The factory bases on those really suck. It is not bad sitting there but when you want to move it...


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russsaw wrote:@robinson46176's Avatar
robinson46176

Of the five tools you listed please tell me which you would recommend if you were going to only buy one?

I don't know what the names of the first two tool images you posted are. I know the sawzaw, torch, angle grinder, and Industrial 7 1/4in. Metal Cutting Saw.

I was going to use it to cut 2"steel tubing and angle iron. I probably not use the tool all that often, but who knows. currently wanting to build a steel cart.

It depends...
If I was cutting all steel (especially heavy steel) I might say the chop-saw but you do not use a chop-saw on aluminum, copper etc.
The 7 1/4" metal saw might serve for everything. I have seen them in use and it looks very good when working but I have not actually used one so I can't speak with authority on it.
I have often used the bandsaw to cut plastic and copper pipe. It will also cut sheet metal if the clearances happen to work out.

Once when cutting a 1"x 3" steel plow beam for a neighbor I used the vise of the chop-saw to clamp the saw to the beam still on the plow. Rather than the saw sitting on the ground it was out in mid air but clamped to the beam the same as if it were on the ground. Other than that the cut was normal. In that case it would have been simpler if I had owned a free-hand chop-saw (I don't).

When we cut a pickup truck in half a few years ago (replaced the rear half of the truck frame) we made the cuts (carefully) with the torch and then used a heavy hand grinder to clean the cuts to the line.


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russsaw wrote:what about putting an abrasive cutoff wheel on the table saw? I know you are now all just shaking your heads ...

Been there, done that!

Be careful of the abrasive debris!;)

P.S. Hold firmly! Be prepared for 'warmth'!