Cutting up bits of metal

+1 again for a small bandsaw.

My shed, being very small and of limited available space, determined that I bought a very small version of a 6x4, not on a stand on wheels, and reasonably lightweight, so I could easily lift it. Lives under the end of the bench and comes out to play only when needed so doesn't take up valuable shed space.

Axminster were doing them at the time, not the cheapest available from then but good quality, then it was discontinued and now the rough equivalent has been re-introduced but at a much greater cost. Nothing new there then!

However, I find it's worth it's weight in gold, a very valued tool, how I lived without it I don't know sort of thought comes to mind, especially so as I hate hacksawing, absolutely hate it, and cannot cut as straight and true and so effortlessly as my bandsaw. Would not be without it now even if it does unfortunatly not get used as much as I would like due to shed-time constraints. Just my tuppence worth.

Chris

I just consider the job and choose a suitable solution.

Round bar - hacksaw, bandsaw, or lathe. Rather depends on length, number and diameter.

Bar - hacksaw, bandsaw, mill (usually horizontal but sometimes with the vertical head).

Sheet - hacksaw, nibbler, bandsaw (I’ve made a bracket and table, which is secured in the vise, for vertical operation), tin snips, even heavy duty scissors for thin aluminium and shim material.

Other alternatives are the angle grinders with cutting discs (an outside of workshop option, either freehand or with a stand for the 115mm grinder) or the metal shears. Unfortunately the metal shear is rarely used as the holes in the floor, for fixing it down) are always full of dross, it takes time to set it up and is best used for short cuts for multiple pieces.

Accuracy is rarely a requirement as parts can generally be cleaned up accurately in the lathe or on the mill on the belt sander.

I may well just buy in a plasma cutter if a suitable opportunity arises in the future - but free-hand, not a computerised table jobbie. I don’t really do enough to justify one but it can always be passed on eventually.

If I need a ‘hot spanner’ job, I can take the item to a friend’s workshop and cut it there.

I suppose the bandsaw gets most use, for cutting medium sized objects, these days.