cut-off

I've been using a bandsaw machine with bimetal 1300mm x 12mm x 14 tpi band, but when it came to cutting off 75mm round BDMS stock found it too tedious, with the slightest lack of lubricant or over weight cutting, throwing the band, replacing which was difficult. Also,I had to seriously modify the vice to enable it to securely hold short or irregular stock

There are a bewildering selection of circular blade cutting off machines on the market with no indication as to capacity or kerf width or blade material or tooth form or abrasive, but all claiming accuracy and high performance.

Can someone with knowledge of this process please suggest a bench mountable powered hand plunged cut-off saw to cope with large solid sections that I have described above ?

Peter Peters

For 75mm dia i would use a 3-4 tpi blade

14 is too fine for that diameter

try a lesser toothed band before condemning your machine

Where I used to work the stock cut off was done with a bandsaw. I don't think I ever paid great attention to the blade TPI but seem to remember they used a very coarse blade but they did have hydraulic raising and lowering to control the cut.

The pipe shop cut pipe stock with 6/10 vari-pitch but they had controlled lowering as well. The thin wall tube was cut off with a cold saw that had fine teeth but the blades were always clogging up with swarf.

Martin C

Take it that it's one of the generic 6x4 bandsaws like my Chester one that also uses a 1300mm blade?

Somethings wrong if it keeps chucking the blade off, mine never has no matter what it is cutting, is it cutting square? I use the same 14/10 tpi bi metal blade to cut whatever I need to from stainless to a bit of timber, granted it can be a bit slow on big cuts but it's a "budget" saw and a touch of weight on the end can help. You didn't need to seriously modify the vice just drill and tap the rear of the moveable jaw M10 or similar then use a bolt to keep the jaw square when a short piece is at the front.

Agree with Bezzer and Ian Parkin, but just be patient, my little Chester bandsaw realy surprised me. Good luck.,

Donkey saws seem to have gone out of fashion; I think I'm going to try to find a reasonably priced one of those. Less worry than a bandsaw.

I have a small hobby quality bandsaw that is portable and can be placed under my desk (run out of space). It uses a 10-14 TPI M42 blade and it does perform very well. I am more afraid cutting aluminium than cutting steel. The work holding could (and should) be better and when I have time, I will improve it.
It cuts effortlessly straight and a lot faster than my manual saw.

I have no problem cutting 90mm dia steel with my little band saw. I use the same bi-metal blade that I use for cutting small sections. Have you tried a new blade and checked the roller guides ?