Band saw? Good for fab?

[Kilroy]

My dad gave me a band saw a while back and so far all it's done is take up valuable shop space in my cramped garage. I've never used it for any wood-working projecs and I'm just not sure if I need to keep it or not?

Does anybody use a band saw for fabrication? Cutting tubing, shaping supports, etc... Or should I get rid of it and buy something more usefull?

[jalopy43]

A metal cutting bandsaw is one of the best fab. tools in the shop. Tubing,flatstock,bars,etc. are a breeze with it!! I suppose if it is in fairly good condition,and at least a one horse motor.all it needs is a metal cutting blade.Be carefull though it is a well known finger eater!!! Have fun. Glenn

[Slide]

I'll second j43 on this. If the Band Saw is halfway decent, put a metal cutting blade on it and get to work! If nothing else, keep it for cutting out hammerforms and patterns from wood.

Or, you can just give it to me! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Unkl Ian]

Woodworking band saws run too fast for cutting steel.
A little time with some pulleys,to slow it down,
and a metalcutting blade will save alot of sweat later.

[Armstrong]

A band saw is one of the best tools you can have forfab. I only have a portaband but it gets used nonstop. A couple of things to know about using a bandsaw designed for wood is tthat you need to slow it down to cut metal because the higher speeds used on wood will smoke a blade quickly when used on metal. Use the right blade for the material you are cutting. There are special blades for metals and general rule is to use a finer(more teeth per inch)blade on thin materials. A floor model band saw is on my wish list.

[Kilroy]

The tires on the pullies are shot and it needs a going through...

It's a 12" craftsman. It has 2 speeds but i'm not sure if it'll slow down enough to be good on metal. I guess I'll play with it a bit and see what I can get it to do.

Thanks guys... I just gotta free up more space. I guess I'll look elsewhere.

[silent rick]

i use my neighbor's all the time. he set it up with a jackshaft to cut the speed way down. and if you can find them, use bi-metal blades. they last 3-4 times longer.