I have been looking for a metal cutting band saw for a while now. Just got a flyer from Enco with some deals. Wondering if anyone has any experience with these models, good, bad or what ? http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INLMPI?PMPANO=0551179&PMKBNO=2148&PMPAGE=5&PMCTLG=02 I am considering the 8201 VS. http://www.wiltontools.com/us/manufacturing/en/wilton/product.html?node=4668&product=937 Is 1hp enough for most metal cutting ?
I'm not sure Wilton is still made in the USA but it might be worth checking on. They used to be in Tennesee. I would stay away from foreign made machinery unless it is large industrial type. Foreign companies tend to come and go with the seasons making parts hard to come by eventually.
Enco has been serving metalworkers with good to great quality tools for years. Wilton has gone offshore, but the wilton vice purchased a couple years ago from a local farmstore has proved to be as good as any I've ever had. So I would suspiscion that if it has the wilton name it is still pretty good.
just make sure its for metal if thats what you want it for.. i have a band saw, but it wont do shit to steel..even with the right blade..just not enough umph
I haven't bought anything from them in recent years but my lathe and mill are both Enco 1980's vintage and parts are still available for them from Enco. Mine were made in Taiwan and the casting and machine work are pretty good. They aren't Bridgeport quality, but the price wasn't Bridgeport range either.
Yes, difference is single phase, 3 phase, variable speed, non variable speed. Enco doesn't supply that info, had to go to Wilton web site.
I several pieces of both Wilton and Jet equipment and the supplier I bought them from says they are basically the same company marketing under different brand names with only minor differences in most cases. I have Jet verticle and horizontal bandsaws and a Wilton 20" floor style drill press and am very pleased with them. The saw are neither the smallest nor largest available ( I think the vert is 14" and the horiz has a 7" x 12" capacity. In any case, I wouldn't hesitate to buy either of them again. Ray
You should have a multi or variable speed for cutting metal. The single speed saws are for wood. That said I bought a Do-All 20" variable speed band saw circa 1970s in great shape at an auction for $600.00 Pat
Hunt the Craigslist for an Ellis horizontal bandsaw. Still made in the USA and you can find good used ones at reasonable prices.
Thats the one, I was trying like hell to remember who bought Wilton, JET.. I also have a Wilton Drill Press, IMO it is a good machine.
That saw will do anything you need a vertical saw to do,just use the correct blade for the job. You will also find that a 4X6 horizontal saw makes a good companion. Big thick pieces just stick in the horizontal and turn it on. I have both . Most steel cutting is done with blade speeds between 50& 200 SFM , aluminum works fine at wood cutting speeds.
I have owned the 110 volt variable speed one for five years.it works great for making brackets and cutting exhaust tubing etc. As good as you can get at the price unless you find something used, it is the only vertical saw I could find that ran slow enough for steal and wasn't at least twice to three times the cost. Not a production saw but fine for the small shop or build at home hot rod guy. Any way my 2 cents. You know what they say ask 10 guys and get 11 different answers. Good luck on buying a saw. Watch the ENCO sale flyers they go on sale often and sometimes they have free shipping on this saw.
I've got one and have done a fair amount of sawing with it. A Do-All it ain't but neither is the price! I'd love to have a big old heavy saw, but what the hell, sometimes you gotta consider cost! Dave
I was looking at the 110 volt, variable speed one. Enco is offering free shipping on it so the total price is very attractive. I think for my needs it will be fine. Thanks for your input guys.
The Jalopy Journal
