jasonz28camaro

iTrader: (13)

Looking to get some opinions on how to cut hot side tubing. I recently bought a craftsman 10" vertical bandsaw to cut 2.5" ss tubing and it chewed up my blade immediately. I got a metal blade and tried to slow it down with a HF Router Speed Control a bit but the motor would just ramp back up on me. I know it spins too fast to cut metal but are there any other options that don't cost thousands of dollars. I have seen similar band saws with numerous speeds but the are pricy. Anyone use a chop saw or a horizontal bandsaw on a stand? Pros and cons please?

jordoza777

iTrader: (2)

I use cheap chop saw. Works great. You just need a die grinder to clean up the excess metal it leaves on the inside of the pipe.

JoeNova

Chop saw for metal pipe cutting.

V-10 Killer

iTrader: (22)

It might be an issue with feed speed. I believe if you're not cutting, you're work hardening stainless.

jasonz28camaro

iTrader: (13)

With the chop saw are you guys using an abrasive cutting wheel or metal blade? Also what size, 14"? Looking to cut up to 4" tubing.

Fat Jesus 808

iTrader: (5)

Horizontal band saw, good blades, and slow speed

RatCityRex

iTrader: (3)

14" abrasive blade chop saw.

ablakez28

iTrader: (9)

Horizontal Bandsaw with proper blade and speed

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

$100 Ryobi chop saw with a metal cutting wheel.

Fancy band saw is nice, but hella expensive.

ablakez28

iTrader: (9)

He asked what is best

This really is a loaded question in the way we are answering especially since we don't know how the kit is being built. Stainless, mild? Mig, Tig?

I started out making some parts using a chop saw and even still fire it up sometimes. But on anything I am going to purge/Tig out of stainless a bandsaw helps me keep a square cut that helps fitup and saves time on prep.

Either way would work great!

GunmetalGTA

I just picked up a Portaband saw and a table for it from Swag Offroad. I'm using it on mild steel, and it works great so far. I'm trying to work up a jig to make square cuts on mandrel bends for perfect fit up.

jasonz28camaro

iTrader: (13)

I'm using ss 2.5" as stated in my first post. 304ss to be exact but it will also be used for 4" aluminum and some mild steel tubing.

jasonz28camaro

iTrader: (13)

That's pretty cool, I always thought people made their own tables for those portabands. I think I might want a saw that could cut angles if needed though.

jasonz28camaro

iTrader: (13)

Well I guess you could cut angles good with a jig like you are talking about. I'll look more into this.

I'm also looking into a dry chop saw with a metal blade

ablakez28

iTrader: (9)

I run a production metal cutting and fabrication business for a living.

We use band saws.

As said before. A chop saw will work fine for what you are doing. It is cost effective and flat out works.

However I stand 100% behind a proper setup band saw being the best option.

jasonz28camaro

iTrader: (13)

That's good to here. A while back I was able to slow my miter saw down and ran a bimetal blade. I didn't really like the way it cut and felt it was a little dangerous at times making small cuts. I'll explore my options with a bandsaw.

Thanks guys for your input!

V-10 Killer

iTrader: (22)

I'm about as new as can be with stainless working, but I'm kinda surprised that people use chop saws on it. Doesn't that create kind of a wide heat affected zone with stainless? I noticed that's always the first thing to be critiqued on any picture of a weld on the internet lol.