Metal cutting machine

[Marc]

Hi there!

I went to buy some steel last week but since it was Saturday, the steel depo was closed so I went to a local Hardware. They had a steel cutting set up I really liked and have never seen before. It looks like a nice strong docking saw on a bench with rollers. The motor has a worm gear and the carbide tipped blade goes really slow and is refrigerated with a cutting emulsion. It goes through steel as if it was wood and best of all, NO NOISE. (I hate the abrasive cut off saw)
Yet a search on Google proved fruitless. Does anyone know who makes them and what are they called?

[martrix]

Brobo is what you want.

[Andy Mac]

Could be what's known as a cold saw: http://www.ronmack.com.au/MetalworkMachines/SteelFabrication/ColdSaws/tabid/91/Default.aspx

Some on Ebay too.

Cheers

[Grahame Collins]

carbide tipped blade goes really slow and is refrigerated with a cutting emulsion.

Its gotta be a COLD saw then.

Try Brobo. It was Aussie made.Now who knows. Heres a link with a pic

http://www.decs.sa.gov.au/docs/documents/1/GuidelinesfortheSafeUse-5.pdf

There is another one made in Italy but forget the brand. Something like Thomas I think..

Grahame

[China]

As said above Brobo/Waldown, Australian made they are considered to be the best in the world, but be prepared to hand over a fist full of dollars, a friend in Gawler baught one last year very nice machine makes the imported stuff from the East look like rubbish ( because most of it is) cost something like $5,000.00

[martrix]

Brobo coldsaw. (http://www.hareandforbes.com.au/sample_2/home.php)

http://www.hareandforbes.com.au/sample_2/Catalogues/Metalworking/70.jpg

Hafco coldsaw. (http://www.hareandforbes.com.au/sample_2/home.php)

http://www.hareandforbes.com.au/sample_2/Catalogues/Metalworking/69.jpg

[browny]

For diy the coldsaws just seem a bit on the exxy side to me. One of the cheaper bandsaws may do everything you are after at less than half the price.

Or there is second hand. I have seen a few of the less well known brands go for $500 ish on ebay.

[specialist]

Just be careful. the blades can and do cost upto 300 dollars.

[tomhowell]

Gee you got a good response to your metal cutting machine question there didn't you?

If you're after a nice cheap alernative to a cold saw, but like the no Noise & sparks thing, Have you considered looking for an old power hacksaw?

They are as the name suggests very similar to the manual variety, just powered (bit bigger generally too). They often have a coolant system involved also, really pretty much essential unless you have time to sit there with a bottle full of coolant & squirt the blade while it's cutting.

You can usually cut a much deeper section with the trusty old power hacksaw than you can with a cold saw & definitely for less $$$$.
You still get a nice square cut (or they can be set up to achieve this) than you wouldn't be able to rely on with a bandsaw.

I'm not a great fan of bandsaws for the above reason, also the blades are a complex affiar which are a bit of an art to fit.

Power hacksaw blades are just bigger & thicker than manual hacksaw blades & can be re-sharpened quite cheaply.
New blades aren't as dear as cold saw blades either, this might be handy if you're switching between light & heavier sections.
You need smaller teeth to cut thin sections e.g. thin wall tube or light flat bar.

Often if you check second hand machinery dealers you can get them cheap. Otherwise try EBAY or your local paper in the machinery & tools section of the classifieds.

good luck & happy steel/metal cutting.

Tom :D

[Marc]

http://C:/DOCUME%7E1/USER1%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg%5B/IMG%5DThank you, yes, a cold saw, nice... a bit pricey.... but there is always e-bay.

Power hack saw...mm...yes, can probably be modified to cut angles. A bit bulky... will make some more inquiries.

Wow have a look at this seems out of Dr Who's phone boot: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Power-Hacksaw-3-phase_W0QQitemZ290143246834QQihZ019QQcategoryZ20785QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ANTIQUE-POWER-HACKSAW-LIKE-USED-IN-OLD-INDUSTRY-SHOPS_W0QQitemZ170134200744QQihZ007QQcategoryZ25265QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Article99]

Something for Marc...

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Brobo-300mm-steel-cold-saw_W0QQitemZ120145085685QQihZ002QQcategoryZ79104QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[billbeee]

Tom,
It seems like all the old power hacksaws have been thrown out nowadays, but there was something about walking into a workshop and seeing one working away, unattended, eh! No trouble no noise and it switched itself off when the cut was finished.
I still have a couple of old blades. Excellent steel for making up a knife, scraper etc.
Cheers
Bill