Thread: Can this bandsaw cut metal?

Gidday DAn

I'm a bit of a David Marks Fan who is the host of popular woodworking show on PAY called Woodworks. He recommends the following:

A high-quality, sharp bimetal blade with 6 teeth per inch in a hook configuration. A bimetal blade will cut through metal as well as wood.

.................hope this helps

REgards Lou

Generally, even with bi-metal blades, one is limited to non-ferrous metals, and then relatively soft ones such as aluminium, brass, tin, zinc, etc. Definitely not steel or other harder metals! Always use a slow speed and a lubricant.

Also, if a blade is used on metal (or plastics come to that), then write the blade-off for futher wood work use as it will have lost it's fine edge.

Bandsaws in metalwork are generally used for cutting sheet metal. Steel is OK but going through thicker stuff I would approach with caution.

Possibly try getting a dedicated blade for metal cutting and also get cutting compound like trefolex. Heat is a big issue cutting metal so they typically flood the cutting area with solluble oil from a ressevoir and pump. Either way it is most likely best to keep one blade for metal and one for wood.

So far as a bandsaw being OK for metal that is no problem just be careful to have a really good clean down after cutting metal as there will be swarf all over the place.

Studley

BAndsaw Blades will friction cut ferrous metals like steel comfortably up to 3mm. I haven't seen this done with thicker metal stock So if your considering cutting 'Thick Stuff' get some advise from a reputable blade supplier.

The price to pay in doing this will be that the blade will be rendered useless for woodworking.....................I'm with Studley on this one and recommend having a 'kit' of specific industrial quality Bi Metal blades for your metal cutting needs.

................am trying to use it on would be aluminum or brass or metal rods up to 1/2" thick. Also, 1/2" aluminum bars, pieces or small sheets. Mostly aluminum stuff

A quality Bi Metal blade will handle these kinds of jobs without a drama.

Regards Lou

Have a look at the Starrett site for more info on types of blade available. One thing I would consider if your saw doesn't already have them is some sort of brush arrangement below the lower guides to try and keep the swarf from getting embedded in the tyres, not the end of the world if it does but on a good saw I'd try and avoid it.

Everything can cut metal. Bandsaws........panel saws......... bolt cutters..... soup......

It's just the amount of time it takes that varies......

Hello all,

Just wanted to say thanks to all of your suggestions on how to cut metal with my bandsaw. I would have replied sooner but was out all of last week with a major cold. Got floored!

Thanks again,
Dan
Hampshire Illinois, USA

Originally Posted by Felder

Everything can cut metal. Bandsaws........panel saws......... bolt cutters..... soup......

It's just the amount of time it takes that varies......

Hey Felder, what is your recipe for metal cutting soup?

Actually, given the correct blade and speed you can cut almost anything. Metal cutting Bandsaws generally run at a much slower speed than WWing saws. Get the right blade and feed slowly you can cut what you desire with a standard WWing BS>

I it possible to control a bandsaw speed (for metal cutting ) putting a dimmer switch after the mains electric lead?

I've cut a fair bit of ally on my wood bandsaw and it works well.
But you are talking of cutting very thick sections and I dunno bout that.
I expect you would need to use a lubricant and a 2 speed bandsaw.

DO NOT use any sort of dimmer or motor controller intended for ac/dc universal motors with an induction motor..... allmost without exception band saws have an induction motor. They do not like it and tend to burn out.

As for cutting aluminium with a band saw...... no problem, fine ish blade, some lube and away you go.....I don't think it is necessary to slow the speed down for ally.... don't go too fine or the blade will clog.
Wax based lube is generaly used for ally although there are some good detergent based ones......with the band saw you need to lay a track of lube down the cutting line.

I cut ally rarely on my band saw..... a mate does heaps of it.
An aluminium blade in a drop saw is much better for straight cuts.


It will be a job cleaning the machine out after....ally bits are sharp and they get everywhere.

cheers

Hi Why screw up a perfectly good bandsaw when for a few bucks you can put a cutoff wheel in a 4 -5 inch angle grinder and take it easy and carefully make a good clean cut Use the w,working bandsaw for what its dezigned for Regards Wally

Originally Posted by woodwork wally

Hi Why screw up a perfectly good bandsaw when for a few bucks you can put a cutoff wheel in a 4 -5 inch angle grinder and take it easy and carefully make a good clean cut Use the w,working bandsaw for what its dezigned for Regards Wally

Wally, the gentleman was asking for adviced back in October last year

Better late than never