Thread: Wood bandsaw used to cut metal

With the right blade you should be able to cut anything. If you can get the speed down it should. I have worked two metal bandsaws, both are the type that you can drop down on your stock and use it like a cut off saw, and stand them up and use them lke a full bandsaw (pictured below). The wheels on these are steel and have no rubber bands on them. The shaving will mess up your bands on your wheels. I might try it if I had a cheap delta or other desktop, but I would not want to mess up my Grizzly bandsaw.


Could you use a hand held, air powered or electric shear






Here is what i bought for metal work. (us $169)

Jack shafts = pulley based speed reduction - the additional pulleys go on short (jack) extra shafts.

You can cut metal with a band saw - have seen several recommendations on this. Aluminum/aluminium can be cut at standard speeds, but you MUST use a lube on the blade - either a 'dry wax' (best) or kerosine. Steel may need slowing down, brass etc ??????. They all need a lube on the blade, regardless of what grade of teeth are alleged to be present. If you are worried about steel fragments, take a strong magnet in a plastic bag & tape it inside the door below the table - when you are finished, just turn the bag inside out & remove the magnet, discard shavings. If you can do that with Al or Brass......

I'd suggest asking Henry Bros. for some metal cutting blades, at least 2, so when you stuff one up, you can keep cutting instead of waiting for the postie.

Many years ago I used to cut salt blocks on a bandsaw, we used a very light machine oil as a lubricant and to stop rust. The saws had automatic feeds and also a blade welding attachment with a small grinder. Made by Starret.

Have used mine to cut a fair bit of Al at normal speed and a finer tooth blade
The units junkboy describes are available all over and not that expensive
A second hand power hacksaw could be another option.

But for my 2 cents worth

It would be too much mucking about If you only wan't to cut steel once in a while , to change speed etc plus cost of special blade

If you need to cut steel on a regular basis , i'de get a propper m/c for the job




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Russell