Thread: Solutions for cutting bar stock needed

Originally Posted by Michael G

If it was smaller diameter one of Richard's holders would help but this is too big I think.

Michael

Use packing on the bandsaw clamp... Will take a pic to explain later on today...

Originally Posted by Michael G

I have a number of pieces of barstock of a reasonable diameter (say 60mm upwards) that I want to slice into pieces say 15mm thick but because the whole piece is only 30 or 40mm thick, is difficult. If it was smaller diameter one of Richard's holders would help but this is too big I think. The weapon of choice is a horizontal bandsaw. Anyone got a good way of holding it? I thought of a vice clamping on the faces but don't really want to cut through the vice when I put that in the bandsaw vice. Any other ideas?

Michael

You might be able to pack the bandsaw clamp at the other end as suggested, but sometimes there is not enough to clamp to and it can pull out (I suppose depending on how good your clamp is as well). How about tack welding it onto a bigger bit of stock then remove the tacks afterwards?

I have a couple of lengths of 40 x 10 flat that I sit against the vice jaws, slide one end close to the blade. With another piece of stock the same size at the other end.
You need to be a little careful, but I've not managed to break anything as yet.

A stop on the non vice side of the blade may help but I've not needed one yet.

How many you need to make?

Stuart

Originally Posted by Michael G

I have a number of pieces of barstock of a reasonable diameter (say 60mm upwards) that I want to slice into pieces say 15mm thick but because the whole piece is only 30 or 40mm thick, is difficult. If it was smaller diameter one of Richard's holders would help but this is too big I think. The weapon of choice is a horizontal bandsaw. Anyone got a good way of holding it? I thought of a vice clamping on the faces but don't really want to cut through the vice when I put that in the bandsaw vice. Any other ideas?

Michael

As .RC. said.

Weld wider flat bar to end.

Small vice clamped down to base.

I saw lots of ideas while researching on the internet when I got my bandsaw. I believe I started a thread with links etc.

I could find it if you need, but see how you go with what has and will be suggested.

My choice would be with the welding method as you could cut right down to 1mm left without having to do anything special. Only needs a couple of tacks.

Dean

Hi Michael, in a couple of issues of MEW they have a solution to your problem, I can copy and snail mail them to you if required, you could then load them on here for others.
Kryn

Pictures..

Originally Posted by Stustoys

I have a couple of lengths of 40 x 10 flat that I sit against the vice jaws, slide one end close to the blade. With another piece of stock the same size at the other end.

I do that one already but the piece I was cutting was 75 diameter and only 30mm wide. It would not stay vertical

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

Weld wider flat bar to end.

Small vice clamped down to base.

Richard's picture is good although I may have problems fitting everything in. I'll have to have a look.

The welding idea I'd thought about but as I have lots of these (your gear is part of one) I'd like something that is less involved.
The vice thing I'd also thought about but am concerned that if something slipped I could damage a good vice. However, it has suggested using something like vice grips and a piece of angle - if that cuts through nothing should happen.

Other suggestions welcome though.

Michael

This has worked well for me.

You didnt say how many you needed.

My next idea, got some 50mm angle iron? Clamp length of that to the fixed jaw 20mm past the blade. Sit your stock on that and cut through angle iron and all. Stop once you're through the stock, repeat.

Stuart

At the moment Stuart I only have a few cuts to make - I'm cutting blanks for "the Simon set" - the rest of the change gears to go with the ones I made up when I did the hob for Simon's bandsaw.
These are the typical off cuts I have. 3" diameter, roughly 30mm thick. The slices I want to take are around 14mm thick. One thing that I forgot to mention is that mine is a small bandsaw - 4"x6" capacity so some of the suggestions made while good for larger saws would not fit on mine
P1020373 (Medium).JPG
After writing my last post I wondered whether I was over thinking things, so went out to the shed and played around with some stuff. I got to a piece of angle in the saw vice and a vise grip style clamp and thought it might do it - so I turned on the saw and it seemed solid enough. Around 3/4 of the way through I stopped the saw and repositioned the clamp, using a piece of sheet metal to keep the kerf open and avoid pinching the blade.

P1020375 (Medium).JPG P1020376 (Medium).JPG
End result is that it did the job so well I'm now wondering whether I should make up a cutting jig based on this - something that will enable some adjustment of the blank thickness and perhaps extending all the way across the jaws to lessen the tendancy to twist.

Michael

I can see me stealing that idea one day Michael

Stuart

I think you have it licked, Michael.
ANother idea I've used for fiddly bits of larger stock is to clamp them between V-blocks in the vice (still using a back spacer). That holds them at more reliably at right angles to the blade. Not my precision V-blocks by the way,v just some mild steel ones I made for the press originally.....

Michael I made up some additional saws that bolt to the existing jaws, I only have this one photo but you should get the idea. There's a matching one on the fixed jaw. Make them over-length and saw through them and the fixed jaw will then indicate the cut line if you need to cut to length.

I welded in a spigot and tapped it for a handle so I can cut short stock as you describe. It will hold even the shortest of round stock just fine, just adjust the amount of thread coming through to the same size as the stock you need to hold. I've used it for an identical job to that you describe, cutting gear blanks. I powder coated them and the powder coat seems to hold up to the steel going through ok, though must admit I haven't really taken much notice lately. I can take some photos if you need them, but it should be self-explanatory

Pete

Bandsaw.jpg

Originally Posted by Bryan

This has worked well for me.

Something similar is what I was referring to from MEW.
Kryn