DIYbanter - View Single Post - Coldsaw vs. Metal-cutting saw?

On 27 Apr 2006 19:25:45 -0700, wrote:

In my shop, we have a wide range of choices- 2 horizontal bandsaws, a
cold saw, an ironworker, a portaband, oxy-fuel torch, and a 4x8 foot
automatic plasma cutter.

I love the bandsaws for hand trimming- we tilt up the little 4x6 jet,
and with an .025 bimetal blade, can trim oddball stuff at miters,
notch, and trim to length things that are already bent or welded, and
wont fit in a vise. The other day I trimmed 100 pieces of 1/2" round
stainless by hand on it- quick and controllable.

And for big stuff, like 6" square tubing miters, the bandsaw rules.

But for production cut to length of mild steel, when tight fit up is
required, its the cold saw.
Yes, it does cost as much to sharpen the blade as a bimetal blade for
the little bandsaw.
But as I said, a blade can last 10,000 cuts between sharpenings, and
can be resharpened for years.

2" square is probably about a minute. Most small stuff, like say 5/8"
round, is seconds to cut. Takes much longer to unclamp and slide the
material than to cut.
I have a 10' runout table on my cold saw, with a homemade Biesemeyer
style stop on it, with a sticky back 10' tape measure and one turn hand
tighten stop. So cutting parts to a precise length is a snap.

In terms of speed, I think the cold saw is faster than the horizontal
band saw, but it takes full attention- you can set the horizontal and
leave it, and it will turn itself off when done.

Of course, for multiple parts, if you dont mind a deformed (pinched)
end, the ironworker with its auto stop is the cats pajamas. We have a
Geka, with a 12 foot extension gage in the back, one hand wrenchless
locking, built in stainless steel tape measure in both metric and
imperial. Slide the stop to your desired length, lock it. Slide in the
material till it hits the stop, and the stop turns on the hydraulic
shear, it cuts, then you slide it in again, repeat til 20' length has
all fallen into the parts tub you postioned in just the right place
below the output chute.

Technology is a wonderful thing.
Thanks for the report.
Eric