On Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:31:26 -0800, wrote:

I have a physically very small shop.
I have a small CNC Mill
and a CNC converted 13x40 Chineese Lathe.

Recently I've been doing some 316 Stainless stuff on the lathe and
having problems parting off the parts.
One of the recomendations was to part it in the band saw then clean up on the lathe.

I currently don't have a good metal cutting saw.
I used to have a chop saw, but it died and ugly smoking death hacking its way through a large copper bar.

Yes..I can imagine that it did. Copper is NOT good for abrasive
cutting. Neither is aluminum. Both can be gummed/melted apart..but
its hard on the blade and hardware.

Not having a good metal cutting saw says I end up milling things in half or doing large cutoffs in the lathe.

In the ideal world I'd have a good automatic horizontal band saw and a nice vertical band saw.
In the ideal world I'd have a bigger shop.


So the question is in a metal shop if you could only have one saw and space was at a preimum would
you get a:
Vertical band Saw?
Horizontal Band Saw?
Chop Saw?
Cold Saw?


I will be doing a fair bit of 316 Stainless in 3 to 6" diameters this year.
See the last picture in the current post...http://unreasonablerocket.blogspot.com/

Cold saw, followed by a decent horizontal.

If money is an issue, a good horizontal saw first, with a selection
of GOOD blades.

I have 3 good vertical bandsaws..and nearly never use them.

In your case, going up to 6", the only economical choice you have is a
horizontal bandsaw. Chop saws big enough to cut 6" stock cost MONDO
dinero.



Gunner




Paul