Michael Koblic wrote:
I have an occasional need to cut stock of up to 2 inch diameter (or square,
shapes differ). (...)

Depending on your budget, a 'cold saw' or 'dry saw' might be better choices.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_saw

I've used the commodity 4 x 6 bandsaw, but I really prefer the simple setup
and always straight cuts made by my Makita 12" LC1230 dry saw.

The dry saw is about as noisy as a chop saw but does not produce the clouds
of smoke and sparks. It produces straight and miter cuts in aluminum, steel
and even wood.

Obviously if you can afford it, a good quality metal cutting bandsaw offers the
best in relatively quiet cutting of just about any material.

Personally, I would shy away from the chop saws or cheap horizontal band saws,
though.

--Winston