I've been looking for a 14" floor model bandsaw for my hobby metal working
shop. Almost all that I've found look near identicle. The HF model is sold
as being lighter in weight, however it has a 4 speed sheave relative to the
single speed Jet bandsaw. I really don't need a super heavy duty band
saw - mostly for cutting up to 1/4" steel (max) for brackets, etc.

The HF band saw can go down to 600 fpm blade speed. Is this slow enough for
metal?

Is there any advantages or reason to put out the extra $250 for the Jet
bandsaw?

Does anyone have personal experience with either of these saws and a
recommendation?

Please reply and thanks,

Dave

David Pidwerbecki wrote:
I've been looking for a 14" floor model bandsaw for my hobby metal working
shop. Almost all that I've found look near identicle. The HF model is sold
as being lighter in weight, however it has a 4 speed sheave relative to the
single speed Jet bandsaw. I really don't need a super heavy duty band
saw - mostly for cutting up to 1/4" steel (max) for brackets, etc.

The HF band saw can go down to 600 fpm blade speed. Is this slow enough for
metal?

NO!!

Well, yes, but definitely not steel. You can cut aluminum at those speeds.

Those are woodworking saws. Only. Period.

For 1/4" steel you might get one of those $1000 wood/metal ones, or you can
just buy a little 4x6" saw and stand it up in vertical mode. Those are like
$150-200 depending on where you get 'em. Try http://www.ipstool.com I think
I saw one there for $129 recently.

GWE

"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...
David Pidwerbecki wrote:
I've been looking for a 14" floor model bandsaw for my hobby metal
working shop. Almost all that I've found look near identicle. The HF
model is sold as being lighter in weight, however it has a 4 speed sheave
relative to the single speed Jet bandsaw. I really don't need a super
heavy duty band saw - mostly for cutting up to 1/4" steel (max) for
brackets, etc.

The HF band saw can go down to 600 fpm blade speed. Is this slow enough
for metal?

NO!!

Well, yes, but definitely not steel. You can cut aluminum at those speeds.

Those are woodworking saws. Only. Period.

For 1/4" steel you might get one of those $1000 wood/metal ones, or you
can
just buy a little 4x6" saw and stand it up in vertical mode. Those are
like
$150-200 depending on where you get 'em. Try http://www.ipstool.com I
think
I saw one there for $129 recently.

GWE

Wilton sells a 14" vertical bandsaw that will do metal and wood. For the
old iron type, there's always used Delta wood/metal 14" vertical bandsaws.
The Wiltons run around $1k I think and good, used Deltas run around
$400-600. Delta made wood only and wood/metal bandsaws so make sure you
find the right type if you go looking for one.

Mike

I bought the woodworkers warehouse version of the saw, granted for a
profit making shop. Not very nice. I cut aluminum with it, but I had to
replace the table nuts day one because plastic isn't good enough. the
guides have nver been straight and are now broken.

If you don't mind doing a little rework, it will be ok

David Pidwerbecki wrote:
I've been looking for a 14" floor model bandsaw for my hobby metal working
shop. Almost all that I've found look near identicle. The HF model is sold
as being lighter in weight, however it has a 4 speed sheave relative to the
single speed Jet bandsaw. I really don't need a super heavy duty band
saw - mostly for cutting up to 1/4" steel (max) for brackets, etc.

The HF band saw can go down to 600 fpm blade speed. Is this slow enough for
metal?

Is there any advantages or reason to put out the extra $250 for the Jet
bandsaw?

Does anyone have personal experience with either of these saws and a
recommendation?

Please reply and thanks,

Dave

On Sat, 29 Jan 2005 16:06:01 -0800, David Pidwerbecki
wrote:

I've been using a bimetal blade. I can run around
1900 for aluminum and 270 for steel. (Speed approximate
as one of the original pulleys have been replaced)

With the 600 you should be able to do aluminum, but not steel.

I've been disappointed when looking at new bandsaws because the
don't seem to have a good range of speeds for metal usage.
I really like my old Walker Turner.

Wayne D.

I've been looking for a 14" floor model bandsaw for my hobby metal
working
shop. Almost all that I've found look near identicle. The HF model is
sold
as being lighter in weight, however it has a 4 speed sheave relative to
the
single speed Jet bandsaw. I really don't need a super heavy duty band
saw - mostly for cutting up to 1/4" steel (max) for brackets, etc.

The HF band saw can go down to 600 fpm blade speed. Is this slow enough
for
metal?

Is there any advantages or reason to put out the extra $250 for the Jet
bandsaw?

Does anyone have personal experience with either of these saws and a
recommendation?

Please reply and thanks,

Dave

Thanks for the comments.

Is the general consensus that the wood working saws being sold by Jet, HF,
etc. really are not good enough for metal, even when changing out the sheave
for the proper speed?

I live in the sticks and the stuff for sale in the newspaper is sold by the
time I get the phone call out, and most of the items are about 2 hours from
my house.

Please let me know and thanks.

Dave

"David Pidwerbecki" wrote in message
...
I've been looking for a 14" floor model bandsaw for my hobby metal working
shop. Almost all that I've found look near identicle. The HF model is
sold as being lighter in weight, however it has a 4 speed sheave relative
to the single speed Jet bandsaw. I really don't need a super heavy duty
band saw - mostly for cutting up to 1/4" steel (max) for brackets, etc.

The HF band saw can go down to 600 fpm blade speed. Is this slow enough
for metal?

Is there any advantages or reason to put out the extra $250 for the Jet
bandsaw?

Does anyone have personal experience with either of these saws and a
recommendation?

Please reply and thanks,

Dave

David Pidwerbecki wrote:
Thanks for the comments.

Is the general consensus that the wood working saws being sold by Jet, HF,
etc. really are not good enough for metal, even when changing out the sheave
for the proper speed?

Many people have spent a lot of time trying to figure out how exactly to slow
down a wood-cutting bandsaw to metalcutting speeds (30-300 fpm). It isn't
usually possible to just pulley it down. The belt will slip, or the pulleys
won't be available, or they won't fit, or whatever.

GWE

Grant,

Thanks for the replies.

This is good to know. There is this guy who has a pre 85 Delta (supposedly
heavier castings, etc.) and he said that it was the same one sold for metal
working, except for different sheaves. Do you know anything of this?

Dave

"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...
David Pidwerbecki wrote:
Thanks for the comments.

Is the general consensus that the wood working saws being sold by Jet,
HF,
etc. really are not good enough for metal, even when changing out the
sheave
for the proper speed?

Many people have spent a lot of time trying to figure out how exactly to
slow
down a wood-cutting bandsaw to metalcutting speeds (30-300 fpm). It isn't
usually possible to just pulley it down. The belt will slip, or the
pulleys
won't be available, or they won't fit, or whatever.

GWE

"David Pidwerbecki" wrote in message
...
Grant,

Thanks for the replies.

This is good to know. There is this guy who has a pre 85 Delta
(supposedly
heavier castings, etc.) and he said that it was the same one sold for
metal
working, except for different sheaves. Do you know anything of this?

Dave

I have a Delta wood/metal Mod. 28-303 which appears to have the same specs.
as Delta's current model 28-348 .
http://www.deltawoodworking.com/index.asp?e=136&p=4925

I bought it in new '97. It cuts 3/4" thick 6061 aluminum at 3000 fpm like
hardwood. I run it at 115 or 85 fpm(can't remember which) for ferrous
metals and it has plenty of power to cut 1" steel plate, albeit slowly. My
standard blade is a 1/4", 14 tpi, bi-metal which I buy in 100' coils. That
blade is usable for just about everything except re-sawing thick wood. I
have been happy with it as a general purpose saw cutting a wide variety of
materials, mostly metal. The only change I would make is to improve the
gear shift mechanism to make it easier to operate. Otherwise, no
complaints.

Randy

Real old Delta wood/metal bandsaws had a gearbox. And they aren't that
scarce, either. If you want a vertical metalcutting bandsaw or a combo
wood/metal bandsaw, then that's what you should go find. I have a 14"
Walker Turner bandsaw which has a backgear for metal on it, or you can
run it in direct drive for wood. I'm really happy with it. The old WT
bandsaws seem to have been built the heaviest.

I think the guy with the pre 85 Delta is slightly misinformed or else
he's a little bit crooked -- at any rate, I don't think his saw would be
easy to convert to a wood/metal saw. There are so many saws that were
advertised as wood/metal saws that really only slowed down to maybe
600 or 800 fpm, it's a dirty shame. The slow speeds are really needed
for some hardwooods, these are really wood saws, and the marketing guys
that said for metal were basically crooks IMO.

GWE

David Pidwerbecki wrote:
Grant,

Thanks for the replies.

This is good to know. There is this guy who has a pre 85 Delta (supposedly
heavier castings, etc.) and he said that it was the same one sold for metal
working, except for different sheaves. Do you know anything of this?

Dave

"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...

David Pidwerbecki wrote:

Thanks for the comments.

Is the general consensus that the wood working saws being sold by Jet,
HF,
etc. really are not good enough for metal, even when changing out the
sheave
for the proper speed?

Many people have spent a lot of time trying to figure out how exactly to
slow
down a wood-cutting bandsaw to metalcutting speeds (30-300 fpm). It isn't
usually possible to just pulley it down. The belt will slip, or the
pulleys
won't be available, or they won't fit, or whatever.

GWE

In the for wha tit is worth department I have owned a Chines HF style metal
cutting bandsaw for 22 years and it has yet to let me down. I thnk the same
saw not sells for $150 or so today

Subject: HF 14" band saw vs. Jet
From: "David Pidwerbecki"
Date: 1/30/2005 2:18 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Message-id:

Thanks for the comments.

Is the general consensus that the wood working saws being sold by Jet, HF,
etc. really are not good enough for metal, even when changing out the sheave
for the proper speed?

I live in the sticks and the stuff for sale in the newspaper is sold by the
time I get the phone call out, and most of the items are about 2 hours from
my house.

Please let me know and thanks.

Dave

Gentlemen,

I've been looking at the small 4x6 HF band saw, however I am in the process
of rebuilding an antique power hack saw and I really probably don't need a
horizontal saw. Also, the small HF really doesn't look like it would work
very well as a verticle saw. The Delta's listed generally cost arount
$1700, which is way outside my budget for a saw. Do you know the Delta or
other brand designation for an older saw (w/ gear box) that is for metal
working?

Dave

"David Pidwerbecki" wrote in message
...
Grant,

Thanks for the replies.

This is good to know. There is this guy who has a pre 85 Delta
(supposedly heavier castings, etc.) and he said that it was the same one
sold for metal working, except for different sheaves. Do you know
anything of this?

Dave

"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...
David Pidwerbecki wrote:
Thanks for the comments.

Is the general consensus that the wood working saws being sold by Jet,
HF,
etc. really are not good enough for metal, even when changing out the
sheave
for the proper speed?

Many people have spent a lot of time trying to figure out how exactly to
slow
down a wood-cutting bandsaw to metalcutting speeds (30-300 fpm). It isn't
usually possible to just pulley it down. The belt will slip, or the
pulleys
won't be available, or they won't fit, or whatever.

GWE

Dave,

Below is what the label on my Walker Turner 14" looks like.
Walker Turner was bought out by Delta at some point in history.
No model number, just a serial number.
It has a 4 step pulley and a back gear.
It is also made out of cast iron.

Machine Tools
Walker
Turner
Company, Inc
Plainfield, NJ
For Wood and Metal

I don't know if this is enough info to help you or not.
Wayne D.

On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 01:07:10 -0800, David Pidwerbecki
wrote:

Gentlemen,

I've been looking at the small 4x6 HF band saw, however I am in the
process
of rebuilding an antique power hack saw and I really probably don't need
a
horizontal saw. Also, the small HF really doesn't look like it would
work
very well as a verticle saw. The Delta's listed generally cost arount
$1700, which is way outside my budget for a saw. Do you know the Delta
or
other brand designation for an older saw (w/ gear box) that is for metal
working?

Dave

On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 01:07:10 -0800, "David Pidwerbecki"
wrote:

Gentlemen,

I've been looking at the small 4x6 HF band saw, however I am in the process
of rebuilding an antique power hack saw and I really probably don't need a
horizontal saw. Also, the small HF really doesn't look like it would work
very well as a verticle saw. The Delta's listed generally cost arount
$1700, which is way outside my budget for a saw. Do you know the Delta or
other brand designation for an older saw (w/ gear box) that is for metal
working?

Dave


I have a 16" Walker Turner.

Variable speed via vari drive and a two speed gear box.

Gunner

"David Pidwerbecki" wrote in message
...
Grant,

Thanks for the replies.

This is good to know. There is this guy who has a pre 85 Delta
(supposedly heavier castings, etc.) and he said that it was the same one
sold for metal working, except for different sheaves. Do you know
anything of this?

Dave

"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...
David Pidwerbecki wrote:
Thanks for the comments.

Is the general consensus that the wood working saws being sold by Jet,
HF,
etc. really are not good enough for metal, even when changing out the
sheave
for the proper speed?

Many people have spent a lot of time trying to figure out how exactly to
slow
down a wood-cutting bandsaw to metalcutting speeds (30-300 fpm). It isn't
usually possible to just pulley it down. The belt will slip, or the
pulleys
won't be available, or they won't fit, or whatever.

GWE




"Considering the events of recent years,
the world has a long way to go to regain
its credibility and reputation with the US."
unknown

Hey Gunner,

I sent you an email. Please take a look for it - I know that your antispam
sometimes sorts emails like mine out.

TTYL;

Dave

"Gunner" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 01:07:10 -0800, "David Pidwerbecki"
wrote:

Gentlemen,

I've been looking at the small 4x6 HF band saw, however I am in the
process
of rebuilding an antique power hack saw and I really probably don't need a
horizontal saw. Also, the small HF really doesn't look like it would work
very well as a verticle saw. The Delta's listed generally cost arount
$1700, which is way outside my budget for a saw. Do you know the Delta or
other brand designation for an older saw (w/ gear box) that is for metal
working?

Dave


I have a 16" Walker Turner.

Variable speed via vari drive and a two speed gear box.

Gunner

"David Pidwerbecki" wrote in message
...
Grant,

Thanks for the replies.

This is good to know. There is this guy who has a pre 85 Delta
(supposedly heavier castings, etc.) and he said that it was the same one
sold for metal working, except for different sheaves. Do you know
anything of this?

Dave

"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...
David Pidwerbecki wrote:
Thanks for the comments.

Is the general consensus that the wood working saws being sold by Jet,
HF,
etc. really are not good enough for metal, even when changing out the
sheave
for the proper speed?

Many people have spent a lot of time trying to figure out how exactly
to
slow
down a wood-cutting bandsaw to metalcutting speeds (30-300 fpm). It
isn't
usually possible to just pulley it down. The belt will slip, or the
pulleys
won't be available, or they won't fit, or whatever.

GWE




"Considering the events of recent years,
the world has a long way to go to regain
its credibility and reputation with the US."
unknown