Hello...wanted to know if anybody is using this band saw to cut metal? If so, does it cut metal as good as the reviews say it cuts wood? Thank you!
286742
Sorry can't say anything about metal cutting but when it's setup correctly it will resaw 12" thick walnut awesome!
286743
The saw is capable and has plenty of power, depending on you putting the correct blade on it, it will do fine, assuming that you are not cutting 1" hard steal.
901030
Matt I've been using it to cut Birch plywood and it seems fine but bogs down a bit. I think its the blade it came with because many people have said its poor quality. I'm planning to get a new one and see how it goes. Make sure to make a score cut on veneer plywood to avoid chip-out though. Also the track is in two sections and tends to move at the connection. Check your measurements well on long cuts. If I had the money for the name brand saws I would have bought one but I went in 50/50 with my father in law on this one. Don't get me wrong its good but you have to work within its limitations. Matt I've been using it to cut Birch plywood and it seems fine but bogs down a bit. I think its the blade it came with because many people have said its poor quality. I'm planning to get a new one and see how it goes. Make sure to make a score cut on veneer plywood to avoid chip-out though. Also the track is in two sections and tends to move at the connection. Check your measurements well on long cuts. If I had the money for the name brand saws I would have bought one but I went in 50/50 with my father in law on this one. Don't get me wrong its good but you have to work within its limitations.
137728
I bought this blade to cut 29 guage metal roofing and have cut up to 6 sheets at one time----that was a little much and I thought I had killed the blade---later I used it to cut several single sheets then again to cut 4 at one time----still going strong----it might be the angle iron you cut could be harder steel like that used in bedframes
1534611
Well, I would not do it-inadequate fence, inadequate miter gage for wood, too much blade exposed for a toothed blade. I like my fingers and eyes too much to try a wood saw blade in a metal cutting saw. Unless you are in need of a metal cut off saw, this is not the saw you want.
2194957
it is metal, I should give it a bit more credit, I forgot I also sawed my deck (treated) up with it into little pieces too. This saw is probably good to cut up 5 trees that are 35 feet tall.
1884878
I don't have any idea why the poor reviews on the HD site. I really like mine. I've used it to break down cabinet grade ply wood. I got as good an edge as I would have on my table saw. I've used it to get a true edge on some 5/4 rough heart pine. it cut beautifully. I see a number of the HD reviews are complaining about the track. It seems like several of the reviewers did not realize there are some adjustments to make sure that the saw is tight in the track. As far as shipping, mine shipped from Amazon and it was well packaged. No problem with the track. I don't have experience with other track saws, but I can't imagine them being significantly better than my Makita.
994808
there is some videos on you tube that shows how to cut metal. But be very careful because if you jam it you void the warranty!! Watch what not to do with a vagabond first.
509714
this blade cuts wood or alumium , i use it for cutting alumiun it works very good. spray some WD-40 on it every few cuts . very nice cuts with this blade
496116
You can use this saw to cut non-ferrous metal IF you install the appropriate blade.DeWalt makes a 10" blade with metal cutting capability, the DW3219PT.
1661150
I am not an expert in metal cutting using a bandsaw. The saw should be able to cut your aluminum, but, I am hesitant to mix metal with a woodworking saw. Too much chance of getting filings under the wheel bands without excellent vacuum system to keep filings scavenged away. I would go with the bandsaw blades the manufacturer recommends on teeth per inch. I feel a bi-metal blade with a higher tooth count would produce a smoother cut. Hope someone with better experience than me will assist you.
275484
I typically cut mild steel. However, I have cut welds with no apparent ill effect ... certainly no "thrown" teeth or anything similar. I might add that I've been using the original blade for almost two years now, despite having bought a "back-up" blade with the initial purchase. It's proving the Timex-watch of metal saws, if you're old enough to remember those commercials.
911259
The blade on this saw this for cutting Ferris metals only, I don't know if it would cut wood and the blade may load up with wood fibers, expand and may come part. I have seen them do that with nonferrous metals, aluminum, Brass and the like. You'll be better off if you look here on Amazon for a good miter box saw. You can pick up one that'll work OK for around $125 and up.
741059
The bandsaw looks a little awkward,, but cuts amazingly straight and square. I have one at work (28V) that I use freestyle on angle iron, square tubing and pipe. My home saw is a/c and I use it so frequently, I have it set up in a stand on my workbench. It is my go-to tool for just about everything. Only annoying thing is the light casts a shadow on my work surface which sometimes makes it difficult to follow a line without an auxiliary light. Would be nice if the light had a separate switch. Love the saw.
731947
I have cut 1/8" aluminum with a carbide blade but had to feed very slowly and the metal still got very hot. Even on my table saws cutting aluminum creates a good deal of heat with the larger size sheet creating more heat than smaller sheets. It is a good saw but it hasn't got a whole lot of power. It uses a bridge rectifier to convert the AC to DC to run the motor and the only problem I have encountered was that the power switch has failed...bought a replacement one at a local Radio Shack for about $3.00.i
2030043
I used this blade for cutting Lock Dry aluminum decking and it worked well. I did not even consider using it for miter saw wood cuts because of the high blade count which I thought would clog. I went back to my carbide tipped wood cutting blade and use it for all my wood working.
977087
If you work with wood only then it's ok. But if you need to cut something with nails in it...then don't count on it. It simply can't cut it. I was cutting heating holes inside the frames house so they didn't work for me, plus they are too short for my needs. Now I'm using demolition blades only. Milwaukee is the best.
1186341
I had one of these a long time ago. As far as I can tell they are only intended for wood working not metal working. They are fine for a beginning wood turner doing pens, small bowls and the like. I have not done any work on metals, but I don't think I would start working metals on this lathe. However, I have heard of some people doing limited work on brass on similar lathes, but never stainless steel. But, as I said, I haven't done metal work so I might be mistaken.