Author Topic: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?  (Read 14767 times)

Offline NickG

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Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« on: June 04, 2009, 09:29:31 AM »
Hi all,

Just nipped up to machine place at lunch time to get my change wheel that I broke on the Harrison. While I was up there I noticed an Axminster Power Hack saw he had for sale. John (Bogs) have you got one? Thought I remembered you saying it was good? He was selling that for a customer for £150 but he had a couple of others of old school style floor standing ones, one for £80 which looks really well made (the old english stuff tends to be) with lots of life left in it although a little big, I will be moving house soon and have a double garage! There was another that looked even better, much more compact, self contained little unit which looks exceptionally well made, he wants £195 for that one. The only issue with those 2 are the 3 phase motors.

My question is, should I go for one of these rather than a chinese type band saw? The guy seemed to think the hacksaw was a much better bet, but he would as he's selling them. The bandsaws always attracted me because of the speed they seem to cut at.

I would appreciate your thoughts guys!

Cheers,

Nick
Location: County Durham (North East England)

bogstandard

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2009, 02:26:23 PM »
Hi Nick,

If I had the choice of either, I would go for both hacksaw and bandsaw (especially the one that can run vertically as well), as they both have plus and minus points. I have a small hobby bandsaw that cuts up my non ferrous stuff.

My problem was space, plus, as I am not on piece work so speed doesn't really come into it.

Here are my last two posts about using the hacksaw.

http://madmodder.net/index.php?topic=1276.0

http://madmodder.net/index.php?topic=1251.0

They are admirable when it comes to cutting large stuff. They cut off nice and square, and the blades seem to last forever. I am still using the first one that came with the machine, and seems as sharp now as when I first used it. The blades are cheap enough at about 5 squid apiece for this machine, a rather lot more I would suggest for the other two you were looking at. Also, when I get the total loss spraymist unit set up on it, I am expecting a lot quicker cuts and less blade wear (if that is possible)

A couple of grease points, and that is about it for maintenance.

As you can see, I have mounted mine on the benchtop with a couple of coach screws, so it is truly a benchtop machine if you want it to be.

I am not being biased, as I too would have a bandsaw if I had the room. I am just showing that a power hacksaw like mine performs better than what I originally thought it would, and I am overjoyed with it's performance.


John

Offline CrewCab

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2009, 04:57:23 PM »
Nick, I have a hacksaw similar to John's, to be fair space is limited so that was a major consideration, mine came with a cheap and nasty blade but, having changed that for a decent (eclipse) one I find it a great little machine, I do need to increase the pressure on the blade a little for bigger stuff, hopefully I'll get around to sorting that properly one day, but I'm very pleased with it.

CC
« Last Edit: June 04, 2009, 06:11:57 PM by CrewCab »

bogstandard

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2009, 05:59:49 PM »
Actually Dave, it is the air support ram that causes the problem. If you removed it, then no further problems should ensue, and you should get a nice steady cut. But I did leave mine on there, to help me lift the saw to the raised position, and to take the weight when lowering it onto the job.
But it does need about 10 kilos of downwards weight on the lifting handle to give that steady balanced cut.

John

Offline CrewCab

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2009, 06:20:31 PM »
Cheers John, like you I think the ram is handy to keep, as it works fine with (like yours) a little added pressure on the handle it's not a priority at the moment :thumbup:

First class little machine though,

Nick ................ another option to consider perhaps ................. "Cut off Saw" ........... I know Ralph has one and is a real fan, it's another alternative, needs even less space and only about half the price  :headbang:

Clcky Linky Thingy

CC

Offline SPiN Racing

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2009, 09:52:37 PM »
Ive never used a power hacksaw actually.. but have used a few bandsaws.. and bought one a couple years ago.
Its the harbor freight cheapie. Like 175 dollars or something. Same thing as the cheap Jet one.

The legs are flimsy tinfoil things.. and the start capacitors in the motor failed after a month or so...

I have the motor released so its weight causes it to engage.. this helps with starting, as I give the blade a little wiggle and voom its off. Starts fine all day after the initial wiggle.

63" or 62" blade.. cant remember off hand. 1/2 inch wide. Cheap blades... BUT.. they are ultra critical. I have bought a variety of ones.. and all of them have been Bi-Metal.. but as they are cheap blades.. you are rolling the dice depending on generic manufacturer. The last one I bought for 12 dollars, cut about 1/8 inch into a hex stainless rod, then stopped cutting.  It wouldnt even cut aluminum after that.
A good blade will rip through stainless, and tool steel and all sorts of stuff.. so a cheap saw with a good blade works.

I also made a new plate for the thing so when vertical I have a small table to cut work on.


A bigger 500 dollar or more bandsaw is really the ticket though. The bigger ones cut more true, have better adjustments, and handle tougher metals better in my limited experience.

Scott
SPiN Racing

Offline NickG

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2009, 04:31:04 AM »
Is there anything that lifts the blade on the forward stroke on the Axminster one? I briefly thought of a cut off saw but to be honest I'm a little scared of the idea. Sounds more hazardous to me, what sort of price are those?

Nick
Location: County Durham (North East England)

Offline Darren

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #7 on: June 05, 2009, 05:04:45 AM »
Hi Nick,

I have a bandsaw and a power hacksaw. This is my second bandaw of this type and both have performed in the same manner. They are fairly quick but not very accurate in giving a straight cut no matter how you set them up. The blade is flexable so they do wander a little. But having said that I think they are good to have.

The power hacksaw I have yet to use properly, I expect it to be slower but more accurate, I'll have to let you know on that one at a later date when my garage build is done. At the mo it's under cover outside.

You can see them both here, http://madmodder.net/index.php?topic=479.0

I paid 70 quid for the hacksaw and 16 quid for the bandsaw.

Then I have one of those cut everything cut off saw, that is amaizing, about 70 quid again, wood, ally, steel even SS no problem. Cut straight too as well as fast and cold.

For the really tought stuff like hardened shafts the cut off saw will cut fine, but I don't like abusing it this way, maybe it's ok but I prefer to use the fiber blade cut off saw.


Then there are chop saws, circular saws, jig saws, etc and there is still one more type I would like to have around....


The thing is, depending on what you want to do, having just one type of saw would be quite limiting. I suppose if I had to make a choice I would keep the band saw as that seems to get used the most.

You will find it a distinct help… if you know and look as if you know what you are doing. (IRS training manual)

Offline sbwhart

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #8 on: June 05, 2009, 10:48:28 AM »
You Chaps are making me green with envy, all I've got is a Stew powered hacksaw, and a sore arm. (With Muscles)

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Stew

A little bit of clearance never got in the road
 :wave:

Location:- Crewe Cheshire

bogstandard

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2009, 01:48:38 PM »
Is there anything that lifts the blade on the forward stroke on the Axminster one?


It stays in constant contact Nick, but it doesn't seem to cause any problems.

The chop saws like Ralphs are not a new thing. I was using one in the early 80's, and if you can get one second hand they are great, but work slightly differently. They use a TCT blade, but they run very slowly, and cut thru normal metals like a hot knife thru butter. It is only fairly recently they have gone for the 'rage' technology? and speeded the blades up considerably. The cost of replacement blades for that type of saw is the prohibitive part.

Blade cost, with any saw, should not be taken lightly. I buy my blades in half dozens, so I get them cheaper, and I find that my little band saw gets thru one in about 2 months, but as yet, even though I have done a lot of cutting with my hacksaw, I have still to wear the first one out, unlike Dave, who's original was no use. No matter what saw you eventually go for, I find Axminster blades are a very good quality, especially the ones for the bandsaw, they have them made up for themselves. The hacksaw ones were Bahco, which are a renowned for very good quality. This blade cost must be taken into consideration about your final decision on what you buy, and always have at least one spare in stock.

John

Offline Darren

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #10 on: June 05, 2009, 02:33:59 PM »
You Chaps are making me green with envy, all I've got is a Stew powered hacksaw, and a sore arm. (With Muscles)

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Stew



Just to make you feel better Stew, I do have a couple or two couple more, but mainly to do with the major house works here.

Bench saw, miter saw, that sort of thing.... :)
You will find it a distinct help… if you know and look as if you know what you are doing. (IRS training manual)

bogstandard

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #11 on: June 05, 2009, 02:40:25 PM »
Don't you worry Stew,

You have a spare workshop here if needed.

John

Offline Darren

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #12 on: June 05, 2009, 02:51:32 PM »
Stew,

I have two bench saws and two chop saws, one of each can go, but they are only wood types.

Any use to you just let me know.

I'm afraid I don't have any doubles of metal saws but I will keep an eye out for you or anyone else on here. They do come up from time to time.
You will find it a distinct help… if you know and look as if you know what you are doing. (IRS training manual)

Offline sbwhart

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #13 on: June 05, 2009, 03:50:37 PM »
Thanks Darren
 
:thumbup:

Stew

A little bit of clearance never got in the road
 :wave:

Location:- Crewe Cheshire

Offline NickG

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #14 on: June 06, 2009, 11:07:54 AM »
Sounds like the hacksaw could be good. As John said, I like the idea of leaving it to it's own devices whilst getting on with something else. I'm fed up of the muscle powered one Stew! It takes about half an hour or more to get through about 2 1/2" round then I all I feel likem doing is going to bed after that!
Location: County Durham (North East England)

Offline kvom

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #15 on: June 06, 2009, 07:39:35 PM »
If I could have only one type of powered saw it would be a vertical bandsaw, as with one you can cut irregular shapes.  So far my big horfizontal saw has been used only to cut 2" brass rounds a few time.

bogstandard

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #16 on: June 06, 2009, 08:02:20 PM »
Nick,

You don't have to go to great expense, I used a small angle grinder for many years. Cost less than a tenner, and cut thru almost anything with the right blade.

They are noisy, sparks and dust all over the place, and somtimes you can change the hardness of the metal, but definitely stops all that arm aching work. If you want to cut big stuff, get a 9" one, I did, and also found a multitude of uses around the house and garden for it when I was remodelling the place. It would chew thru 3" stock in a couple of minutes. I still have them both knocking about the place somewhere.

So really there is no excuse for aching arms any more.

So if budgets or space are really tight, that is a good acceptable option.

John

Offline John Hill

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #17 on: June 06, 2009, 09:30:14 PM »
I have a big(ish) machine I dont use much, it is a cold saw with a 2hp motor and a circular HSS blade which turns really, really slowly,  the blade is blunt and I am not sure if I can get it sharpened?  It is about 10" diameter and has about 8 teeth to the inch, maybe more.  I fear a new blade might cost as much as a Chinese bandsaw. :scratch:
From the den of The Artful Bodger

Offline NickG

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #18 on: June 07, 2009, 05:06:02 AM »
John, that's a good idea. My dad bought a fairly cheap big angle grinder, he got discs so that he could cut paving flags I think. Never thought of using one mainly because they've always scared me a bit with the sparks going everywhere! I always worry about discs shattering so never really used one. I'll have to get used to them soon though if I start the escort project once moved house.

I actually like the idea of the power hack saw as those old ones I saw are a good price, would just need to swap the motor as they are 3 phase, think I have a couple of single phase suitable motors though.

People have tempted me with the bandsaw, the idea of a table to cut sheet metal sounds good as that's always a pain too.

Plenty of food for thought anyway.

Thanks,

Nick
Location: County Durham (North East England)

Offline Darren

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #19 on: June 07, 2009, 05:44:40 AM »
Nick,
Angle grinders are great, I've had a 4.5 & 9" types for the last 20yrs or more.

I've also had a couple of accidents with them too. Even though I always wear welding gloves, saftey glasses etc and take the best care I can, you cannot predict a disk breaking up.
In my exp it happens quite often, but I was at one time using one so much that they would only last 3mths or so before burning out.

Once a chunk of disk broke off, hit my jeans front pocket and cut it's way right through into the top of my leg/hip area.

It could have been worse.....it was close.... :thumbup:

They are good for what they are, but I will only them as a last resort.

20yrs and I'm still very wary of them....

YMMV
You will find it a distinct help… if you know and look as if you know what you are doing. (IRS training manual)

Offline CrewCab

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #20 on: June 07, 2009, 07:04:31 PM »
20yrs and I'm still very wary of them....

I think that's the sign of a Wise Engineer  ............. I use angle grinders and Stihl Saws regularly, being wary helps you stay safe imho

CC

Offline NickG

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Re: Chinese Bandsaw or Power Hacksaw?
« Reply #21 on: June 12, 2009, 06:47:39 AM »
Here is the link to that place with the saws for sale:
http://www.bedetools.com/page18.html

You can see the axminster on there £150 (no pic) the other 2 I was talking about were the rapidor hacksaws £80 each (no pic, 1 had a clutch but the other looked in better nic, guarding was original)

The well saw was the best one £195 but looks a quality bit of kit. http://www.bedetools.com/page39.html

What are your thoughts?
Location: County Durham (North East England)