Home Shop Machining/Equipment/Bandsaws

Metal Cutting Bandsaws

They come in multiple styles but, for the Home Shop Machinist, there are three common types:

Metal cutting bandsaw (02)

Horizontal/Vertical Offset

The blade is twisted where it cuts such that stock longer than the distance between the blade and the frame can be cut. The amount of offset determines how thick of material can be cut. The distance between the bearings that support the twisted segment of blade determines how wide a material can be cut. A common Home Workshop horizontal/vertical metal cutting bandsaw would be 4"x 6", thus limited to 4 inches thick, 6 inches wide, at any practical length.

These saws can typically be used horizontally, thus allowing stock to be cut to length unattended, or vertically, often with an auxiliary table.

Vertical Bandsaw

These are very similar to typical wood bandsaws, though they tend to run slower for more efficient metal cutting and some come equipped with integral band welders. The band welders allow the blade to be cut, threaded through a hole in the work, and then welded back together, thus allowing cutting out of interior features.

Handheld Offset Bandsaw

These operate in much the same way as the larger horizontal/vertical offset bandsaws but are smaller and sometimes battery powered.