In the engineering workshop, no matter what size it is the chances are you will need a metal cutting bandsaw. This is mainly for cutting and sizing your stock and on certain bandsaws you can produce intricate shapes for sculpting and architecture.
Some traditionalists out there may argue that a hacksaw will suffice, but if you are sizing large amounts of metal you can’t beat the speed and accuracy that a metal cutting bandsaw provides, not to mention the lack of physical exertion required. For the hobbyist, you may wonder if the initial outlay is worth it and that will depend entirely on how much you need to cut. For those who work in fabrication workshops, they are vital and that’s where some key features come into play.
Horizontal or vertical?
Although vertical bandsaws are often associated with woodworking, they are very useful in the engineering workshops where steel plate and sheet metal is cut to shape for specific uses.
Horizontal bandsaws play a greater role in engineering. Although horizontal bandsaws may not complete complex shaped work as the vertical version can, their accuracy and ease of use make them an invaluable asset in any workshop. Batches of steel pipes or thinner steel shafts can be put into the vice of a horizontal band saw and then cut to length. A roller is used to support the longer pipes or shafts while feeding the material into the machine. This increases the volume of cut material required. Heavy beams of different sizes which are used in the construction industry are cut to length on horizontal band saws. Horizontal band saws can cut large diameters of piping and solid steel bars. Â
