Metal Cutting Band Saw

A metal cutting band saw is meant to make straight and free form cuts in mostly sheet metal. Searching online will find a lot of stores where you can buy one. You can also buy a metal cutting band saw from a metal working supply or industrial tool shop in your city.

A metal cutting band saw is very similar to the conventional bandsaws you may have used for cutting wood. The core of the saw is a strip of metal which forms a complete loop. One edge of the loop has teeth, making it a long continuous blade. The band saw holds this blade securely between two wheels and drives one of them electrically in to have the entire blade move at high speeds. One side of the blade between the two wheels is kept protected inside the band saw for safety reasons. The other side is exposed and is your main cutting surface on the saw. Most metal cutting band saws have a table in order to hold and support your workpiece as it is being cut. Typically the angle of this table can be adjusted in order to make cuts which are not perpendicular to the surface of the metal. Often you can adjust the tension of the bandsaw blade through a knob which raises or lowers one of the wheels in order to tighten or loosen the loop of bandsaw blades. Some band saws may allow you to vary the speed of the blade as well.

When using a metal cutting band saw, it's important to use eye protection and you may want to wear gloves as well. Unlike a wood band saw, cutting metal requires lubrication so you will want to sometimes spray on some cutting fluid where you are cutting. It's critical to make slow steady progress with the bandsaw. The easiest cuts to make are straight lines and these are made easier if you use a guide which is clamped in place next to the blade to keep your work piece aligned. Some curves are also possible but they are dependent on the width of the blade, and you will want to be very careful not to twist the blade much: if you feel resistance between your workpiece and the size (not cutting edge) of the blade, you are probably trying to make too sharp of a turn. Often, you can make sharper turns by backing out of the saw and cutting in from a different direction. It can be dangerous to be near a metal cutting band saw when the blade breaks: you should do everything you can to avoid this. Also always where eye protection and full length clothes in order to prevent injury.  You may find that a revolving light may make it easier to see in your shop as well.