BandSaw for Metal, Fiberglass and Carbon Fiber, etc...

[Noah]

Ok, fella's...

I have a friend that is very into go-fast plastic boats, and now has an A-class cat that will be in a constant state of development.

He is looking for a bandsaw that will allow him to cut different pieces of metal, fiberglass and Carbon Fiber to create custom pieces for his boat.

It seems he could get a wood bandsaw which might run too fast, or a metal saw that isn't really designed for curved cuts, etc. Is this correct?

Anyone out there have experience dealing with this type of material on a bandsaw? What model would you get?

Thanks,
Noah

[Noah]

Ok, fella's...

I have a friend that is very into go-fast plastic boats, and now has an A-class cat that will be in a constant state of development.

He is looking for a bandsaw that will allow him to cut different pieces of metal, fiberglass and Carbon Fiber to create custom pieces for his boat.

It seems he could get a wood bandsaw which might run too fast, or a metal saw that isn't really designed for curved cuts, etc. Is this correct?

Anyone out there have experience dealing with this type of material on a bandsaw? What model would you get?

Thanks,
Noah

[Noah]

Ok, fella's...

I have a friend that is very into go-fast plastic boats, and now has an A-class cat that will be in a constant state of development.

He is looking for a bandsaw that will allow him to cut different pieces of metal, fiberglass and Carbon Fiber to create custom pieces for his boat.

It seems he could get a wood bandsaw which might run too fast, or a metal saw that isn't really designed for curved cuts, etc. Is this correct?

Anyone out there have experience dealing with this type of material on a bandsaw? What model would you get?

Thanks,
Noah

[Dave Fleming]

Powermatic, General of Canada both make multi speed 14 inch machines.

Look just like the models that are strictly for wood except they have a gear reduction box or multi-groove v-belts.

Do-All is perhaps the most well known name in Multi-speed bandsoars but they are not cheap even used.

If your friend is interested in cutting feeberglaz laminations probably going to need a real slow speed. I'm guessing that the laminates might melt at the cutting edge with too fast a blade speed.

[Dave Fleming]

Powermatic, General of Canada both make multi speed 14 inch machines.

Look just like the models that are strictly for wood except they have a gear reduction box or multi-groove v-belts.

Do-All is perhaps the most well known name in Multi-speed bandsoars but they are not cheap even used.

If your friend is interested in cutting feeberglaz laminations probably going to need a real slow speed. I'm guessing that the laminates might melt at the cutting edge with too fast a blade speed.

[Dave Fleming]

Powermatic, General of Canada both make multi speed 14 inch machines.

Look just like the models that are strictly for wood except they have a gear reduction box or multi-groove v-belts.

Do-All is perhaps the most well known name in Multi-speed bandsoars but they are not cheap even used.

If your friend is interested in cutting feeberglaz laminations probably going to need a real slow speed. I'm guessing that the laminates might melt at the cutting edge with too fast a blade speed.

[Chris Ostlind]

For years now, I've just used my Delta 14" saw and take the time to switch-out the blades for different types of material. Using a resaw blade with something like a four tooth count per inch is better on plastic.

I have had excellent results with a bi-metal cutting blade when sawing carbon or glass laminates. It's tooth pattern is very much like a hacksaw blade and it's made locally or I'd give you a part number.

The only stuff that hangs up in the saw is Delrin, PVC and Nylon. The blade is moving pretty fast for that material to cool, so I have to go slowly. UHMW cuts easily and predictably.

If you can get a multi-speed machine, great. Otherwise, it's not that big a deal if you take your time, plan your cuts and don't hurry the material through the machine.

Chris Ostlind

[Chris Ostlind]

For years now, I've just used my Delta 14" saw and take the time to switch-out the blades for different types of material. Using a resaw blade with something like a four tooth count per inch is better on plastic.

I have had excellent results with a bi-metal cutting blade when sawing carbon or glass laminates. It's tooth pattern is very much like a hacksaw blade and it's made locally or I'd give you a part number.

The only stuff that hangs up in the saw is Delrin, PVC and Nylon. The blade is moving pretty fast for that material to cool, so I have to go slowly. UHMW cuts easily and predictably.

If you can get a multi-speed machine, great. Otherwise, it's not that big a deal if you take your time, plan your cuts and don't hurry the material through the machine.

Chris Ostlind

[Chris Ostlind]

For years now, I've just used my Delta 14" saw and take the time to switch-out the blades for different types of material. Using a resaw blade with something like a four tooth count per inch is better on plastic.

I have had excellent results with a bi-metal cutting blade when sawing carbon or glass laminates. It's tooth pattern is very much like a hacksaw blade and it's made locally or I'd give you a part number.

The only stuff that hangs up in the saw is Delrin, PVC and Nylon. The blade is moving pretty fast for that material to cool, so I have to go slowly. UHMW cuts easily and predictably.

If you can get a multi-speed machine, great. Otherwise, it's not that big a deal if you take your time, plan your cuts and don't hurry the material through the machine.

Chris Ostlind

[Tom Lathrop]

I did an answer but it got lost in cyberspace so I'll just say that both fiberglass and stainless can be cut on a normal wood bandsaw. Stainless is actually much easier to cut (burn through) than ferrous metal. Fiberglass dulls a blade quickly. Tablesaw works on both also.

[Tom Lathrop]

I did an answer but it got lost in cyberspace so I'll just say that both fiberglass and stainless can be cut on a normal wood bandsaw. Stainless is actually much easier to cut (burn through) than ferrous metal. Fiberglass dulls a blade quickly. Tablesaw works on both also.

[Tom Lathrop]

I did an answer but it got lost in cyberspace so I'll just say that both fiberglass and stainless can be cut on a normal wood bandsaw. Stainless is actually much easier to cut (burn through) than ferrous metal. Fiberglass dulls a blade quickly. Tablesaw works on both also.

[Dave Fleming]

did an answer but it got lost in cyberspace so I'll just say that both fiberglass and stainless can be cut on a normal wood bandsaw. Stainless is actually much easier to cut (burn through) than ferrous metal. Fiberglass dulls a blade quickly. Tablesaw works on both also. It IS a good day, learnt something new!

[Dave Fleming]

did an answer but it got lost in cyberspace so I'll just say that both fiberglass and stainless can be cut on a normal wood bandsaw. Stainless is actually much easier to cut (burn through) than ferrous metal. Fiberglass dulls a blade quickly. Tablesaw works on both also. It IS a good day, learnt something new!

[Dave Fleming]

did an answer but it got lost in cyberspace so I'll just say that both fiberglass and stainless can be cut on a normal wood bandsaw. Stainless is actually much easier to cut (burn through) than ferrous metal. Fiberglass dulls a blade quickly. Tablesaw works on both also. It IS a good day, learnt something new!

[John Meachen]

I have cut a fair quantity of carbon on a bandsaw and while an ordinary blade will do the job for quite a while,you can do better.The blade will tend to lose its set and will then need replacing.For long term use you are better off using a carbide grit or diamond blade.Carbide lasts quite well and is less expensive than diamond.If you need to cut thicker pieces you ought to consider a gulleted blade as the dust will be carried out more efficiently than with the continuous abrasive band.If you were on this side of the Atlantic I would suggest contacting C4 carbides who are very good.

[John Meachen]

I have cut a fair quantity of carbon on a bandsaw and while an ordinary blade will do the job for quite a while,you can do better.The blade will tend to lose its set and will then need replacing.For long term use you are better off using a carbide grit or diamond blade.Carbide lasts quite well and is less expensive than diamond.If you need to cut thicker pieces you ought to consider a gulleted blade as the dust will be carried out more efficiently than with the continuous abrasive band.If you were on this side of the Atlantic I would suggest contacting C4 carbides who are very good.

[John Meachen]

I have cut a fair quantity of carbon on a bandsaw and while an ordinary blade will do the job for quite a while,you can do better.The blade will tend to lose its set and will then need replacing.For long term use you are better off using a carbide grit or diamond blade.Carbide lasts quite well and is less expensive than diamond.If you need to cut thicker pieces you ought to consider a gulleted blade as the dust will be carried out more efficiently than with the continuous abrasive band.If you were on this side of the Atlantic I would suggest contacting C4 carbides who are very good.

[Mrleft8]

Delta 20" V/S with hi-lo range gear box... I cut some 6" thick steel with it like cutting 6" pine....Just a little bit slower. I think there's a special blade for F/G with fine metal cutting type teeth, but w/o the wavy set...

[Mrleft8]

Delta 20" V/S with hi-lo range gear box... I cut some 6" thick steel with it like cutting 6" pine....Just a little bit slower. I think there's a special blade for F/G with fine metal cutting type teeth, but w/o the wavy set...

[Mrleft8]

Delta 20" V/S with hi-lo range gear box... I cut some 6" thick steel with it like cutting 6" pine....Just a little bit slower. I think there's a special blade for F/G with fine metal cutting type teeth, but w/o the wavy set...

[Noah]

Thanks for all of the info guys. I will pass this along!

Noah

[Noah]

Thanks for all of the info guys. I will pass this along!

Noah

[Noah]

Thanks for all of the info guys. I will pass this along!

Noah