Do I use a chop saw and or band saw for my application?

We have been asked this question many times throughout the years. Both abrasive cutoff saws and band saws are terrific pieces of equipment and both have there place in the work shop.  It all boils down what your looking to do after you cut your material and what material make up is.

The industrial chop saw in our opinion is more versatile than the band saw.  For a few reasons, if your looking to cut your material quick, have decent end cuts, cutting alloys, and or need to have a desirable finish then you want a chop saw.

With an industrial abrasive chop saw many secondary processes can be eliminated so you can take your material right to fabrication department and or metallurgical lab.

As we said a band saw has it’s place in the work shop as well.  This equipment is great for cutting bundles then go to be machined in the machine shop and or to the fabrication department.

Lastly in most cases the abrasive cutoff wheel can be less expensive than a band saw blade.

Series of questions that need to be answered prior to making your purchase

• What material are you or will be cutting?  If your cut harden material you a bandsaw blade won’t last.  You will need use a cutoff saw.  The cutoff wheel is designed to cut harden materials.

• How are you cutting your material now?

• How many cuts per day will you be making?  If you need to production cutting and or something close to it a bandsaw won’t be quick enough to get the job done so you will need to use a cutoff saw.  With the right cutoff wheel designed for what material that your cutting will cut your material quick.

• Is your material solid or tubing? If it’s tubing what is the wall thickness?

• Does your material need to be cut wet or dry?

• Do need your saw to be open, semi-open and or enclosed?

• Types of cuts you will be making? Are you needing to make metallurgical cuts and or production cutting?  If your doing these types of cuts a bandsaw will not be the saw for you.  They don’t cut quick  or clean.  If you look closely you can see the bandsaw blade teeth marks.

Replacement parts

All standard parts are replaceable no matter the age of the equipment.  Having replacement parts on hand is important so if a part happens to go down in the middle of a production run isn’t go and you’ll be down until your replacement part comes in.  So the best option for you so there is little equipment down time is to put the critical items on the the shelf such as cylinders, spindles, bearings and or v-belts.  So get those repair parts on order today.  Depending what cylinder you have on your machine it may possibly take up to four weeks to get so get them on order. Click here to be taken to the Kalamazoo Industries online parts store to get those repair parts on order.

In conclusion

Do I use a chop saw and or band saw for my application? It all depends what you want the next process is going to be are you going to put your material into a CNC, is going to paint and or is it going to the weld room to be welded? In the mean time check out what abrasive chop saw we have to offer by clicking here and give us a call with your application.  We can be reached at (269) 382-2050.