Heavy Duty Band Saw Guide
About Heavy-duty Band Saw
A heavy-duty band saw is a type of sawing machine specifically designed for large capacity cutting. It is ideal for cutting large bars of wood and metals with a size of up to 1500*1500 mm. A typical heavy-duty band saw features sturdy frames, hydraulic control, a powerful motor, as well as capacity. It also includes a large working table which provides ample space for large-scale metalworking.
Figure 1. Heavy-duty Band Saw, Rong Fu
The image above shows a semi-automatic heavy-duty band saw. It features a dual swivel of up to 60 degrees, which is very impressive compared with the standard 45-degree single-swivel models. With its enlarged hydraulic cylinder, this piece of equipment is ideal for bundle cutting on large tubes and pipes with maximum cutting stability. Sawing machines like this are typically paired with a strong hydraulic vise system as well, enabling proper clamping of different sized workpieces.
Metalworking
Heavy-duty band saws are an ideal power tool for cutting through hard metals. Most of them today adopt a horizontal design so that they can hold a large metal piece and keep it stationary. As opposed to its vertical counterpart, it does a better job at cutting very large metal stock down to smaller and more manageable sizes. It is also capable of cutting back stocks and pipes to the desired length easily.
Horizontal heavy-duty band saws are normally seen in big manufacturing companies and metal fabrication shops because they are able to cut large pieces of plastic, soft metal, titanium, graphite, or other rarer metals. Despite being feature-rich, a heavy-duty band saw is conveniently small in size compared with other families of heavy-duty machines. Smooth functioning, little noise, vibration-free, and reduced wastage are all the benefits of a modern horizontal heavy-duty band saw.
Woodworking
A heavy-duty band is also one of the most popular power tools in carpentry, a versatile machine typically used by professional woodworkers. It is capable of cutting through very large pieces of lumbers.
You don't see too many heavy-duty band saws for wood cutting in smaller workshops, but other specialized facilities like a timber mill may utilize a heavy-duty band saw for ripping lumber. A wood-cutting type of band saw has the unique feature of cutting through heavy-duty timber that is of larger diameter than the regular wood material. And thanks to the smaller cut size, less timber is wasted as a result.
Heavy-duty band saws for wood cutting generally feature a sturdy construction that is made of a rugged sheet of steel for maximum rigidity. The table is usually made of precision ground cast iron with the rib reinforced and is fixed without tilting. Sometimes the rear table support may be designed to allow level adjustment.
As for the blade, it is typically guarded completely, revealing only the operating portion to ensure the operator's safety. The blade guard can be swung out when no longer in operation. Ball bearings are also used to guide the top and bottom of the blade. And lastly, the wheels are typically made of cast iron, balanced dynamically to ensure a smooth workflow.
Maintenance and Safety
A heavy-duty band saw has high maintenance requirements because it generally has more safety features and produces more chips during cutting. During the cutting operation, the machine can get really hot. A coolant not only prevents the blade from overheating but also keeps the blade lubricated. Heavy-duty band saws for metal cutting are often accompanied by brush wheels to prevent metal chips from getting into the blade. It is important to clean out the chips accumulated in the chip tray regularly as well.
It is highly recommended that the operator is well trained for this type of machine. Unauthorized personnel should be kept away from these machines. And don't hesitate to consult the manufacturer if you can't find the solution in the manual. As a general rule of thumb, always disconnect the saw from the power source when the machine is not in use.
Also, make sure where you place the saws that there is ample space for operators to maneuver around. You don't want to rattle the machine by accidentally nudging it during cutting. Additionally, make sure the space is dry as a wet room can increase the risk of an electrical surge. Always stay alert when working with a heavy-duty band saw to avoid being shocked or burned. For more safety tips, refer to the video below as to how you should operate a horizontal saw safely:
(Copyright@Stan Cotreau, YouTube)
Final Words
To sum up, a heavy band saw not only excels in cutting through metals, but they are also ideal for ripping lumber in woodworking. A quality heavy-duty band saw will allow you to cut through any large diameter materials with minimal effort, and you'd be surprised how smooth the cuts can be.
Finally, a small niche of heavy-duty band saws can be very big in size. So, you will need to take the available space into consideration if you intend to get one of these for your workshop. Alternatively, consider other power models (e.g., the benchtop models) that can generate just as much cutting power as a heavy-duty band saw, as they do not take up as much space.
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