Having worked extensively with various tools in metal workshops, I can’t stress enough the importance of a quality metal cutting band saw. Beyond just brand recognition, understanding the nuances and features of these machines is crucial to ensuring safety and achieving the desired results in your projects. From my experience, I’ve identified a few key options that can significantly enhance the safety and efficiency of metal cutting in your workshop.
Reviews of the Best Metal Cutting Bandsaws
1. Shop Fox W1715 ¾ HP Metal Cutting Bandsaw
Shop Fox is known for their saws, and the W1715 metal cutting band saw is one of their masterpieces. The saw allows you to work with different types of metal thanks to the different speed settings.
The saw comes with its own wheeled stand that enhances portability and it’s also quite lightweight for its size. The Shop Fox W1715 is capable of cutting both round and rectangular stock, as they are no match for its powerful ¾ HP, single phase 1725 RPM motor.
Aside from the adjustable cutting speeds, another feature I loved about the W1715 is the horizontal vertical bandsaw design. You can cut from either direction and create curves or patterns.
What I Like
- Its a vertical and horizontal bandsaw
- You can adjust the blade speed
- It has a stand with handles and wheels for portability
- It has a cast iron stop
- It can cut curves and patterns
- It has an automatic shut-off system
- Ball bearing construction
- It has a powerful motor
What I Don’t Like
- It can be tough to assemble
- The machine’s finish can be improved
2. Kaka Industrial Mini Metal Cutting Band Saw
As one of the smallest options I recommend, the Kaka Industrial Mini Metal Cutting Band Saw is best for space saving and portability. It’s a very lightweight aluminum casting construction that is still durable and provides stability.
The blade speeds are also adjustable in this model, but you can benefit from the stepless speed regulation that other models do not offer.
This band saw is easy to use and can be rotated to 45 degrees for more versatile and complex cuts, making it easier for this saw to cut circles. The saw also has a block feeder for safety and an automatic shutoff function.
(For other budget options, you can also check our list of excellent affordable bandsaws here)
What I Like
- It has a variable speed knob
- It has an automatic shutoff feature
- The swivel arm locks at 45 degrees
- It has an adjustable roller blade guide
- It is a small version
- It is lightweight yet stable
- It is great for space saving
- It is portable
- It has a 30 day return period
What I Don’t Like
- The ball bearing can be better
- It is not the best for larger jobs
3. Grizzly Industrial G0561-7” x 12” 1 HP Metal-Cutting Bandsaw
Grizzly Industrial is one of my favorite brands when it comes to workshop tools, and the G0561 is no exception. This metal band saw is also a little higher in terms of price, but it’s well worth it for the powerful cutting speed settings, and the 1HP motor [1].
There is also a hydraulic feed control in this Grizzly Industrial G0561 Metal Band Saw to help with control of the material and accurate cuts. It is a reliable band saw with stand that is wheeled for your convenience to wheel the band saw with you on the job site.
What I Like
- It has adjustable blade guides
- It has a cooling system
- It has a worm gearbox
- It has gear step lade speeds
- It has a hydraulic downfeed
- An automatic shutoff feature
- It has a durable steel base
- It has a quick-setting vise
What I Don’t Like
- It has a high price
- The coolant can come close to rollers
4. WEN 3975 T 4-7/8-inch x 5-inch Metal-Cutting Benchtop Band Saw
Wen is also an excellent brand if we’re looking at the manufacturer alone. I found this band saw to be very versatile and also compact. The blade speed is adjustable to accommodate multiple materials and the bevel can be adjusted up to 60 degrees.
There is a 2-year warranty with Wen metal cutting band saws, but thanks to the rugged construction of the Wen 3975, there will be minimal fuss after purchase.
The small but heavy duty Wen band saw still offers a lot of stability with the built-in vise that will help grip the material as the band saw blade comes into contact.
What I Like
- It is small but heavy duty
- It has a versatile tool
- It has an adjustable blade speed
- The bevel is up to 60-degrees
- It has a 2-year warranty from Wen
- It is suited for a variety of metals
- It has an onboard vise
- It has an adjustable blade tension tilt knobs
- It has ball bearings for blade
What I Don’t Like
- The throat can be tricky to adjust
- It can be noisy
5. Klutch Metal Cutting Band Saw
The Klutch Metal Cutting Band Saw is pricier than the rest, but it is one of the best band saws available for metal. The motor is much more powerful than other options at 1-½ HP and there are 4 variable speed adjustments for the blade. Even at high speeds the blade will have no problem cutting metal due to the bi-metal blade construction.
For your safety, the Klutch metal cutting band saw features a safety hydraulic downfeed to help you exert control. The rest of the machine is built to last with anti-corrosion coating, a built-in coolant system, and caster wheels for mobility.
What I Like
- It has an automatic shut-off feature
- It has a wheeled stand
- It has fast blade speed options
- It has a durable bi-metal blade
- It has a built-in coolant system
- It has an anti-corrosion finish
- It has a quick-positioning vise to hold the material
- Safety hydraulic downfeed
What I Don’t Like
- The higher price tag
- It is very large
Metal Cutting Bandsaw Buyer’s Guide
When you cut metal, you need a significantly more powerful saw than you would for wood. The feet per minute of the blade, the construction of the machine and power of the motor are all contributing factors for the cutting job. There are also other considerations that can impact the performance of the machine, and I have listed them below.
Design and Size
The best metal cutting band saws need to complement your space. A horizontal and vertical bandsaw will come in a variety of sizes to choose from. The biggest consideration when choosing the size of your metal band saws is the scale of your projects and the scope of your work. The larger your projects, the larger your metal band saws should be.
Another feature to consider is the horizontal vertical design. A horizontal band saw requires you to adjust the arm to cut through the material. I suggest the best horizontal band saw for those who want precision in their cuts and have larger projects. A metal cutting horizontal band saw is excellent for straight cuts.
On the other hand, a vertical band saw is stationary and requires you to feed the material through. Because you need to adjust the material through the machine, this tool is suggested for complex projects.
You can also look for models that allow multiple blade width adjustments to give you even more flexibility.
Speed
Ideally, I suggest variable cutting speeds on the machine. Older models may not see these features but new ones do. The adjustable speed settings will widen the range of materials the tool can cut through, and thus giving you more versatility.
See Also: Skil BW9501-00 Review
To determine the speed of a tool, it’s important to consider the motor’s amperage rating. A higher amperage indicates greater power output. For instance, a 3.5 amp motor is more powerful than a 2 amp motor. The amperage of the motor directly affects the blade’s speed, typically measured in feet per minute.
Depending on the materials you are cutting, you would want the bandsaw to have the power to cut through the metal with little to no trouble.
Safety Features
The operation of the best metal cutting bandsaw is not as important as the woodworking safety features they come with. Aside from the protective gear you should wear, the cutting machine should also be equipped with extra safety features. Such features include a blade guard, a coolant system to expel heat, and an automatic shutdown feature that will halt the blade after your cut.
Additional features include an in-built chip tray that will catch the debris, and wheel locks to keep the best metal cutting band saws in place. For bandsaws that come with a stand, you need to make sure the machine is immobile while you work.
Type of Metal Cutting Bandsaw
As I have briefly mentioned, there are two types of metal cutting band saws: vertical and horizontal.
Vertical band saws are ideal for smaller pieces of material. You would rotate and maneuver the metal instead of the tool. This allows the machine to perform more detailed and complicated cuts.
As for a horizontal band saw, it features an adjustable arm and is pulled down by the user to the material to create the cuts. A horizontal band saw is what I recommend for larger accurate, straight cuts and larger projects with ones that do not require intricacy.
Material and Durability
You would want such a hefty investment to last for quite some time, which is why I suggest looking for a power tool that is created with the utmost durability. For example, cast iron is a popular material that can stand the test of time. However, cast iron is significantly heavier than aluminum for example, so users looking for portability should ideally look for lighter weight construction from lighter yet durable metals.
Some models like the popular Jet bandsaws have coated stand. They have tool with an anti-corrosion finish that will also help protect the band saw against elements.
Metal Cutting Bandsaw Functions
Some of you may be wondering about the functions of the metal cutting tool and why not use other types for metal cutting. I am here to answer your questions and shed light on what a metal cutting saw can do.
This power tool can give the user maximum versatility as they can be both horizontal and vertical, or even be both in a single machine. If you find a model that can do both, you can save on costs.
If you have a large volume of material to get through, I say band saws are ideal because they do not require much effort on your part to operate. This will reduce fatigue on your arm and there are also some programmable features on these machines that can handle repetitive work.
Of course, these saws are meant to cut through metal, and can handle brass, aluminum, etc., and even steel! You can get through large or small pieces of material and perform simple straight cuts down to more precise designs.
The metal cutting saws are also excellent options to keep you safe. I found that many of the models, especially the ones I listed, include features such as an automatic off function, blade guards, and more to keep your fingers out of harm’s way.
Also check:
FAQ
What is the best metal cutting bandsaw?
The best metal cutting bandsaw is the Shop Fox W1715. The portable bandsaw is two types in one, capable of making vertical and horizontal cuts. Not only that, there are variable speed adjustments that can be made and an automatic off function for safety among many other features.
Our Top Pick For a Metal Cutting Bandsaw:
Shop Fox W1715
Out of all the best metal cutting bandsaws I tested, I landed on the W1715 from Shop Fox as the top choice. Aside from being a hybrid 2-in-1 model capable of both horizontal and vertical cuts, the W1715 is also highly portable thanks to the wheeled stand, can cut through various materials due to the adjustable speeds and has in-built safety functions to keep you from harm.
It doesn’t matter if you are cutting curves or straight lines, the W1715 can accommodate any task.
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You've probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.
Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.
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