Bandsaws can work with a variety of materials, but for metal workshops, you need the best metal cutting band saw. Other than the brand name, you need to know what to look for to avoid accidents and make sure your project comes out as expected. Our team has compiled some suitable options below to keep your workshop safe when cutting metal.
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 our experts loved about the W1715 is the horizontal vertical bandsaw design. You can cut from either direction and create curves or patterns.
What We Like
- Vertical and horizontal bandsaw
- You can adjust the blade speed
- Has a stand with handles and wheels for portability
- Cast iron stop
- Can cut curves and patterns
- Automatic shut-off system
- Ball bearing construction
- Powerful motor
What We Don’t Like
- 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 recommended by our team, 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 We Like
- Variable speed knob
- Automatic shutoff
- Swivel arm lock at 45 degrees
- Adjustable roller blade guide
- Small version
- Lightweight yet stable
- Great for space saving
- Portable
- 30 day return period
What We Don’t Like
- Ball bearing can be better
- Not the best for larger jobs
3. Grizzly Industrial G0561-7” x 12” 1 HP Metal-Cutting Bandsaw
Grizzly Industrial is one of our team’s 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 We Like
- Adjustable blade guides
- Cooling system
- Worm gearbox
- Gear step lade speeds
- Hydraulic downfeed
- Automatic shutoff
- Durable steel base
- Quick-setting vise
What We Don’t Like
- High price
- 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. Our team 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 We Like
- Small but heavy duty
- Versatile tool
- Adjustable blade speed
- Bevel up to 60-degrees
- 2-year warranty from Wen
- Suited for a variety of metals
- Onboard vise
- Adjustable blade tension tilt knobs
- Ball bearings for blade
What We Don’t Like
- The throat can be tricky to adjust
- 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 We Like
- Automatic shut-off
- Has a wheeled stand
- fast blade speed options
- Durable bi-metal blade
- Built-in coolant system
- Anti-corrosion finish
- Quick-positioning vise to hold the material
- Safety hydraulic downfeed
What We Don’t Like
- Higher price tag
- 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 our experts 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. Our team suggests 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 by our experts for complex projects.
You can also look for models that allow multiple blade width adjustments to give you even more flexibility.
Speed
Ideally, our team suggests 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.
To understand the speed, you need to look at the motor, which is measured in amps. The higher the number, the more power you get. For example, a 3.5 amp motor is more powerful than a 2. The amperage of the motor will impact the feet per minute of the blade.
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 our team briefly mentioned before, 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 our experts 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 our team suggests 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. Our experts are 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, our experts 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. Our team found that many of the models, especially the ones we 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 we tested, our team 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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