Chop Saw Or Band Saw ??????

[MYBOYDAVE]

Hey Guys First Time On The Board
Just Got Into Welding And I Think Its Great
I Already Got About 3 Or 4 Different Projects I Want To Do
But I Need The Right Tools First
What Do You Think The First Cutting Tool Should Be
A Chop Saw Or A Portable Band Saw
This Is Not My Job Just For Fun
Thanks In Advance To All Who Reply

[MAC702]

As you can see, the software editted the CapsLock; it's best just to make sure it's off first.

This is a common question, but we'd need to know more about what types of things you are planning to make. Both saws will do most jobs.

The bandsaw is quieter and less messy, but much slower and less portable. Both are accurate within their respective "you get what you pay for" areas.

You might also look at the carbide "chop saws" as opposed to the abrasive ones.

[phaxtris]

the standard abrasive chop saw is the much more versitile than a band saw, if your going to buy anything, buy a chop saw

band saws are good when you can stack pieces, or have thick pieces to cut, but for general fab the chop saw own's all

[84ZMike]

Another idea to toss at ya as well would be this in a regular chop saw....
http://www.bulletindustries.com/cata...roducts_id/449
as far as "first cutting tool" do you have a grinder yet.....if not get one and some cut off wheels for it as well......I started with this and then moved to a jig saw......then added a saws all........I have a port band saw as well it is slow and is very easy to put too much pressure on it and away goes the squareness of the cut......I like my chop saw and am working on my O/A set up....just need tanks......
Good luck,
Mike

[JimYoung]

you might get by with a 4&1/2 inch grinder with cutoff disk about $20.00 at Harbor Freight. Depends on what you want to cut, and how critical the angles are that you want to make.
Jim

[Trooper]

If you can handle the noise, a chop saw would be the better purchase to start. I am under the presumption that you are not talking about a hand-held metal band saw; I rarely received a straight cut from them. Obviously, get the angle grinder before the chop saw as the others have said.

[Tex]

Buy both. Different machines for different uses.

[terry welds]

we have two dewalt chop saws and use them both a lot. we was cutting some 4x4x3/8 squre tubeing with on troble. or band saw comes in handey when we need it. if it was me i would get a chop saw first. good luck on what ever you get.

[TomVeatch]

I'm a farm/home/hobby welder and not very proficient at that. I have both a 14" abrasive chop saw and a 4x6 bandsaw. The chop saw came first. I can only speak for myself, but after getting the bandsaw, I unplugged the chop saw which is now sitting in the corner gathering dust.

[SkidSteerSteve]

I started off with an abrasive chop saw. It gave me several years of good service and built many projects. Although, after buying my band saw, I don't think I've even put another disk on the chop saw. It sits there getting rusty from the humidity. Personally, I just really don't like the noise and dust of a chop saw. When I say band saw, I'm talking about a shop band saw. I have a portaband as well, but it doesn't see much use either. Granted, the abrasives are very portable and will do most anything you need them to do, but I would start with a band saw if I had to do it over again. Of course, there's a lot of things I'd do different if I had the chance...but that's another column all to its self. SSS