Why are small vertical metal cutting band saws virtually nonexistent??

[TerryH]

I'd love to have a small slow speed vertical band saw. If there were such a thing other than a couple of micro ones I saw. I don't really have room for the foot print of the typical 4x6 saws nor do I care for the tables so would have to build one right from square one. Not enough adjustment to get the blade guides where they really should be etc... I'm going to build a table for my portaband and that will likely suffice but I'd certainly buy something if there was something to buy. Not enough demand for the manufacturers to bother with producing such or??

 

[cjtoombs]

You should look for an older model wood cutting bandsaw with a non built in motor, you can add a countershaft to the drive to slow it down. I have an old Craftsman (King Sealey) 3 wheel bandsaw that is slowed down for metal cutting. I order bi metal blades for it and it works great for metal. I think the newer small bandsaws all have a direct drive motor, so changing them over is much more difficult.

 

[T Bredehoft]

I've used vertical metal cutting band saws in my working life. They come with built in 'pullers" that you hook up to the piece you're cutting (wrap a bicycle chain around the piece and pull on both ends). It takes forever, you stand there and watch so the saw doesn't hit the chain, or so it doesn't stray from the line you're cutting. Time is measured in hours, sometimes. With a horizontal, you set it up and walk away, doing something productive while it cuts. This is iron or steel.
Aluminum, yeah, you can use high speed, but you've gotta keep the blade 'waxed' to keep the gullets from filling up. I use my verticals for aluminum on a regular basis.

 

[PMartin]

SWAG Offroad makes a stand/table for a variety of Portabands. No sense reinventing the wheel when you can purchase something at a reasonable price. SWAG Offroad

 

[pacifica]

I converted an older Rockwell 14" band saw,Drive is open so easy to convert, bought a boston gear box 10:1 on ebay for minimal amount and connected to motor shaft. It runs about 150 fps. Stiff enough for 4 " steel and can cut curves. I use a bi-metal blade which lasts a long time.
Add 2 pulleys and a belt and ready to go.

Footprint is about 4' by 2.5'.

 

[mikey]

I'd love to have a small slow speed vertical band saw. If there were such a thing other than a couple of micro ones I saw. I don't really have room for the foot print of the typical 4x6 saws nor do I care for the tables so would have to build one right from square one. Not enough adjustment to get the blade guides where they really should be etc... I'm going to build a table for my portaband and that will likely suffice but I'd certainly buy something if there was something to buy. Not enough demand for the manufacturers to bother with producing such or??

I understand your requirements but I would MAKE room for a H/V bandsaw and make a good vertical cutting table for it. No other tool in the shop saves more time and work while taking up so little space.

 

[Bi11Hudson]

I may be out of touch with the current state of affairs, but several years back I saw where horizontal band saws could be swung up vertical. There wasn't any feed or other automation but they could cut the metal. I personally never used one, my work is so small. But I do remember seeing them. Harbor Freight had several, but they (HF) often carry weird stuff that is a "one off" article. Watching around may help.

Bill Hudson​

 

[jdedmon91]

SWAG Offroad makes a stand/table for a variety of Portabands. No sense reinventing the wheel when you can purchase something at a reasonable price. SWAG Offroad

This is my set up

I have a HF bandsaw on the swag table. Less than 300 in the setup
Here is a video I have on my channel on the saw

I made a plate and mounting system for my workbench that allows me to fasten the bandsaw table to the bench. This is one of the handiest tools in my shop. Here is the video on the plate

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Janderso]

I just purchased a metal/wood vertical band saw made by Jet, model 14500.
The footprint is 24” X 16”.
Pretty compact.

 

[tomw]

I third the SWAG route. I really like mine for a small shop.