Ring saw vs. Bandsaw

[khan]

Im thinking about putting about $400 into either a ring saw or a wet saw bandsaw. Can anyone give me some tips about which is best for just general cutting around the shop.
I also thought about just buying a diamond blade for my normal bandsaw. That would cost $175 per blade but in that case it would be dry cutting or nearly dry.
Any advise on these machines would be appreciated.

Khan

[sunray]

We have sold a lot of the Precision 2000 saws to the Glass Blowers
If that one would work for you let me know The blades we carry for them are $40 each

[LooseSeal Baller]

are those on your website? i couldn't find it.

[somewhere]

I have a full size delta bandsaw. Aluminum wheels and sealed bearings (not that uncommon with many brands) You may have to remount the motor depending on configuration. Go with a small pulley on the motor and larger one on the saw until you find a good speed that works for you. Build a overly heavy stand to eliminate vibration. (Mine is filled with sand) A drip pan under the saw to redirect the water away from the machine and water feed on the blade above the blade guides. Clean water not recycled. I covered the bed with a piece of corian. I found a great deal on blades from a lapidary supply company and built a riser on my saw to except that length blade. Thousands of cuts and going strong.


Most of these machines being sold are made out of plastic with cheap parts. This will make a robust machine with easy to buy parts that will outlast you.

[VinE]

^ what he said; anything made of plastic is crap and will break down fairly quick.

Plus; ring saws are usually used for cutting flat glass, and give you the ability to cut a variety of shapes. Diamond band saws are for used for making straight cuts.
....I would not use a dry saw to cut glass.

[Aymie]

I use a $100 tile saw with a blade that cost as much as the machine for my general shop cutting. I also have a ring saw that I use for all my microwave stuff. It can only cut thin stuff, but it can cut damn near any material and has a variety of blade options.

[khan]

I totally agree i wont be spending a dime on one of the plastic machines.
Somewhere. Can you explain what you mean by a "riser" to accept that size blade??
Aymie. Is your machine like one from Harbor Freight and then you put on a good blade? And thats what you would be using to cut tubing to length? And the ring saw cant handle doing tubing?

Thanks so much guys for the info.. it is helping alot
Khan

[somewhere]

I tried to attach the link but doesn't want to show up.

Google " bandsaw riser block "
Then click images and it will be obvious.

Easy enough to make your own depending on blade length.

[smolder holder]

I have a ring saw and its great for making small cuts, like for diffusers but not great for cutting murine or anything larger than 10-15mm. I want a band saw.

[Oak]

is getting a Precision 2000 a good buy, in other words, will it hold up?

[khan]

is getting a Precision 2000 a good buy, in other words, will it hold up?

Oak, ive never used one but i did go on Amazon and i read a lot of reviews about it.. it didnt seem to me like something i would want to deal with.
Many were talking about having to send it back to the manufacturer and just many different problems. Mostly stemming from it being made of plastic mostly. Even the table is plastic.
Ive used alot of machinery and i dont think ive ever even seen anything that wasnt a toy that had a plastic table.

So take a look for yourself before you buy.
Khan

[Oak]

thanks khan, what do your customers think sunray, guys?

[sunray]

We have 2 of them in our shop Been using them for several years, Some of the blowers up in Bellingham have it too I have never had a complaint on any we have sold and we have sold them for at least 5 years. Currently out but the new shipment is on its way here. Of course my guys want the REAL expensive one but for now
it works ok for them It is not a toy!

[khan]

Well if you think about it maybe plastic is the best thing to use in a very wet environment.
I dont know. Depends on the plastic i guess..

Khan

[Aymie]

I think my tile saw is a Ryobi. I bought it at home depot when it was on sale. I bought the blade at home depot as well…could have been lowes. I went back and forth inspecting products in the two options in my small town.

My ring saw is a taurus 3 and is plastic all over the place. I use the crap out of it. Finally broke a blade, husband bought me off brand replacements and they work great.

[Feel Good Glass]

Just wanted to chime in here and offer up my personal experience. Have had a bunch of different types of saws and used even more but the conclusion I came to was either get a Chicago Electric MK 101 knockoff from Harbor freight ($200) and a Resin bond blade from Covington (190$) or spring for the bad boy and get a Pistorius ($2000+). MK101s are great machines but Iv spoken with multiple glass workers who just have it sitting somewhere collecting dust because they switched to the CE machine. If you get the Chicago Electric you may run into hardware issues down the road from constant daily use and abuse, after 6 months to a year + the arbor can get warped and cause your bladed to have a wobble. I should mention, I use my saw every day and for hours at a time, so you may get one and never have problems with it. It pays for itself within a days worth of time so even if you have to get a warrantee or have to outright replace it you have already recouped your investment and banked some too. That being said its well worth the money, just get a good blade from Covington and run a fresh water line to the internal uptake for the water on the saw.