A second-hand bandsaw can be an excellent option for your machining workshop if you are looking for a used machine tool that delivers the benefits of a new machine. You can find used bandsaws of different types, and they are also available immediately.
What is a second-hand bandsaw?
A second-hand bandsaw is a used machine tool that you can buy at a very affordable price and with performance similar to a new machine. The bandsaw, also known as a band saw, is a conventional machine tool used to make cuts in different materials. These machines can be driven by a pedal, in the most basic models, or electrically.
The machine takes its name from its toothed blade, the cutting tool which, as the name suggests, makes the cuts in the workpiece. The band runs between two wheels that drive it, and it is toothed, narrow, long and flexible; its length and pitch (the distance between teeth) can vary from one machine to another.
What is a bandsaw used for?
A second-hand bandsaw is a versatile machine tool that can be used across many industries. It is designed to cut metals, but also wood and other materials unrelated to carpentry and metalworking. This machine also stands out for making cuts with irregular shapes; that is why many of the parts it produces require additional machining such as sanding or grinding.
You may be surprised to learn that although the bandsaw was created specifically to cut curves in wood, it can also cut various metals with ease.
Types of bandsaw
When looking for a second-hand bandsaw, consider what you will use the machine for and, above all, the material you want to work with it. There are different types of bandsaw, classified according to the material to be cut. These machines are:
- Metal-cutting bandsaw. These are special saws for cutting metal and require a constant supply of coolant on the blade. The coolant keeps the blade cool and lubricated, preventing overheating and possible failures in the machine and the cut.
- Automatic. These are highly advanced saws that work at preset feed rates. They do not require an operator to be present, as the machine runs by itself, so a single worker can tend several automatic saws at once.
- CNC automatic. Similar to automatic saws, but they incorporate CNC technology. Thanks to computer numerical control, cuts are more accurate and work is faster.
- Woodworking. The woodworking bandsaw is used for carpentry and cabinetmaking, but it has enough power to cut soft metals. Even so, it is not advisable to use these saws on materials other than those they were designed for. They have no cooling system, and the blades used can be bimetal or carbon steel.
How to choose a second-hand bandsaw
If you are going to buy a second-hand bandsaw, besides the material you will be cutting, you should consider other machining parameters:
- Depth of cut. This is the machine's capacity to cut the material. It is measured by the thickness of the workpiece.
- Width of cut. This is the space available to make the cut. It is measured from the table to the start of the cutting tool.
- Cutting speed. Measured in metres per minute, it is, as the name suggests, the number of metres the band can cut in one minute. This parameter varies with the machine model.
- Structure. It must be very strong and sturdy to withstand the vibrations produced during cutting. Look for a machine with a cast-iron bed and good stability.
- Table. This is the surface on which the material is placed. Its size determines how large or small the workpieces can be. Look for a table that can tilt, as this will give you greater machining flexibility.
- Sawdust extractor. This accessory is only used on woodworking saws; on metal-cutting saws, it is advisable to use a brush to clear away the swarf. These elements keep the saw clean and in good working order.
- Safety features. A bandsaw can include various safety systems that stop the machine immediately by means of an emergency stop switch, a brake pedal and so on.