Mitre Saw or Band Saw

[chris parkin]

So after winning the lottery at work (circa £120) and making the executive decision that my missus gets enough of my money, I'm deciding to spend it on new tools. Now I'm not badly kitted out (pillar drill/welder/decent bench & vice etc.) but feel I need to get something a little more substantial. Space is at a premium at the minute but I do plan on moving in the next few years and a double garage is an absolute must.

I think the most appropriate choice of machine would either be a little band saw or a mitre saw. Both have advantages and eventually would like to have both when the room permits.

I probably spend more time with wood than I do metal, so the band saw might seem like the obvious choice, but the flexibility of a mitre saw with the correct blade is interesting.

What are peoples thoughts? Those that have both, which was the first purchase and which gets the most hammer?

 

[DamperMan]

My thumb after using a band saw suggests no band saw!  Its a nice rough cut in flesh with a nice wide scar... 

[Andy (Sycho)]

I have both & to be honest the band saw hardly gets used but I have two chop saws & they both get hammered.

Ones on the back of the van all the time, the band saw is handy just not very often.

[Phil J]

I would say it really depends on what you intend to use either of them for. I have both, the mitre saw get used for wood and occasionally aluminium and the bandsaw gets used mainly for metal. The bandsaw is ideal for cutting sheet or blocks of aluminium with the correct blade. One comment I would make is that a small bandsaw might be less useful as the size of the pieces you can cut is determined by the throat (size of the work area between blade and upright part). My bandsaw doesn't get used that much but it is very good when I need it. It does take up a lot of room in the garage and usually gets carried outside to work on long lengths and large sheets of material.

[chris parkin]

Hmmmm, the more I think about it, mitre saw is probably the better option. Less space, more versatility and definitely will get more use. 

Is it best to also look at a mounting table to go with it?

 

[Phil J]

I use a quality jigsaw a lot more than either of them. 

[Davep1]

For strictly DIY use, I have one of these - not Makita quality but perfectly fine for occasional use. (I am using one on a log cabin build at the moment).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Evolution-RAGE3-255mm-Multipurpose-Sliding-Mitre-Saw-C-Grade-230v-/112408153847?hash=item1a2c0c4ef7:g:Yg8AAOSwl8NVf9Co

(This is the Grade C outlet one - but screwfix do them).

Would also recommend the £50 stand - great for long lengths of wood.

Dave

[chris parkin]

24 minutes ago, Phil J said:

I use a quality jigsaw a lot more than either of them. 

This is my go to tool for the moment as well as an angle grinder. 

11 minutes ago, Davep1 said:

For strictly DIY use, I have one of these - not Makita quality but perfectly fine for occasional use. (I am using one on a log cabin build at the moment).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Evolution-RAGE3-255mm-Multipurpose-Sliding-Mitre-Saw-C-Grade-230v-/112408153847?hash=item1a2c0c4ef7:g:Yg8AAOSwl8NVf9Co

(This is the Grade C outlet one - but screwfix do them).

Would also recommend the £50 stand - great for long lengths of wood.

Dave

I think I'm sold! How collapsible is the stand?

[darve]

I have an evolution and love it

Built my garage at my old place with it and loads of other stuff

Spend a bit of time getting it set up square in all planes and you're into a winner

Still on the original blade too. Cuts metal and everything

[Davep1]

Chris,

The stand is very good (and substantial) - collapses down very quickly (takes seconds) with spring loaded buttons for the leg locks.-

See reviews here

http://www.screwfix.com/p/evolution-800b-mitre-saw-stand-with-extension-arms/48911?kpid=48911&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&gclid=CKe2wpzU99MCFYpsGwodlaINZQ&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CIPCx5zU99MCFWIw0woddpMATQ

 

Dave.

[darve]

Don't know what model mine is but deffo bigger than the one above (cut bigger timbers)

Was about £120 from screwfix

 

[Davep1]

The one I have (Rage3 as above) cuts wood 75mm x 300 mm, which is as much as I really need - like Darve, I also did all my triple garage roof timbers with it.

Dave.

 

Edit - The refurbed saw, and stand neatly come in on your budget!!

[chris parkin]

Done deal! Stand and 255mm from screwfix. Appreciate all the help as ever gents.

If any of you were interested (probably not), this is the first project!

[TAFKARM]

A dance floor?

[chris parkin]

14 hours ago, RussH said:

A dance floor?

After two bottles of proseco, isn't everything a dance floor?