O/T Vertical Band Saws

[35Mastr]

This is O/T and am jst looking for some help.
I am going to a rather large estate sale Sunday morning.This guy has been a contractor for 50 years.So the shop is loaded.He has alot of decent stuff that has to be unloaded.He just retired and the shop needs to be liquidated.I need the real gurus for this.

My question is, How can you identify a wood saw from a metal saw???

I need a metal saw.

 

[Bonehead]

There are some saws that are made for both. Of course the blades are different, and usually the speeds are different, but not always depending on the blades.
If you are not sure what a (used) saw has been used for, look for the saw dust or filings somewhere on the saw. A good metal saw will have a way of cooling the work. But they all don't. Wood saws usually turn a faster RPM than a metal saw. Most of the really good old metal bandsaws are really built heavy. I am sure there is more, I'll post it as I think of it.

 

[Gastrick]

I'm no expert by any stretch but the main difference besides the blade which can be easily changed is the speed like Bonehead said. Metal band saws turn slower and sometimes have adjustable speeds for different metals.

 

[Willowbilly3]

If it has rubbing block guides it is a wood saw. Wood saws can have steel roller bearings but metal saws always do. I bought a good old 14" Rockwell saw at a county auction for $20 with no motor. I am sure it was for wood but since it has all roller bearing blade guides and I have to put a motor on it anyway, I am going to put a meal blade in it. I can still cut wood occasionally.

 

[Reptile dysfunction]

Good metalcutting bandsaws are wet. The blades are also have large teeth like a woodsaw. Dry metal bandsaws have blades that look like hacksaws with lots of small teeth per inch. Metal saws also have a way to clamp your piece down.

 

[LordMaximo]

True, if it has a solution pump and holding bin, along with a valved hose by the blade, it is definately a metal saw.

Maximo