Chop saw vs band saw

Its tax return time again. so I was thinking about a upgrade in shop eqipment. I cant decide on if I should get a chop saw or band saw. Both have there upsides and down. Im leaning to the chop saw just because I can do masonry work with one. The band saw does more accurate work and doesnt heat the metal as bad. In a perfect work I would get both but it isnt perfect now is it R) . Which one would you go with and which brand.

 

If I had to choose between the 2(as tough a choice as choosing between 2 beautiful, sexy models) I would go with the chop saw, takes less room, probably cheaper than a good bandsaw that would cut straight. I would recomend a chop saw with the "quick opening" jaws and not just the screw type. The quality and angle adjustments is where I would compare. Now, as for the 2 beautiful models, I would go with the one who could cook and wasn't afraid to get muddy while wheeling.

 

chop saw I've cut wood with one in a pinch.

 

Chop saw. Fancy curves and stuff is what a plasma cutter is for!

 

Depends on the type of bandsaw in my opinion. If it is a vertical one then chopsaw. If it is one of those horizontal ones that comes down off a pivot then I say that.

Then again Jason what are you planing on doing with said new piece of equipment?

 

I do have alot of napkins laying around , Im my pile of steal is growing. :twisted: I built a jeep with out tools imgine what I can improve with tools lol

 

I've used a Milwaukee PortaBand on lots of jobsites, and those are invaluable...I'd love to have one of my own. Can't think of many things I'd use a chopsaw for that I couldn't do with a PortaBand, but I could do lots with the PortaBand that I couldn't do with a chopsaw.

JMHO, but you asked for it.

 

Chop saw. YMMV

 

I got a chop saw first and then a band saw later. As stated you can get a nice chop saw alot cheaper then a cheap band saw. However, Ron does bring a good suggestion in the portaband.

 

Band saw. My chop saw has been sitting untouched since I bought the band saw. Best reasons are - less noise, no dust, set it and walk away, accurate cuts.

 

Been doing some pricing and I think Im going to go with the Chop , yall all bought up good points. There is a pretty good price gap , the milwaukee 5.4 hp looks nice. The blade looks like it moves up higher and the work table is a little heavier looking then the dewalt plus there is the warrenty differance 5 years vs 1 year and only 23 bucks diffenrance. That will leave me 600 bucks for more tools and jeep parts

 

I have a chop saw, now I wish I had a band saw. Harbor Freight has (last time I checked) a cheapo horizontal band saw for about the same price as a name brand 14" chop saw FWIW.

 

Not to put down the Harbor freight saw, I have one of them and they are great. Mine is a 13 year old model and they are built alot cheaper now than then. You can get a beter version of the Harbor Freight saw at Tractor supply for about another $35 that is like mine. They are much sturdier than the newer Harbor freight units. I consider mine indestructable and have for years refered to it as the sacred saw, cause nothing short of an act of God looks like its gonna kill it. The darn thing sit in the rain for 2 years and still works great.

 

:?:http://www.mytscstore.com/detail.asp?pcID=1&paID=1012&sonID=593&page=3&productID=2180&zz=23847&x=5&y=6 Geez now Im really confused lol

 

I bought a HF chop saw last week as it will come in handy during the BT3-C project. I will probably get a bandsaw in the future, if I get into more sheetmetal cutting requirements... 'course a plasma cutter is another alternative:twisted: . (won't work on wood though)

 

How much did you pay for the TSC version?

 

I've got a Ryobi chop saw and think that if I was in the market today, I'd go with a band saw.

Check the tubing notcher thread for coupons as HF just put out another 20% off coupon.

 

Chop saw for sure. Band saws will cut just about anything a chop saw will, but with a chop saw you can make good square cuts on just about anything. A Band saw blad will wander on you a little bit.

The only thing better about a band saw in my opinion is it's portability.