Band saw or belt sander?

[ReverendThom]

Which would you go with if you had to choose? I have a sanding disc that I use on my drill in a vise, and that seems to work but I'm thinking a narrow belt would be much easier to work on. But I'm also thinking a band saw sure would be nice to have to cut out the shapes.

[John-Boy]

I'm going to vote for the band saw, cuz they're awesome. But i suppose it depends on what you want to do with it.

[JimVH]

From my perspective, buy the saw. If you can refine the shape of the block efficiently, you won't have to spend as much time on the sander, making it less of an issue. A band saw is pretty handy for other projects, too.

[infidel]

I can think of more uses for a band saw than for a belt sander.

[UncleBob]

[Irish-Dane]

There it is.

[Winton]

You also need to decide on the size. Are you thinking free standing or benchtop? Also what quality level are you looking for? How often would you use it? Can you afford both? Do you need both? Do you have spousal approval?

Sorry, no quick answers, just more questions. Choose wisely.

[UncleBob]

There it is.

Still want one: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=39997&hilit=shopsmith

[ReverendThom]

Dang, son! That's awesome.

You also need to decide on the size. Are you thinking free standing or benchtop? Also what quality level are you looking for? How often would you use it? Can you afford both? Do you need both? Do you have spousal approval?

Sorry, no quick answers, just more questions. Choose wisely.

Benchtop. Don't have the space for free-standing, and don't really see bigger projects in my future, though you never know, I suppose. Can't really afford both - one for sure, no problem. At least until baby arrives That's why I want to buy it now ... though I suppose shop time will also take a hit come summer.

[Winton]

Bingo! Sometimes the answer is simple, once you ask the right questions. My recommendation is a 1x30 belt sander. Then invest in belts. Get lots of different grit levels. You would be surprised how quickly you can change the shape of a block of wood with a 36 grit belt! You might not need a bandsaw. You will need something the deal with the sawdust.

http://www.klingspor.com/products/KlgprBlts.htm

[coco]

....But i suppose it depends on what you want to do with it.

The bandsaw is far better than the sander for cutting off fingers.

[Thunktank]

....But i suppose it depends on what you want to do with it.

The bandsaw is far better than the sander for cutting off fingers.

Wisdom.

[SlowToke]

Depends on how much you have to spend. If you have $200, I'd buy a VFD and 3-phase 1/2HP motor. You'll get more mileage from that than any other pipemaking tool in your arsenal. My second choice would be a bandsaw. It's handy but not necessary. I use mine a couple times per pipe to speed things up but it's nothing more than a time saver rather than a necessity. I would skip the belt sander altogether. It's incredibly inferior to a disk sander. My belt sander is on a shelf in storage. Before I got a VFD and motor setup, I took the belt off and mounted disks directly to the motor. That's how useless it is in shaping a pipe. About the only thing it's decent for is roughing stems but there are still better tools for that, IMHO.

[ReverendThom]

Depends on how much you have to spend. If you have $200, I'd buy a VFD and 3-phase 1/2HP motor. You'll get more mileage from that than any other pipemaking tool in your arsenal. My second choice would be a bandsaw. It's handy but not necessary. I use mine a couple times per pipe to speed things up but it's nothing more than a time saver rather than a necessity. I would skip the belt sander altogether. It's incredibly inferior to a disk sander. My belt sander is on a shelf in storage. Before I got a VFD and motor setup, I took the belt off and mounted disks directly to the motor. That's how useless it is in shaping a pipe. About the only thing it's decent for is roughing stems but there are still better tools for that, IMHO.

Hmmmm well based on that my current setup isn't too bad. I have a variable speed locking drill. I'm able to adjust the speed quite well. Not sure on the RPMs, but it can go from very slow to very fast
I just put it upside down in my vise, and start with 36 grit for the rough shaping, up to 180.

So all that to say, band saw, if anything, or maybe just keep doing what I'm doing, and get better at it?

[ReverendThom]

....But i suppose it depends on what you want to do with it.

The bandsaw is far better than the sander for cutting off fingers.

[Rusty]

....But i suppose it depends on what you want to do with it.

The bandsaw is far better than the sander for cutting off fingers.

You need a "keeper" or a safety mgr. I have a pool-boy that could do that, besides I'm sick of hearing "Danger Rusty, Danger... stop!"
Maybe it'll help you. He had to be instructed about pipe safety ie situations where one might drop a heavy thing on the pipe. I'm pretty sure that flying blocks of briar could be anticipated ... he's fast. I haven't talked to him about babysitting yet.

[ReverendThom]

....But i suppose it depends on what you want to do with it.

The bandsaw is far better than the sander for cutting off fingers.

You need a "keeper" or a safety mgr. I have a pool-boy that could do that, besides I'm sick of hearing "Danger Rusty, Danger... stop!"
Maybe it'll help you. He had to be instructed about pipe safety ie situations where one might drop a heavy thing on the pipe. I'm pretty sure that flying blocks of briar could be anticipated ... he's fast. I haven't talked to him about babysitting yet.

Pool boy always makes me think of cabana boy from mad TV

Sent from my SM-P600 using Tapatalk

[joegoat]

....But i suppose it depends on what you want to do with it.

The bandsaw is far better than the sander for cutting off fingers.

Yeah, but when you touch a fingernail to a 60 grit disk it doesn't last long...

[joegoat]

I've been looking at band saws. I think it will be a worthwhile investment. Right now I mount a sanding disk in the lathe for finalizing things, but use a coping saw to remove the bigger chunks of the block and a bit of a fingernail.

[ReverendThom]

....But i suppose it depends on what you want to do with it.

The bandsaw is far better than the sander for cutting off fingers.

Yeah, but when you touch a fingernail to a 60 grit disk it doesn't last long...

And I use 36 grit at the start It's like paper with boulders super glued to it.

I'm thinking a band saw really does make the most sense. I'd like to do a lot of other woodworking too one day, like board games, puzzles, and junk like that.