Ok, sorry if this is the wrong forum to post this in, but there does not seem to be much talk about band saws in general around here.
I need to make a bunch of panels out of 1.5"x0.125" 6061 extruded aluminum stock, Panels need to be square at 5.250" +/- .003" in length. Here is how I currently do it:
First I go to the local metal supplier and buy the extruded aluminum precut to 12" lengths and cut them in half with a hack saw leaving an awful edge. This takes time and makes my arm sore after cutting for 1/2 hour (I buy them this length because there technically scraps, therefore cheaper.)
then I stick the part in the mill to square off the end . This take time, mostly because I use screws as the hold down method in my jig.
then after the mill is done I check the part with a caliper to make sure it's within tolerances and put them aside for the next milling step.
I'm looking for advice on how to make this step faster and easer to do. I was thinking a small benchtop band saw would do the trick, like the Delta 9" or the Enco 14" as seen here:
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=551&PMCTLG=00
Then there is this one, that the NYCCNC guy picked up and modified.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares...oduct&ID=82203
http://www.nyccnc.com/Herbie/HERBIES...DIY_Fence.html
(Why did you choose this model over another?)
question is, would one of these machines hold tolerances well when equipped with a fence and equipped with the right blade? what is the best blade and speed for 6061?
Then there is the Horrible Freight/Grizzly horizontal band saw for not much more. This model had a vice that could hold a whole pile of stock and cut threw them all in one pass.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93762 <--Looks like this one went way up in price?
http://www.grizzly.com/products/4-x-...-Bandsaw/G0622 <-- Cheaper than Harbor
Would a vertical saw be better than a horizontal? For now I only wish to cut this size of extruded aluminum. I've never used a band saw so I have no idea what I'm doing.
~B