¶ Introduction
A dry saw that can be used to cut free hand and guided cuts in sheet metal. Typically the thickest sheet metal that can be cut is 14 ga for mild steel, 18 ga for stainless, and 1/8" for aluminum. Dust off the machine and sweep floor when finished.
¶ Shop Access
A membership or day pass is required to access the Metal Shop.
The Shop Safety Class Metal 1: Shop safety is required to operate the Jet 14" Wood/Metal Vertical Bandsaw.
¶ Machine Reservations
The vertical bandsaw does not require a machine reservation and is available on a first come first serve basis.
¶ Machine Overview
The vertical bandsaw is cutting tool within the Metal Shop. Unlike the horizontal bandsaw, you can perform freehand cuts on the vertical bandsaw. The blade is thin with finely serated teeth allowing the operator to make curved cuts. The vertical bandsaw is not capable of cutting thicker material, when cutting thicker materials the member is better served using the horizontal bandsaw, chop saw, or free hand plasma cutter.
¶ Machines Available
- One Jet 14" Wood/Metal Vertical Bandsaw (Model No. J-8201VS)
¶ Machine Comparison Chart
| Number of Machines | Name | Compatible Material | Freehand Cutting?  / |
Cuts square pipe/tubing? / |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vertical bandsaw | 14 ga and under mild steel, 18 ga and under stainless steel, and 1/8" and under aluminum | |
|
| 1 | Horizontal Bandsaw | Mild steel square tube, round bar, and stock | |
|
| 5 | Angle grinder with cut-off wheel attachment | Mild steel | |
|
| 1 | Chop saw | Mild steel | |
|
| 1 | Shear | Mild steel sheet metal only | |
|
| Tool | Best for | Worst for |
|---|---|---|
| Multicutter | slice type straight cuts | everything else |
| Vertical Band Saw | curved cuts | thick/round/square tube stock |
¶ Parts of the Machine
Click to expand
¶ Material Considerations
¶ Acceptable Materials:
¶ Use with Caution and Proper Technique:
¶ Forbidden Materials:
¶ Safety
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
• Sturdy, close-toed shoes must be worn at all times. Leather steel-toed boots are recommended for any metal working.
• Safety glasses should be worn at all times.
• Long hair, jewelry, and loose clothing must be tied back to prevent getting caught in moving parts.
• Earmuffs or silicone ear plugs should be worn while machines are running, the volume in the Metal Shop can reach an excess of 100 decibels, which can cause permanent hearing damage after just 15 minutes of exposure.
For more information on shop safety visit Metal Shop under "Safety."
• Never pull out of a cut. Use relief cuts when cutting curves.
• Always cut flat material; the cutting of tube, pipe, rod, and bolts is prohibited.
¶ Step-by-Step Guides
¶ Before you begin
- With the machine powered off adjust your blade guard to accomodate your workpiece.
- Prepare you material by degreasing it, if you have not already done so.
- Mark your intended cut with chalk, marker, or a scribe.
- Set up any guides or fences you may need.
¶ Using the Machine
¶ Make a cut
Make a Cut on the Vertical Bandsaw SOP
- Power on the bandsaw. Allow the blade to come up to full speed.
Make sure nothing is touching the blade before powering on the bandsaw. Always allow the blade to come up to speed before making a cut.
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With the blade at full speed you can begin to gently but firmly advance your workpiece and make your cut.
-
After making your cut, immediately power off the bandsaw and allow the blade to come to a full and complete stop before retrieving any material beside the blade.
-
With the blade at a full and complete stop you may remove any material beside the blade. The material will be
hot so use a chip brush or other tool to gently push it away from the blade.
¶ Making a Relief Cut on the Vertical Bandsaw SOP:
When making curved cuts, the blade may be too thick to maneuver along tight curves. In this case, you can perform a relief cut.
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Using chalk, a marker, or a scribe draw the curve you wish to create on your workpiece.
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Repeat steps 1 and 2 from the "Making a Cut." above.
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You're going to make several straight cuts up to the edge of your curve.
- With your straight cuts made you can power the bandsaw back on. Begin to follow the curve with the blade. As you progress, the sections you created with your straight cuts will fall away, allowing the blade more clearance to follow the curve.
¶ Machine Maintenance
- Replace a Blade on the Vetical Bandsaw SOP
- Wipe oil, grease, and debris off of the drive tires.
- Sweep and vacuum out the case.
¶ Troubleshooting
¶ References
Operating Instructions and Parts Manual 14-inch Vertical Band Saws
¶ Video Walkthroughs
¶ Resupply Form
Click here to report any consumables needing to be replenished within the Metal Shop!
¶ Glossary
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