Bandsaws on the jobsite (conduit)

[lordofpi]

I try to simplify life as much as possible by not over-burdening jobs with a million tools when 10 could easily to the job. For the longest time, I would use my metal blade in my sawzall... ehem reciprocating saw... oh wait, it is a Milwaukee... my Sawzall? with metal-cutting blade to cut EMT, IMC, and RMC. This always got the job done faster than a hacksaw, and the cuts were--satisfactory (with much time spent reaming afterwards). I happened to have my bandsaw with me the other day and put it to the test. What a nice difference! I think I'm going to start carrying it regularly.

My question is how many of you slice and dice your metallic raceways with reciprocating saws as I was doing, or have I just been screwing up from day one?

I know you all are out there reading the forum in between bites of food. Please weigh in.

 

[ItsHot]

reaming

reaming

I do the same on bigger jobs. But if you get to moving to fast it is easy to forget to ream and de-burr your cuts.

 

[e57]

I am so lazy that I will lug my band-saw up 5 flights of stair to make one cut on 1/2" emt, 10 flights for flex..... I wont cut rigid any other way... I only use my saws-all for demo.

 

[jerm]

We always use the recip. saws, dewalt 18v. I don't even carry a hacksaw anymore. Reaming is an easy habit to get into- we do both sides of every cut just out of habit.

Jeremy

 

[480sparky]

What's a hacksaw?:grin:

 

[paul]

My bandsaw rarely sees the light of day, since I got one of these.

BCS550

 

[e57]

Gonna have to run and duck - but these work great for 1/2 and 3/4 EMT. Unlike other designs they have consistant pressure - less diameter damage - just little ream and you're done. And they fit in your pocket - still not as fast or easy as a band saw....

 

[Oakey]

My bandsaw rarely sees the light of day, since I got one of these.

BCS550

I use the same tool. It is very handy and worth the money. The new saw in the picture is half the weight of a Makita battery saw from 3 years ago.

 

[electricguy61]

The Portoband is probably the best tool I ever purchased. After using it, I seldom use the reciprocating saw for anything but 1/2-1" emt.

I do a lot of over head services where the pipe supports the incoming over head service drop, hence 1 1/2" rigid pipe. Using the band saw does the job in less then half the time of a reciprocating saw. Same with strut, (though on large jobs we use a chop saw).

 

[peter d]

On any large sized pipe job where you are cutting a lot of pipe, strut, and rod, you can't beat the portable band saw.

 

[lordofpi]

My bandsaw rarely sees the light of day, since I got one of these.

BCS550

How is this different from a regular circular saw with metal-cutting blade? I have a cordless circular saw and a my cordless bandsaw always with me; is it worth adding this to the arsenal as well?

 

[celtic]

Bandsaw or hacksaw...a sawzall is a tool of destruction

If you are forgetting to ream/deburr you need to add one of these to your xmas list:

Klein

• 19352 - Conduit Reamer
• 19351 - Conduit-Reamer ? Replacement Blade

Slips right over a decent sized driver (forget the 10-in-1's here)...like the 1/2" Keystone-Tip Screwdriver ? 12" Heavy-Duty Square-Shank(600-12):

Or get the

• 85191 - Conduit-Fitting and Reaming Screwdriver
• 19353 - Conduit Reamer Replacement Blade Kit

I have both set-ups.
I use the 85191 for larger jobs where I'm running LOTS of EMT (up to 1" on the reamer)

I use the combination 19352 and 600-12 for the smaller jobs (still up to 1").

It may seem "odd" to use the little guy on a big job, but it actually works out better... with strut/strut starps and a wrench or 3....smaller jobs with plastic anchors and what not, the big driver is needed.

 

[LarryFine]

I use the 85191 for larger jobs where I'm running LOTS of EMT (up to 1" on the reamer)

I have one, too, and I like it, but for large jobs, I prefer an S-2 bit in my 6v electric screwdriver.

 

[celtic]

I have one, too, and I like it, but for large jobs, I prefer an S-2 bit in my 6v electric screwdriver.

S2..is that a Step bit?

 

[LarryFine]

S2..is that a Step bit?

No, it's a square-drive (aka a Robertson if I remember correctly), like a P-2 Philips bit.

 

[celtic]

No, it's a square-drive (aka a Robertson if I remember correctly), like a P-2 Philips bit.

Gotcha....

 

[sheldon_ace]

best investment ever!

best investment ever!

This is what I use. I don't know how I ever got along without it.


www.stouttool.com/products_xband.asp

Battery life is the same if not better than using an 18V recip saw. I think I change the battery maybe once a day, sometimes every 2 days.

Gerry
GRA Electric

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

I just cant see using a band saw 20 feet up on a lift.I use my sawzal but do carry that new fangled thing that runs all day without electric,think they call it a " hacksaw" .Must be for hacks LOL.Paint is still new on that blade.

 

[blue spark]

This is the one we use for emt, rebar, and smaller strut. Anything bigger, we use the band saw.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

This is the one we use for emt, rebar, and smaller strut. Anything bigger, we use the band saw.

I own one of them but never gave it thought to use on emt.Just might give it a try