Horizontal vs. Vertical: Which Type of Bandsaw Is Best?

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Horizontal vs. Vertical: Which Type of Bandsaw Is Best?

Horizontal vs. Vertical: Which Type of Bandsaw Is Best?

Chris Cui |

Bandsaws have been around for many decades and eventually split into the two designs we know today. There are significant differences between these two bandsaws. We’ll discuss horizontal vs. vertical bandsaws and which type of bandsaw is best.

The Vertical Bandsaw

You can equip vertical bandsaws with many different blades to cut various metals. Using a vertical bandsaw is more of a hands-on operation compared to its horizontal counterpart. A vise holds the metal onto the table while a metalworker pushes the blade column towards themselves until the cut is complete.

The Horizontal Bandsaw

The type of metal you can slice depends on the edge you have on the machine. A horizontal bandsaw uses long, toothed blades to cut large pieces of metal. A vise is necessary to keep the metal in place. The bandsaw cuts through with a downward, horizontal motion.

Differences Between the Two

The differences between the two bandsaws are apparent in their work. They also have different blade directions. Large manufacturing companies and industrial workshops are more likely to use the horizontal bandsaw. Vertical bandsaws work best in small- to medium-sized shops.

Another significant difference you’ll find is in the cuts. Horizontal bandsaws provide optimal squareness when you need it and have a higher cutting rate. Their blades also often have a longer lifespan and can slice through larger metal pieces. Vertical bandsaws are great to use for cutting miter joints and angles. They’re also optimal for fixtures, structural parts, and intricate pieces of metalwork. Since vertical bandsaws are flexible, they have no problem cutting curvy shapes.

The final key difference is which type of metal you’ll be able to cut through. Yes, it does depend on which blade you use, but the machine also plays a significant role. It’s best to cut harder metals like stainless steel with a horizontal bandsaw. Contrastingly, vertical bandsaws are ideal for slicing through softer metals.

Which Is Better?

So which type of bandsaw is best? The key to figuring out if you’ll need a vertical or horizontal bandsaw is to understand which cuts you’ll frequently be making. For example, a vertical bandsaw will be best if most of your clients need angled metal pieces. But perhaps, many of your clients need a high turnover rate and square pieces. Then, you’ll do best with a horizontal bandsaw.

If your metal workshop is searching for a new industrial metal bandsaw, look no further than Kaka Industrial. We have horizontal and vertical options, so you’re sure to find what you need.

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