Using a woodworking bandsaw to cut ice blocks

[Jeffrey Kretz]

A friend of mind has asked if he could use my bandsaw to cut ice blocks.

My gut reaction is "no".

Does anyone here have any experience with using a bandsaw to cut ice?

[Frank Pratt]

I suppose there are worse things to do with a saw, but i'd certainly say no. There is too much stuff in a woodworking band saw that can rust and it probably wouldn't be safe either, because of all the water that's going to go everywhere.

[Matt Day]

It’s a terrible idea. Similar to using it to cut meat. chips will go everywhere, like you’re spraying your saw with a hose, and it’ll rust.

[Erik Loza]

I once sold a bandsaw to a jewelry artist who cut soapstone. He apparently devised some sort of water sprayer to keep the blade cool. I asked him how he kept the machine from rusting. His reply: "I don't".

Erik

[Jeffrey Kretz]

Thanks for the feedback.

He'll have to purchase his own bandsaw to ruin.

:-)

[Dan Hahr]

Tell him to make friends with a butcher.
Dan

[johnny means]

I've used water spray to turn my wood bandsaw into a metal cutting bandsaw. Just wipe it down and blow it dry afterwards.

[Timothy Thorpe Allen]

Move the bandsaw outside (if it is below freezing) the night before (so the saw can equilibrate), and clean the ice chips off before they melt.

Then WD-40..... (Water Displacement formula, 40th attempt).

[Stewart Lang]

A few months ago I saw a Jet 18" bandsaw on FB marketplace that was used for specifically cutting ice. They had laminated a stainless steel top over the cast iron top, and they wiped everything down after each use. It looked in great shape really. Not sure what they used for a blade though.

So people definitely do it. I'd just make sure it's dedicated to that specific purpose.

[Alex Zeller]

I often see meat cutting band saws on craig's list. They usually don't sell for a lot of money. But they are made to be washed. If he's only got a couple to do then a chainsaw will work.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Tell him to go buy a new electric chain saw. That's what ice carvers use.

[John K Jordan]

I often see meat cutting band saws on craig's list. They usually don't sell for a lot of money. But they are made to be washed. If he's only got a couple to do then a chainsaw will work.

Northern Tool sells a cheap meat bandsaw, or used to. I bought one once for a friend.

JKJ