Q?: Cutting Metal on WW Bandsaw

[Doug Shepard]

I've got a 14" Jet bandsaw - just the single speed version for WW. I'm thinking of cutting some small amounts of 1/8" thick strips of copper for inlay. For the little I have to cut can I just get away with using a regular fine tooth WW blade or do I need to spring for a metal cutting blade. And is the bandsaw speed an issue for limited use? Other than cleaning all dust out of the saw first in case of sparks, is there anything else I need to do?

[Steve Clardy]

I use a 16t blade on my import 14" when cutting small amounts of sheet 16 ga. metal.

Copper would probably get stuck in the teeth on a wood blade. If you have an old blade, maybe just do a little testing with it.

[Michael Perata]

Doug

I have found I can cut thin non-ferrous sheet by putting it between two pieces of 3/4" MDFI used 3M 75 Spray Adhesive to mount the sheets together.

Copper shouldn't spark, but may throw off hot chips. So wear long sleeves and eye protection.

[John Scane]

I just cut some brass today on my jet 14" and It didn't seem to mess up the timberwolf blade I had on there (I was too lazy to change it). If you have an old blade and aren't too lazy try that.

[Carole Valentine]

You cut brass with your Timberwolf???? I'm lazy, but not that lazy...or maybe it's just that I am just cheap and don't want to have to buy another one of those suckers any time right soon!

[John Scane]

I know, i know