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Thread: Using a woodworking bandsaw to cut ice blocks

  1. #1

    Using a woodworking bandsaw to cut ice blocks

    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?

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    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.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
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    West Lafayette, IN
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    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.

  4. #4
    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
    Ex-SCM and Felder rep

  5. #5
    Thanks for the feedback.

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

    :-)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2007
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    Florida
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    Tell him to make friends with a butcher.
    Dan

  7. #7
    I've used water spray to turn my wood bandsaw into a metal cutting bandsaw. Just wipe it down and blow it dry afterwards.

  8. #8
    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).

  9. #9
    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.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
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    Cambridge Vermont
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    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.

  11. #11
    Tell him to go buy a new electric chain saw. That's what ice carvers use.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    E TN, near Knoxville
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    Quote Originally Posted by Alex Zeller View Post
    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

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