Video Summary - All About Metal Cutting Bandsaws

Product reviewed

An older used Evolution-style metal-cutting hydraulic band saw for cutting metal—specifically the host’s JET HVBS-7MW (7” x 12” class) water-cooled metal bandsaw. It’s used for square/90° and 45° cuts on items like tube, angle iron, and small stock.

What it does / main features mentioned

Water-cooled cutting system

Coolant runs via a pump and drains back into a tank.
Cuts are “super quiet,” with little to no mess.
Coolant can drip/wet the work; if adjusted incorrectly it can fling water, but the host says it’s manageable.
Drain/catch flow described:
- blade area drains into a tray
- through a strainer/colander
- into a tank
- the pump recirculates coolant back to the blade.

Hydraulic downfeed

A hydraulic cylinder lowers the blade slowly, controlled by:
- a lever/on-off style control (hydraulics direction)
- a wheel/valve to set descent speed
At the bottom of the stroke, it shuts itself off using a switch/button.
The host notes it can run without coolant (coolant has a separate switch), but they prefer coolant.

Cut quality & accuracy

Emphasis on high-quality square cuts.
Can make fine incremental cuts on smaller stock/tube pieces.
- Example described: trimming an approximately 1/8” thick tube piece by “chucking it back in” and taking off about 1/8” at a time.
- Host claims this is something they “can’t do” as effectively with abrasive chop saws.

Cutting capacity / class

Described as a 7 by 12 unit (tied to maximum cutting area).

Blade choice

Working blade described as 93” long with 8½ TPI (teeth per inch).
Blade is used for cutting, and the host also mentions chip-out/cleaning behavior tied to tooth spacing variation.
The host ordered a second spare blade (also 93” and 8½ TPI) to avoid downtime if the working blade snaps.

Coolant / cutting fluid used

The host replaced/avoided the previous owner’s coolant/oil-water mixture that looked like “curdled milk.”
Coolant used: Master Fluid Solutions Trim SC520 (blue liquid), used concentrated:
- Estimated mix: about 2 cups per a couple gallons
Reported results:
- No rust after months of leftover drips/liquid residue around the area.
- When topping off, the host used distilled water to reduce rust/contaminants.
- Mentions evaporation over time can cause pump/level changes.

User experience vs. abrasive chop saws (main comparison)

Chop saw (abrasive) complaints

Very loud
Throws dust everywhere
Cuts take a long time
Requires extra cleanup (sweeping/cleaning after each cut)
A diamond blade upgrade on the chop saw helped slightly but still left the saw loud, slow, and messy.

Band saw benefits

Much quieter (less reliance on ear protection).
Much less cleanup (only minor dribble/fling if coolant is mis-set).
Improved workflow:
- less mental friction to cut frequently because sparks/dust management is reduced
- improved efficiency and accuracy
Supports repeat work:
- For multiple identical tubes, the host suggests clamping/holding and cutting several at once—claiming you can gang-cut multiple pieces simultaneously.

Practical accessories / workholding mentioned

Bora Portamate 3-in-1 stands
- Roller options for moving stock in/out
- Stationary position to prevent movement
- Helps support long pieces so they don’t bind or hang off the saw
Magnetic tool hooks
- Keeps frequently used tools nearby
- Specifically mentioned: 3/4” wrench and 9/16” wrench
Sliding square angle checking
- Stored near the machine for quick 45° setup/verification

Repairs & maintenance notes (unique problems + solutions)

Problem encountered

The blade was “popping out” and coming down unexpectedly.
Diagnosis: a locked-up bearing
- blade was sliding on the bearing instead of the bearing rolling properly.

Replacement parts strategy

The original center shaft assembly was listed at ~$53, but was backordered with no ETA.
The host identified the bearings inside as 608 ZZ (“skateboard wheel bearings”).
Fix:
- Bought a 20-pack for $10 from Amazon (~$0.50 each)
- Took longer than expected due to unfamiliar installation, but after replacement the blade reportedly hasn’t fallen off since.
Additional spares:
- kept 18 spare bearings on hand afterward.

Other maintenance

Changed cutting fluid (worked well).
Current blade is “still okay,” but a spare blade is ready in case of snapping mid-project.

Pros (as stated)

Very quiet vs. abrasive chop saws
Water cooled system reduces mess and cleanup
Better workflow/efficiency and less hesitation to cut often
High cut quality, especially square cuts and 45°/90° angles
More precise than chop saws for certain tasks (example: incremental/chucking-back trimming)
Repeat cutting can be faster with the right setup/clamping approach
Spare bearings are cheap and easy to source once identified

Cons / limitations mentioned

New units cost more
- host estimates $2,000–$3,000 new with water cooling
- non-water-cooled versions: about $1,000 (host’s estimate)
Used units may arrive with unknown/dirty coolant, requiring replacement
Incorrect coolant adjustment can cause water flinging
Some older machine assemblies/parts (like the full center shaft assembly) can be hard to source (backordered), though bearing-level parts are cheap

Verdict / overall recommendation

The reviewer strongly recommends a water-cooled metal-cutting hydraulic band saw, especially for frequent 90° and 45° metal cutting. They consider it a worthwhile investment because it’s quieter, cleaner, more accurate, and more efficient than an abrasive chop saw—plus maintenance can be DIY-friendly (notably via low-cost 608 ZZ bearings). If buying new, it’s more expensive than chop saw upgrades, but the host suggests buying used as a good path.

Unique points mentioned (consolidated list)

Metal-cutting band saw dramatically changed the shop workflow.
Versus abrasive chop saws: quieter, less dust/sparks, faster workflow, less cleanup.
Diamond blade upgrade on chop saw helped slightly, but didn’t fix noise/time/cleanup.
Evolution-style chop saw upgrade mentioned as an intermediate step.
Used acquisition had uncertain age/heavy use but still worked well.
Identified model: JET HVBS-7MW, 7” x 12” class.
Hydraulic downfeed with switch-off at the bottom of the stroke.
Water cooling benefit: minimal mess; minor dribble only (but possible water fling if misadjusted).
Coolant draining described: tip tube/work toward tray; coolant returns via pump loop.
Prior coolant was dirty/nasty; host replaced it.
Uses Master Fluid Solutions Trim SC520 (concentrated).
Claim: no rust after months with leftover coolant.
Example of incremental ~1/8” sections; host says abrasive chop saws can’t do this similarly.
Typical materials: small square stock, angle iron, tube.
Uses Bora Portamate 3-in-1 stands for support/rolling/stationary setup.
Ordered spare blade (93” 8½ TPI) to prevent downtime for customer projects.
Repair: blade popping out due to locked bearing.
Repair method: replaced bearing type 608 ZZ skateboard-wheel bearings.
Cost-effective parts: 20-pack for $10 (~$0.50 each) avoiding a $53 backordered assembly.
Added magnetic storage for tools/wrenches.
Inspection cover shows pump/drain path (tray → strainer → tank → pump).
Topping off with distilled water to reduce contaminants and rust.
Hydraulic speed adjustment via wheel; recommends very slow descent depending on metal thickness.
Repeat cuts: can gang multiple identical tubes at once (claimed/demoed).
Final recommendation: band saw is a good investment for frequent metal cutting (especially 45°/90°); buy used if possible.

Speakers / views

Only one main speaker is present in the subtitles; no distinct secondary speakers are delivering different viewpoints.

All About Metal Cutting Bandsaws - Tips, Tricks, Repairs

Key takeaways