Chop saw cutting thick round stock - GIF

[Frank S]

I have a 12" compound miter saw that I use to cut aluminum planking with. What was taking 3 minutes to cut with the band saw takes about 10 to 15 seconds with the miter saw. of course the carbide blade cost nearly 100 bucks but well worth it in time savings

[Toolmaker51]

I have a 12" compound miter saw that I use to cut aluminum planking with. What was taking 3 minutes to cut with the band saw takes about 10 to 15 seconds with the miter saw. of course the carbide blade cost nearly 100 bucks but well worth it in time savings

Not to mention lifespan of circular re-sharpenable - repairable blade. For any adequate size band blade, they close in on $100 too. Proportionally speaking, an expense in heat-treating is tied to petroleum prices; tooling and gears for example, though it has a long service life.

I regard cutting in accord with goal of that particular item in process. ie, Cold sawing is clean, square, to length and sufficient finish to pass for done, but 100% hands on.
A well set bandsaw can tend it self, needing only to reposition material, narrow kerf, often better cutting nested or bundled material.
Chop saws beat all on moderate rod sizes and angle iron, low cost per cut of wheels, but calls for all-over deburring, a lot of sweeping afterward.
It's not far-fetched to combine two of these for certain advantages combined.