if you had to buy one or the other to cut tube and small pieces of plate witch would you get?

They both would work but the band saw can do a few things that a chop saw can't.. So I would go with the band saw based on that fact..

i would do the opposite. i own both, but i use my chopsaw much more for cutting metal stock. i use the vertical bandsaw for larger parts or irregular shapes. now if you are talking about a horizontal bandsaw, it's another story. they have a much higher capacity, a narrower kerf, and use less consumables.

I'm spoiled by having large, hydraulic feed bandsaws at work. :D

The chop saw is for backup use, on quick'n'dirty little projects. Hot cuts, smoke, sparks, lots of time spent cleaning it up after, very slow (and hot!) cutting anything on the flat (not always avoidable), wide kerf, etc.

I don't have either at home yet.... horizontal bandsaw is higher on the priority list as I slowly get setup.

After my chop saw burnt up, I got a porta band. It is night and day better. It runs relatively quietly, much less noise, and I can bring it too my work instead. The only downside is it is only as accurate on the cuts as you can hold.

use carbide tip chopsaw they work awesome.. and last very long time

I own both a Milwaukee portaband (deep cut) and a 14" Ryobi chop saw.

Each have their own specific uses and times when they are needed. However, when it comes to cutting tube, the chop saw is what I turn to.

I own both a Milwaukee portaband (deep cut) and a 14" Ryobi chop saw.

Each have their own specific uses and times when they are needed. However, when it comes to cutting tube, the chop saw is what I turn to.
I agree. I have the Regular cut Milwaukee. Two different tools. Doing two different jobs. If you are cutting a lot of tube, go chopsaw. If you are doing a lot of fabs with different angled cuts and such I'd go bandsaw.

I burned up my chop saw and replaced it with a horizontal band saw from HF and then did some mods on it, including adding coolant. I love it and would never go back to the chop saw.

Both!!! If you have room for a bandsaw, then by all fawking means... You can get a chop saw at HF for ~$50 on sale, and they're nice for quick work, and they fairly portable, and don't use much space.

I would search, because this has been covered countless times.....

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=276123&highlight=chopsaw+bandsaw

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=335374&highlight=chopsaw+bandsaw

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=260984&highlight=chopsaw+bandsaw

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=282132&highlight=chopsaw+bandsaw

I was tauching about a horizontal band saw since it would make a differance. and i mainly plan to cut tube with whatever i get. and could i throw a metal blade on a craftsman verticle band saw and use it to do some little stuff.

BTW - if you are getting a horizontal band saw, or a chop saw you intend to use on a table, then are both about useless unless you invest in some material stands to support the tube (or whatever) you are cutting while you cut it.

So go ahead and get/build some now before you get frustrated ;)

I am helping a friend out and he has the big floor style horizontal band saw and that works better than the chop saw. You set it, turn it on, walk away and do something else turn around and it is done. It has a setting for the hydraulic for the speed it comes down faster/slower. If I had the money that is what I would get.
Like someone else mentioned, build something to support the long pieces.

Set it and forget it! I also have a Dry Cut that I don't use much.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Rock_Climber/DSC00610.jpg

That's a 7x12" isn't it? ^^^^

Set it and forget it!

Amen to that. Its nice to be able to start cutting something, walk away and fiddle with something else, and come back to your nicely cut piece.

Bought a bandsaw from Northern Tool, somewhere in the $500 range and I rarely use my chopsaw. In fact it's cut down the use on my plasma cutter considerably by putting it up vertical when I need to (it cuts both horizontal and vertical). The table for vertical cutting sucked, had to screw it on each time so I just made a jig that clamps in the vice for the table. Quick to change and cuts small pieces with ease, very minimal finishing needed.

Now that I've had a Bandsaw, I wouldn't do without one. Damn the noise!! I'd like to add coolant to mine though, does anyone have any good links or write-ups?

Porta band is the way to go