Woodstock International has introduced its new Shop Fox 18” wood/metal-cutting band saw, model M1113, featuring a 1-1/2-hp variable-speed motor. It accepts blades as narrow as 1/8” and as wide as 1-1/4” to cut small curves or resaw material up to 12” thick.

Woodstock quality control manager Bill Crofutt says the band saw’s one-piece steel frame provides superior cutting accuracy and machine stability.

“Cast iron is great for deadening vibration, but with the advances in computer balancing of wheels and pulleys there is little need to deaden any vibration. The reinforced one-piece steel frame is stronger than a typical cast-iron frame, allowing greater blade tension [and] equaling better and straighter cuts,” says Crofutt.

Crofutt says that woodworkers can always benefit from the saw’s metal-cutting ability. “Clearly it is a somewhat specialized machine and may not be needed by some shops. However, any shop with even occasional needs to cut metal will find that this can be a huge time-saver. Further to that, it will produce better cuts in metal than can be accomplished with a hacksaw or jigsaw. It also may open up opportunities to take on some jobs that would have been too laborious before.”

The 3-phase motor provides high torque at low speeds and variable speed operation of up to 1,725 rpm, according to Woodstock. The M1113 also features a quick-release blade tensioner and comes with a rip fence, miter gauge, cast-iron table and two dust ports. It sells for $2,084 with a two-year warranty.

Contact: Woodstock International Inc., P.O. Box 2309, Bellingham, WA 98227. Tel: 800-840-8420. www.woodstockinternational.com

This article originally appeared in the November 2011 issue.