Steel fabricators are an integral part of the construction supply chain. As such, any process improvements in these facilities ripple across the entire project pipeline, but so do inefficiencies and errors. Consequently, choosing the optimal equipment is critical, but what are the best industrial saws for steel service centers?
As with many machine-related questions, no one answer suits every situation. The optimal cutting tools vary between scenarios based on budgets, experience, volume, product types and more. However, a few industry leaders deserve special attention. Here are 10 of the best industrial saws for steel service centers to consider today.
1. DoALL Saws
Minneapolis-based DoALL Saws is the overall top provider of industrial saws for steel service centers. The brand’s vast range of products can cater to materials as small as a fraction of an inch or as large as five feet across and work with many metals, shapes and blade types.
In addition to providing a versatile lineup of cutting equipment, DoALL backs its saws with industry-leading quality guarantees and service. The company offers a 10-year warranty and runs preventive maintenance to keep its machinery in optimal condition for as long as possible.
DoALL has also been in business since 1927 and was the first manufacturer to make a metal-cutting bandsaw. Those decades of experience within the sector give it firsthand insight and expertise few competitors can match.
2. Amada Machinery
Amada Machinery is another industry leader in steel-cutting equipment. While it only makes two types of saws — bandsaws and circular saws — its variety within each of these categories is impressive, and the manufacturer carries a strong reputation for reliability.
The Kanagawa, Japan-based supplier has been in business for over 70 years and has locations across the globe to help it adapt to each region’s unique needs. It also commits to innovation, integrating new technologies to keep its machines relevant and effective.
Like DoALL, Amada offers maintenance and repair services. Having the original equipment manufacturer work on the saws ensures facilities get the most reliable help available for maximizing tool life spans.
3. HYDMECH
Another international source for the best industrial saws is HYDMECH, a Canadian saw company. It started as an engineering consulting firm but pivoted to making equipment after repeated frustration with the lack of high-quality cutting tools available.
HYDMECH’s origins mean it understands the needs and barriers steel fabricators face firsthand. It manufactures a wide range of different saw types, making it easy to find one that fits a specific set of requirements. An interactive selection tool on its website further enhances that process by helping customers determine which saw best suits their goals.
Customer support is another strength for HYDMECH — it prioritizes quick responses and an agile supply chain to lower end-user costs and complications. It may not be the largest provider available today, but its quality and speed of service make it worthy of consideration.
4. Behringer Saws
While options from Japan and Canada can be excellent choices, some organizations prefer to partner with domestic suppliers. More than 90% of U.S. businesses are planning to reshore more of their supply chains, making international alternatives less appealing in some cases. Behringer Saws can help meet this growing demand for U.S.-based cutting machinery.
Behringer has worked out of its Pennsylvania headquarters for over 100 years. It emphasizes fast lead times and customization, maintaining a large inventory of modular sawing equipment so it can tailor solutions to individual customers and ship in minimal time.
The manufacturer also provides technical support and training courses for its clients. Such resources are particularly valuable for newer or smaller steel service centers without as much expertise in specialized machines.
5. MEP SPA
Firms that don’t need a U.S.-based supplier may consider MEP SPA. The Italian saw and material handling equipment producer has become one of the most prominent players in the industry thanks to its high quality and extensive product range.
MEP SPA runs four production facilities across three continents, which make over 70 different cutting machine models. Those products span manual, automatic and semi-automatic saws of varying sizes, angles and technologies.
Like many others on this list, MEP SPA provides extensive support and training services. However, these may be less accessible for U.S.-based firms than those in Europe.
6. Cosen Saws
Cosen is another international provider to consider. The Taiwan-based manufacturer boasts an impressive range of 140 cutting tools, giving it one of the largest product ranges for steel service centers today.
More importantly, Cosen does not sacrifice quality for quantity. It’s ISO-9001-certified and has a dedicated facility in North Carolina to help it meet the needs of American companies. It has also been in operation since 1976, which does not make it the most established supplier available today but does lend it decades of experience nonetheless.
Cosen’s products are also highly innovative, with many featuring built-in Industry 4.0 technologies to take advantage of IoT optimization.
7. Ellis Manufacturing
Ellis Manufacturing is a smaller operation but still makes some of the top industrial saws for steel service centers. The family-owned, Wisconsin-based brand only sells band saws and related accessories, but its affordability and quality assurance make it worthy of consideration.
All Ellis saw blades undergo testing and break-in usage before shipping so fabricators can implement them immediately. As a testament to Ellis’s confidence in the quality of its products, the manufacturer uses its own line of equipment in its production processes. This also means it can spot and fix defects quickly.
The only factor holding Ellis back is its smaller size. Facilities with more specialized needs or those requiring 24/7 support may need to look elsewhere.
8. Laguna Tools
Laguna Tools sits on the opposite side of the spectrum from Ellis Manufacturing. While it is also a U.S.-based saw equipment provider, it’s far larger, offering a diverse range of cutting tools and accessories, including laser and plasma cutters.
Many of Laguna’s products are automated, often using computer numerical control functionality. Larger steel service centers — in particular — can benefit from this technological advancement, but it may also make the saws less accessible to smaller facilities with tighter budgets.
Laguna also offers on-site training and lifetime factory support. However, not every operation needs machinery as sophisticated as what it offers, especially when other providers may be more budget-friendly.
9. Daljit Machines
Another international alternative to consider is Daljit Machines. The Indian manufacturer has made industrial equipment for over 50 years, and — while it doesn’t specialize in cutting equipment — it does make a range of bandsaws and hydraulic hacksaws.
Daljit’s machinery is highly configurable. Extensive adjustable settings make it easy to implement into existing workflows, which is especially useful for steel service centers with unique setups. The vendor also has a one-year warranty on all of its products.
Being so far from the U.S. means shipping can take a long time and incur extra expenses. At the same time, Daljit’s relatively low starting costs may make up for that in some scenarios.
10. Forrest
Texas-based Forrest has also been in the business for over 50 years. However, unlike Daljit, its focus remains solely on cutting machinery.
All of Forrest’s saws are bandsaws, but the manufacturer boasts an impressive variety within that category. Its bandsaws span all sizes, cutting angles and end uses. It also sells accessories like laser guidance systems to make these products more reliable.
Forrest will also build bespoke equipment if a steel service center requires something outside of its off-the-shelf range. Still, it may lack the versatility that other providers can offer.
What to Look for in an Industrial Saw for Steel Service Centers
Steel service centers should keep a few factors in mind when choosing a supplier for their industrial saws. Price and product ranges are the most obvious things to consider, but other signs may make a manufacturer more or less ideal for the specific use case in question.
As with any heavy machinery, safety is a primary concern. In general, the more built-in safety features a saw includes, the better. Steel service center managers should look at more than just cutting hazards. Shielding to block sparks or flying debris may also be necessary.
The top industrial saw providers also run extensive customer support services. Some specialized tools can be difficult to use and maintain, so a lack of first-party help can lead to excessive downtime and errors.
Similarly, companies offering training resources are worth considering above others. Anything easier to implement despite a lack of experience in the workforce is ideal.
Steel facilities must also consider their own supply chain needs and goals. Some may prefer U.S.-based suppliers, while others may need a cheaper international partner to facilitate global growth or reduce operating costs.
Find the Best Industrial Saw for Any Facility
What the best industrial saws for steel service centers are depends on the operation itself. Still, there’s enough variety between these 10 vendors to meet virtually any need. When steel businesses partner with the right equipment supplier, they can ensure a more efficient and less error-prone construction industry.
