Had to pick between a $400 band saw or a $200 hand saw for rib cutting

Back when I started 15 years ago, I couldn't afford the big band saw for breaking down beef ribs. The shop I apprenticed at had this old hand saw that took forever and left rough edges. I went cheap, bought a new hand saw for $200. Big mistake. After 6 months of wrestling with it on heavy rib racks, my wrist was killing me and the cuts were crooked. Finally saved up for a used band saw from a closing shop in Denver. Paid $350. Now I can knock out a whole case of ribs in 20 minutes instead of an hour. Anyone else make a tool decision they regretted and had to fix later?

2 comments

2 Comments

mark_price26d ago

That line about the hand saw leaving rough edges really hit home for me. I read somewhere that a lot of hand saws meant for heavy cutting just don't have enough set in the teeth to clear the kerf properly, so they bind up and make those jagged cuts. I wish I had known that before I spent $200 on a new saw that was basically useless for ribs. I ended up going the other way, I bought a beat up old band saw from a restaurant auction for $150, but it needed new tires and a blade. After fixing it up I was in maybe $250 total and it cuts through a full pork rib rack like butter. You hit the nail on the head, sometimes the cheap option ends up costing you more in the long run with time and frustration.

wells.karen26d ago

Did your buddy @mark_price try the hand saw first or just go straight to the band saw?