Is it just smart to run twin bandsaw rigs or am I wasting air?

Last week on a wreck off Pensacola I saw my buddy run two bandsaw blades in parallel and he cut through a steel plate maybe 40% faster than my single setup, but his bottom time dropped like crazy from the extra air. I've heard old-timers say twin rigs are for cowboys, but the newer guys swear by them. What's your call, efficiency win or a quick way to burn through your tank?

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christopher_hunt19d ago

That 40% faster cut sounds great until you're staring at your SPG hoping the needle moves back. Honestly, I tried twin blades once on a job off Fort Lauderdale and burned through a full tank in like 18 minutes. My buddy kept calling me an idiot while he still had half a bottle left on his single rig. The math only works if you're getting paid by the cut, not by the hour underwater. For most of us, that extra speed just means you get to spend more time doing the fun part, which is sitting on the boat complaining. Ngl, twin rigs are for showing off at the dock, not for real work. Save your air and just make two passes, your wallet will thank you.