my new bandsaw

[irishwoodsman]

well my band saw came today missing its bag of bolts nuts washers, a quick trip to hardware store solved the first problem, pulley cover was dented no prob a hammer took care of that, gotter done put together installed blade saws good, going to reinforse the stand though very flimsy. if they build their ships like their tools we wont have anything to worry about:lmao::lmao::lmao::biggrin:

 

[Hawkeye]

I've read a few recommendations to baby a new blade for a while when you first start using it. The idea is that the new ones are very sharp and can dig in and break or chip their teeth. if you take it easy on them, the burrs get worn off and the blade will last longer. They suggest a slower cutting speed for the first bunch of cuts.

 

[irishwoodsman]

oh yea, has her on the slowest speed and ran her through some aluminum, will try some mild steel tomorrow:biggrin:

 

[Rbeckett]

The OE blade is chinese rubber band, but starret and many others make a Bi-metal 14-18 tooth variable pitch that bring the little saw alive. The basic standard for blade pitch is 3 teeth in contact with the material. For very thin stuff use a hardwood backer block to avoid springing the blade off and damaging the set of the teethI kept the OE and got several spares so I can avoid the Saturday need. I have heard that they are now available at Lowes and Home Depot. The size is 64 1/2 by the tooth pitch you desire. Less for aluminum, more for steel and lots for stainless. Be carefull and dont work harden your stainless with too high of a speed.
Bob

 

[irishwoodsman]

bought 2 extra blades but will check at lowes for the other blades, never rushes lol enjoys the time to much:biggrin:

 

[Nammar]

Dear Irishwoodsman,

I have a bandsaw just like yours that I bought second hand. The only difference is that the colour is green. I have not used it yet, but mine came with a small table that you can use to make it into a vertical bandsaw. If you swing the tilting part to the vertical position, you should be able to lock the hinge point with a lever. The small table measuring about 10 by 10 inches can then be bolted onto the lower part of the blade bearing support. There is also a flimsy stay bracket that can be bolted on under the table, to the machine, to give it a degree of rigidity. This table is provided with a groove for a mitre guide slide, but my machine did not come with this mitre guide slide. Check to see if your machine came with these extra parts.

If you need a few photos of the table and support bracket, let me know. Enjoy playing with your new machine. Geoffrey Owen.

 

[Tony Wells]

The general rule of thumb for breaking a bandsaw blade is cutting 100 square inches. On angle iron, that may be quite a few cuts, whereas on solid bar, not so many. A slow feed and speed, reduced to about 60-70% of normal for your material is about right.

 

[irishwoodsman]

no miter guide but everything else and i do have some angle to be cut for making garden plant stands which should do the trick thanks for the info guys:biggrin:

 

[george wilson]

Are the Lowe's blades any good? they only sell Chinese files,etc..

Not that I ever need to buy blades. I have MANY boxes of blade stock that I have picked up at used machinery dealers. Others might want to post their experiences with Lowe's blades. I haven't tried them.