Made some improvements to my Vert/Horz band saw

[rdn2blazer]

I know alot of guys have a similar or the same little crappy band saw. Mine is a pretty ALLTRADE saw. It was old and very used when I got it. It works perfectly though. But the little tiny tiny "Table" if you can even call it that had seen better days. It's only like .080 think and was bent and no where near square to the blade.

So I made a little larger table for it, but before I just bolted it on I wanted to square the piece the table bolts to up so the table would be perfectly square. So I had to grind it on my 20" disc grinder to tune it in. As you can see it's damn near perfect.

I also swapped out the crappy probably grade 2 bolts holding the fence to the base. The radial slot for making angles cuts had alot of casting flase in it. So I rat tail filed the flash out. The adjusting bolt was a bolt & nut setup, which ment I had to always get a wrench and ratchet and socket to adjust, what a pita. So I just happened to have a 3/8 wide X 5/16-14 I believe threaded "T" bolt.

It fits into the slot but will not rotate cause its a T nut, so now I can just use a single allen wrench to adjust. So after grinding the arm the table bolts to a few times, a little at a time, I got it just right. The shim is a .004 and it will only go at the very top of the angle block at 3.0 tall, so it will or should cut within .010 easily for something 3.0 tall of better if it's shorter. For band sawing that really close. I'm making a riser stand for my 80 gal compressor to sit on. It will get bolted to the ground with concrete ancors.

 

[ryoken]

nice.. I need/want one bad...

 

[rdn2blazer]

Here are some pictures of what I cut too. I put a brand new Starrett blade on it too.

 

[rdn2blazer]

Here's how well this saw free hand cuts. All three pie cuts are exactly identicle. As good as any much better bigger saw could cut.

 

[rdn2blazer]

nice.. I need/want one bad...

The HF saw is about the same quality I believe for I think less then 300 bucks. They are afordable for darn sure. I abuse this thing and it keeps runnings.

 

[blazinzuk]

Next time you do something like this you should just make a couple ya know just to make sure they are good...........then I could take the extras off your hands just so you have to trip over em.

You know cause I am a friend like that LOL

Cool stuff I need to get mine out again and do all the little crap to make it run good.

Sure is a useful tool

 

[BLUIDVL]

nice.. I need/want one bad...

x2. Im always over at the Blacksmiths shop using his.

 

[rdn2blazer]

I'm going to make another larger table that quick mount to this little table with two clamps underneath. I want to as big as possible that works on the saw. I'll use this little table 99% of the time, but if I'm doing alot of smaller band sawing vertically I'm going to want a little larger surface to work and rest my hands on. But I don't want to deal with bolting it on. I want to just slap it on, tighten the clamps easily and it be square to the blade and fit correct and be ready to go. I'll get pictures up of it when its done.

I absolutely HATE HATE HATE the flimsy shet metal stand this saw sits on. Eventually going to be welding up a nice frame for it on casters. I don't know how many times I've banged my shins on the bottom edge of the stand. I have to waddle with a wide stance as I drag it or push it on it's two wheels. If you lift it too high it can and will flip over.

You have to pull it over bumps, pushing it over the step from my garage out into the driveway sucks. I always have to put my foot on the top of the wheel and force it over the step. It's only about a 1/2 step. But if I bang it into the step to try and get it over it, it flexes the stand all to hell and does not make it over the step. Irritates the living hell out of me.

 

[Avery4jc]

Nice, I made one for mine but not as nice. I sold my chop saw for $100 and bought an old band saw for the same. Tossed a good blade on it and spent some time squaring it up and it's been cutting like a champ ever since.
It's so nice cutting with a quiet saw that doesn't make a huge mess every cut.

 

[rdn2blazer]

No doubt. I got a gift certificate for Christmas about 5 years ago and bought a brand new chop saw. I had one before and used it fairly often but only because I didn't have a band saw. Always wanted one though. I aquired the band saw shortly after getting the new chop saw. Used the chop only once just to see how well it worked. Worked fine as expected for what it does but never used it again. Band saw beat it out everytime for use for the reasons you described. I sold the chop saw to another member. Never will I buy another chop saw again.

 

[bigjbear]

Nice. I've always hated that flimsy table, but used it so rarely that I never bothered to do anything about it. Buying some good blades makes a huge improvement.

 

[bigjbear]

Next time you do something like this you should just make a couple ya know just to make sure they are good...........then I could take the extras off your hands just so you have to trip over em.

You know cause I am a friend like that LOL

Cool stuff I need to get mine out again and do all the little crap to make it run good.

Sure is a useful tool

Every time you make stuff like this you should consider making a couple. Remember the D60 race tool? Everyone of us that bought one would not hesitate buying from you again. We all know you make quality items

 

[rdn2blazer]

Thank you, I very much appreciate the kind words and positive feedback. Did you know I'm getting a small machine shop going here soon? I have so many thing I want to make and put up for sale its not even funny. A lot of stuff I've made over the years, like custom tools to help when fabin stuff up. Its going to be a slow start but I hope we get busy quick. Can't wait!!!