Kalamazoo Horizontal Band Saws

[bczygan]

I've got a Model 610, but a 8 CD came up on CL Friday for $250 and I got it for $200.

They loaded it into my Astro Van with a forklift with inches to spare.

The real hell was getting it out with pieces of plywood for a ramp, and bricks and a 4x4 to lever it. Took quite a while.

Sawed a piece of bed frame in the driveway. It works well, except I haven't figured out the vise tightening right at the end. Homemade wheel covers and been used a lot and sat a lot. A dry version.

Photos:

Bill

 

[exmaxima1]

The vise has a half-nut, so you just turn the knob counterclockwise a few turns and then slide the jaw to wherever you want it. You may have to take it apart (like I did on mine) and clean/lube it to free it up.

 

[930dreamer]

I picked up a 9AD, look for cracks under the wheels.

 

[bczygan]

The vise has a half-nut, so you just turn the knob counterclockwise a few turns and then slide the jaw to wherever you want it. You may have to take it apart (like I did on mine) and clean/lube it to free it up.

There is a different kind of thing there. No box with a half nut.

I'll get photos.

Bill

 

[dr_clyde]

That's a lot of saw for $200. Does that model have a 1" blade?

 

[454ragtop]

There is a different kind of thing there. No box with a half nut.

I'll get photos.

Bill

If it's like my 610 (and probably yours) the nut has threads on one side and a smooth hole on the other, with a couple "ears" sticking off it. What sometimes happens is the ear wears down, and the ear is what pushes the threaded side of the nut into the screw. I repaired one by drilling and tapping a hole in the ear, then threaded in a short machine screw to extend the ear.

While the bigger saw is nice, a downside is, well, it's bigger. The compact size of the 610 is a big plus in my too crowded shop, can't remember anything I was working on it wouldn't fit. The bigger saw probably cuts quicker, but I have time.

 

[bczygan]

If it's like my 610 (and probably yours) the nut has threads on one side and a smooth hole on the other, with a couple "ears" sticking off it. What sometimes happens is the ear wears down, and the ear is what pushes the threaded side of the nut into the screw. I repaired one by drilling and tapping a hole in the ear, then threaded in a short machine screw to extend the ear.

While the bigger saw is nice, a downside is, well, it's bigger. The compact size of the 610 is a big plus in my too crowded shop, can't remember anything I was working on it wouldn't fit. The bigger saw probably cuts quicker, but I have time.

So true! And in my small one car, my 610 is buried! The 8C-D is in the driveway for the moment.

Your description of the nut is exactly like mine. And being brass, they do wear, I'm told.

I'll try your method. Is that a very small and thin head screw tapped into the end of the ear? Did it need both ears?

Here's the owners manual for the 8C:
file:///C:/Users/jczyg/Dropbox/kzo-8c-01.pdf

Bill

 

[ineedtools]

Nice score on a solid saw!

 

[mrobins297aaa]

wow that's a hell of a nice saw for $200...........you get a "you ****" for that one Bill.

 

[matt_i]

Good score, hopefully that part is still available. You might use a thread pitch gage and see if that can be crossed to a more commonly available Acme nut that you could then modify to use. Check McMaster Carr although the name Roton comes to mind as well. I bet Kzoo gets $200 for that part if its still available

 

[MushCreek]

I have a similar one, but it goes up over 24" wide cut. I got mine cheap, and need to go through it to clean it up and refurbish it. Once looking and working well, I might sell it for something a bit smaller- it's a monster.

 

[454ragtop]

I'll try your method. Is that a very small and thin head screw tapped into the end of the ear? Did it need both ears?



Bill

I just did the one ear, the one that pushes the nut into the screw when tightening. It was quite a few years ago, I probably used a 6-32 or 8-32 machine screw. I've had a few of these, the one I repaired I flipped quite a few years ago.

 

[exmaxima1]

Good score, hopefully that part is still available. You might use a thread pitch gage and see if that can be crossed to a more commonly available Acme nut that you could then modify to use. Check McMaster Carr although the name Roton comes to mind as well. I bet Kzoo gets $200 for that part if its still available

I believe Clausing now owns Kalamazoo. That nut---which I still maintain is called a half-nut since threads are only on one side---should still be available.

 

[bczygan]

I believe Clausing now owns Kalamazoo. That nut---which I still maintain is called a half-nut since threads are only on one side---should still be available.

It is available $70. Brass, so it wears.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

wow that's a hell of a nice saw for $200...........you get a "you ****" for that one Bill.

Not perfect.

Shop made wheel covers.

Not a "wet" model.

Jury rigged motor.

Jury rigged switch mounted on back of machine. So manual shut off at end of cut.

No bar and stop for repeat cuts.

Needs blade brushes (Available)

Big and heavy.


But runs smooth and cuts like a dream. Came with extra blade.

Bill

 

[mrobins297aaa]

Not perfect.

Shop made wheel covers.

Not a "wet" model.

Jury rigged motor.

Jury rigged switch mounted on back of machine. So manual shut off at end of cut.

No bar and stop for repeat cuts.

Needs blade brushes (Available)

Big and heavy.


But runs smooth and cuts like a dream. Came with extra blade.

Bill

I'm sure it does, I remember using those Kalamazoo saws at work, It was the only brand I remember seeing on the job sites.
It sure was the plumbers and pipefitters favorite.

 

[MushCreek]

I had another old K'zoo that had a severely worn screw in addition to the nut. A replacement screw was big bucks, so I 'fixed' it. I cut the outer end off, spliced it on to the other end, flipping the whole thing thus putting the worn area way out on the end, rather than near the vise, where it gets used 95% of the time. I've done the same surgery on lathe leadscrews that get worn in the same spot.

 

[bczygan]

So the wife dragged me out to a block sale and we picked up a few odds and ends. Didn't spend but $20.

Then she made me drive up the street until we found another garage sale.

Went in and looked around.

And guess what I found?

Yes, another Kalamazoo 8C, but a "W" for Wet!!!

Much better condition than mine. Original wheel covers and shut off mechanism looks to be there. Missing pulley guard though.

Asked the girl how much. $40 she said. I didn't even pull it out to look at it or run it. Just handed her the money. I pick it up Wednesday. Need to rent a drop deck trailer to get it.

Seems her husband left her with 4 kids, no money and disappeared 3 months ago. No texts or phone calls or emails and wouldn't answer hers. An alcoholic who mentally abused her, so she's divorcing him and this is her moving sale. By the way, today was her anniversary. So she's selling his stuff. But this wasn't his, but hers from her dad's shop.

To make the day even better, I got a dirty, muddy Wilmar W41029 2-Ton Folding Engine Crane for $25.

Stock photo"

A kind of beat up Generac 1042-1 pressure washer missing the gun for $20.

And to top it off, a Speedair compressor that is the brother to mine, but original with the 3PH motor and motor controller. $60 was the damage for that.

Bill

PS, When I told Julie (My wife) about the girls husband leaving her, she said, "Some girls have all the luck!" And then, "Maybe he's buried in the back yard!"

 

[bczygan]

Bump so the daytime people can see.

Bill

 

[matt_i]

Looks like you are in the saw selling business. I'd pay that girl another $60 when you go back as she's going to need it.

 

[bczygan]

Looks like you are in the saw selling business. I'd pay that girl another $60 when you go back as she's going to need it.

We offered to help her in any way she needs.

As soon as I get the new saw home and make sure it works well, the other one goes on CraigsList.

Gotta unload the van this morning. Have the pressure washer and engine hoist in there.

Bill (Bills Industrial Equipment Co.)

 

[jeffmoss26]

I'm sure you REALLY needed all of those things :eyeroll:

 

[bczygan]

Need and want are two different things. Both valid.

So she got an offer for $400 on the compressor and sold it out from under me, even though I put half down.

And the only drop deck trailer available is the 2000# one. Will my Astro Van pull that with a 600# machine on it?

If her husband doesn't come before then, I'm going for it tomorrow.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

Went over there this evening and tried to load it with an engine hoist. No go.

No wheels, so hard to maneuver.

240V so couldn't try it out. Getting trailer in the morning.

Bill

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I'm sure you REALLY needed all of those things :eyeroll:

Jeff that is kind of ironic coming from a guy with like 400 pliers!

 

[bczygan]

Finally home from returning the trailer.

$40 for the saw.
$80 for the trailer.
$15 for gas.

Most of a day of fun!

Now to get it off the driveway so Julie can park there.

Bill

 

[jeffmoss26]

Jeff that is kind of ironic coming from a guy with like 400 pliers!

Quote in my signature was not referring to me
Bill knows why I am giving him grief.

 

[bczygan]

Home:

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Quote in my signature was not referring to me
Bill knows why I am giving him grief.

Fair enough me bad. Maybe you can score him some deals at Epstein’s.

 

[bczygan]

After a cursory look, the new saw has 5 pluses and 5 minuses.

Pros:
Has original wheel covers.
Wet model (Didn't check for pump yet, but does have pan).
Has shut off mechanism but disconnected.
Nut works better to tighten vise.
Motor in better shape.

Cons:
Missing casters/wheels.
Rusty on bottom because of no wheels.
Big cylinder rusty.
Missing belt/pulley guard.
Pan slightly bent.

Gonna make one great saw from the two.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

After a cursory look, the new saw has 5 pluses and 5 minuses.

Pros:
Has original wheel covers.
Wet model (Didn't check for pump yet, but does have pan).
Has shut off mechanism but disconnected.
Nut works better to tighten vise.
Motor in better shape.

Cons:
Missing casters/wheels.
Rusty on bottom because of no wheels.
Big cylinder rusty.
Missing belt/pulley guard.
Pan slightly bent.

Gonna make one great saw from the two.

Bill

Further investigation this morning revealed:

Pro:
Has the bar and stop for setting repeat cuts.
Set up for 240V with 3 prong dryer plug.

Con:
No pump
Long cable poorly connected.

Get pump
Make S-54 Stock Stop Collar
Derust
Check fluids
Fix auto stop mechanism
Fix cord
Straighten screw
Paint
Charts
Machine face of stock stop



Bill

 

[N2 Many Projects]

Hey Bill you got a heck of a deal on the second wet sawfor $40 :O. Congrats on that. Did you ever get the $40 saw finished?

I recently purchased a 610 and see that you and some people in this thread have the 610 also. I am wondering if I would affend you if I ask for some help and advice on my 610 saw. I have a thread going already.