Show me your vertical bandsaw

[metalmagpie]

I know you guys must have some amazing vertical band saws. I was looking at an old variable speed Delta Rockwell 20" saw today. It runs, everything works. I gave them a reasonable offer and we'll see. My last one was a 14" Walker Turner, the kind with a backgear on the back to slow it down to metalcutting speeds.

I'll let someone else start the picture parade.

metalmagpie

 

[Norcal]

This is one of mine, but until I find out what type of oil to go in the gear box, it sits unusable.

 

[ez-duzit]

Photo #1--In the foreground is my Vectrax 7" x 10" vertical/horizontal, mitering, metal-cutting bandsaw. To the right of it is a Vectrax 18" vertical metal-cutting bandsaw.

Photo #2 shows the backside of my 20" Agazzani wood-cutting bandsaw.

Photo #3 shows my 14" Delta wood-cutting bandsaw.

 

[OneOfEm]

Yates American Y30. It's still sitting in the garage in as-found condition awaiting completion of my shop. This old gal was literally being sold as scrap.

 

[dr_clyde]

My 1964 DoAll.

This was the first major machine I ever purchased, if you don't count welders. When I bought it I didn't even have a shop to work in. I was keeping my tools at an Uncle's shop, and he was kind enough to let me store some welding equipment there as well as this saw.

I bought it used from a local fella who buys and sells machine tools out of his backyard. I believe I paid $800, but that part is a little fuzzy. We were working on a project that needed a bandsaw, so I got on the hunt. Glad I found this one.

It needs a paint job, and I'm sure there's a few things inside that could use some TLC. It runs nice, and I've had to do almost nothing to it in the last 6 years.

Lots to like about these old DoAll saws. It is HEAVY. Made up from at least 1/8" thick plate steel. The machine is infinitely variable with a reeves drive, with a 2 speed gearbox. It has a tach that reads out SFM of the blade. Still works fine.

Probably my favorite feature is the job selector wheel. Sadly this is missing from the modern saws. I love all the details and information contained within, even if most of it isn't useful anymore. Modern bi-metal blades don't really use these numbers.

I keep it set for "Slate, Marble, and Meteorites", just to show people who look that it is in fact a "do all" saw, not a "do some".

If I was suddenly faced with the hard choice of having to choose only a few machines to save, this would for sure be in the top 5. I use it all the time.

I also happen to have its brother, a mid 60's C-69 horizontal. I bought this saw cheap a few months ago for a job I was doing, and I need to spend some time finishing up a few details. It works as-is, but I really should tidy up a few things.

I love old DoAll stuff. Best sawing equipment available back in the day.

 

[ratdoggy]

Does anyone have a HF one...The horizontal/vertical cheaper one?

 

[AngryBeaver]

Does anyone have a HF one...The horizontal/vertical cheaper one?

I was going to pick one up, but picked up a lightly used WEN off FB marketplace.

4x6 capacity, three speeds. its meh at best...can be ran vertical with a little stamped table also

 

[ScottsGT]

I bought one of the WEN bench tops from Home Depot last year. I was warned here that I won't be happy with the short height capacity for these smaller saws. They were right. I've used it once and now looking for a used Delta or the HF copy. I read good reviews on the HF since it is an exact rip off of the Delta, parts are easy to find.

 

[kelpaso1]

Does anyone have a HF one...The horizontal/vertical cheaper one?

I have one that is basically the same as the 4x6 HF saws. I built a table for it and use it in vertical mode 95% of the time. works fine but only about a 3 inch throat so limits me on some stuff. I mounted a flashlight, and a small aquarium pump and plastic tube to blow the chips off so you can see the line on what you're cutting.

 

[LeonardY]

Here's mine. Bought in 1936 by my Godfather's father.
I'm sure I've posted this before. The fences show the level of rust that It had after all the years on the farm. I soaked them inn Evaporust overnight and with a little light steel wool this how they turned out. I've got to still restore the jointer.

 

[Samh]

Have this Rockwell Delta 20" Need to put it back together though. Have debated on selling it though.

 

[OccupantRJ]

On the right is my metal cutting Rockwell/Delta 20” bandsaw, and in the picture by itself is the wood cutting saw freshly restored.

 

[Samh]

On the right is my metal cutting Rockwell/Delta 20” bandsaw, and in the picture by itself is the wood cutting saw freshly restored.

Good work on the restore. When I bought mine, the guy selling it claimed it was a metal cutting.

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Certainly a lot of impressive bandsaws in this thread.
Mine is a 1930s Craftsman 12" bandsaw. Manufactured by Walker-Turner. I got it at a yard sale for 20$. I plan to fully restore it, including making a steel stand and replacing all of the bearings. Tires are in good shape.

Edit: this saw is more robust than it looks. I believe that with the right speed control and proper blade, I can cut smaller thicknesses of steel. It's heavier than modern, economy horizontal metal saws.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Good work on the restore. When I bought mine, the guy selling it claimed it was a metal cutting.

I made a conversion kit to produce 200 ft per minute blade speed for the wood cutting saw and used it for years cutting metals before acquiring the metal cutting saw. I can take some pics of what I made when I get a chance if you want. It used a right angle gearbox, chain drive, and a custom motor mount.

 

[Bellaireroad]

I know you guys must have some amazing vertical band saws. I was looking at an old variable speed Delta Rockwell 20" saw today. It runs, everything works. I gave them a reasonable offer and we'll see. My last one was a 14" Walker Turner, the kind with a backgear on the back to slow it down to metalcutting speeds.



I'll let someone else start the picture parade.



metalmagpie

I’m almost done with a rebuild on a Delta 28-365. Got lucky and found a guy parting one out . So far have rebuilt the transmission, repaired and calibrated the speed control, repaired the trunnions , put bronze bushings on the motor mount plate, remounted the motor, and replaced the Reeves pulley,
It vibrated badly when I got it, now runs very smooth. BTW , John Deere corn head grease is a replacement for the gearbox

The bottom wheel has a little run out, but the blade tracks good. The wheel mounts to a tapered bushing with three bolts, similar to this. I am going to use a dial indicator and try this to see if it helps the run out

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[bubinga]

All very Nice.
I have 2 14" Deltas, One a wood/metal, left set up for metal. From about 1995.
And a Wood only one, from 1966. The wood/metal one, I just cleaned up.
(stole it for $125.00)
The wood only one I restored, think I paid $100.00 IIRC.
Made an Oak guard for the wood only one.
OEM WAS wood also, but usually painted gray though.
I finished mine with water base Polly.
Was lucky to find the old period correct switch for 50 cents at a thrift store.
EDIT
period correct "Looking" switch I should say. IMO and YMMV .....all that, LOL
By no means NOT the switch that came with it.
It is double pole BTY.

 

[ScottsGT]

While we're discussing bandsaws, any input on the HF 14" model? They are having a 25% of coupon Monday. I'd like an older Delta, but around here there are no "steals to deals" as it seems everyone wants above top dollar.

 

[JHuston]

Yates American Y30. It's still sitting in the garage in as-found condition awaiting completion of my shop. This old gal was literally being sold as scrap.

That would have been a crime to scrap. What a machine!
-James Huston

 

[LawnBoy-5247]

My 1964 DoAll.

This was the first major machine I ever purchased, if you don't count welders. When I bought it I didn't even have a shop to work in. I was keeping my tools at an Uncle's shop, and he was kind enough to let me store some welding equipment there as well as this saw.

I bought it used from a local fella who buys and sells machine tools out of his backyard. I believe I paid $800, but that part is a little fuzzy. We were working on a project that needed a bandsaw, so I got on the hunt. Glad I found this one.

It needs a paint job, and I'm sure there's a few things inside that could use some TLC. It runs nice, and I've had to do almost nothing to it in the last 6 years.

Lots to like about these old DoAll saws. It is HEAVY. Made up from at least 1/8" thick plate steel. The machine is infinitely variable with a reeves drive, with a 2 speed gearbox. It has a tach that reads out SFM of the blade. Still works fine.

Probably my favorite feature is the job selector wheel. Sadly this is missing from the modern saws. I love all the details and information contained within, even if most of it isn't useful anymore. Modern bi-metal blades don't really use these numbers.

I keep it set for "Slate, Marble, and Meteorites", just to show people who look that it is in fact a "do all" saw, not a "do some".

If I was suddenly faced with the hard choice of having to choose only a few machines to save, this would for sure be in the top 5. I use it all the time.

I also happen to have its brother, a mid 60's C-69 horizontal. I bought this saw cheap a few months ago for a job I was doing, and I need to spend some time finishing up a few details. It works as-is, but I really should tidy up a few things.

I love old DoAll stuff. Best sawing equipment available back in the day.

My favorite thing about DoAll machines is the job selector chart as well. I always leave the one in the shop I work in on the asbestos setting.

Sent from my LG-G710 using Tapatalk

 

[ScottsGT]

While we're discussing bandsaws, any input on the HF 14" model? They are having a 25% of coupon Monday. I'd like an older Delta, but around here there are no "steals to deals" as it seems everyone wants above top dollar.

To answer my own question, I just drove over to my HF. What a POS!!
Wobbly, flimsy covers stamped out of what looks like 22 ga. steel.
Granted, it could have been assembled better, but still would have been a pig.

.....back to the used market.

 

[bubinga]

While we're discussing bandsaws, any input on the HF 14" model? They are having a 25% of coupon Monday. I'd like an older Delta, but around here there are no "steals to deals" as it seems everyone wants above top dollar.

From what I have read, They are decent.
Like other HF Items, Probably need a good "Tweak" and "Tune up"
If sheet metal base, may want to "beef up" the base.

 

[ez-duzit]

...They are decent...

Come on! They are among the most common examples of poor quality for which China is very well known.

 

[ScottsGT]

Yea, what I saw earlier today? Decent really isn't a word I would use in the same paragraph.

I'm eyeing the Grizzly Deluxe 14"-35th Anniversary edition and the riser option. Might have to go new on this one.

 

[bubinga]

To answer my own question, I just drove over to my HF. What a POS!!
Wobbly, flimsy covers stamped out of what looks like 22 ga. steel.
Granted, it could have been assembled better, but still would have been a pig.

.....back to the used market.

From what I have read, They are decent.
Like other HF Items, Probably need a good "Tweak" and "Tune up"
If sheet metal base, may want to "beef up" the base.

OK Sorry about The Bum Steer

 

[bubinga]

Come on! They are among the most common examples of poor quality for which China is very well known.

Look, he said he went to look at it and it was a POS
I REPLIED sorry for the bum steer.
I think they may have been better 10 years or more ago.
I don't have 1st. Hand experience with them.
I also stated I had "read" they were decent.
Don't start no trouble please.
It was already handled.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[bubinga]

Look, he said he went to look at it and it was a POS
I REPLIED sorry for the bum steer.
I think they may have been better 10 years or more ago.
I don't have 1st. Hand experience with them.
I also stated I had "read" they were decent.
Don't start no trouble please.
It was already handled.

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

Re reading my post today,
I didn't mean to sound like a wise guy ezdoesit[emoji848][emoji848][emoji56][emoji848][emoji848][emoji56] sorry about all that [emoji120] [emoji848][emoji848][emoji848][emoji849][emoji849][emoji849]

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

 

[bubinga]

Re reading my post today,
I didn't mean to sound like a wise guy ezdoesit[emoji848][emoji848][emoji56][emoji848][emoji848][emoji56] sorry about all that [emoji120] [emoji848][emoji848][emoji848][emoji849][emoji849][emoji849]

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

IIIRC and that's a big if? I thought there bandsaw was a quote on quote Harbor Freight gem at one time, but would not be the first time I was wrong LMAO

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[dkmc]

I spruced up this Jet over the winter before last, did some mods on it as well.

Couldn't figure out the vane pump that blows chips from the work area, it would not
put out any air. Vanes were NOT flying out. So I pressed the rotor off the shaft, and pressed it back on reversed. Now it blows the chips away, which means it NEVER worked.
I wonder how many of these saws out there have the same problem?


Clean up


Table insert




Final assembly after re-paint

 

[OccupantRJ]

dkmc, nice job on that saw. I like how you improved the table blade area to an insert style. Good thinking and execution!

 

[dkmc]

Thank you RJ.
The table slot is pretty crude as-cast.
I couldn't tolerate it, scribed a circle, rough milled it out, then finished it
round and to size using a boring head on the Bridgeport.
While I was at it, I made up a half dozen insert disks.....it will be awhile before
I (or the next owner) needs more.

 

[ez-duzit]

dk--it's handy having a milling machine.

 

[Samh]

I made a conversion kit to produce 200 ft per minute blade speed for the wood cutting saw and used it for years cutting metals before acquiring the metal cutting saw. I can take some pics of what I made when I get a chance if you want. It used a right angle gearbox, chain drive, and a custom motor mount.

Would be appreciated. I happen to pick up a C-Face motor and inline gear reducer for said C-face motor. Haven't done the math to figure out what SFM it would run at though, so not sure if I'd need to do more.

 

[Stuart in MN]

My 1964 DoAll.

This was the first major machine I ever purchased, if you don't count welders. When I bought it I didn't even have a shop to work in. I was keeping my tools at an Uncle's shop, and he was kind enough to let me store some welding equipment there as well as this saw.

I bought it used from a local fella who buys and sells machine tools out of his backyard. I believe I paid $800, but that part is a little fuzzy. We were working on a project that needed a bandsaw, so I got on the hunt. Glad I found this one.

There was an epic DoAll bandsaw restoration thread here some years ago. If the pictures are still available it's well worth searching for.

 

[dr_clyde]

There was an epic DoAll bandsaw restoration thread here some years ago. If the pictures are still available it's well worth searching for.

Yes, A_Pmech redid his 36" vertical. It is one of the best threads on the forum.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34928

Someday I'd love to have the time and motivation to give my saws this kind of treatment.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Yes, A_Pmech redid his 36" vertical. It is one of the best threads on the forum.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34928

Someday I'd love to have the time and motivation to give my saws this kind of treatment.

I recently went through two of mine. One of them replaced a 20” DeWalt Monarch so both in the shop would be relatively alike. Some lucky soul will get to paint and dress up the DeWalt unit to suit their fancy. It is a 4,300 fpm direct drive machine. I got plenty other machines to go through right now, and it does take time.

 

[dr_clyde]

When I had more time than money, I loved working on restoring old machines to use in my shop. Now, I'd rather just buy one in good condition and use it. I can't justify the hours it takes to do things to the level I'd want from myself.

If I was at the other end of my career, I'd probably have a lot more restoration projects.

I suspect when it's time to retire, I'll have a nice little hidey hole with lots of machines needing love.

I do enjoy it. But I need machines to pay the bills, and they don't do that when they're in many pieces. Makes me appreciate the ones that are in nice original shape and the ones that have been lovingly restored or reconditioned.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I got you on that one. I gathered machines for years in hopes of restoring them, and after I retired that is what I do, how and when I feel like it. I have done two 20” bandsaws, a Carolina horizontal band saw, and a Clausing 5914 lathe since last October. I am up to 8 bandsaws from portabands on up.

 

[dkmc]

I am up to 8 bandsaws from portabands on up.

Nice Bandsaw collection....

 

[Ign]

Yes, A_Pmech redid his 36" vertical. It is one of the best threads on the forum.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34928

Someday I'd love to have the time and motivation to give my saws this kind of treatment.

His Pexto stomp.shear resto was f'n amazing but pics are gone