Band Saw Project

[Adriatic Machine]

Picked up this band saw a few weeks ago for a good price. Thought youz might like it.

I don't plan on restoring it, just going to set it up for metal cutting and fine tune it to work properly. I plan to add a giant old 110v motor, and an under-drive gear box. Then I'll try to use a light dimmer switch from the hardware store as my VFD so I can control the FPM.

Other than that I will stock up on blades and fabricate / repurpose a rudimentary safety guard.

I only have so much space in the garage but I definitely have a footprint for this relic.

 

[The Cobbler]

cool old press. the light dimmer won't last. waste of $$
even a fan speed control won't be rated for a motor

 

[Adriatic Machine]

Nah the 'giant old motor' is still only 1hp / 746 watts. They do sell 1000 watt dimmer switches. I could be wrong but this should work.

 

[Stuart in MN]

The dimmer switch won't work - they are designed to reduce the voltage to a light bulb. You need to reduce the frequency to a motor.

 

[Adriatic Machine]

Ah, now we're talking science. I'll have to figure out another method of speed control when the time comes.

Thanks

 

[OccupantRJ]

If you gear it to get 200 feet per minute blade travel, you won't need variable speed. I ran a vertical saw for 28 years cutting metal at that speed.

 

[Packard V8]

What is the wheel diameter?

For example, a 24" wheel would need a 54:1 gear reduction.

jack vines

 

[whateg01]

What is the wheel diameter?

For example, a 24" wheel would need a 54:1 gear reduction.

jack vines

depends on how many poles the motor has.

 

[RodneyW]

VFD and a 3 phase motor might be another option.