BAND SAW REFERENCE INDEX - question/answer

[DoghouseForge]

I recently added a nice Metal/Wood Floor model Band Saw to my shop. This addition comes with the added responsibility of using it properly and maintaining it properly. Since I know almost nothing about Band Saws I did the smart thing and used Garage Journals Search engine to find threads that would help me get educated on the topic.

Unfortunately, it just wasn’t that simple and there are a lot of threads that have expired links and the unfortunate "opinion without fact" issues. So throughout the week I have been reading the various threads and copying their URL's into a word document. Some of the threads had great links to other sites that answered the questions in a much more detailed account.

Since this was a relatively difficult task to weed through a lot of the junk I thought a quick reference Index would be a useful tool for Garage Journal to have in the search database. That way, Guys like me who search for info on whatever band Saw they need information for can see this listing in the GJ search index and hopefully find the link they need in an easier manor.

The index is just that...an index and tool of reference. It is not an opinion board or place to ask specific questions. If it gets used for that the purpose quickly becomes defeated when the actual information get pushed back and ends up on page whatever...
Additional links are great and anyone who has good links to info pertaining to band saws is encouraged to post them! Just be specific in the topic summary and hyperlink the web address.
I hope this proves useful and appreciate all the guys that provided info within the links themselves…


Thank you!
JP
Doghouse Forge




So below is basically a copied version of the word document that was created for future reference purposes.



What to look for in a used band saw:

Blog entry of used band saw checklisthttp://bandsawblog.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-used-band-saw/

Tips for buying used horizontal band sawshttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=205105&highlight=bandsaw

Metal or Wood band saw identification discussionhttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135719&highlight=bandsaw

Types of Band Saws
http://woodworking.about.com/od/woodworkingmachines/p/bandsaws.htm



Reviews and Identification of Band saws:

"LumberJocks reviews" (This forum does detailed reviews of !MANY! Different band saws and the Search function was available without being a member.)
http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/category/2

Grizzly horizontal band saw G0622 reviewhttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198142&highlight=bandsaw

General 590 Metal band sawhttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193389&highlight=bandsaw

Advise on bench top band sawhttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186287&highlight=Band


Band saw accessories and modifications:

Easy band saw feather boardhttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=204179&highlight=bandsaw

General part Supplies
http://bandsawparts.com/

Double throat width on 4x6 horizontal saw projecthttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190403&highlight=bandsaw

Re-sawing saw and blade selectionhttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186443&highlight=bandsaw

Cutting opposite angles
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197575&highlight=Band

Porta-Band Stationary Bracket references:

stonewell bodieshttp://store.stonewellbodies.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=152&idcategory=5

swag offraod
http://www.swagoffroad.com/SWAG-V40-Portaband-Table_p_63.html


Blade info and maintenance discussions:

Blade info:

Teeth per Inch (TPI) discussionhttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142571&highlight=bandsaw

Starrlets PDF file for blade selection (selection and style resource is on the second page)
http://www.starrett.com/docs/saw-resources/blade-selection-in-five-steps.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Blade Length Calculator for restoration or lost manual issues http://vintagemachinery.org/math/beltlength.aspx

Blade Brand advise and opinionhttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=201558&highlight=Band


Maintenance:

Band saw adjustmentshttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190345&highlight=bandsaw

Woodworkers Journal Band Saw maintenance article –
http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/M...nance-Skill-Builder-Power-Tool-Tune-8272.aspx





Band saw “****” postings:

Do-All Band saw auction scorehttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=202553&highlight=bandsaw

Identification of vintage craftsman sawhttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=188172&highlight=bandsaw

Walker Turner 96” band saw Identificationhttp://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197061&highlight=Band



Most commonly referenced band saw brand names and their web site links:

Grizzly tools
http://www.grizzly.com/

Jet Tools
http://www.jettools.com/us/en/home/

Delta
http://www.deltamachinery.com/

Craftsman
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/dap_...cta092012&sid=ISx20110429x00001&psid=64x12706

Porta-band (Milwaukee tools)
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/

Harbor Freight
http://www.harborfreight.com/



Product Manuals PDF:

Grizzly Tools
http://www.grizzly.com/manuals

Jet Tools
http://www.jettools.com/us/en/service-and-support/manuals/?keyword=bandsaw

Delta Toolshttp://powertool.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/delta/delta_saw_product_list.html

Craftsman
http://powertool.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/craftsman/craftsman_saw_product_list.html

For Harbor Freight use “Manuals Online”
http://www.manualsonline.com/



Please add additional resource material below...

 

[gus1962]

Great compilation! This is very useful especially for band saw owners like me. I'd like to add www.bandsawmanuals.com . They offer free manuals mostly for old metal cutting band saws. I got mine from them for my old saw. Thanks for posting.

 

[Golgoroth]

Milwaukee Owner's manuals, parts lists and wiring instructions can be found here
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/parts-and-service/manuals-and-downloads

 

[DoghouseForge]

If your new to Band saws watch this video...very informative and helpfull for installing blades , setting tracking, and general usage...

Woodworking 13 - Bandsaw Setup/Tuneup

 

[zkling]

I will just put this out there, if you want me to edit it, just let me know.

WOOD TO METAL CUTTING CONVERSION

This is a topic that seems to be brought up on a regular basis. Lots of folks want a vertical metal cutting bandsaw, but they aren't very common or cheap these days for the average home shop.

1.) Start with a good quality saw. My personal opinion on the minimum is a 10" or 12" old 2 wheel delta or atlas. Something that is all meal and has ball bearings. Ideally the old delta 14" wood saws. These were actually designed for cutting metal, are rigid enough, of good size, very common, plenty of parts and usually had at a very reasonable price. The problem with cheaper / smaller saws is that they just don't have the frame stiffness to properly tension a metal cutting blade. (Metal is a bit harder than wood and thus the forces put into the frame while cutting are much greater than when being used with wood). Converting a smaller cheaper saw IMHO is just a waste of time, money and what would have been a nice little wood saw.

2.) Unless you have an extremely small shop do not try to use one saw for wood and metal cutting. Nothing ***** more than having metal chips embedded in that nice piece of purple heart that you just resawed

3.) Metal cutting saws run much slower than wood cutting saws. Usually on the order of 1/30th the speed of a wood saw. A gear reduction is really the best way to go. Something in the 30:1 gear box range is what you will need. Shoot for ~100sfpm for metal cutting. The typical wood saw runs at 3000 sfpm. A gear box is just a divider, so 3000sfpm/30 = 100sfpm.

4.) Going along with #3 above, torque is what cuts metal, not just the low speed. Trying to slap VFD onto a standard 1725RPM motor without a gear box in between the motor and the saw is going to create problems. You will be money ahead to just forget the VFD and find a good used 30:1 gear box. Sure if you are feeling fancy you can add a VFD in addition to the gear box, but it really isn't needed.