Base design for a 7x12 bandsaw?

[ert01]

I've been doing some contract work in a huge machine shop and they have a handful of 7x12 metal cutting bandsaws scattered around the shop.

They all are on some pretty slick bases and it got me thinking about what others have built for their saws.

I've seen lots of stuff regarding the smaller cheap saws, but couldn't find much for the 7x12's. Is everyone just content using them as is?

Here's a couple pics from the shop I was at...

It's really nice having the saw up at a normal working height. That's the biggest thing that made a difference for me.

I like the idea of having a shop vac integrated underneath. A clean shop and clean tools is always a joy, but dealing with a mess is discouraging so anything that facilitates cleanliness is a welcome addition in my garage.

But what really interested me is the flip up material support "wings" on the blue stand in the last pic. Seems like a great addition... And the higher up you make the saw, the longer the "wings" can be.

Has anyone else built something similar with flip up roller guides for material support while cutting? It sure beats the stand alone roller stands since it requires no adjustment (only once on the original installation).

 

[bluebolt]

I like that flip up extension! If I ever redo mine that would be a good idea. Still rolling around on the factory roller base.

 

[astroracer]

I built this one for my 4 x 6 a few years ago.

Mark

 

[lakeside53]

I built two of these a year or so back. Three leg independent adjustable to get the coolant to flow right, and, to match the "lay" of heavy length of stock.




And now it doesn't want to flip over when you stand it vertically - really dumb "feature" of the stock saw.



The rest of the pics are here, as are the CAD plans (which I also have in PDF):

http://s238.photobucket.com/user/lakeside53/library/7x12 bandsaw base?sort=4&page=1

 

[bluebolt]

I really like that design Lakeside53!

 

[gorilla]

Having those saws up that high might be OK for short lengths or light stock but not so good for long lengths of of heavy wall tube or big flat stock.

 

[astroracer]

Having those saws up that high might be OK for short lengths or light stock but not so good for long lengths of of heavy wall tube or big flat stock.

Umm. Doesn't matter. Long stock has to be supported by a roller stand anyway so the height is good on my back for set up and the 24' pieces of 4 x 4 x 1/8 wall don't care...
Mark

 

[rwhite692]

I just got a JET 7x12 (great saw) and the first order of business was to build a base for it to get the vise jaws up to bellybutton height. The base I built raises it up by 13". The wheels that come with the saw are fixed, and they make moving the saw around the shop a real pain. Now with casters on it, it can be wheeled around with one hand.

Also extended the base at the heavy end, since the center of mass is towards that end, and particularly so whenever the head is tilted up to use the saw in the vertical position.