Horizontal bandsaw leg mod

[Kaizen]

Just got an old beast. M.f. Wells a7 bandsaw. Noticed quick I don’t like the height. Would like to extend the legs another foot or two so I’m not bending over. Does this make it wobbly in general? Thinking some splayed legs will compensate. Also going to put in some new wheels. Never even used one of these before and not sure if this is wise?


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[matt_i]

First, congrats! Horizontal bandsaw is a prime tool in any shop dealing with metal.

Its not totally bad but consider the center of gravity on a heavy rolling machine is getting higher as you move it over various slopes, the stock you cut off is falling farther to the floor, eventually you'll need an outboard support roller and it will need to be height-matched as well.

Once you get it tuned up and working its sort of a set-it-and-forget-it tool, go do something else. As long as little silver dust is flowing out of the kerf its doing its job. You hear the clang and go setup the next cut

 

[Kaizen]

First, congrats! Horizontal bandsaw is a prime tool in any shop dealing with metal.

Its not totally bad but consider the center of gravity on a heavy rolling machine is getting higher as you move it over various slopes, the stock you cut off is falling farther to the floor, eventually you'll need an outboard support roller and it will need to be height-matched as well.

Once you get it tuned up and working its sort of a set-it-and-forget-it tool, go do something else. As long as little silver dust is flowing out of the kerf its doing its job. You hear the clang and go setup the next cut

Thanks. I will keep in mind the center of gravity. That’s my main concern. ESP putting a heavy piece on it to cut as it affects that center. Happy I got one. These old tools are great.


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[kazlx]

I'd just build a new cart/rack/whatever for it with wheels at a better height. I use the collapsible roller stands for infeed on long pieces. I wish I had a spot to set it up permanently.

Another handy thing is the Noga minicool.
https://allindustrial.com/noga-mc17...0ppGb19oKu5CMpTd4DmhMyzLFnAqeAMwaAlH2EALw_wcB

 

[BLUE72CAMARO]

Well without a picture of how the saw is built its pretty hard to give an answer but here is what I just did to a Kalamazoo H9AW that I am bringing back to life.



Not only raises it up to where I dont have to bend over at all but also makes it where I can move this 900lb tank of a saw around my shop. I am in the process of adding a floor lock to hold it in position once I get it where I want it.

 

[Ecosta777]

Well without a picture of how the saw is built its pretty hard to give an answer but here is what I just did to a Kalamazoo H9AW that I am bringing back to life.



Not only raises it up to where I dont have to bend over at all but also makes it where I can move this 900lb tank of a saw around my shop. I am in the process of adding a floor lock to hold it in position once I get it where I want it.

Just did the about the exact same thing to a Johnson model B I have in the shop. Raised it a good 4" and it's great to be able to move it around. While not the foot or two the OP was suggesting, I highly recommend this method. Keeps it low, but at a good workable height, and is moveable.

 

[BLUE72CAMARO]

Just did the about the exact same thing to a Johnson model B I have in the shop. Raised it a good 4" and it's great to be able to move it around. While not the foot or two the OP was suggesting, I highly recommend this method. Keeps it low, but at a good workable height, and is moveable.

Yeah I think I raised mine in the ballpark of 8" or so. Its riding on a set of 6" casters that came off one of my kennedy toolboxes. In all honesty they are to smooth of caster as it will run away on the slightest amount of slope of the floor hence why i have to add the floor lock to it.

 

[MJD1]

I have that same saw, no way would I raise it a foot, certainly not 2. Much too narrow a footprint and way too much weight at the top when you lift the head. I used 12" wheels and made some front risers out of 1.5" solid tapped 1/2" 13 to raise the front. Probably about 3-3.5" of height.

 

[Kaizen]

This saw is only 300 pounds I believe. Haven’t started messing with it. Definitely need new as stock ones are beat up. Picturing a box with some storage the same or a little wider then the current base. The extra weight I hope will keep in from tipping. Want to incorporate feet that can retract to wheel it around but not on wheels when in use as heavy pieces definitely move it around. Having it in the upright position will definitely be the most unstable. Perhaps I will make the wheels extendable in case it’s a problem.


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