Bandsaw advice

[Ben88]

Been thinking of purchasing a Sealey SM65 Bandsaw 150mm 230V with Mitre & Quick Lock Vice, Has anyone had any experience using one? I'm looking at cutting 100x50x3 box at max, an it looks as tho the blade moves to 45 degree rather than the vice which is better for me. I'm only running single phase so limited on saws in my budget of less than £500, any other saws that could be worth a look at? cheers

 

[slim_boy_fat]

How much cutting are you going to be doing? If it's only occasional have a look at the Rage Evo saws.

 

[Richard.]

Been thinking of purchasing a Sealey SM65 Bandsaw 150mm 230V with Mitre & Quick Lock Vice, Has anyone had any experience using one? I'm looking at cutting 100x50x3 box at max, an it looks as tho the blade moves to 45 degree rather than the vice which is better for me. I'm only running single phase so limited on saws in my budget of less than £500, any other saws that could be worth a look at? cheers

Mine is a 150mm max but the vice is the moving part on mine for angles and your right the movable bow is a better way. I just use home made spacers now and keep the vice fixed.

 

[Ben88]

It will be getting a fair bit of use more than hobby but less than full time work, an really would prefer to go the bandsaw route tbh

 

[Turbo]

I have a SM65, good saw and with some fettling it can cut very accurately.

 

[Mee]

Its a generic saw and is badged up by many manufacturers such as Sealey, but you can get the same item as an Axminster or even a Clarke. They are much cheaper in other makes and exactly the same thing apart from the legs.

I have the Clarke version and have had it for years and it has only been problematic when I have dropped things on the contactor, avoid the blades from Machine Mart as they are rubbish, and many of the major brand names as they don't last long, go to Toolstation for your blades as they are cheap and last ages and cut stainless as well, and they are sensitive to blade tension.

 

[Ben88]

I'm good for bandsaw blades theres a place down the road from me that makes them an there good quality as well, I can get the saw for a decent price comes with a years warranty. I'm not the type to abuse machines or push them so it will get well looked after (i like to keep a tidy ship) so i think i'll go for it, if i get 2-3 years out of it i'd be very happy.

 

[Mee]

Mine's about 20 years old now and is resigned to cutting smaller stuff, but its still going well.

 

[Ben88]

I'm looking at getting it delivered now, any one got any idea if it will fit in a punto or would it be wise to have it delivered where i need it? I'm pretty sure it would fit in at worse 1 trip for the saw one for stand

 

[Mee]

Should fit in a Punto with the seats down and the legs unbolted from the saw.

 

[Ben88]

Cheers pal at worse i've a friend with a 4x4 who can help me out if needed, i just didnt fancy sitting up at garage all day for them to not turn up ha ha an lose a days pay im not down with that!

 

[Mee]

Just check it doesn't cost you more in fuel than delivery costs.

 

[Ben88]

No its only 3 mile away if that so am good

 

[Ben88]

So its on its way, i got it for £310 delivered not bad got me wondering about modding some kind of coolant pump on to it so the blades last longer. Would this be safe to do or would i be best having a squirty bottle or something similar cheers

 

[Shox Dr]

Sling the blade it comes with, and get a double pitch from down the rd. cheap blades for some reason will not stay on for more than 5 mins.

I find they cut faster, lasts longer if you put more pressure on the blade, by +/- weight to the over arm, I have 2 lumps of steel bar 20x200mm sat on the handle and another on the rib (running along the top) for fine tuning. Works really well.

 

[Turbo]

Not bad, though I knew a bloke, who realised what he had bought wasn't going to fit in the car, but realised it was liftable...so took it on the bus home and then came back for his car later...

I bought a bicycle once then realised that it wouldn't fit into the car along with the passengers & shopping. I had to go back into the store & buy a cycle rack for the car!

 

[Ben88]

So it's arrived am putting it together now, the instructions seem to miss out how to fit the belt an such any one give me a pointer I have 2 gear cogs for the belt one large an one small which one goes on motor spindle am thinking it's the small one smallest end to motor base and the other one on the saw spindle opposite way to other one. There's also a guard for the belt which I presume each spindle goes through each hole slotted hole to motor side. But I can't get it over the spindles I have undone the motor bolts but it move up an down not left to right? Cheers

 

[Ben88]

?

 

[armalites]

Surely you just pivot the motor clockwise judging by the tensioning bolt, that will bring the pulleys closer together?

 

[WorkshopChris]

You need to remove the pulleys to fit the guard, what is stopping the motor from coming forward to fit the belt?