Bandsaw: Anybody thought of building one

[Shox Dr]

I was given a Clarke Bandsaw about 4yrs ago. It had been thrown out., because it kept breaking blades and didn't cut straight. It been a great bit of kit that just needed setting up and respecting it limits.

Unfortunately I've grown to need a faster machine with a greater throat. Only probelm with that is they so get very big taking a lt of space I haven't got. So that got me the thinking about building one. I'm not cutting 300x300x20mm box, I just need speed and a large capacity.

So I can make it with a smaller footprint, out of lighter material. If I build it out of tubing it might look cool as well

So has anyone thought of building one, or are still at the thinking stage

 

[undertaker]

didn't get past the thinking stage.

 

[octo0072000]

bandsaw

i know it's woodwork stuff scroll down for the wood bandsaws might give you some ideas

http://woodgears.ca/reader/index.html


even a wooden pushbike for chunko

http://woodgears.ca/reader/bike.html

 

[MattF]

So I can make it with a smaller footprint, out of lighter material. If I build it out of tubing it might look cool as well

So has anyone thought of building one, or are still at the thinking stage

I've got a link knocking about somewhere to a site which has some old plans for making workshop tools. I seem to recall there's one bandsaw made out of wood, another out of tubing, and possibly more. I'll post the link when I dig it out.

 

[MattF]

Knew I had it bookmarked somewhere:

http://www.vintageprojects.com/


There are some gems on that site.

 

[breezer]

Are you inerested in selling the old one doc?

 

[Shox Dr]

Sure, I wouldn't hold your breath, I only like building things once so it might be a while, before I get all the right bits together

 

[breezer]

Ok well im close enough to collect and after a bandsaw so give me a shout...

Cheers

Jim

 

[breezer]

Turning blue already...

 

[Shox Dr]

No probs

 

[CRB]

Putting a third wheel in will give you a deeper throat with a longer blade. Makes it a bit convoluted, but may suit.

 

[astro_al]

I don't get it, what are you going to achieve by building one?

I'd be looking for a solution to the cutting problem that I could store under a table or similar, to get my space back when not in use. Rather than reinventing the saw.

Al

 

[MattF]

I don't get it, what are you going to achieve by building one?

A bespoke machine which suits his requirements better.

 

[Shox Dr]

I don't get it, what are you going to achieve by building one?

I'd be looking for a solution to the cutting problem that I could store under a table or similar, to get my space back when not in use. Rather than reinventing the saw.

Al

I thought I'd made that clear in the first post.

Your post reads like you are referring to another poster, possibly CRB #11 post. Although blades can be bought any length made to measure.

One of the reasons saws get bigger is the need for bigger idler wheels at either end to cope with the much bigger blade they use. I don't want too large a blade as it will not cut thin wall stuff without breaking teeth and damaging the material.

Smaller blade + smaller wheels = smaller machine with a wider throat

 

[Drains]

Can you not get fine tpi teeth on a bigger blade, so you can cut thin on a big machine?
More to the point, what do you need to cut, and how deep a throat do you need?

Edit - ignore the first qn Dave, I've re-read your first post. The second qn, that's proper. And the third too!

 

[Shox Dr]

.9mm SS
max around 200-250mm dia

 

[MattF]

Perhaps a decent scroll saw is also another option? Something like one of the old Meddings ones.

 

[Wedg1e]

Shox, could you make it with a vertical blade, it'd take up less floor space that way. More difficult to engineer infeed of course... maybe worm drive with a servomotor and speed control?

 

[aametalmaster]

I know this is an older post but i have thought about duplicating my 4x6 with some upgrades of course. Maybe make it a tad bigger in the throat to a 6x6. I have a spare saw for some parts and can make the rest. The bed and saw frame can be press bent from 3/16" plate. I can even turn new blade wheels to suit from steel plate. I have a used Boston gearbox in 27:1 ratio that would be perfect for the project. Now you got me thinking again...Bob

 

[Shox Dr]

Sorry Bob, I missed you post. Sounds interesting so I'll pass this project over to your capable hands. I've enough going on at the moment

keep us posted