converting bandsaw

[naughtyboy]

how hard is it to convert a bandsaw for woodwork to metal cutting?
been offered one thats a bench top model that would be ideal for making brackets.
got about 200 to make.
ive got a 4x6 saw but its to bulky for making brackets.
im hoping its just case of different blade.

cheers

 

[astro_al]

Check out my previous thread on the subject - it is very heavy-handedly edited, but the bulk of the content is still there I guess...

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=17040

Al.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Just the blade, although when I did similar to an old DIY Burgess saw, I found it was running at a very high speed and I could have done with slowing it down a bit but the option did not exist, hence it went through blades a bit fast.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Al beat me...but yes that's the exact problem I found it to be.

 

[naughtyboy]

got a set of pulleys of a drill press that i could use to slow it down.

 

[astro_al]

200 brackets to make??? Get them lasered, unless you place no value on your time?

While I think it's probably possible to convert a wood bandsaw to metal duty, I would only look at the more solid old-style iron framed ones for any significant work. Obviously the blades are different, wood blades are regular carbon steel and don't last with metal duties. Changing the speed is necessary, but not too hard.

Al.

 

[naughtyboy]

need to make first few to get them right to check idea will work, then i can look at getting them cut.