Old Ferm Bandsaw

[Onoff]

Just dug out an old Ferm bandsaw. Parked up about 20 years ago as it was carp then. I thought I'd give it another try as wanting to cut some perspex.

The rubber bands on top and bottom pullies have disintegrated. They've gone all brittle.

Seems I can get replacement rubber bands for about £25. Part number appears to be 403461.

Do these bandsaws ever cut straight against a fence?

 

[Kram]

I doubt the rubber is under too much stress given that the blade is highly tensioned and squishing the rubber into the wheel. For 25 quid Id be buying some beers and a thick sheet of rubber, measure diameter and glue sheet together to make a band. Cut the rubber at 30-45 degree angle so that it has a stonger joint.
Wilko permenent rubber glue would be my choice, it is strong rubbery stuff.

 

[Onoff]

I doubt the rubber is under too much stress given that the blade is highly tensioned and squishing the rubber into the wheel. For 25 quid Id be buying some beers and a thick sheet of rubber, measure diameter and glue sheet together to make a band. Cut the rubber at 30-45 degree angle so that it has a stonger joint.
Wilko permenent rubber glue would be my choice, it is strong rubbery stuff.

Ta. I know very little about bandsaws, last having used them 40 odd years ago at school then a little bit at technical college. Then only for wood and acrylic. I seem to recall they always cut straight if used with a fence.

This Ferm one never did. The blade seems to want to ride across the rubber and sit on the edge of the aluminium pullies. Must be my setting it up wrong!

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

The Fern is at the lower end of band saws.

But fitting a decent blade, setting the tension and keeping the height of the top rollers as close to the work will help.

He had one at MIS, it was great at doing curves and free hand on wood 13mm/1/2".
For straight cuts, take your time and it will cut.


https://www.solenttools.co.uk/

This place is good for spares.

 

[Screwdriver]

Just dug out an old Ferm bandsaw. Parked up about 20 years ago as it was carp then. I thought I'd give it another try as wanting to cut some perspex.

The rubber bands on top and bottom pullies have disintegrated. They've gone all brittle.

Seems I can get replacement rubber bands for about £25. Part number appears to be 403461.

Do these bandsaws ever cut straight against a fence?

Buy some lengths of Urethane in the profile you need and make your own. Bit fiddly to make the join perfect but very doable plus it is literally a welded join.

 

[MBB]

Get a car inner tube and cut a ring off.

 

[frank horton]

never had great sucsess cuting straight with a fence.......
found I could do just as good free hand.......
mind u one of those springy things to keep the wood jammed against he fence may help ...
but the tables are always small and not a lot of room.....I just go free hand......

 

[Onoff]

Ferm the lower end! Yep, think it was a Screwfix offer years back bought on a whim.

So is the idea with a bandsaw that the blades sit on the rubber ideally dead centre?

The cut, on a scrap of the brittle old clear plastic I'm using for the 3D printer cabinet doors actually cut amazingly well on it free hand and that's with the urethane belts missing!

I need to trim the long edges of the doors on this 3D printer cabinet only by a few mm so I can get the copper edging on. Yes the edging would likely cover a free hand cut edge, I just like "knowing" its straight underneath!

 

[500e]

Quality sharp blades help having to push through will cause wander