Finally got a used Bandsaw.

[alexccmeister]

Hi all,

Finally decided to go with a used bandsaw. Its not cheap but its made in 09.2006. So wasn't that long ago. Seller says its 90% as new. Hopefully that's the case. Its big as well being able to cut up to 300mm solid stock. I am getting new guide bearings and blade for free with this.

What do you guys think. Its arriving in a couple of weeks time. Seller cleaning up and repainting before shipping out.

Alex

[Geof]

That is practically identical to the one that gave me years of service at my business.

You need to read this thread and make a decision on blade type:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67154

There was a minor weak spot and a manufacturing defect in the one I had:

The weak spot is the screw on the moving jaw of the vise. It ran in a spring loaded halfnut that allowed you to slide the moving jaw open or closed quickly. Because we were cutting one size material on a production basis the vise was always closed in the same location and the screw wore out in that region. The fix was to put a piece of packing on the jaw so it tightened on a different part of the screw.

The manufacturing defect was the worm gearbox was never filled with grease when it was assembled. After five years the gear and worm were totally worn out. I seem to recall we did get replacement parts eventually but while it was out of service we bought a bigger saw to replace it.

[alexccmeister]

Hi Geof,

Thanks for the advice. Glad to know this is a good bandsaw. I really didn't have to get this bandsaw as its too big for what I need to do. But the seller gave me a good deal I couldn't resist. Plus, for the same price I can only get a brand new 4" bandsaw and its 1 speed.

I have read through the thread you linked to. I am getting two blades for aluminium and one for steel. Not sure how many TPI I should get. Will 4-6 and 8-10 TPI blade do for cutting al and steel respectively.

Alex

[LUCKY13]

WOW, thats a monster bandsaw. You want have any problems cutting anything with that,although its going to take up a lot of room. But if you have the room no problem.


You can look and see that saw has on board cooling pump, this is so you can run cooling down over the part/metal you are cutting and it will keep the blade and metal cool. It also has a Ajustable Hydrolic down feed which is nice for setting up for different types of metal.

I am not sure, but that may be a 220V motor. It could even be a three phase motor which would really be a problem hooking up at a home shop. Although the nice thing about three phase motors is you can buy a VFD to run them on single phase ( what a home has for power) and it turns them into a veriable speed motor. If its a 220v single phase motor it can probably be rewired for 110v if you dont have 220v where you plan to run the saw. This is a simple thing done right at the motor connection, the wires are just swapped around on the connections.


It looks like its belt driven and probably has more than one pulley ratio under that belt cover. That probably means it has atleast two, and maybe three different speeds it can run at.



I dont know if I would call that like new condission. Although saws like this tend to run for years and years. The fact that it may be dew a new set of bearings tells it has already been used a lot. This is no big deal though because this type of up keep is normal on a saw like this. Once the bearings are replaced, if its just used at home on small stuff you want have to replace any more bearings for a very long time. ANd a new blade should last a very long time also.


Over all I think you done very good and you should be pleased with this saw. There is no compairison between this and the other saws that you have been looking at. Depending on the brand, a saw like this could have cost anywhere from $1500.00 and up much higher new. My guesss is you done good, even if you have to put a little time and work into getting it to cut straight. The new guide bearings and a little ajustment will get that part going for you.


I would take this saw plum apart down to each piece when I got it. That way you could inspect every little bit of it for any wear and problems, then make any repairs/ajustments needed when reasymbled. I would also strip the paint on each piece and repaint with good epoxy paints, or a good oil base paint. This would bring the value up on the saw and if you ever had to sale it you would even make money. Not only that it helps make a shop look good if all the equipment is keep in this kinda shape, and the equipment itself can handle the shop enviroment much better that way also.

Anyway, nice find. I think you will enjoy using this machine once you get it dialed in. Its more of a industrial/shop grade machine as to where the others you where looking at where more of a home use type machine.


Jess

[Geof]

Originally Posted by alexccmeister .... Not sure how many TPI I should get. Will 4-6 and 8-10 TPI blade do for cutting al and steel respectively. Alex

Read Darebee's suggestions in the other post. I think the 8-10 is probably a good all round choice.

And don't spend money on two blades until you have changed blades a few times; you will probably decide to compromise on a single blade to avoid the bother of changing.

[svenakela]

I say bandsaw is awesome, I use it for everything. Cutting raw material, finishing of fixture ears on pieces while next is in the machine etc. I think it's most used machine in our workshop.

[alexccmeister]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the encouraging words.

It is big isn't it. I may need to keep this bandsaw outside the house chained up as it wouldn't fit in my shop and no way my wife is going to let me keep it inside the house.

I am more interested in the vertical capability as this bandsaw comes with a table when tilted up 90 degrees. I will be doing mostly fast trimming on flat bars. I am ordering some stocks in as well. Well over 500Kg worth of T6061, 16ft long. I need to cut these down to size for my projects in a horizontal position. After that its in the vertical position. Can't wait.

Geof, thanks for the 8-10TPI it is. Thanks.

Alex