[TheForge] Horizontal Band saw

[Ron Swisher]

I like Jet tools.  I bought a multi-speed Jet drill press approx. 30 years 
ago without a motor.  Put a real good motor on it...still chugging along.
Ron
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jerry Frost" <frosty at customcpu.com>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 3:33 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Horizontal Band saw


>I used a 4" x 6" no name horizontal vertical bandsaw for about 20 years 
>till it just plain wouldn't track and couldn't be adjusted about. In all 
>that time I replaced the roller guides once but the bearings in the blade 
>wheels finally went 4-5 years ago. It cost $79.00 in the late 70's or early 
>80's I don't remember little details that far back. <grin>
>
> Now I have a Jet 7" x 12" horizontal vertical with coolant. Bought it for 
> under a grand, just. Either work just fine though the Jet has more 
> capacity and I expect it to last a little longer. Still if it falls short 
> of the longevity of the closeout store el-cheapo bandsaw by a few years 
> it'll still be worth more than it cost by many multiples.
>
> I'm less impressed with the coolant especially cutting new steel, on rusty 
> or dirty steel it helps by washing some of the dirt and grit off. A little 
> wire brush action is a good solution you say and I say use the brush 
> inside a piece of pipe and we'll talk. <grin>
>
> The secrets are a solid machine with adjustable tracking, slow speed and a 
> good blade. The blade is all important after the machine is squared up. 
> The most important rule of thumb is the "three tooth rule" There should be 
> three (3) teeth in the cut at all times. Fewer wears the blade quickly, 
> often just stripping the teeth. More teeth will load up with cuttings, not 
> only slowing the cutting down but generating excess heat which wears the 
> blade out more quickly. The vari-tooth ( I think that's what they're 
> called) work very well though you still need to make sure the coarse part 
> of the blade isn't going to grab. At any rate you'll want to use Bi-metal 
> blades in most situations. Some situations you'll want to keep cheap throw 
> away blades around for are salvaged metal where you don't know the alloy 
> and it's dirty, rusty and such.
>
> Next in importance is feed speed, slower is almost always better though 
> not universally. Some alloys work harden very quickly so it's important to 
> carry as much heat off in the cuttings as possible, hogging the feed and 
> living with slightly off cuts may be a viable alternative in these cases.
>
> I really recommend a horizontal vertical bandsaw. Being able to use it in 
> the vertical position in no way degrades it's performance as a cut off saw 
> and being able to change plattens and cut curves, split stock, etc. is 
> VERY handy.
>
> Frosty
> -------------------------------
> If it ain't forged
> it ain't real.
> Wrought iron is.
> The FrostWorks
>
> Meadow Lakes, AK.
>
> http://www.artmetalradio.com/
>
> From: "Lynn and Susan Lang" <langfarm at together.net>
>
>
>> Hello
>>
>> Need someone to tell me where to go.......To buy the best power hacksaw
>> for my small operation; do I go with the Delta, Jet, MSC or what?
>>
>> I am just one step above this being a hobby.
>>
>> Thank you
>> lynn
>>
>>
>
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