Hot Rods Converting wood bandsaw to cut metal

I don't know if this was posted before, here goes: Convert bandsaw for metal. You need to slow the rpm down to around 200 rpm, and use Bi-metal blades. Use a countershaft and large and small pulleys or a gearbox. You must get it slow and use Bi-metal 12-14 pitch 1/2" blades. I have been using for years, cut 1/2" steel plate. Have friends I shared this and everyone likes it. Again slow and Bi-metal.

 

I converted a wood cutting band saw to steel about 20 years ago. Mine is a Jet cast iron, not real large but works well for my needs. I built a jack shaft reduction system and added a small blower to keep the chips from the blade. I use bimetal blades.

 

Thanks for posting ... Up picked up the exact same bandsaw a few months back that a neighbor had thrown in their trash. I plan to convert it over to a metal saw, I haven't had time to get too far as of yet but when I do, I now have a blueprint to follow

Would you be able to post the diameter of the pulleys you used?

 

I have the same craftsman saw that I converted to metal cutting saw. I geared it down some and put a dc motor and controller on it, speed it up for wood slow it down for stainless. It’s held up well for 15 years or so.

 

Dang, Dave! You don't post very often, but when you do, it's pretty cool.

 

I have an old 14" Delta. A friend bought one like it a few years ago but discovered that his has a 2 speed box (from the factory). Pretty cool.

 

I've got am old craftsman kind of like the op's and it has the factory 2 speed box on it.

I gave a little more than I wanted for it used but figured by the time I build/buy the stuff to slow it down it was cheaper in the long run just to pony up the cash and move on...

..

 

This machine has cut a lot of inches of different thicknesses of metal. My jackshaft is a second motor. I can roll the bottom belt off and power the jackshaft motor to go back to high speed for wood. A single pole, double throw switch controls both motors.

Gary

 

Was looking to purchase a Craftsman bandsaw to make my top wood for the Av8 Tudor I'm working on with an eye to convert it to cut metal in the future, Found one on Craigslist for $50. When I went to pick it up, it had the Craftsman optional 2 speed reduction box already on it! The fellow I bought it from didn't know it was there, as he only used it for wood. Needless to say, I had a big grin on my face the rest of the day.

 

Are metal cutting blades readily available for a converted wood saw? My Taiwan metal saw uses a 64.5 blade which are easy to get.

 

You can get metal bi-metal blades any length. 93" blade is around $20. Good blade supplier welds them size. Bi-metal 12-14 pitch.

 

I do the same on mine, just switch from counter shaft to direct motor pulley. spring loaded idlers take up belt difference.

 

I remember reading years ago about someone who geared down their bandsaw with a transmission from a Crosley. I have a small Suzuki Samurai gearbox that I would love to use for something.

 

I've seen Crosley and Model A transmissions on various shop machines such as lathes etc.

Should work on a bandsaw.

I'm guessing you would want to put much less viscous oil in it to minimize power loss.

Now why did I ever give away that Crosley trans???

 

I'd like to put a treadmill motor on mine with a variable DC power supply, if I ever stumble on to the parts.

Gary

 

Man I think if I was walking on a treadmill and using a bandsaw at the same time I’d stumble for sure!




Sorry couldn’t help myself.

 

Just about to convert mine and slow it down for metal. It has a flat disc with sandpaper glued to it, mounted on the motor output shaft, just in front of the drive pulley/ saw blade wheel. I am going to remove this disc, which leaves about 1" of the motor shaft poking out of the cover, and install a pulley driven by another electric motor, which will be able to be turned on when I want to use low speed. I will use a relay so that only 1 motor can be turned on at a time. The high speed is always handy when you need to cut a bit of timber quickly.
I have also seen a washing machine gearbox used to slow the original motor down, too.

 

I saw one on market place a few weeks ago that had a 90 degree gear box with a motor bolted to it that had speed reduction . . Looked pretty simply it was a old Powermatic wood saw converted .

 

if the 90 gear box was the right reduction it should work well.

 

Minw has the same speed reducer. It is a 10:1 ratio.

 

I have an old wood bandsaw that uses non standard blade lengths. I’ve been buying blades to order thru www.Detroitbandsaw.com, when I lived in Michigan I could order and just pick them up. A bit cheaper than premade blades in the home stores.

 

I have a Milwaukee Porta Band mounted to an upright stand. It has changed the way I do things.

 

Here is how someone converted one using bicycle sprockets.

 

I knew there was a good reason why I kept my old bicycle...

 

This would give the OH&S bloke a heart attack!

 

Yeah, but remember when you were a kid? And how you learned not to touch the stove, or stick a paperclip in an electric outlet? Same deal...

 

I was wondering about this.
Thanks.

 

Man, that's Rube Goldberg as all get out but cool as hell.
Hello, OHSHA!