new bandsaw stand

[WelderMick]

Firstly thanks to those who offered great advice and ideas in http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/current-bandsaw-recommendations-135256/ (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/current-bandsaw-recommendations-135256/). In case you didn’t follow that thread, I ended up buying one of the cheapest horizontal bandsaws there is from H&F: the BS-4A.

The stand that comes with these things is pretty ordinary – although surprisingly rigid once it’s all together. My main issue was that it was too low, but I also wanted to add castor wheels for each corner so it was manoeuvrable in my small workshop. I spent a bit of time pondering the pros and cons of ways to fix the stand up but in end I went for the minimalist frame version that is often seen (see yahoo 4x6 bandsaw group for instance). One of the reasons for this was that I thought I could get better access the nuts that lock the ‘vice’ angle under the saw bed than if I had a full sized swarf tray under the saw.

To connect the saw to the main frame of the stand I made some mini-stands which are bolted to the saw. These are bolted (rather than welded) to the main frame as well, so that I can slip full sized swarf tray underneath if this turns out to be necessary, and it also means that I can detatch the saw and use it independent of the main frame if needed.

It doesn't look it, but this stand is way more stable than the original in all directions, particuarly when the saw is tipped to vertical. It's also great to move around and the saw bed is exactly the same height as my other benches now, which I use as my in/out feed. So successful so far.

Next step will be to add a gutter (probably similar to Dave J’s http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/bandsaw-coolant-105170/ (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/bandsaw-coolant-105170/)) to catch swarf and coolant. I might bend up a bit of gal sheet, or maybe just go and find an actual gutter offcut. I quite liked this guy's http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/bandsaw-stand.html (http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/bandsaw-stand.html) approach as well.

Then it’ll be time to sort out the coolant pump. I’ve got a pond pump that’ll do the job, so will hunt around for the right container and plumb it all up and will add a frame to hold it to the stand then. While I think of it – where’s the cheapest place to get that flexible coupled loc-line coolant pipe from?

Also - any suggestions on what I can make out the original blue stand?

Cheers

- Mick

[pipeclay]

You could make a Bandsaw to fit the Blue stand.

[steran50]

HI:),
Maybe a Trolley for a small Welder. If You are going to run Coolant on Your Bandsaw, somewhere on the Internet is a really good Picture of a Bandsaw like Yours on a Homemade Trolley with a Coolant set up. I think the Picture has Plans to from memory, I will try and find it for You after Tea.

[RayG]

Hi Mick,

Can you make them into a couple of roller stands to support long lengths of steel being cut on the bandsaw. Should be about the right height.

Regards
Ray

[steran50]

HI again:),
Here is the Weblink Stand for bandsaw (http://www.homemetalshopclub.org/projects/sawstand/sawstand.html) If You Scroll down near the bottom of the Page the PDF is there for the Plans. If You are interested use Google and Search for 'bandsaw modifications'. You will find a lot of interesting Mods that People have done to their Bandsaws.

[Dave J]

Hi Mick,
Stand come up good, looks well balanced and is 100% over the stock one. I agree with about the standard stand being flimsy but after everything is bolted up it is fairly rigid. You got to give it to the Chinese for getting away with the least amount of steel possible to do the job. LOL

I used some 4x3inch sheet metal down pipe for my tray that I had laying around and cut one side out of it and folded the ends over so it was all out of one piece. I used sealastic on all the joins other wise it will leak. I also had to add the small channel at the rear to catch the drops of coolant getting carried around by the blade.
Another way I have seen it done is to buy an oven cooking tray and weld a pieces of angle onto each leg for it to sit/slide on. This way the tray could be taken out to the garbage.
As for the legs, one could one be used for the tray like mine and cap the ends? It already has the taper built it. I just slid the sheet metal up under the saw base and used the leg bolts to hold the tray instead of drilling any others.

PM sent

Dave

[WelderMick]

Stewart - thanks for the link. I'd see this before from one of the previous threads. I agree it's a nice setup. Welder trolley? maybe? I'll mull that one over.

DaveJ - thanks - I was thinking exactly the same thing with using one leg for a tray, but after a bit of fiddling around I wasn't happy with it but it would be an elegant solution so I'll keep playing with it. I noticed previously on your machine that you had the back gutter as well as the drip catcher under the vice holes. Yeah I was planning on slipping the sheet metal between the saw bed and the feet connecting to my stand.

RayG - I've made my saw too high now (bed is at 900mm) for the blue stands to be used like that without extending them which would probably be more hassle than it's worth. Not a bad idea though.

Pipeclay, thanks, that helps a lot.

Cheers

- Mick

[BobL]

Looks really slick Mick. :2tsup:

I wish I could make nice tidy welds like those :)

[WelderMick]

thanks Bob - I'm sure I could find a few ugly welds on it to!

I was going to TIG the whole thing as I find it relaxing, but I only had a smidgeon of gas left, and it was last weekend, so didn't get a refill till a few days ago - so just did the mini-stands (top weld) then stick welded the rest (e.g. bottom weld). Stick welding is certainly quicker and probably a good choice for a project like this, as the steel tube I used was scrap that had been lying around a bit and therefore was a bit rusty. (40 x 2 mm SHS; 2.6mm 6012 rods)

Cheers

- Mick