Thread: Barker 36" bandsaw

I would love to have the space for something like that, still tring to buy the house next door and turn it into a big shed, I just have to covnce him he wants to sell, maybe I need to run the thicknesser more often

Originally Posted by Stringy

Finally a suitable bandsaw surfaced that suited my needs(old, 3phase, heavy and cheap), went to Wyong Wednesday and picked it up/unloaded, checked and set it up Today.

Have several jobs to do including a light, new set of belts(has only 2 of 3 belts so squeals on startup), replace a guide bearing, rebuild the dust extraction ducting and set up a fence which it seems to have never had.
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Hi Stringy Whatever time you put in I'm sure the rewards will be there. This BEAST will resaw just about anything once t's tuned.

Any ideas of where and when this machine is made and how did you manage transport for such a heavy machine?

I'd be very interested to hear how the saw performs re blade tracking as no doubt the tyres are old. What sort of guides does the saw use? Carter Products in the US can supply tyres and guides if you need them.

Here's a great article I found you may find useful!

What's happening! - Restoring tyres on an old bandsaw

Good luck

Sectioned 12m of 150x50 last weekend with the 1"x 3tpi blade that came with the saw, the blade is sharp but it was steady going. Recieved a 1 1/4" x 1tpi blade and have just cut some more with much better results!

I just have to covnce him he wants to sell, maybe I need to run the thicknesser more often China, Go turn off his air con!

This BEAST will resaw just about anything once t's tuned.
The saw was in service until recently, so seems to run well, I removed the tables, guards and motor to unload it off the trailer (lower it's height and weight) and clean up, grease and align. It's running nice.

Any ideas of where and when this machine is made and how did you manage transport for such a heavy machine?
It is a L.S.Barker manufactured in North Melbourne. The guards are original, motor has been replaced with a 3kw WEG and magnetic safety switch. Can't find a date of manufacture though. It aslo has a McPhersons tag which seems to be a more modern addition, guessing they were machinery dealers.
Loaded it onto a tandem axle trailer (slung up high), the forklift driver estimated 1.2t. Unloaded by removing tables etc/lowered top wheel as low as it would go and lifted it with a 1.5t lever block (the lever block knew it had some weight) then picked it up with my engine crane and moved it into position.

I'd be very interested to hear how the saw performs re blade tracking as no doubt the tyres are old.
Blade tracks with no problems and the tyres look to be neoprene cast onto the cast iron wheels, they look to be in fine shape.

What sort of guides does the saw use?
The guides look to be cast iron blocks, see pictures (the guard has been removed for the picture). What are these type of guides called?

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Hi,

Re dust extraction on the Barker.
I had one of these for years and I fitted a Gemini heater/demister plastic collector thingy under the tabe. Cut into it with the blade from memory.
It took a 4 inch hose to the system and pulled 90% of the dust.
Barker where made by McPhersons branded Macson before the war and Barker after.
Dont know exactly when the name change occured have '34and '37 prewar cats and '60 and '64 post war.
Nice to see a great old saw like this getting used.
Best of luck H.

Thank's for the info on the saws history H. I am a big fan of old heavy well built machinery!

I have had the saw running quite a bit lately, so sorted the dust extraction with some 150mm ducting, replaced the guides with phenolic resin blocks which quietend it down, new guide bearings, 3 new belts, a light over the blade and fabricated a new motor mount as the old one had a dozen bolts and nuts holding it all together. I am still looking for a fence though.

I have one of these in southern Tasmania, and it is a gem. I have had it for more than 20 years. I have been to the Barker shop in Melbourne, (several years ago), although it is much smaller than the business it used to be in the 1950's and 60's. The old photos on the wall are a revelation!
You can still buy spare parts, new parts, etc. (or at least you could. I haven't checked to see if they are still there)
I recently used my 36" Barker to break down a large slab of Huon Pine that I could not lift off the floor on my own. In order to cut it, I used an old 3 phase platform lift, (electric over haydraulic), to lift and transport the piece, and I clamped it to the platform, and wheeled it past the blade, a couple of millimetres above the bandsaw table. I will try to upload some images taken on my mobile phone...
See in image 007 that I have attached a small blower, (3 Phase, hardwired to start off the same switch that operates the bandsaw),to some pvc downpipe fittings that are bolted up under the table, and around the blade, above the lower bearing guide.

Stunning looking timber! A neighbour gave me some small pieces of Huon Pine a few weeks ago, they are only small so will probably inlay some into a box.
I have a cable operated lift similar to the one you have used, we used to use it to stack wool bales.
You have a great looking workshop there with lots of nice old gear!
My saw is running nicely and I have installed a temporary box above the lower blade guide connected to 6" ducting-just want it to be spot on and let the table tilt and not interfere with blade changes, will use brushes in the blade slot to clean the blade.
Is the blade you are using 1/2" wide, was wondering what a narrow blade would run like for cutting curves. Currently have a 1" 3tpi and 1 1/4" 1tpi

Originally Posted by Stringy

Stunning looking timber! A neighbour gave me some small pieces of Huon Pine a few weeks ago, they are only small so will probably inlay some into a box.
I have a cable operated lift similar to the one you have used, we used to use it to stack wool bales.
You have a great looking workshop there with lots of nice old gear!
My saw is running nicely and I have installed a temporary box above the lower blade guide connected to 6" ducting-just want it to be spot on and let the table tilt and not interfere with blade changes, will use brushes in the blade slot to clean the blade.
Is the blade you are using 1/2" wide, was wondering what a narrow blade would run like for cutting curves. Currently have a 1" 3tpi and 1 1/4" 1tpi

I am using a 3/4" 3tpi, and I have used a 3/8" multi purpose blade, (more tpi, better cross cutting, etc), and that runs OK on this machine.

Years ago I did have a big horizontal bandsaw, when I had crazy ideas of milling timber, but I quickly realised I had bitten off much more than I could chew, and I sold it to Bern Bradshaw at Queenstown, (west coast, Tasmania, trading as Tasmanian Special Timbers, see their website). Myself and a couple of friends took a fiddleback eucalypt log over there nearly two years ago, and milled slabs off that saw, (a Forestor 172), and then ripped them on a brest bench. That timber is just about ready to start using. See images attached.