Thread: Table Bowed on new H&F BP-305 [among other things]

Originally Posted by Hermit

'Dragged' was perhaps too strong a word. It only weighs 20kg, (45 lb). I carried it in.

As long as they don't keep me waiting too long, or I will be dragging the bandsaw in later as well.

3 words.

"Phone-line extension cord"



hahahahahahahahahaha


But seriously ... wouldn't a re-machined table-top be a "better than new" solution?

(forget that - just read about table #3)

Cheers,
Paul.

Originally Posted by pmcgee

3 words.

"Phone-line extension cord"



hahahahahahahahahaha


But seriously ... wouldn't a re-machined table-top be a "better than new" solution?

Cheers,
Paul.

Yeah, or fire up the mobile again. I got sick of paying for it since I rarely use it, but now that I want to spend all my time in the shed, I'll re-activate it. It was a prepaid and I just let it run out of credit a few weeks ago. I can probably get the same number back.

And yes. A re-machined top would be flat and shouldn't distort again in the future now that the metal has settled.
Dean said that the practice of letting cast iron sit for 12 months before machining is just a relic from the old days. Maybe that's why, in the 'old days', tables were flat and true.

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Steve thanks for the reply above was just thoughts.

That looks much better Steve shame still not perfect.

Seems the quaility control OS is lacking major boot kick. I wonder if the engineers who design and should be managing their products are aware of the quality after all its their rep.

You're right, it's the manufacturers and poor inspection/QC by middle-men. Nothing wrong with the design that I can see, but maybe there's an inherent problem caused by the underside ribbing etc. I've now seen three with some form of distortion, all in the same general areas, two virtually identical.

It must affect sales, you'd think.

Originally Posted by Hermit

Dean just asked if I want this one: -
Attachment 210132

I said "Yes, please."
Not perfect, with a little dip to the left of the blade, but a damn sight better than the other two.
It looks more than usable for my purposes.
It's on it's way, from Melbourne this time.

Third time lucky.....

Edit: Dean just verified that it's already on it's way, began arrangements to retrieve the other two and back-ordered some free 1/4" blades for me, to match the one I bought last week. They're not in stock at the moment, hence the back-order.

The dust collector left yesterday, too, so will probably arrive tomorrow.
Things are looking sunnier.

I am looking at the picture of the bandsaw table and can see a problem. On my bandsaw, at the end of the table slot there is a tapered pin that is inserted that forces the two halves to come into alignment. I don't see it on the table in the picture. My last bandsaw did not have the tapered pin but had a 1" x 3/16" plate bolted underneath at the slot edge to align both halves. The above may be present on your table but I cannot tell by the picture. There should be something to hold the two halves in alignment.

Col.

Originally Posted by Col

I am looking at the picture of the bandsaw table and can see a problem. On my bandsaw, at the end of the table slot there is a tapered pin that is inserted that forces the two halves to come into alignment. I don't see it on the table in the picture. My last bandsaw did not have the tapered pin but had a 1" x 3/16" plate bolted underneath at the slot edge to align both halves. The above may be present on your table but I cannot tell by the picture. There should be something to hold the two halves in alignment.

Col.

There's no pins or brackets. At the slot, the two halves are in alignment: -
Attachment 210166

The problem is that the two halves are on different angles. A pin at the centre would do nothing and neither would a plate, unless it was full width and stronger than the table.
Can you imagine how much pressure it would take to hold this thing straight?

Edit: I could definitely make something that would stress it straight, but it would be bloody hefty. A pin would help in that situation, along with a bracket pulling the centre down and pushing the edges up.

Steve
After reading about all your problems I went and checked my new bandsaw.
I must have been extremely lucky, it is as straight as a die.
I do have the pin in the centre though, the halves didn't line up until the pin was in place.
Cheers
Wolffie

Originally Posted by Wolffie

Steve
After reading about all your problems I went and checked my new bandsaw.
I must have been extremely lucky, it is as straight as a die.
I do have the pin in the centre though, the halves didn't line up until the pin was in place.
Cheers
Wolffie

You're lucky.

That pin will help the halves line up provided the table main is not bowed and one side is up, but when there's a bow it's a different story.
I think that a pin or plate should be on all tables, to keep the halves aligned. Makes good sense. Mind you, if the two halves were slightly out of alignment in that manner, since so little pressure would be needed to re-align, the aluminium extrusion for the fence, that goes across the slot, would help to keep things in line. (Won't do 5hit for a bow, though.)

The new table arrived today. Just cleaning and fitting it now.

I'm packaging the other two and sending the better one back to Melbourne, (for cheap resale, Dean says), and the worst to Sydney, (for a boat anchor?). H&F are arranging transport at their cost.

This little saga has come to an end, thank goodness.
Thanks all, for following.

Now I have to sort out my Dremel Multi-Max - 5 weeks old and one battery has failed. About $80 to replace, so another warranty issue.
I'm dealing direct with Dremel, (Bosch). They've been good so far. I'm currently trying to convince them to let me send only the battery and keep the tool to continue working with the other battery. Also hoping to get them to pick it up directly from me, to avoid having to first post it to the retailer. Sounds promising.

Gee Steve what Chinaman did you run over ?

Look forward to photos of a happy chappy using his new BS complete at last.

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Gee Steve what Chinaman did you run over ?

Look forward to photos of a happy chappy using his new BS complete at last.

Ha. So far, at least, the Dremel warranty claim is going smoothly.

Yeah, mate. Finally sorted out. I stayed up all hours putting it back together and fine-tuning everything. Even re-faced the leading edge of the lower guide blocks to hold the blade straight and true with almost no movement. (Had poorly machined surfaces before and allowed a lot of blade twist.) All systems go.

Got a load of 4 x 2s and a solid-core door coming today, to make a new workbench, too. No rest for the wicked.

What a relief.? Enjoy
Cheers,
Jim

Originally Posted by jimbur

What a relief.? Enjoy
Cheers,
Jim

Will do, Jim. Yep, I am relieved.

H&F have arranged to pick up the two bad ones today, then it's all over.

Good result after a lot of effort. I hope you have no problems with your DC when it arrives!!

Originally Posted by Mulgabill

Good result after a lot of effort. I hope you have no problems with your DC when it arrives!!

The DC got here a few days ago. Works great. No compaints there except too much suction. When I first connected it, with a bit of a restriction and the hose stretched right out, the DC shot across the floor like a bullet when the hose sucked up to minimum length. Not a problem when it's connected to a couple of things.

I wasn't going to continue to mention the topic of the Dremel warranty replacement, but have to.
They've been fantastic. Got back to me immediately and, since I use the tool every day, they arranged for the local Mitre 10 to handle the return, rather than me having to send the tool to Melbourne.
He also agreed to let me send only the faulty battery.
Good stuff.

Rob at 'MyToolStore', where I bought the Multi-Max, was particularly helpful too and went out of his way to help. Incidentally, their prices are hard to beat, for anyone looking for Dremel gear.
Brownie points for both. Another good resolution.
I'm happy again.

Back to building the new workbench - my hardwood 4 x 2s and solid-core door arrived today. Got the door for $50, slightly damaged on one side. A bargain. Easily repairable, but that will be the bottom of the bench-top.

Busy busy.