Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    143

    Default 36inch L.S.Barker Bandsaw

    Hey Guys,

    Over the weekend I purchased a 36inch LS Barker bandsaw. It came from a guy who had let the previous owner (PO) leave it in the shed when he purchased the property as they were mates and there was already an insane amount of stuff to move (This was a farming property). The PO had run a saw mill in Nowra and used it to resaw lumber at times.
    2ce757d4-9582-4e3f-a408-ac8496a43f09.jpg
    Back.jpg
    The machine was is in great condition with no broken parts and no real rust at all, just a layer of grime. The PO had the wheels re-rubbered then not used the machine really, so they are in great condition. One questions, do these need to be crowned? As they look flat.
    9fb27d13-df1f-4240-9c69-1800e20d2205.jpg
    The current owner used a backhoe to move the bandsaw, which scary when he used a chain to to drag it away from the wall, up a small off-camber section of concrete, then a 180 turn and then out the door. But he did it perfectly. We then used slings to lift the bandsaw into my trailer.
    6512f472-2d81-4cca-8154-9628e4eefbcd.jpg
    The issues came for me during towing as we planned to stay a few nights in kangaroo valley, this meant long climbs at slow speed and my unfortunately automatic gearbox couldn't keep the heat down. Culminating in a 3 hour journey becoming an 8 hour journey to get the saw back to the central coast due to persistent overheating issues. Will have to look into an additional transmission cooler.

    The saw has the L.S.Barker cast name in cursive script on the back side of the machine just above the motor pulley. Along with the following McPhearsons tag.
    f002a425-6bd7-4427-819c-28cc459035d9.jpg
    fc36be25-acfa-4516-98af-696e88770c36.jpg
    From my reading of other pots on here this would place it in the 40's?

    The bandsaw is currently 3 phase with an old 3hp motor on it, with a well made metal pulley cover. It has a large junction box attached the motor from which a standard on off switch come as well as an emergency off button that was attached to the front of the table. Currently deciding whether to replace with a single phase motor. Though I am hoping to get 3 phase service to where I am moving later in the year so might hold out.
    dbe374bd-5cb2-44fd-8224-db1ed6864be6.jpg
    18f36ea0-f63a-4709-9fea-4377792d1221.jpg
    There is also switch in the system I am unsure off, it is between the motor and large switch box wiring.
    328f3088-3228-436d-9342-257df5aabe70.jpg
    It has what I believe are the original upper and lower guides, and they are in decent condition. But will need a cleanup. Do people have good results with these guides? As a really nice set of guides for maximum resaw performance is defiantly on the cards.
    3c18ce12-26de-4de6-93bc-bf7371ae537c.jpg
    Thanks to all the forum members who have been of assistance as well as the massive knowledge base old threads provide. Very keen to get this saw up and running. I plan to use it to cut up bowl blanks for turning and saw/resaw logs and thick boards.

    Thanks,
    Tom

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Little River
    Age
    77
    Posts
    1,205

    Default

    If that switch is between the motor and the big box it is probably an isolating switch to ensure that the machine can't start unexpectedly, like when you are changing the blade.

    The fact that the knob is missing may be that it was used as a safety switch if there were kids around.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    143

    Default

    Ah thanks for that, makes sense.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    1,166

    Default

    for a machine like that I'd be opting to look for a VFD solution, so you get a slower, more controlled start up

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Petone, NZ
    Age
    68
    Posts
    2,808

    Default

    Nice saw. I don't know much about Barker gear (not much of it crossed the Tasman), but I believe it's good quality and rock solid.

    A wheel doesn't need much crowning to work. I'd try it as is - and you'll soon know whether it has enough.

    I like the steel conduit and the square nuts - a touch of yesteryear. Though I'd be considering the condition of the wires inside the conduit in case they are in poor condition. You can pull new wires through using the old ones as pull wires. If you decide to stick with the conduit, but need to make some mods, let me know if I can help - I've now gathered a few BS Conduit fittings, as I like to reuse the old steel conduit on my machines.

    I'd stick with 3-phase if you can hold out until you have it installed. It's just simpler. If you go for a VFD most of your existing switches and contactors will become redundant (but you can keep them for looks if you're into that). Personally I wouldn't bother with a VFD for a bandsaw - but that's your choice.

    Those blade guards don't do much for the appearance - but it's hard to make something that does the job without detracting from the looks (which is why I've left my guards off for now - something I can only get away with in a one man hobby shop).

    Cheers, Vann.
    Gatherer of rusty planes tools...
    Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    In between houses
    Posts
    1,784

    Default

    Nice to see an original.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    143

    Default

    Thanks Vann,

    Yeah will just test blade tracking when I get it running and go from there.

    The electrical system will defiantly need a big once over to make sure it is up to spec and thanks for the offer, would be awesome to reuse the old switch gear if possible.

    Will hopefully be getting a 3-phase installation quote in the next two weeks. Will have to see if it a financially viable option for a mostly hobby shed.

    I also don't like how guards hind the the old lines but safety is pretty important to me so will be making up some form of guards.

    Tom

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    619

    Default

    Awesome! I have one of these thats due for a restoration when I get time.

    Post info on how you go regarding 3-Phase quote. I am looking at moving in 12 months time and will be keen to install it in the new place. I've heard everything from ~$1000 to +$40,000 (if you had to run lines across a property and rig up posts etc.)

    You can make it a lot cheaper by doing some ground work and then just having a sparky come around to hook it all up.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    143

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Charlie_6ft View Post
    Awesome! I have one of these thats due for a restoration when I get time.

    Post info on how you go regarding 3-Phase quote. I am looking at moving in 12 months time and will be keen to install it in the new place. I've heard everything from ~$1000 to +$40,000 (if you had to run lines across a property and rig up posts etc.)

    You can make it a lot cheaper by doing some ground work and then just having a sparky come around to hook it all up.
    Your saw posts defiantly got me keener for this, you have a large journey ahead with those.

    Will do, hopefully won't be too bad as the 3 phase to the pole and is strung up to the fusebox so no digging required to get it the main house fusebox. I have a few sparky mates that can make the fusebox to shed cheap but need a level 2 for pole to fusebox which they can't help with.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    2,205

    Default

    Don’t quite follow re level 2 pole etc.
    My 3 phase was to the house and then out to the shed with 4 wires strung across the back yard with one pole half way in the middle of the yard.
    The previous owners had needed more power so strung the 3 for single phase along side them.
    Plus the phone line. Beautiful.
    My bro (who was a sparky) helped me put it underground with a layer of bricks over the top to slow up future gardeners. We ran the phone on the fence in conduit.
    He also rewired the shed whilst at it.
    H.
    Jimcracks for the rich and/or wealthy. (aka GKB '88)

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    143

    Default

    level 2 electricians are able to do high voltage, basically work on power poles. So until it hits the the main fuse board for your house level 2 is needed.

Similar Threads

  1. My new old Barker Bandsaw
    By camoz in forum ANTIQUE AND COLLECTABLE TOOLS
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 8th February 2022, 09:19 PM
  2. What Would You Do? LS Barker Bandsaw
    By gtvone in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 16th October 2018, 02:45 PM
  3. Cleaning up the Barker Bandsaw.
    By L.S.Barker1970 in forum ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE MACHINERY
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 2nd March 2015, 09:42 AM
  4. Barker bandsaw
    By Petethebutcher in forum ANTIQUE AND COLLECTABLE TOOLS
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 13th August 2014, 11:18 AM
  5. Barker Bandsaw on gumtree
    By 2blast67 in forum ANTIQUE AND COLLECTABLE TOOLS
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 30th June 2013, 05:22 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •