Shop Made Bandsaw

**Jeff Mills** · 30th January 2010, 09:17 AM

I'm collecting stuff to cobble together a shop made bandsaw. I plan on using the bands (blades) from my woodmizer which are 13' 2" (~ 158") long..I also plan on building my wheels out of plywood the same diameter as my woodmizer wheels so I can use the same B57 tires that are used on my woodmizer. I also have a section of 1/2 plate steel for the idler wheel to sit on and a pair of spindles from a 1973 Plymouth disk brake conversion, a 1" diameter length of keyed shaft and pillow block bearings for the drive wheel and step pulleys, Finally I also have a 5HP AC motor to run it... although I think a 2HP would work fine so I may just use the 2HP instead.

I plan on making the chassis out of double 3/4" thick face glued plywood, so it would be 1 1/2" thick and White Oak for the frame. I have not decided on the table yet but I do have a nice section of 1" thick polished granite that is smooth as a babies behind that I might saw up, re-enforce with plywood on the bottom and use.

Why make my own when I could simply buy one? I really don't know... I guess I just enjoy tinkering and there is something satisfying about making your own machines. I've made a few machines already like a scroll saw from a old publication of wood magazine and 8" wide belt stroke sander that was in Fine Wood Working magazine. I did change the scroll saw to use a crank and connecting rod from a old lawn mower engine, it works great.

Any plans, ideas or links for shop made bandsaws would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

*Kev · 30th January 2010, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by Jeff Mills

Why make my own when I could simply buy one? I really don't know... I guess I just enjoy tinkering and there is something satisfying about making your own machines.

G'day Jeff,

I agree. I enjoy making jigs, tools etc just as much if not more than doing the woodwork.

Plus if I had to buy everything I just wouldn't be able to afford it. Tools and equipment in Australia are very expensive compared to you lucky people in the US.

Hope your build goes well and look forward to seeing some photos.

Have a look at my latest build, a home made drum sander.

Kev

**Jeff Mills** · 30th January 2010, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by *Kev

G'day Jeff,

I agree. I enjoy making jigs, tools etc just as much if not more than doing the woodwork.

Plus if I had to buy everything I just wouldn't be able to afford it. Tools and equipment in Australia are very expensive compared to you lucky people in the US.

Hope your build goes well and look forward to seeing some photos.

Have a look at my latest build, a home made drum sander.

Kev

Kev the quality of the machines that I can afford are not so good anymore. I guess that's another reason to make your own, if something breaks either make a new part or buy it locally.

It's going to be a while before I get started on the bandsaw I'm still collecting parts and trying to come up with a good set of plans.

**joe greiner** · 30th January 2010, 11:08 PM

One of the shortcomings of commercial band saws, is they all cut the same way, and the tables all tilt the same way. Once in a blue moon, it could be convenient to cut in an opposite way. Building your own, and using the same blades as your other one, could incorporate removable and reversible guides. Thus, the table could still tilt the same, but you could feed from the "back." With the guides removable, I think the door(s) could still be on the "front" for blade changes.

Please post your progress, however long it takes.

Cheers,
Joe

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