Thread: My 4 x6 metal bandsaw swing arm lock - simple solution

Nice job, but I'm still trying to work out why it's needed? I move mine around all the time but never had any trouble with it tipping over although I guess I do have my coolant tank and pump sitting in a tray underneath the bed.

Originally Posted by BobL

Nice job, but I'm still trying to work out why it's needed?

Without it, the arm can swing up as you tilt the unit to wheel it, and the weight of the motor transfers backwards.

Rob

Originally Posted by nearnexus

Without it, the arm can swing up as you tilt the unit to wheel it, and the weight of the motor transfers backwards.

Rob

This problem is caused by the low height of the saw which requires it to be tilted quite a bit to be moved comfortably. If you have read my thread Rob you would have seen my new stand which is at a better height to operate and does not need to be tilted as high to be moved. Hence I do not have this problem.

Dean

Neat little mod, I usually have my right hand on the handle and my left resting on top of the saw in the down position to move mine.

Dave

Originally Posted by Dave J

Neat little mod, I usually have my right hand on the handle and my left resting on top of the saw in the down position to move mine.

Dave

Thanks Dave. As I point out in the video, Grizzly actually include an arm lock pin in some of their models.

The problem gets worse as the motor size (weight) increases. I have a 1 HP on mine.

Although the original stand is a bit light weight, all it needs is a bit of bracing and it will be quite OK as far as I'm concerned.

A shelf to take a catch tray (and add bracing) is the next mod, and then maybe a lick of paint to spruce it up - and the missing vise jaw of course .

Slightly OT - It seems odd to me that the grip on the arm is on the left, and not the right.

Cheers

Rob

I put wheels on the back of the BS5S as well, but i find it is much easier to move with the head up, it moves the center of balance back so it is easier to lift.

Ew

Nicely done Rob, did you clean the floor for the shoot???? Thanks for the idea.
Kryn

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

Nicely done Rob, did you clean the floor for the shoot???? Thanks for the idea.
Kryn

Had a big clean up first. The place was a mess.

This was actually the mark 2 version of the lock.

Mark one had a pretty knurled round arm locator, which looked great but didn't let the lock come back from vertical as much as I would have liked when not being used.

You can see the earlier hole for the roll pin in the video.

This design is much better.

Here's a video i did prior to the one in this post showing the mess - and my new air supply over the bench (excellent) which may be of interest.

4 x 6 metal bandsaw and workshop chaos - YouTube

I put up quite a few videos on my channel, but don't normally publicise it here as I don't want to people off.


Cheers

Rob

Hi Rob

Great idea! I moved mine the other day and tipped it. I now have several hours of panel beating on the motor connection housing and the belt guards.

Regards

Ian