Hi all,
A number of bandsaw projects are out of my reach because of my current 6" cutting area.
Has anyone extended their cutting area from 6" to 12" using a bandsaw riser kit?
I just want to know if its worth the $100(+-).
And if there is any reason NOT to extend it.
tia
A couple of things to bear in mind. Firstly, you will in all likliehood need to get the riser kit fitted, assuming you have one of the generic Taiwanese models. The jib is not only bolted to the lower half but there is a tapered nipple which fits into a tapered hole on the jib. These are mated and machine pressed, at the factory. My advice is that its very difficult to separate in the shed. Hence you may need to budget transport and fitting.
Stating the obvious but you're up for all new blades too.
There's also the question of accuracy. Greater cut means that the guides are much further apart, hence a greater capacity to wander.
The above is theoretical, and people with actual experience will be more helpful. Nevertheless, I abandoned my idea of the riser kit due to above.
Excellent.
Thanks for the advice Bodgy.
Everyone,
Stan at
Woodworking Machinery Specialists Prt Ltd129
Preston, Victoria
Australia
9416-9022
was an excellent resource.
My bandsaw was made in Tiawan.
And Stan reconginzed my rebadged name and was sure he had one that would fit it on sale from $105 to $69.
$69 bucks price tag makes this another disposable tool for me.
I'll see if I can fit it and let you know how I go.
By the way Stan 'the man' was a very nice aussie bloke who was very very helpful.
Also, many thanks to David at the wood working warehouse, for his excellent attention to service.
I have recently made my own and just yesterday obtained a piece of 3/4 round bar to extend the upper guides closer (oK right down to the table) of course the old one was 6" too short.
I am a tight Ar*e. I made the riser out of a length of 60 mm by 10mm flat bar I just happened to have lying around. I welded it into an appropriately shaped channel with flat ends.
The locators were not tapered but 1/4" steel dowels of which I happened to have several. The only thing I purchased was a 20 X 75 mm Setscrew nut and Washer $3 something from Bunnies.
It seems to work well but I am still making a smaller version of the Bessemier Tablesaw Fence Clone for the Bandsaw. ( I made one not long after the original post for the table saw).
Brian
Creator of fine Sawdust
Hi Barry,
I have looked at this upgrade too, and thought of welding one up from decent RHS. Besides the problems stated above, I wonder if the motor would be up to turning the increased blade length, with associated friction as it cuts through more timber. After all, the motor was fitted to cope with the existing blade capacity, and presumably with no or little tolerance for increased demand?
Just something else to ponder!?:p Let us know how it goes if you proceed, and Brian with your homemade version...
Cheers,
Outsider,
A Tight Ar.. ? - Man, if I had your genious, know how, and ability to get it done, then thats the last thing I'd be calling myself.
Hi Andy Mac,
I have no dought the motor is up to it.
Its a 1 hp. The larger one for the 14" type.
Not the 3/4 hp.
Stan the man had mentioned this as well.
I'm not in any hurry when cutting the fine lines of a bandsaw box and have mastered the nack of letting the bandsaw do all the work.
Its a 12 speed as well and remember having it set to the slower speeds.
I'll have a go and let you know...
Done!
But, there's gotta be something wrong it only took about 15 mins...
Seriously, the only cumbersum part was trying to keep the top half steady while setting the nut to the elongated bolt.
Man, should have done this long ago.
My shop has exposed joists in the ceiling so I setup a series of cables to hold the top half up while I bolted it down and did some fine tuning. It was well worth it.Quote:
Originally Posted by barrysumpter
I found it a snap to fit the riser kit to my 14" bandsaw, and the kit included the longer blade. I have no trouble getting my replacement blades off the shelf. Where I bought mine at C/T in perth they offered an optional 1.5HP motor at a reasonable price if I wanted it. The theory is that if it takes 3/4HP to cut up to 150mm, then it stands to reason that to cut up to 300mm double the power could be useful.If you are going to max out your depth of cut on a regular basis this option might be useful.
Hi 9,
I just used a 2b4 clamped to the bottom and the top.
Still a bit wobboly, thou.
Hi lyctus,
I wouldn't mind seeing how much it would cost for the 1.5 HP motor.
I'll see how the 3/4 hp goes n see what happens.
Contact the guys at C/T in Balcatta. That's where I came accross them.Quote:
Originally Posted by barrysumpter
Barry,
I recall that Herless in Clayton sells motors of various HP - some imported and some locally made. it may be worthwhile giving them a call to find out how much they cost.
Chris