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  1. #1
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    Default woodfast / steelfast vertical bandsaw

    Anyone know what the differences are between woodfast timber bandsaw and steelfast metal bandsaw other than the reduction gearbox on the steelfast?

    I'm after a BS mainly for metal but they are harder to find than and I wonder if slowing a woodfast BS down would be essentially the same.

  2. #2
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by monchochos View Post
    Anyone know what the differences are between woodfast timber bandsaw and steelfast metal bandsaw other than the reduction gearbox on the steelfast?

    I'm after a BS mainly for metal but they are harder to find than and I wonder if slowing a woodfast BS down would be essentially the same.
    It depends what you are cutting - if its just Al, brass or similar then even a WW BS will do that.

    From memory the Steelfast is a sturdier build.

    I found a Steelfast for the mens shed and have used it to cut curves in sheet steel but apart from that I don't think much of them and for other cutting would much rather use my 6 x 4 horizontal bandsaw I have at home. Safer, Easier to clamp, cuts without standing there holding the material, turns itself off when finished, and can be set up to run lube coolant.

    .

  3. #3
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    I would say the differences are:

    1.
    The final blade feet per minute figures - metal as compared to timber meaning you shall need to modify the pulley system or add the reduction gearbox to achieve the 275 to 350 FPM standard needed for most metal blades.

    2.
    The drive wheels - bare metal for metal blades as compared to rubber tyre for timber blades.

    3.
    Modern Metal cutting saws commonly have roller bearing blade guides where most Woodfast bandsaws may not have them which means yet more modification.

    The conversion is certainly doable. If I was going to that much trouble I would look at a VFD set up which might be cheaper in the long run.

    A lot of people choose the versatile horizontal saws some of which lend themselves vertical blade cutting.

    Grahame

  4. #4
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    I'd like to cut steel mostly. Cutting bar stock for the lathe as well as sheet. Was thinking vertical for the versatility and I only have space for one type of machine

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by monchochos View Post
    Anyone know what the differences are between woodfast timber bandsaw and steelfast metal bandsaw other than the reduction gearbox on the steelfast?

    I'm after a BS mainly for metal but they are harder to find than and I wonder if slowing a woodfast BS down would be essentially the same.
    I am working on a couple of Steelfast ones at the moment. The gearbox is the main difference. The guides in the Woodfast are brass but in the Steelfast they are steel but they would be trivial to swap. The differences in the base are because the gearbox moves the pulleys out further from the main casting.

    The gearbox on the Steelfast is 18:1 if you like I can measure up the stepped pulleys too. It has 4 grooves in the motor and driven pulley. (I assume we are talking about the 14" Steelfast units?)

    BTW both units have the same cast aluminium rubber tyred bandwheels. The steelfast unit can be taken out of back gear to cut wood at up to 1100 Metres per minute yet in back gear it can get down to about 30 Metres per minute Which is probably good enough for cutting stainless.

    You wont get that kind of range in speed with a VFD alone.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by monchochos View Post
    Anyone know what the differences are between woodfast timber bandsaw and steelfast metal bandsaw other than the reduction gearbox on the steelfast?

    I'm after a BS mainly for metal but they are harder to find than and I wonder if slowing a woodfast BS down would be essentially the same.
    BTW there was a Steelfast for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Berri on the weekend for $150 but it went real quick.

  7. #7
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    If it's not too much trouble it would be interesting to know the full pulley ratios.
    There's a woodfast in a current auction that I think is 14", has the rounded design on stand. I'd prefer to just buy a steelfast but haven't found the right one at the right price yet.

  8. #8
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by monchochos View Post
    I'd like to cut steel mostly. Cutting bar stock for the lathe as well as sheet. Was thinking vertical for the versatility and I only have space for one type of machine
    In that case the horizontal bandsaw beats the vertical by a long way.
    Especially since horizontal saws can be operated unattended and with lube.
    neither of these saws cut very fast but you don’t want to be standing for minutes and applying constant pressure all this time. Holding longer pieces becomes problematic. With a horizontal saw you can cut 1 mm off the end of a meter long bars with considerable ease and accuracy.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by monchochos View Post
    If it's not too much trouble it would be interesting to know the full pulley ratios.
    There's a woodfast in a current auction that I think is 14", has the rounded design on stand. I'd prefer to just buy a steelfast but haven't found the right one at the right price yet.
    I have been thinking of buying that one for a spare because nearly all its parts are interchangeable with the Steelfast and the price is so cheap (at least last time I looked). Also came with a heap of woodworking blades. I have actually 3 steelfast saws hoping to make two good ones out of each. All three have dodgy gearboxes so be prepared for some work if you find one (they actually come up quite regularly though as evidenced by the fact I have got hold of three in less than 6 months).

  10. #10
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    What's been the issue with the gearboxes?

  11. #11
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    The design has a flaw in it such that if the blade and/or the belts are over tensioned, it tends to flog out the bores of the gears, as well as wear the shafts. All repairable but a pain never the less, especially if you are expecting things to work smoothly from the get go.
    In hindsight, think if I were the designer I would incorporate an outrigger bearing to stablise things - I suspect that it was one of those quick/cheap changes to expand the product range. Adding a gear box is simple but this particular design is not terribly robust in the longer term.

    Michael

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Michael G View Post
    The design has a flaw in it such that if the blade and/or the belts are over tensioned, it tends to flog out the bores of the gears, as well as wear the shafts. All repairable but a pain never the less, especially if you are expecting things to work smoothly from the get go.
    In hindsight, think if I were the designer I would incorporate an outrigger bearing to stablise things - I suspect that it was one of those quick/cheap changes to expand the product range. Adding a gear box is simple but this particular design is not terribly robust in the longer term.

    Michael
    Michael,

    We have to remember that the youngest of those gearboxes we have is 55 years old now and the oldest 65 years old. So whilst I agree the gearbox isn't well integrated I will be happy if I get say 30 years out of it before another rebuild.

    Eric

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by lamestllama View Post
    ... the youngest of those gearboxes we have is 55 years old now and the oldest 65 years old. So whilst I agree the gearbox isn't well integrated I will be happy if I get say 30 years out of it before another rebuild.
    pffft!

    Michael

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