Thread: I need a bandsaw

I ended up getting the BS-5V. Price was $660. Smaller capacity at 125mm than the BS-5S but I think I can live with that. Has variable speed and main switch is on top of motor with trigger switch on the handle unlike the BS-5S which is on the base wher it can get covered in swarf. Much lighter to handle but will still fix it to a mobile bench as soon as I can. Must have been old stock as manufacture date is 10/2018.

Fairly happy with the quality and finish of it but the real test will be cutting the heap of steel I have here for various things. Removed original blade, as I am not sure if it is still ok after being tensioned in the box for 18 months. Got a Starret blade thrown in with the purchase. Going to get three or four bi-metal blades for various things I need to cut, including RHS, some 65mm solid 4140 and 100 x 70 hollow again in 4140.

Any recommendations on what blades I need as in TPI, or just go with what the rather ordinary manual recommends?

Any recommendations on what blades I need as in TPI, or just go with what the rather ordinary manual recommends?

I would start with the highest & lowest TPI blade you can get that suits the saw, but that's just my opinion.

Just using M42 blades for the most part. Have a couple of M51 for the harder stuff. Ones a 5-8 TPI, the other some what finer.

Hi Nev,

Originally Posted by SurfinNev

Any recommendations on what blades I need as in TPI, or just go with what the rather ordinary manual recommends?

I'm currently using a 12-14 vari pitch bi metal blade. The original blade that I was given, that came with the saw originally but never used, is a 3-5 vari pitch carbon steel blade. I understand intended for cutting wood. Its certainly too coarse for anything metal.

Originally Posted by nigelpearson

Takai, I notice you also have an abrasive chop saw under your stand?
Do you winch the bandsaw up to swap them over on the top of your stand?

No, i just drag it out and use it on the ground like a neanderthal. Its mainly there to get it out of the way and act as ballast.

Speaking of bandsaws though, mine did this today:


Ooops

Being a tight I use one blade for everything!

I have found that a multipitch 10-14 tpi to be a good compromise for my needs. I do have to be careful if cutting wider pieces though as the swarf can clog and jam the blade.

Simon

I have a BS-5s which I've put on wheels. Had it for around 5 years and generally use the 18 tip for everything except the ocassional bit of wood. Good saw.

Originally Posted by simonl

Being a tight I use one blade for everything!

I have found that a multipitch 10-14 tpi to be a good compromise for my needs. I do have to be careful if cutting wider pieces though as the swarf can clog and jam the blade.

Simon

I am the same. 10-14 used to cut everything from thin to 200mm solid, Aluminium to steel. Speed is set to the second fastest and is never changed. I do use coolant and have hydraulic down feed.
Over 22 years I have used 3 blades. The last one lasted 10 years but did not get the use the early ones did.

Tony

Where are you buying your multipitch 10-14 tpi blades from?

My last one was Hare & Forbes. Surprised it lasted as long as it did thought it was just home DIY stuff. The first 2 came from a small private company. They did a lot of work. Unavailable now.

Tony

I got a M42 10-14 blade made for my vertical BS by Barry at Specialty Saws ([email protected])

Only had it for about 3 months and hasn't done a huge amount of work. Happily cuts everything I've thrown at it so far - from 2mm aluminium to 25mm steel plate.

From memory it was about $30 plus post.

Steve

I may mount the banbsaw to my old tool cabinet and possibly replace that with this -

https://www.totaltools.com.au/111201...blue-hrd7dttbl

Will see if they got one in stock on Tuesday. Old one has five drawers and a little less in height so may work out ok. Can then use drawers to store smaller metal offcuts and use bottom two drawers for angle grinders etc.

Hi Nev,

Just be careful of the stability of the cabinet, with the weight your going to put on top and what weight may be in the drawers. They have a tendency to tip, relying on the weight in the bottom draws for stability.

It'll be ok. It has two fixed and two swivel castors and I consider this more stable than all swivel. We have trolleys at work which stand quite high for hanging jigs of plated stuff. The all swivel will tip over if not handled very carefully, whereas the one with a combination, is much more stable.

...while we are talking about stands, this is what I made for my scrapped 6x4...


IMG_0670.jpgIMG_0671.jpgIMG_0672.jpg


I started with 1.8m of channel, set angle grinder cutoff for roughly 10°, halved it and angled the ends. Bolted on 2 lengths of channel on the back, and a B&D WorkMate in the front, to hold the weight while I was cleaning with a wire brush.

The square frame on the bottom was an old trolley base. Cut off the rusty castors, drilled some holes in the stainless, and bolted back legs in.

Was thinking about two legs at the front, but decided all the weight was at the back, so just used one. Of course, that means it wobbles and shakes at the front. No big deal.

After replacing and adjusting the pivot end-travel bolt, to stop blade+motor from overbalancing, stand was OK, but there is a lot of force/inertia every time the thing is swung up - the front of the base would lift up from the ground. So the Frankenstein back leg and extra bracing was cobbled together.

A very heavy base would have been better, but I can stack offcuts down there, or hang weights (which I think might be needed on the blade for some cuts!)

I'm picking up this today. I really need to get my lathe and mill into the garage or I'm going to run out of space!


https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/st-i...saw/1247642974


Ben.