FIRST post and I'm looking for an opinion/assistance and a bit of a gloat(until someone shuts me down here).
I bought my first bandsaw two nights ago. Saw an ad on local craigslist for 12" bandsaw at $30. I immediatly called the owner and asked questions about it. He informed me the tool had sat in his garage for nearly 4-5 years since last using it. Upon arrival at his house (after stopping at the ATM) I inspected it as could be done. Table, 100 percent covered in rust. Wheels turned slow. Trucks (rubber bands if I'm calling it right) coated in metal dust. Blade . . .there and also 100% rust from what I could tell. He started it up and I said, sure, $30, I'll take it. So I loaded it up into my van and proceded home and commenced cleaning!!!
This is the final product. I'm sure I could do more cleaning, but it's functional now from what I've tested.
Here is where the opinion/assistance comes in. Could I safely use something like JBWeld to re manufacture the damaged guide housing? The locking screw does not have full thread engagement because the side is missing. How hard are the 'cool blocks' or guides to find for this type model? I keep seeing JET & another kind, but haven't found the Craftsman. Can I convert? I've seen some guide/blocks with a bearing on the ends also. Viable alternative? Theres no doubt I can make the repairs w/JBWeld, but will it hold up the the vibration & such? Should I just get another guide housing? Saw another housing somewhere that was nearly $150!!!
The original owner had the bearings actually on the inside of the blade pushing it out to the side causing the damage to the housing. They also of all things, had the blade backwards. Took me an hour to figure this out being my first bandsaw. Noticed the teeth looked upside down and I was looking for bandsaws for leftys...no kidding I was. Watching TV this evening, I thought about it for a few seconds and remembered how rubber bands can be flipped inside out, went out to the garage and removed then flipped the blade. WA-LA!!! I can be taught. Had to make the little table cover to prevent scrap from falling into the lower section & binding or stuff (1/8" plexi on my little scroll saw)
Someone tell me this was worth my $30.
I bought my first bandsaw two nights ago. Saw an ad on local craigslist for 12" bandsaw at $30. I immediatly called the owner and asked questions about it. He informed me the tool had sat in his garage for nearly 4-5 years since last using it. Upon arrival at his house (after stopping at the ATM) I inspected it as could be done. Table, 100 percent covered in rust. Wheels turned slow. Trucks (rubber bands if I'm calling it right) coated in metal dust. Blade . . .there and also 100% rust from what I could tell. He started it up and I said, sure, $30, I'll take it. So I loaded it up into my van and proceded home and commenced cleaning!!!
This is the final product. I'm sure I could do more cleaning, but it's functional now from what I've tested.
Here is where the opinion/assistance comes in. Could I safely use something like JBWeld to re manufacture the damaged guide housing? The locking screw does not have full thread engagement because the side is missing. How hard are the 'cool blocks' or guides to find for this type model? I keep seeing JET & another kind, but haven't found the Craftsman. Can I convert? I've seen some guide/blocks with a bearing on the ends also. Viable alternative? Theres no doubt I can make the repairs w/JBWeld, but will it hold up the the vibration & such? Should I just get another guide housing? Saw another housing somewhere that was nearly $150!!!
The original owner had the bearings actually on the inside of the blade pushing it out to the side causing the damage to the housing. They also of all things, had the blade backwards. Took me an hour to figure this out being my first bandsaw. Noticed the teeth looked upside down and I was looking for bandsaws for leftys...no kidding I was. Watching TV this evening, I thought about it for a few seconds and remembered how rubber bands can be flipped inside out, went out to the garage and removed then flipped the blade. WA-LA!!! I can be taught. Had to make the little table cover to prevent scrap from falling into the lower section & binding or stuff (1/8" plexi on my little scroll saw)
Someone tell me this was worth my $30.
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