Wooden Bandsaw

[Shep]

I know most people have posted articles about this guy in the past, but I thought you would like to check out his newest project; building a wooden bandsaw.

http://woodgears.ca/bandsaw/wheels.html

[chopnhack]

Good for him! That is an undertaking, but if successful, he will be able to have quite a setup for a very minimal investment. I am curious on how he expects to build the post? The tensioning of the blade puts so much stress on the post (AFAIK, not owning one myself yet) that I would believe him to be hard pressed not to buy some steel column.

[Shep]

Knowing him, He'll probably make it out of wood. But who knows, I'm sure he'll engineer it to be strong.

[cgallery]

Is wheel construction intrigues me.

I wonder why he didn't just laminate two pieces of plywood together.

The method he used seems to add quite a bit of complexity, and with it a greater chance of balance problems. Not sure what it buys him.

[LCHIEN]

Good for him! That is an undertaking, but if successful, he will be able to gave quite a setup for a very minimal investment. I am curious on how he expects to build the post? The tensioning of the blade puts so much stress on the post (AFAIK, not owning one myself yet) that I would believe him to be hard pressed not to buy some steel column.

There are kit built (Gil-Built) wooden bandsaws that had arms strong enough (or so I presume). I'm sure he could build one fairly stiff to take the load... it might be larger than a cast iron neck though...Additional width, thickness, and angle bracing I don't see as a limiting problem.

Is wheel construction intrigues me.

I wonder why he didn't just laminate two pieces of plywood together.

The method he used seems to add quite a bit of complexity, and with it a greater chance of balance problems. Not sure what it buys him.

its quite a bit lighter since the overall thickness is less in the center, it also moves the mass concentration to the outside.

[cgallery]

its quite a bit lighter since the overall thickness is less in the center, it also moves the mass concentration to the outside.

Good point about the mass at the outside being desirable.

I guess it is also possible that two pieces of plywood may result in separating plys when you're trying to stretch the tires on.

[Shep]

Just wanted to let you guys know that he decided to make his post out of wood like I thought he would. Amazing.

http://woodgears.ca/bandsaw/build.html

[JimD]

I have a Gil Built 12 inch bandsaw. It works OK. The wheels are aluminum with rubber wheels. It uses blades meant for a 12 inch Craftsman. The column is 3/4 plywood with a piece of construction lumber. It flexed enough I added an oversized piece of 2X construction lumber. It still flexs some. But it cuts. I don't use it a lot. If I had a big project, I would probably buy a new saw. I've made 12 kitchen chairs with curved backslats cut on this little saw. 4 of the chairs have two large backslats that are 4 inches tall out of oak. That was a lot for my little saw to cut and the cuts were not very smooth but it did it.

Jim

[chopnhack]

That is really cool. I am kinda suprised that he didn't have the capability to cut keyways? I should think a hacksaw would make quick work of that, the author seems very accomplished.

[PhilofKayDu]

Wooden Bandsaw

I have built some tools and jigs in my time. I thought my ideas were clever for what I needed them for. But,OMG, a wooden bandsaw! Very very clever!!!! Phil

[Jack Bench]

Amazing, simply amazing.