Bandsaw Table

[downsizingnow48]

I made this table to get more use out of my handheld bandsaw. It is very accurate.

Photo 1: The frame is made of scrap aluminum plate using 1/2" bolts.

Photo 2: The work is held in place on a fixed table, and the saw moves through the work on a carriage. The carriage slides on 20mm linear bearings. There is a front plate that attaches to the foot of the bandsaw, and a rear plate that attaches to the handle. An acme thread hand wheel arrangement moves the carriage slowly and precisely. At the hand wheel end, the screw is carried in an aluminum block with a bronze bushing and two oilite thrust washers. At the carriage end, the screw turns in a standard acme nut that is attached with 4-40 cap screws.

Photo 3: Each of the four mounting lugs for the carriage shafts can be adjusted for elevation. The bandsaw foot can be adjusted to get the blade parallel with the line of travel. The rear mount can be adjusted to get the blade square to the table.

Photo 4: The table has a grid of 5/16" threaded holes for clamping large or odd sized work. There is a milled slot that takes a key as well. This is at exactly 90 degrees to the line of travel and will be used to orient fences and clamps.

Photo 5: Showing the first saw cut into the table. The saw carriage moves under the fixed table with 1/16" of clearance. Countersunk cap screws are used on the carriage and the table.

I haven't yet decided what kind of vise/fence will be most useful. Will work on that this weekend. Also will weld up a cart on casters. The footprint is 19x34. The saw will cut most of what I need using just the table. Long heavy material can be supported by roller stands on both sides and then the saw on casters can be squared to the work.

I got this idea looking at the large vertical Marvel bandsaws at the local steel supplier. At some point I might buy a horizontal band saw but this will take care of lots of work in the meantime. Also it make cuts a horizontal band saw cannot, for instance, a saw tooth edge for a backhoe thumb. That is actually why I made the table, so I can get going on the next tractor project.

 

[Zick]

Nice work! :thumbsup:

 

[downsizingnow48]

This gives a better idea what it looks like.

 

[JKR]

Nice work

 

[drivadesl]

Nicely executed!

How about some action shots?

 

[downsizingnow48]

Decided to make the first fence out of 3/8" angle.

 

[Big Barn]

Really nice job, Pat!

Terry

 

[rswyan]

Outstanding work ! :thumbsup:

 

[downsizingnow48]

Thanks for the feedback!

After an evening's experimentation I see a couple ways to improve functionality, will update when done.

 

[JKR]

I had to look at your photos again. The detail is outstanding. Red , gray and gold bolts. Counter sink holes bolts fitting flush and the same deep. My type of workmanship. Again nicely done.:thumbsup:

 

[ericher69]

Decided to make the first fence out of 3/8" angle.

Very nicely done!

What are your plans/intended use for this setup?

Hope you have a 120V mig to weld those 3/8" angles; couldn't resist...

Sent from my iPhone 5s 64Gb using TractorByNet

 

[roadhunter]

Wow. That is an impressive project. If it woks half as good as it looks it will be extremely useful.

I don't have the patience to do work like that so it really impresses me to see it.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I appreciate the various comments received. Some additional notes:

There is a place south of town that sells Grade 8 hardware for $3.00 a pound. Contrast with $1.09 for a single 1/2" Grade 8 nut at the local big box store! So I got the yellow zinc Grade 8 stuff which is not needed for this purpose but looks nice.

There is another thread going where folks have identified Rustoleum Lobster Red as a substitute for Kubota factory paint. It is exactly the right orange-red I wanted, and only available in Walmart stores. Never would have thought to look there without that thread!

My dad was a get 'er done type, but my favorite uncle was a craftsman in both metal and wood. Learned something from both. My uncle would have criticized my lack of planning on the fence/clamp. My dad would have said I wasted money on paint and took too long.

On application, I really want a Ellison bandsaw but that is not in the budget for the time being. This is small, but with a 4.5" x 4.5" work envelope it can do quite a lot. It replaces a 60-year old Sawmaster power hacksaw that is slower, noisier, and less accurate.

 

[CalG]

Nice tool!

Don't get attached to "square and true"! That only lasts until the blade gets a bit less sharp on one side than on the other. Which is usually the first time you need to restart into an existing kerf.

Make the "squaring" easily adjustable. Same as for a wood butchers saw.

 

[downsizingnow48]

CalG is right, it is important to have easy adjustments for squaring up everything. So far this thing is a delight to use, it can be adjusted dead square both horizontal and vertical, and holds the adjustment.

Couple updates. The first photo shows a new girdle made from 3/16" steel plate. It connects the front and rear carriages using 8 5/16" bolts. This makes everything 100% stiff. The second photo shows setting up the angle fence. It is fast and easy to get true 45 degree off the keyway. I resurrected the vise from the old Sawmaster power hacksaw. It will be used for clamping flat material. It can be shifted from the fixed 90 degree fence to the adjustable angle fence.

 

[jwmorris]

I like it. I was going to build something similar that used gravity to feed the saw into the work but came across a deal on a roll in saw.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Thanks for that saw reference. I looked for an affordable industrial metal cutting band saw a long time before deciding to go to the trouble of making this one. If one of those Roll-In saws had come my way I would have grabbed it for sure.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Perfect notches are a piece of cake. Chips fall into a commercial size baking sheet from a restaurant supply house ($8).

 

[downsizingnow48]

Finishing touches:

1. A cart to roll it around on. Top shelf for the chip tray, bottom shelf for stuff.
2. A switched outlet for power to the saw.
3. The 60 year old Sawmaster vise is perfect for this use.
4. The vise has just the right amount of tip-over to jam round material against the fence and table.

 

[Big Barn]

Pat. Your attention to detail really shows. Very nice!

Terry