Re: Help with a bandsaw
 

Thanks

Re: Help with a bandsaw
 

Hi,
Had the same problem. Found a company "Ellis Mfg / of WI.
They had a blade configuration that fixed my problem.
I work with Aluminum mostly -- 3/4" thickest so far
Good Luck
Tinkertrucker

Re: Help with a bandsaw
 

Lot's of good advice here on almost exactly the same question:

http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/...hp?f=4&t=88790

Re: Help with a bandsaw
 

Im sorry if some has said this already. I bought a 9 inch Ryobi bandsaw last night. The mastercraft I bought had a horrible selection for blades. Anyway I put a 18tpi blade on it. Cuts through aluminum just beautifully. Nice and straight. Was a little rough but a few seconds with the dremel it was smoothed right out.

Hope this helps.

Re: Help with a bandsaw
 

Just a stupid question,but why do you guys use a band saw?
A scroll saw is way better for what we do.
W/a scroll you can make long cuts & also cut out little parts.
The only difference is you can walk away from a band while it cuts,but best hope it cuts where it's spoda.
Just a suggestion,try coating the blade with bee's wax.it'll cut down on the side tracking. Although,you have to coat it every 30 seconds or so.But it makes a HUGE difference in how straight the blade tracks.
Just what I've learned since being in this hobby.
FGD

Re: Help with a bandsaw
 

Are you guy's talking about this type of band saw? http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...1&ddkey=Search

later, Neil.

Re: Help with a bandsaw
 

I use router speed controls on my power tools as needed. They are very well built and consist of a small control box with the controller, 4ft male cord and 4ft female cord.
I buy mine at Harbour Freight. Never had a problem.

Joe

Re: Help with a bandsaw
 

fgd what blades do you like to use on your scroll saw? And is your saw variable speed, and if so what speed do you use when cutting?

Re: Help with a bandsaw
 

For thick metal I use a course blade(low #of teeth per inch),for thin a fine or high # per inch. & variable speed really helps.
Two things to remember when cutting a metal w/a scroll is never force feed it & don't let the blade get hot.
FGD

Re: Help with a bandsaw
 

That's good to know Freddy. I went with the bandsaw cause the guy that sold me the first bandsaw said I couldn't get metal blades for a scroll saw. I still think a bandsaw works well for certain cuts but its horrible for others. I guess I'm buying a scroll saw after work today. But I think I'm going to get a bigger purse so I can wack the sales guy as well lol.

Re: Help with a bandsaw
 

If you're cutting aluminum you can use regular carbon steel blades (raker flex back). Just watch the Surface Feet Per Minute. I've been using them to cut aluminum extrusions for 30yrs because their way cheaper than the good ones and they both last about the same for wht I'm doing. I run them on a wood cutting Powermatic bandsaw size: 3/4x6tpi Raker Flexback. On my Delta 14'' saws I use a narrower blade: 3/8''x.032 x 10tpi Raker. I get good results with them until the metal work hardens from the Anodized finish but that doesn't pertain to our hobby. You can cut thin steel with a carbon blade just run slower but it won't last very long. But for steel use a Bi-metal blade.I have a Lennox Diemaster on one of my big Powermatic bandsaws. I've had it on there for years! One of the best bandsaw blades I've ever used. I think it is a "Wavey Set" 18TPI I've used it to cut steel up to 2'' thick in past and down to 16ga. Works for brass too. I keep it around 110fpm on steel. Some blades obviously cant be used on a home shop bandsaw but if you can find a saw shop nearby,they can make up the blade you desire any length.
Here is a link to their site. Check out the blade selector too:
http://www.lenoxtools.com/Pages/Cate...egory=Bi-Metal

Re: Help with a bandsaw
 

I know this post is old, but reading it reminded me of a variable power unit that I use for my router. These are very good and hold up to a Porter Cable 690 router with no problem.

http://woodworker.com/router-speed-c...y&searchmode=2