Category: Bandsaw 2017

Finally doing some test cutting, the filming abruptly ended but is was simply the drill chuck coming loose on the drive shaft. I think we need a better solution to drive the saw.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf9GYMqje_Y

Working out how to wire up and bench test the Simpson washing machine motor.

A very nice brushless 3-wire capacitor start motor on the left and the wiring loom on the right – how do we wire it up ???

Continue reading “8” Bandsaw – Testing the motor”

Video clip of Simpson Encore 555 washing machine motor running on the bench. Looks to be turning like a single phase 4 pole motor…1400rpm…ideal RPM for a bandsaw.

Tomorrow morning I’ll work out a motor mount setup so I can drive the saw with a Vee belt…more to come.

We need something better than a electric drill to drive the saw, what about a bench grinder.

Took off one of the wheels and was preparing to make a pulley for the grinder shaft to drive the saw with a Vee belt when I thought of the Simpson washing machine in the back of the van – see next post.

I haven’t posted any updates for a week or so because I’ve been going backwards – not to worry. Gave up with the Melamine wheels and switched to MDF which is featured in this post. Also spent time setting up a sewing machine motor to power the saw to underpowered. Then tried a grass trimmer motor, power OK but revs are far to high. For now powering the bandsaw with a Bosch drill.

Continue reading “8” Bandsaw – Gave up on Melamine wheels”

Not posted any updates for a week or so because I’ve been going backwards – but that’s OK. Gave up with the Melamine wheels and switched to MDF which is featured in this post. Also spent time setting up a sewing machine motor but not enough grunt, then tried a grass trimmer motor, power OK but revs far to high…so for now powering the bandsaw with a Bosch drill. Another thing…I think the skateboard bearings are really to small even for 8”/20cm wheels, might have to visit Schunk in Scoresby. Continue reading “8” Bandsaw – More design work”

Shows how the blade tracking adjustment tilts the upper wheel.

After dropping ET off to her Tai-Chi class this morning it was back to Bunnings to get some hardware stuff for the bandsaw build like mudguard washers (very handy), M8 Teflon nuts, M6 insert nuts plus some other things.

Took a while to work out how to mount the wheels in particular the top one which has to move/slide vertically for blade tension and pivot for blade tracking.

Oops…out of focus.

This is the tension rod that moves about 5 degrees either way for blade tracking. I need to grind a flat on two sides of that mudguard washer.

Here at the back you can see the sliding wheel mount block, the skateboard bearing on this side is secured with a mudguard washer, 5/16″ union nut and then a lock nut. There will be another threaded rod towards the top of the block for tracking adjustment.

This evening we are working on the upper wheel mount assembly.

As mentioned in the previous post there are four panels. On the left is 1 & 4 (front & back) and on the right inside panels 2 & 3.

The upper wheel needs to slide vertically (up & down) to facilitate blade tensioning and…tilt left or right to allow for blade tracking on the crown of the wheel.

Blade tension – the wheel block is able to slide up & down inside the cut out of panels 2 & 3.
Blade tracking – the lower hinge block is the same thickness as the two 17mm panels and can only slide up & down. The bearing block is 26mm and can tilt on the hinge for tracking adjustment – we only need a few degrees either way.

Work in progress…back soon.

As mentioned in the previous post the main frame consists of four 17mm Melamine panels sandwiched together – 68mm total.

On the left is 1 & 4 (front & back) and on the right inside panels 2 & 3.

The upper wheel needs to slide vertically (up & down) to facilitate blade tensioning and…tilt left or right to allow for blade tracking on the crown of the wheel.

Blade tension – the wheel block is able to slide up & down inside the cut out of panels 2 & 3.
Blade tracking – the lower hinge block is the same thickness as the two 17mm panels, it can only slide up & down, no lateral movement. The bearing block is 26mm and can tilt on the hinge for tracking adjustment – we only need a few degrees either way.

Work in progress…back soon.