MetalworkingFun Forum

Has anyone out there converted a vertical wood band saw to metal cutting? Looking for ideas. I have a Porter cable 14" that I'm thinking would serve me better as a metal cutting saw. Thanks.

I did it 5 years ago. I started with a busted up harbor freight saw. I slowed it down with a 60:1 gear box run by the original motor.

"Billy G"

A chap said he had what he thought was a bandsaw, did I want it. From what he said I figured it was an old 14 inch one that I was set to convert. When he brought it over, turned out to be a 14 inch Delta with the metal cutting gearbox built in. Just needed cleaned up. Used it this morning, works great.

I believe Tom converted his wood band saw to use for metal cutting.

Ed

Yeah I can tell you how to do that and give some part numbers.
The saw 14" delta
Speed reduction kit made by Jet $ 121.00:  part 3SP-14 Three Speed Kit
From Grainger a 10.5 pulley attached to the blade drive shaft.
I will also suggest  a quality blade. I have found this to be a good one:
http://www.lenoxtools.com/Pages/diemaste...Redirect=1



[attachment=14190]

[attachment=14191]


Using it for about a decade..

Greg

Thanks for the information. I'm going to look into the Jet kit.

Depending on the bandsaw, you could add another pulley. I saw it done on some forum but cannot remember where now.

I have one of the factory built Rockwell's that cut wood & metal. It's a great saw. I had planned on converting a Taiwanese built wood saw, but jumped on the Rockwell before I started on the conversion. Sold it for what I had in it.

The kit looks much better than most could build and probably cheaper than all the parts, etc one would need such as a gear box to slow down the blade. At the Surplus Center a 60:1 gear box is $98.45 plus shipping. My SWAG is that shipping would raise it to at least $125.00, equal to the kit. All said and done I think conversion would cost $175 or more.

Ditto on the quality blades. One can buy decent wood blades at a big box store, but metal ones need to be sourced from an on line store.

I guess this is a old thread , but i converted my Delta 14 inch with a transmission from a older riding mower. 3 speed gearbox with a reverse. LoL had to still pulley it down some to get it slow enough but now i can cut steel in first gear and go to 3rd gear for wood.

(05-04-2017, 10:06 PM)Pumpjack Wrote: [ -> ]I guess this is a old thread , but i converted my Delta 14 inch with a transmission from a older riding mower. 3 speed gearbox with a reverse. LoL had to still pulley it down some to get it slow enough but now i can cut steel in first gear and go to 3rd gear for wood.

Some pics would be nice.