just because OKAY.

i want to stay 110 so i'm thinking either this motor
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2007112517234422&item=10-1793&catname=electric
or this on.
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2007112517234422&item=10-2293&catname=electric

pulleys will be easy, calculating blade speed isn't tough either.
i'm struggling to find a decent blade wheel. yeah i know there are loads of them
on ebay, but i would like to use something cheap, that anyone else could easily order.

maybe something like this? maybe not.
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2007112521461187&item=1-2770&catname=wheels

i want to keep it simple.
obviously this is just a rough estimate of what will be going on..... you get the idea.

what's your plan for tracking the blade?

what's your plan for tracking the blade?
i haven't thought of any clever system... i may just have to buy guides.
if it comes down to that, i'll probably try to find replacement parts for a retail saw.
the guides on my HF red bandsaw would probably get the job done.

they don't look all that complex to build if it came down to it.

question? can a wood saw be modded easier ?

I got one built, acually It was buit what I was just a little boy, I think it was my first project with my dad.

Often is faster/cheaper to build a metal saw by finding a wood band saw.

Just set up the idler pulley to gear the metal blade speeds way down.

A "do-all" type saw (three pulley) rocks as you have a very deep throat. A friend built his own some years back from... PLYWOOD! I was thinking no way, but that sucker rocked. All I remember about the pulley (wooden) was a concave surface, and used rubber from bicycle inner tubes. I've never come across plans for it, but he built that one about 30 years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if he still uses it.

I'd look at common band saw blade sizes, but it was much cheaper to buy blades in bulk and grind/silver solder your own.

Tom

I've been thinking of converting a wood bandsaw. Please keep us posted on what you do. I have never had to mess with pulleys before, I'm sure it's simple, I've just never dealt with it. What would be involved in swapping out the idler pulley for lower speed? Are there three groove pulleys sold or would you need to weld up a few different sizes?

yeah i thought about converting a wood saw, but it just doesn't sound as fun.
pulleys are easy to find. i can get a variety of sizes from my local implement (tractor mechanics) and they aren't that expensive.

i told a friend of mine about this project, and he thinks i should design the whole
thing to be built with threaded black pipe. he wants to build one if i can prove that it will work, but he doesn't have access to a welder.

more to come.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=631454
:D

I took a wood band saw and converted it for metal by pulling the motor off and using 4 pulleys reduced it by about 12 down to around 200 ft per min. It works great and only cost about $300 all together. I'll see if I can get some pics.

I took a wood band saw and converted it for metal by pulling the motor off and using 4 pulleys reduced it by about 12 down to around 200 ft per min. It works great and only cost about $300 all together. I'll see if I can get some pics.

cool :D

Here are some pics of what I did. Not the prettiest, but it's a tool.

now i know i can :D

i haven't thought of any clever system... i may just have to buy guides.
if it comes down to that, i'll probably try to find replacement parts for a retail saw.
the guides on my HF red bandsaw would probably get the job done.

they don't look all that complex to build if it came down to it.

that is a guide. you still need a way to track the blade on the wheels or it will walk off one side or the other. it basically tilts the top of the upper wheel in or out. next time i am at my shop i'll try to get a picture of the tracking mechanism on mine.


something else i would seriously think about is an enclosure of some sort that covers the part of the blade that not used for cutting. it could get ugly if a long blade comes off and you are standing there.

not trying to rain on your parade but imo, it would be much easier to convert a wood saw. if you are looking more for a project than the easy way, then keep it up.

that is a guide. you still need a way to track the blade on the wheels or it will walk off one side or the other.
i'm with you. i have been thinking about it, but haven't solved it.

just go to sears and check out the craftsman bandsaws. they will be wood saws but you can get some ideas from them. the bandsaws they have in stock look pretty good. i got an 18" metal craftsman saw and so far it has been great.