Bandsaw

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

I purchased a Scheppach MBS1100 metal cutting bandsaw as I don't need anything big for the work that I do or even imagine needing it for any big material.

So far I have only used it on smaller pieces and found it a good machine. Well today I needed to cut some steel that (Reportedly tool steel) It came to me as a block of 81/2" X 8 1/2" x 2 3/8" too large to fit in the saw so I borrowwed a petrol stihl cutter and managed to cut in half which took it out of me and seemed to take ages.

Anyway one of these halves needed cutting in half again see photo Of half of the original block 6" ruler for scale.

I thought that why not try the bandsaw and to say I was impressed is an under statement as I expected to have to stop a few times to allow the motor to cool down as well as having to sit there for quite a long time for it to cut the size I had. How wrong was I it took a very short time to do the cut and the finish was better than expected. I was a plant mechanic before having to pack up work due to health reasons hence the purchase of this saw. Part of my work was also working with many electrical tools having to repair and test them.

The cut after with the size written on one half. I don't think it would take any stock mush larger than this. The only down side at this point of using it is the vice which I feel could be closer to the blade.

I have only posted as a matter of interest and my personal findings

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Quite surprising what some of these small machines can do.

My bandsaw is a cheapy Chinese "junk" model, which for some unknown reason, is still going strong after 20 years [maybe I got a dud ] The size and type of work it handles never fails to amaze me. I dont know how I got along before I bought it [OK,I do, but prefer to forget it ]

I think any of those little saws would be a great asset to any small shop, there comes a time when you just want to hang up your faithful hacksaw. All you need is a good bi-metal blade and you can sit back! Perfect !

[An OtherParticipant @another21905]

100% agree with the comments here – I've also had one of these 'cheapy' machines for about 20-odd years now, and it has more than paid for itself, despite needing some 'fettling' to correct odd problems – none particularly expensive. Using a bi-metal blade definitely improves things. The biggest problem I had was severe wear on the worm drive gearing – Not really sure why this happened, as it was well-greased. At that point I nearly junked it – it sat in a corner for a couple of years, but that coincided with a house move, so no great loss.

One day I came across a nice substantial worm drive gearbox that came off a petrol engine driven posthole borer. It occurred to me that it may fit the bandsaw, and after some fairly drastic cutting and grinding, I was able to adapt the saw to fit this gearbox. At the same time, I changed the motor (mainly due to getting a hefty 'belt' when I touched it one day – didn't really want to try and fix an insulation fault). The performance of the saw seemed much better thereafter, it seems to run much more smoothly and quietly. Of course, I have made a lot of changes, so it is hard to say why it has improved – I guess a worn gear drive didn't help! – but at least I avoided having to scrap it, and saved either the cost of a new one, or the hard labour involved in cutting steel with a hand hacksaw!

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