bandsaws and vices

[James fortinParticipant @jamesfortin46829]

hi all i am looking to purchase a bandsaw for my workshop and after searching around the web i have a found a 4×6 bandsaw at a very low price  bandsaws (second one down) but i realise it has a camlock vice. has anyone had experience with these vices or currently use one. any info would be appreciated.

 

also does anyone else use this model of bandsaw as the next model has the same capacity but seems to be more popular, is there something i have overlooked

 

many thanks

 

james 

 

[James fortinParticipant @jamesfortin46829]

info on bandsaws and cam-lock vices needed

[Keith LongParticipant @keithlong89920]

No experience of camlock vices, but it looks as though the third one on the list can be used in a vertical mode. No 1 on the list can’t as standard – I’ve got the Chester version of it and no 2 is the bigger version. On these the whole saw head swings to give the mitre angle, the feed stock always stays in the same line across the saw. I think you’ll find no 3 has a mitre vice that you swing to cut angles, that means the feed stock will swing round as well, so you may need more room to do that than the other arrangement – depends how long a bar you need to cut

Keith

[Billy MillsParticipant @billymills]

The H/V model is the most useful which is why it’s the most popular! The horizontal mode vice is good enough for most jobs where you want to cut short lengths from long stock. The vertical mode is a useful bonus for finer work, it is very easy to fit a larger table when needed. The vertical mode can be very handy for roughing out complex shapes quickly and is well worth the extra pounds.

There are a few good articles on the web on adding extra features which are quick and easy to do. Whatever bandsaw you get do buy decent bimetal blades, they are a vast improvement on cheap blades.

 

Regards

Alan.

[Jim WhetrenParticipant @jimwhetren72358]

Hello James,

 

I have the Axminster version of this bandsaw. The camlock vice is, in my opinion, an excellent feature.

 

I have had my saw for about five years now and wouldn’t be without it. I am still using the original blade, but there are better ones available.

 

A simple means of holding short work pieces with a piece of angle iron appeared in MEW October 2006, I don’t have the issue number to hand at the moment. Illustrated is a piece of 3/4″ square material stood on end having an 1/8″ slice cut off with this method.

 

Hope this is of some help.

 

Jim

[JonParticipant @jon]

I have the Sealey over priced equivalent back in mid 98 £33 after bargaining then, lasted two years before guides went. This has same head as the third one down not as piccied in 2nd down with camlock.

Now looking for a suitable donor or new guides, its just been sitting there for 10 1/2 years gathering swarf.

 

Mixed feelings on the camlock, thought at time push up to job and clamp which works well.

However theres a massive gap at end of vice area to the blade.

 

Use the Bimetal blades they last 4 to 5 times longer than the cheapies.

 

Mine will flip 90 degrees vertical and came with a flimsy bolt on plate (2 M5 countersunk screws what you cannot tighten up enough.) Emergency use only.

 

Of the three the 3rd down is the more robust due to the head.

 

[James fortinParticipant @jamesfortin46829]

thanks for the advice , it is all appreciated, the vertical capability does seem worth it.

 

many thanks

 

james 

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

I cracked the end off my camlock vice by overtightening it

 

I fixed it back with four M6 bolts into tapped holes and it still works, but i need to true up the jaw mounting face a little on the mill. Better than scrapping it.

 

Neil

 

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