ed4copies
Local Chapter Manager
Well, we cut all the resins with my trusty old bandsaw, a Delta 14" that I bought in the early 90's. Replace the blade every two weeks or so (half inch, 3 to 6 tooth model), life goes merrily along. So, last week I replace a blade and the tensioning device will not work. Tighten a bit, slips back to "loose".
Time to learn about bandsaw construction!! So, I take apart the mechanism and find that the long threaded rod goes into a square nut that is nearly a quarter inch thick. Still have the parts list, go to the internet to find those parts are obsolete, with a replacement number for the shaft called out. BUT no replacement number for the nut. "Well", says I, "The shaft is probably NOT the same diameter and tooth that it was, so if I order the old nut it probably won't fit. In short, I figured I was SOL (spit out of luck). So, why not improvise?
Went to the local hardware, found some 5/16" rod and a matching square nut. Took them home to find they are the SAME as the part I am replacing!! Did the swap, everything works!!!
The moral of this story, "Don't give up when the part is "obsolete"!! It MAY also be STANDARD!!!
For the "metal purists" among us, I realize this "stock rod and nut" approach does not use hardened components. Two questions:
1) How long will the "standard steel" parts last (minutes, hours or days of sawing time)?
2) What kind of steel would I LIKE to have?? There is an "Acme" product that looks like the specs are more durable, but I am out of my element.
Is Stainless a good choice?
I expect the "stock" stuff won't last long, so I would like to have the replacement, more durable parts in stock to upgrade when this fails.
Thanks for any input!!
Time to learn about bandsaw construction!! So, I take apart the mechanism and find that the long threaded rod goes into a square nut that is nearly a quarter inch thick. Still have the parts list, go to the internet to find those parts are obsolete, with a replacement number for the shaft called out. BUT no replacement number for the nut. "Well", says I, "The shaft is probably NOT the same diameter and tooth that it was, so if I order the old nut it probably won't fit. In short, I figured I was SOL (spit out of luck). So, why not improvise?
Went to the local hardware, found some 5/16" rod and a matching square nut. Took them home to find they are the SAME as the part I am replacing!! Did the swap, everything works!!!
The moral of this story, "Don't give up when the part is "obsolete"!! It MAY also be STANDARD!!!
For the "metal purists" among us, I realize this "stock rod and nut" approach does not use hardened components. Two questions:
1) How long will the "standard steel" parts last (minutes, hours or days of sawing time)?
2) What kind of steel would I LIKE to have?? There is an "Acme" product that looks like the specs are more durable, but I am out of my element.
Is Stainless a good choice?
I expect the "stock" stuff won't last long, so I would like to have the replacement, more durable parts in stock to upgrade when this fails.
Thanks for any input!!